So... Went to look at new BMW M3's
- Thread starter LightngSVT
- Start date
LightngSVT
New member
By ormal car I was referring to the domestics. Ive almost always owned Fords and have had many trouble free vehicles. Id hate to spend $30-40k for a used M3 that will almost live at the dealership.
I also asked about the M5, but was just curious as to what the previous version might go for used? Im sure muc more than I am looking to spend.
I also asked about the M5, but was just curious as to what the previous version might go for used? Im sure muc more than I am looking to spend.
FWIW.....anyone that lucked out and have received a GM car built on a good day during the last decade should have noticed how far the domestics (the general at least) have come in terms of reliability and durability. Many of the newer GM cars do not have most of the symtoms of bad build quality that plagued gm and many other american makes from the '70's and the '80's.
But it still bewilders me, that in spite of the (drifting away from the topic and argument) strides that GM has made in terms of quality, it seem to be clueless in how to develop desirable cars geared toward individual customer tastes (economy, luxury, a real high end luxury brand...caddy is trying though). It is my opinion that as Ford and GM seem to have less of a grip on their market, along with the lingering stigma of bad quality that has followed them from the '70's and '80's, customers will continue to buy japanese and german makes that do a better job of portraying built quality and catering to their market demands.
Now...back to the subject. I think its irrelevant which car is made by what maker, or what a car features, or how much power and handling it can produce. On this board, the car with the best paint finish quality (either from the factory and/or by detailing) is the one that will get the most kudos. Go to work......
But it still bewilders me, that in spite of the (drifting away from the topic and argument) strides that GM has made in terms of quality, it seem to be clueless in how to develop desirable cars geared toward individual customer tastes (economy, luxury, a real high end luxury brand...caddy is trying though). It is my opinion that as Ford and GM seem to have less of a grip on their market, along with the lingering stigma of bad quality that has followed them from the '70's and '80's, customers will continue to buy japanese and german makes that do a better job of portraying built quality and catering to their market demands.
Now...back to the subject. I think its irrelevant which car is made by what maker, or what a car features, or how much power and handling it can produce. On this board, the car with the best paint finish quality (either from the factory and/or by detailing) is the one that will get the most kudos. Go to work......
LightngSVT
New member
Hmmm, I wonder how hard it is or how long it would take to order a new one? I just priced a base M3, 6 speed with just Harmon-Kardon and Xenon's. The 24 mo lease is under $650 a month, very reasonable. I may call the dealer Monday.
Anyone who has purchased a new BMW and had to order it, what was your experience like?
Anyone who has purchased a new BMW and had to order it, what was your experience like?
Chuck,
A good 2002 e39 M5 bluebook is in the mid 50's, but I suspect you could find one in the mid 40's.
Also, FYI the new e90 3er has been released. It's a major change from the e46. It has a larger body with a Bangle design that was less radical than the new e60 5er. The automotive press speculates that BMW is moving the car upscale to make way for the new 1er which will become the entry-level BMW.
The e90 M3 will not be available for at least a year. For now, they'll sell the e46 M3. So if you buy a new e46 M3, it might be the last year they make that model. I'm not sure what that means, but you should know about it if you're seriously considering buying a new M3.
A good 2002 e39 M5 bluebook is in the mid 50's, but I suspect you could find one in the mid 40's.
Also, FYI the new e90 3er has been released. It's a major change from the e46. It has a larger body with a Bangle design that was less radical than the new e60 5er. The automotive press speculates that BMW is moving the car upscale to make way for the new 1er which will become the entry-level BMW.
The e90 M3 will not be available for at least a year. For now, they'll sell the e46 M3. So if you buy a new e46 M3, it might be the last year they make that model. I'm not sure what that means, but you should know about it if you're seriously considering buying a new M3.
termigator
New member
p986s said:the new 3 series will be out in the fall. The new M3 probably 2007, will have a 400 HP V-8!If you can wait until the new 3-series comes out, you will get a much better deal!
With a V-8 in there now, won't the new M3 be heavier also? I just don't see how it will still be as nimble as the six with 333 hp's.
imported_hadboosttroy
New member
SHICKS said:
that must be a new thing. we were on the list to buy when 01's came out, so we went down there and drove the piss out of the thing, staight to the redline though 3 gears.
LightngSVT
New member
Ive seen the new 3 and the design doesnt compare to the current. Good to know that the M3 is still available, but how long is a typical wait when ordering a car? Besides if I go for a 24 month lease, the lease would be up fairly shortly after the new M3 comes out anyway. fwIw, I saw online that the wagon and coupe are still the "old" body style for 05.
These cars are pretty rare. I did a search within 200 miles on Autotrader and still only found a couple of cars, mainly 03/04's that were still priced close to $50k.
And not that I would (most likely), but has anyone driven an M3 in the winter? Man this has really turned into a nice, long discussion!
