Question for E90 M3 Owners (or owners of powerful daily drivers)

"George Costanza" (Georgeoncars)
05/17/2014 at 09:51 • Filed to: Questions

I am looking to buy a car. Currently just starting the first phase. That is determining what I want to get. After spending time with a small pickup and an E34, I am looking at many things.

My ownership experience is limited but really thats mostly because of my age. However, in my area there is a nice e90 m3 for about $30k with 90,000 km. For a car like that what kind of driving/ownership experience will I need. I don't want to race it but for some of you who own similar styled cars whether they are muscle cars, Audis, etc what was your progression to those cars. I feel like I should just stick with a beater or a small hatchback but many do I want an M3.

My dream is to own at least one M car but maybe thats a thing you do at 50 when you have a well paying job. Not something you attach yourself to now.

DISCUSSION (85)

Brian Silvestro > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 09:57

I don't have an M3, but Rusto always tells me how useable and practical his is.

E92M3 > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 10:12

I'm looking for an E90 myself. I found the perfect one but after running the carfax it was previously declared a lemon and bought back by BMW. Now supposedly it's fixed, and still under BMW warranty. But thats a bit like dating a rehabed drug addict. You can never get rid of that label, and it will always be in the back of your mind.

I went from a civic, to an S2000, to E46 M3, and now looking for my E90. If you can afford it I say go for it. There's no guarantee's in life. You could get killed tomorrow. Not to be dark but it's true. I'm in no way saying don't prepare now for retirement. Cause you should be prepared. But I decided at 30 I'm enjoying life more. I'm going on vacations now, and enjoying cars now. I've lost some friends already, and had they known their fate they would of enjoyed life more. What's the point of going to hawaii at 65 with a tour group and a fanny pack? No I want to go now while I can still surf, and ride a zip line, or snorkel.

Only you know if you're mature enough for a car with over 400hp. We can't answer that for you.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 10:12

How much do you want to spend on maintenance? How committed are you to RWD? How committed are you to it having to be a BMW or German? For $30k you could go get yourself a Fiesta ST, Focus ST, MS3, 2015 WRX etc which would all come with a warrenty, 0 miles and lower maintenance costs than the BMW. If you really want RWD you can go get a Mustang GT right now or wait until the new ones with IRS.

I used to drive an E46 and I loved it, BMW makes great cars. I am not a fan of the E90 but hey to each their own. But I think you need to sit down and determine what exactly you want from your car and what are you going to do with it. Autocross it? Drag race it? Track days? Just highway cruising? What is more important to you straight line speed or handling? Etc.

Also can you afford a $30k car with high maintenance costs? Be realistic about your budget relative to your income (I know nothing of your situation). If your car payment is more than 20% of your take home pay then you really can't afford it.

Figure out exactly what you want from a car and what your budget it.

Conan > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 10:14

One of my coworkers moved from a 70's Oldsmobile 88 to a C6 Z06. He's only 8 years older than me. Buy what you want and you'll rise to the level of it if you can afford it.

Aaron James > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 10:49

I'm assuming you're a TV character in his 40's or 50's, so now is the perfect time for a $600 car payment. If not, I'd advise checking on insurance rates before you do anything. By "spending time with" do you mean you've owned or what? If it's your first car, I would strongly recommend a beater because there is a very good chance you'll wreck it. I wrecked my first car even though I was really careful. I was backing out of a driveway that had an obstructed view because of a bush and backed in front of a minivan.

