"IrvingWashington" (IrvingWashington)
08/02/2013 at 10:57 • Filed to: Used Car PSA
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"IrvingWashington" (IrvingWashington)
08/02/2013 at 10:57 • Filed to: Used Car PSA | 0
| 10 |
http://www.cars.com/go/search/deta…
Everyone knows that the E46 M3 is the greatest of all M3s. There will be no more discussion on that topic. What if I told you that moderate-high mile examples are drifting down into the $12Ks? In fact, a patient buyer might pick up one for not much more than $10K. Now, I'm your friend, and I would never tell you that a $12K M car was a bargain. I myself spent around $12K on an M car several years ago. 2 years later, the out-of-pocket was around $25K. But for an M, the E46 has a comparatively better reputation for reliability. And BMW sold a metric ass-load of these. It will never, ever appreciate; so it's a buyer's car in the long term. If you get a coupe with a real manual (especially one with a fresh clutch), you might be alright.
The other thing I learned about these from my virtual window shopping is that there are almost no low-mile examples. And doesn't that sort of make you feel good about the world?
This has been IW's Used Car PSA of the Day.
Party-vi
> IrvingWashington
08/02/2013 at 11:01 |
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Bought cheap this could be a fun track car.
William Byrd
> IrvingWashington
08/02/2013 at 11:11 |
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Interesting, that's a really really cheap example. I've been searching for a good low mileage one around DC and haven't seen anything quite that cheap. Curious what the carfax looks like?
DasWauto
> IrvingWashington
08/02/2013 at 11:22 |
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"It will never, ever appreciate"
I'd disagree; It won't happen anytime soon but I think they'll go the same way as the e30 m3. Being so fondly remembered, just like said ancestor, I think e46 m3 prices will jump in about 20 years.
Daywalker
> William Byrd
08/02/2013 at 11:29 |
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Agree, ridiculously cheap. If it seems too good to be true...
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Daywalker
> IrvingWashington
08/02/2013 at 11:29 |
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Black leather in the convertible? The forecast is calling for sunny and warm with a chance of burnt legs.
Inflame333
> DasWauto
08/02/2013 at 13:32 |
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I agree, the car will appreciate within a few years. Last N/A I6 making over 300hp in a elegantly designed exterior, yes I think the car will appreciate soon.
I am not biased.
I have an e46 M, please appreciate LOL
911e46z06
> IrvingWashington
08/02/2013 at 20:28 |
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I just bought one a couple weeks ago. 55k on it, absolutely mint. 18 grand. Not cheap, but definitely a good deal.
thisusernameforsale
> IrvingWashington
08/03/2013 at 03:37 |
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Thanks for the article. My dream car is a 2008-09 Audi RS4. Here in Australia, even the used examples are way more than I can afford, but even if I could find one for say $40k, I still wouldn't buy it because of the upkeep costs, not to mention if something really bad went wrong. I'll just have to win the lottery, I guess.
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> IrvingWashington
08/03/2013 at 03:50 |
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"I myself spent around $12K on an M car several years ago. 2 years later, the out-of-pocket was around $25K"
Over $1000/month... Impressive. And that's only for maintenance/repairs, correct?
If so, that's Ferrari-maintenance levels of expensive.
What year of M3 was that for? And how much cheaper is an E46 really?
Now if you got a Saab instead (like a 9-3 SPG), you would only be out an average of $200-$300/month.
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IrvingWashington
> Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
08/04/2013 at 18:48 |
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E34 M5. Way more of a delicate custom than an M3 of any generation.