e36 m3

 

I keep coming back to cars like that. It just seems that even though they tend to be more expensive to maintain, I just have a hard time trying to justify the cheaper cost of a domestic "sporty" car. I have even seen some conv. E46 SMG cars getting cheaper by the day.

 

my e36 has been cheap to maintain/bring back to awesome. Cheaper than owning the RX8. There were a ton of them, they share 80% of their parts with the regular 3 series, and there's a huge aftermarket. As long as you can do work yourself, you're golden. Easy to work on as well.

An e46 me gets quite a bit pricier. Way more unique and fewer produced. the SMG II is expensive to fix, and their vanos is a whole different animal that can get pricey.

edit: but if you really want a somewhat fun daily driver, pick up an e46 330xi or 328xi. Get the awd/all weather goodness in a car that handles decently, gets pretty decent mpg, and is easy to get parts for and work on.

 

The E36 M3 gets interesting with the sedan option. Although autos tend to be the cheapest. Not sure if that is even worth considering? Although the suspension/engine is still there. What do you think of something like this Kevin, is it worth it?

1997 Bmw M3 Sedan For Sale In Westfield IN - Westfield Imports

 

The sedan is nice. A Dakar Yellow one just sold in C-bus recently. There are 3 pretty well priced coupes on the ohiobimmers forum. Craigslist has a few sedans, but not really worth writing home about.

The one you listed looks decent, especially for the money. An auto is an auto though.
A little sluggish and not as sporting, but still a fun car.

The biggest things to check for are wreck repair, coolant system refresh including fan and fan clutch, and non-working or rattling vanos. Suspension problems include cracked or broken trailing arms in the rear, and worn bushings in them. Rear sway bar mounts are known to crack as well. Any well cared for car will have those parts Other than that, there isn't a whole lot that would be a major problem.

You could always go the Subaru route as well. The fun but reliable sedan is slim pickings sometimes. You could go with a mazdaspeed 6 too. Or spend a bunch of coin on a Pontiac G8.

 

The great unavailing

 

Looks damn good Steve.

Looks like it's never had holes for a front plate too

If you decide to run one, there's a plate frame out there that screws into the tow hook instead of having to drill the bumper.


Ps. I'm jealous. I still want a 135.

 

You're stylin' now Steve. What's your wife going to say about all the chicks throwing you looks?

 

Mike, I have a great wife. I only have eyes for her. LOL!

Rides a little more choppy than the 8 but that was on I 294 western burbs of Chicago. Nothing is smooth there. Seats are great. More adjustments than a Barcolounger. Harman Kardon surround sound system sounds great. DCT in sport mode and paddle shift is wicked quick.

OK, it won't redline at 9K and it has pistons.

 

Looks great Steve, must be fun.

 

I'll let you drive mine if i can drive yours steve!!!!

 

Congratulations Steve, it looks great!

 

Thanks for the advice, with E46's getting so cheap lately... I need to keep an eye open for one. This looks clean for the money.

2003 BMW M3, $11,100 - Cars.com

 

11k for a 6spd with less than 100k? Thats super cheap. High teens would be a decent price with no mods and clean for that lately. I'd be more worried about a scam with that price, but you should go buy it now. Drop work and go!

 

Typo? Sounds too good to be true. I'd at least call them James.

135 - 26-27 mpg at 70-80 mph back from Chicago. Not used to that kind of mileage. Engine turns at 2600 rpm at 80.

Fuel on Saturday could be a washout if the weather forecast is correct.

 

Speed 6 has had seal problems with the turbos. I think there was a TSB on it some time back. It would be tough finding one in decent shape and under 100k miles.

 

Oh hi!

 

M3... and
2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, $12,000 - Cars.com

 

James, it's gotta be ragged out. That's a lot for the miles and beat down its had.

It's parked in the grass for a reason. It ran off the road...LOL

 

I know, I wouldn't want one for a daily driver anyways LOL. 99% of them are ragged out and more money than there worth. My brother keeps trying to sway me into buying a Mustang.

 

Mustang? You're not a Mustang guy. LOL

Got a couple new pics of the 135 today. I really like this color.

 

That looks damn good out in the sunlight Steve.


Shoot me your ad for the RX8 when you have it, and i'll pass it around on Facebook and see if I can spread the news.

 

Nice pictures Steve. Got to drive an E46 330ci ZHP today at work... impressed.

On the subject of BMW's my boss is thinking of buying one of those ugly-as-sin i8's coming out next year... I can think of much better cars for six figures, but everyone here at work disagrees with me and says I'm just MAD LOL.

 

You're boss is trendy. He's making a statement.

 

Steve, that's a purty color.

Picked up the Miata's head last night and got her all back together today. Just in time for me to go back to work! At least I'll get to drive it a couple of times before leaving, and won't have to worry about working on it as soon as I get back home.