Team6.1 > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 11:00

My first car was a trailblazer. It was awd or rwd, so yes I drifted it in snow and gravel. I kept that car until tuesday (11 years). When I was 22 I bought an 11 year old jeep with 130k miles. It was stock but now I would call it highly modified. I still have it, but it is a rock crawler and whils street legal it's a handful and more of a weekend toy. Then in 2012 at the ripe young age of 24 I bought my 2011 Mustang GT used with 11k miles for $25,000. It's a manual, which I knew how to drive but never DD'd (the jeep was a manual too). My dad growing up had always owned and restored Mustangs, camaros, etc and is still a huge muscle car guy. I wanted something fast and sporty. I looked at the camaro but didn't like the clutch orvisibility, the srt8 was too expensive, the sti was appealing but at the end of it's life cycle before a model refresh, I debated waiting for the frs but decided it was way underpowered. Took me 6 months to find a used black gt with a stick but I got a smoking deal.

owning it? Intoxicating. That much power/torque under your rightfoot is amazing. I have taken mine to drift days, autocross, track days, open drag nights...I have also street raced It, highway pulls, blasted mountain passes... not proud of those butsometimes I can't resist. It's damn easy to look down and realize you're doing 90 or 100.

Here's the thing. I had the dipossible income. I like working on cars (so far I've just been doing bolt ons, but I've done other mustang suspension and would t be surprised if i end up with a supercharger). And I don't have a family with kids and all thsir shit, so I can survive with a less than practical car. I could own an sti wagon later with 2 kids and make it work. But sometimes when you're younger yoj just gotta buy what you want and dont be too practical about it.

BKRM3 > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 11:02

I own an E90 M3. It's my daily driver and I track it. I have the 6MT version, of course. Have you driven one? It's wonderful. I'm not really sure what you're asking about, but if you have any specific questions I'll be glad to try to answer them.

George Costanza > Aaron James
05/17/2014 at 11:06

I am only a 50 year old on the internet. I find that I get more respect that way. But what I mean is that when someone gets cars over a lifetime I feel like the pleasure is in the collection of experiences. If I am 21 and then get a BMW from 2008, then I am done. But if I get a used 80s bmw I have room to move.

George Costanza > E92M3
05/17/2014 at 11:24

The problem is I find myself looking at E30s all the time. The reason why I want a more modern BMW or the equivalent new sports car is that I have to travel long distances. I don't want an E30 that can't handle a 600km trip.

Aaron James > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 11:25

Just be realistic with your budget, if you have a good job and are living on your own and can afford it then go for it. I had friends when I was that age who were stuck living at home way longer than they wanted to because they spent all their money on car payments, insurance, and gas. $600 bucks a month is a rent payment for a nice apartment. Also since you are under 25 and not married?(guessing here) Your insurance will be high and you might have trouble even getting insurance on a performance car. If you live at home, are still in school, or still trying to decide what direction to take, I would recommend something cheap and reliable like a Honda Civic. My first car was an 86 Celica with 98 horsepower and an automatic. It was 3000 dollars in 1992 and it served every purpose and served it well even with a crushed rear fender from the minivan.

George Costanza > Aaron James
05/17/2014 at 11:41

Thanks man, that really good advice. I will definitely reconsider what car I am looking for.

E92M3 > Aaron James
05/17/2014 at 12:42

$600 for nice apartment? Where do you live? The cheapest around here is $1200 and thats a 1 bedroom. 2 bedrooms start at $1500.

E92M3 > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 12:45

A well maintained E30 will make it across the country. Any car will if its been taken care of. It'll never be as comfortable as an E90 though. If you want room to grow, what about a 335i. They will be cheaper to buy, and maintain. $60 oil change vs $100. That's DIY with oem oil and filter. Take it to the dealer and an M3 oil change is $250.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:28

Everybody needs an E90 M3 in their garage. Best car I've ever owned. There is literally nothing that I need it to do that it can't do, ever.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:31

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM

SO REASONABLE

http://www.cars.com/go/search/deta…

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:33

I paid too much for mine

Should have waited at least a year before I bought it

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:35

Too late now. I think we should make some sort of unwritten rule that says we can't buy a car that's 3 years old or newer.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:36

I knew that rule but broke it. It was only a little over a year old at the time.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:38

How tragic! You couldn't resist dat V8, I understand.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:44

And I thought the DCT would help with my commute. It didn't I still ended up moving.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:45

Hahaha well at least it's convenient. And other people can drive it if they need to.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:50

it did help with the drive itself, I just still got annoyed by how long it took... No way to get around the time. I could be driven in a Rolls and it would still be annoying.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:53

But if you were driven there, you can browse oppo while going to and from work!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:54

Oh yeah, you're right!