These cars are pretty rare. I did a search within 200 miles on Autotrader and still only found a couple of cars, mainly 03/04's that were still priced close to $50k.
And not that I would (most likely), but has anyone driven an M3 in the winter? Man this has really turned into a nice, long discussion!
imported_garyo
New member
termigator said:
The current M3 is not svelte with a base coupe weighting 3415 lbs. and the base convertible weighting in at a whopping 3781 lbs. The weight of newer M3s have always been a source of criticism for the car. Granted the 50/50 weight distribution helps with the handling but you still feel the weight and the brakes can be cooked on the track rather easily. Hopefully in the new M3 BMW will perform some weight reducing/savings that will offset the additional weight of the bigger engine. Even just some aluminum body panels would help.
That said the power of a V8 will more than offset the weight of the car.
LightngSVT
New member
So I went to the dealer and drove both the 06 330I sport and the 05 M3. W-O-W!!!!!!!!!! Both cars put a smile on my face! The 330 was surprising in its acceleration and braking. But the M3...... I have no words it is just awesome!! The dealer willingly turned the keys over to the $55k M3 and let me go out with it alone for about 20 minutes! This car pulls stronger than some V8's do, handles great, rides nice and is comfortable too. I must have one, anyone know what kidneys sell for these days? ;-) For comparison I went back and drove the convertible Vette again. While it is very powerful and raw, it just can't put the smile on your face like the M3 does.
With $3500 down the 60 month financing was well over $900/mo. A 10k mile, 30 mo lease with $3500 down is still $730 which is just barely outside of my price range. I guess Ill keep searching for a mint, low mileage used 01 or 02 in the mid to low 30's. Im telling you, the M3 is a definite must have car!!!!!!! WOW!
With $3500 down the 60 month financing was well over $900/mo. A 10k mile, 30 mo lease with $3500 down is still $730 which is just barely outside of my price range. I guess Ill keep searching for a mint, low mileage used 01 or 02 in the mid to low 30's. Im telling you, the M3 is a definite must have car!!!!!!! WOW!
Thomas Dekany
New member
Now you know what you pay for in an M3 
LightngSVT
New member
No, I hadnt considered a 911? Very cool cars...... Hmmmmm
Yes, now I do understand the earlier comments about getting what you pay for in the BMW's. There is definitely something there, something hard to describe that bascically justifies the price tag of the cars.
Yes, now I do understand the earlier comments about getting what you pay for in the BMW's. There is definitely something there, something hard to describe that bascically justifies the price tag of the cars.
LightngSVT
New member
Anyone have an opinion on this car? 02 Cabriolet, red/black, 30k miles, $41000.
M3 Cab., its also on edmunds car listings with pics.
I talked with the dealer today and it works out to roughly $660 with no money down (just first payments). They are 3+ hours away, but depending what they can do on my Lightning I might buy this car if it is as nice as they claim! :bounce
M3 Cab., its also on edmunds car listings with pics.
I talked with the dealer today and it works out to roughly $660 with no money down (just first payments). They are 3+ hours away, but depending what they can do on my Lightning I might buy this car if it is as nice as they claim! :bounce
SilverLexus
Super Enthusiast
$41K seems awefully pricey for a Cleveland BMW from 2002. You can get a brand new loaded 3 series for $35K MSRP with the luxury package.
LightngSVT
New member
THe same car as a 2005 model would cost $59,370 new, keep in mind this is the convertible. A 2005 325Ci convertible optioned similarly would still cost $44,120. These numbers are from www.bmwusa.com. Plus the 325 is 184hp and M3 is 333hp. From what I could find online and search BMW dealers this *Seemed* to be a fair price. And I would be doing a lease anyway. I dont want to overpay, but I think this post, I may have answered my own question, thanks!!!
imported_hadboosttroy
New member
where i live that car would be sold in a day for the price :up
CAB IN BLACK M3 said:
Not trying to start an unprovoked flame war with you.
You have a beautiful car:xyxthumbs
My contention was that an M3 will stand out far less in a crowd of anyone but auto enthusiasts, to most people it looks just like any other 3 series BMW.
I don't think the mustang is a cheaper looking car either, it is an amazing value for 26,000 and for less than 4,000 in parts can be brought up to over 400 hp.
I could have bought an M3 but i decided to go with a rebirth of an american legend, that gets me daily accolades from the general public and car enthusiasts alike, plus the rumble of the v8 at any rpm sounds better than the 6 in the m3.
To say that an M3 stands out more than the 2005 mustang GT is ridiculous.
But when it comes down to it we both have beautiful cars and enjoy keeping our black beauties in autopian condition.
LightngSVT
New member
I dont know man. That 6 at 7-8k rpms sounds bad ***! Plus they arent even taking orders for 05 GT's anymore. Soonest available GT would be an 06 model sometime this fall.... Its wierd to not be able to walk into a dealer and just buy a Mustang.