I'm thinking about selling my Jeep and buying a used M car to be used as a weekend cruiser/enthusiast event car. I want a pristine, stock and well-maintained car that is turn-key. However I don't want to spend more than $25k. So I've been looking at the e30, e36, e36/8 and e46 M3 coupes and would like your opinion on which model you would choose?

I used to have a 2003 e46 M3 convertible. I loved that car and would be happy to have another e46. But it would have to be a 6MT car, no SMG for me.

No experience with either the e30 or e36 cars. The e30's looks are to die for, but I'm concerned about finding a nice example at this price point as most are pretty beaten up. The e36 seems like it's a good value for the money and it may be easier to find a really nice one that is under my budget.

I have always thought the e36/8 M Coupe was a really unique and sporty car. The prices seem to hold pretty well. Not sure if I'd prefer the s52 or s54 engine...

What are your thoughts or recommendations?

 

The engines in the e30s are not really good..which is why many of them have the S50B32 swap. But those go for $20k+
e36 is a great value for the money if you can find one in decent shape.
e46 is good too but I would only buy a coupe.

 

Buy the a E46 M3 again ...!!!! Check at Enthusiast auto group . They have the cleanest M3's in the Us.

 

E46 would be the easiest car to get. It's faster than e36 and e30 and safer too. Harder to find e36 in decent condition and they are around $15k. A clean low mileage e46 is around $20-25k. Check e46fanatics.com. There are a few for sale.

E30 would probly cost around $30k. Lovely w collectibility but the car really isn't fast to keep up with modern sports cars. Same with e36. With e46, you can drive with Porsches and event exotics and be able to keep up.

 

I preferred my E36 M3 to the E46s that I've driven. At your price point, I think you could buy a very clean one and do some decent upgrades too.

 

You see that swap a lot because the s14 are BIG bucks to get one.
The E30 M3's are also going UP in price now.
E46 is likely the better choice, but it does have a few expensive issues, like the bearings and VANOS.

.

 

OP....

I suggest you decide which model you want THEN purchase the best possible example you can get for $25k!!

 

Go with a e46.Best of luck car searching.

 

i would get an e46

tough finding a good clean e30 for under 25k though, expect to have to re-upholster the interior, i just did my e30 325 and cost was a couple of grand, worth it though, between that and all the other parts i have replaced it looks brand new. I think most people buy the e30 because they love them and nothing else will do, if you dont have that feeling then stick to the e46 or pick up an e36 for a bargain

 

E46 m3

 

e46 m3.

 

E46 or Z4M coupe, though I haven't actually driven the latter. It has just always appealed to me.

I just bought an E46 M3 for a daily driver. There are some things I prefer about it over my fiances E92 M3, though her engine sound and power is superior. The dimensions feel more like my comfortable E36 but with far better build quality, most notable in the interior. The car doesn't have the power and handling of my Turbo but I think I am going to be very happy driving it on a daily basis.

 

Z4M coupe, all the pros of an E46 M3 + rarer + lighter

 

ever think about an e39 M5?

 

I test drove one of those before buying my E46 and I left a little disappointed. It's not that it isn't a great car, it's just it's not an exciting car to drive compared to the M3. To me, it felt like a 540i that was a little faster and handled a little better so I couldn't really justify the cost and maintenance on it.