Hey all
So, I've been reading forums and news for awhile and I made a thread about 335i vs. M coupe and I kinda decided for 335i.
Then, new S5 seemed to be really tempting.
Recently, I saw a post about electronic LSD for post March production cars (I think that's a bad thing but w/e)
Now, we are hearing more about E92 M3 and GTR.
E92 M3 - I am not really interested...nice car and all but...I pass
GTR - Nice car and nice numbers (we will see about that ) but front end is just ugly compared to the one at the Tokyo Auto Show.

Well now I am thinking...maybe I should look for e46 m3.
Couple questions that I have for experts in here since I've never owned used car before.

It seems like 2004+ models are the way to go but considering the warranty is expired, will it be pain to own one as far as money is concerned? (Maintenance)

I've been looking for it for years now (even after I got my G35 coupe because e46 m3 is my dream car). But I've yet to find one
I've tried autotrader,yahoo auto search, KBB, almost everything.
ZCP is like...must for me and I noticed not many of them have ZCP.
And ones that actually I found interested in are mostly beat up.

So yeah...I am just worried about maintenance.
Probably that's the only reason I like to own new cars. Oil change is pretty much the only thing until you hit around 30000miles

I bought my G35 coupe over 2.5 years and I am nowhere near 20000 miles. (15000?17000?)

Sorry for the pointless thread but I just wanted to hear opinions from different people. (Though, it really comes down to personal preference and it's been discussed in Rock's thread recently)
I am just upset about the designs of new cars. (Maybe because I loved e46 m3 so much(?) )

I need a car by beginning of May at latest!

 

so if you cant find a nice clean m3. if i were in your position, i would prob go for a brand new s5. the car is sexy! i would do a dark silver with either the brown or red interior. then i would do full exhaust and intake and that would get you prob to at least 400 hp.

 

I am with you on this one that's why I can't stop thinking about e46 m3. (Though I don't have one )
S5 is definately nice but GTR...hm...?

I am now thinking S5 vs GTR atm
Loaded S5 seems to be <60k so it's still within my budget.
GTR might be a stretch but we will see

 

yea i think i priced it out the s5 and it was like 56K loaded up so not bad.

im saying if i were you and i didnt already have an m3, im sure the s5 would do perfectly well. but if you really like the m3, keep searching! youre bound to find a nice one.

 

if nothing works, i will just try carmax and check out cars to see if they got any good ones.
it's definately not the best place to go to when it comes down to buying cars but i am desperate (not that i will be careless and buy any m3 )

never driven m3 btw.

 

first drive one...then decide if you really want it.

personally, i would pass on the S5. have heard a lot of negative reviews on it particularly in terms of driving dynamics. GTR's weight notwithstanding it will be fast and very tunable, keep that in mind. (0-60 3.5sec-1/4 mile 11.7sec)

E39 M5 would be well within your price range and it is simply a fantastic car to drive, you could get one with factory CPO so it would have warranty till 100K miles.

 

Thanks for the response
I am in love with coupes so I don't think I will take E39 M5 route.
GTR will be fast and mod-friendly, which is the reason why I like it.
As far as design is concerned, I'd be all in if they kept the prototype back in Tokyo Auto Show.
Recently released pictures have weird front end, which I don't like but then, there will be aftermarket parts to replace.

GTR will be out this spring right? (in US that is)

 

no problem, GTR is a good option. design is a little weird, IMO the interior kinda looks....dare i say domestic? lol, its not that great but you get a lot of car for your money. the 3800lb weight will be a detriment but if used as a daily/GT it will make you happy im sure. personally, im gonna wait on this car until i see what sort of power the tuners are making and im really interested in the lightweight (thats a relative term here) version that should be released within a year. we'll see i suppose, and yes it should be here by may/june of 08.

 

yeah i am looking for my daily.
interior doesnt look too terrible (coming from infiniti )
well tough call!

 

if the driving dynamics of the s5 are bad...which i could see since i hated the dynamics of the s4 i drove, it wouldnt be worth it. i agree with IIVVX...def test drive the m3 before. i personally like both FI and NA cars so the high peak hp if good for me as if a 996TT, but if you at all like being high in the rev range, you will like the m3, if not the gtr will be better for you.

 

Saw the S5 at the dealer last night. Look very nice but 4.2L V8 making 350hp for near 4000lb car isn't really that interesting to me.

I would understand if it's an RS5 but I'm willing to bet that E46 M3 with ZCP package is far more enjoyable to drive (not to mention quicker) than pretty and over weigh boy S5.

 

well i found nothing on other web sites but i found couple nice cars on ebay for 30g (private)
most of them are located in NJ...omg why!
i definately want it "locally" and take a look at it and drive before i purchase it if i am taking e46 m3 route.

putting that aside, am i expected to spend a lot of money maintaining the car without warranty? (like i stated on my 1st post up there)
i understand that it varies from cars to cars but what should i be expecting in general?
does m3 last long? (i think this is the dumb way of asking it but i hope you understand what i am worrying about...)

sorry if i wrote any nonsense!

[edit] what i found on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...spagenameZWDVW

idk but the price seems to bit high(?) but it has ZCP, ZHP, nav, and most of the stuff i want. (though i prefer AW or darkgrey like PorscheC4's )
i had 4 silver cars so i am trying not to get it but not a biggie

 

 

enilder...if you find a car in NJ and its close to me...ill check it out for you. just let me know.

 

in terms of maintaining...there are plenty of guys on the forums who have driven their m3s past 100K miles and some are closing in on 150K and even 175K so if you are timely with oil and all that youre good to go for at least 100K i would think if not much more.