That would be awesome! I could eat breakfast in the car too.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 13:57

Stop in the drive thru for breakfast!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 13:59

Only if they have Grey Poupon to put on my egg and sausage sandwich!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 14:01

Hahahaha

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 14:17

Haha that's so perfect

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 14:50

Oh yeah I forgot to tell you that I saw a 2 series for the first time yesterday. I think it was an M235i. A girl was driving it behind me when I was in the M3.

She seemed to have been riled up by my car. She tried to pass but traffic was bad and then she reached her turn off.

it was good the traffic was bad. Otherwise I may not have been able to resist the temptation of flooring it.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 14:54

Dat V8 is addictive. All you do is talk about how awesome it is. M235i is really fun too, but I doubt as much as the S65.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 14:57

Boost is for hot hactches, not M cars!

Speaking of which did you see the FP post today about all hot hatches being unreliable?

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:06

Yeah I did. But I don't think the Fiesta was mentioned, just the Focus. But they're very similar.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:10

I noticed that. I wonder if it was because he didn't have data on the FiST or if it was because he knew how many Opponauts have FiSTs and didn't want to feel the wrath of their FISTS!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:11

Hahahaha! That made me laugh a lot. I think it's because of that, yep.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:16

It seriously is. It would have been like talking shit on the Miata on FP. They're too smart to do that!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:17

The writers lurk here more than we know....

THEY KNOW BETTER

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:20

I know, much lurking. I always forget that any post I create or comment I make could later make it to FP. I always feel insulated here and say whatever I want cause it will just be opponauts reading what I say. But Oppo posts get FPd unexpectedly all the time, as you learned the hard way, haha

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:22

I KNOW

I still haven't learned my lesson. I don't think about what I post, because that's only happened once.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
05/17/2014 at 15:28

All great advice!

Regarding not being an E90 fan - I totally get where you're coming from. I didn't care much for the E90 until an ex gf's car got totaled and I was tasked with helping her decide what to buy. I test drove a ton of cars and did a lot of research and ended up suggesting a CPO E90 LCI 328i. The E90 is just one of those cars that you have to drive to appreciate. Once she got it and I got to drive it a bunch I started really liking it, which lead to me buying the E90 M3 later.

I've had the E90 for 1.5 years now and it's by far the best overall car I've ever owned. Matt Farah said it best in a video review of it - it's not perfect in any one area but it's above average in all areas. It's the ultimate "do it all" car because it can be used to commute, take clients out to lunch, road trip, track, etc. It has just enough luxury to seem like a nice place to sit in but can turn into a hooligan when you want it to.

If only there had been a wagon version, that would have been the ultimate do it all car!

Manuél Ferrari > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 15:29

Don't get a 2008 M3! It was the first year. Avoid first year issues and get the LCI updates by going 2009 or newer.

Manuél Ferrari > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 15:29

But you only live once!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:31

I'm sure it's a great car to drive I just really don't like how it looks. The E46 will always be the pinnacle of the 3-Series IMO.

Manuél Ferrari > Aaron James
05/17/2014 at 15:31

Your advice is the sensible advice.

But we only live once!

I so wish I could be in my mid 20s again and have a hot car. I didn't have my first awesome car until I was past 30. I went out a lot more when I was younger and it would have been awesome to have a really nice ride back then.

Manuél Ferrari > E92M3
05/17/2014 at 15:32

Were we separated at birth? I think exactly like you.

Manuél Ferrari > BKRM3
05/17/2014 at 15:34

We should create an E9X M3 sub-blog and make you president!

Manuél Ferrari > E92M3
05/17/2014 at 15:38

So true. An E30 will never be as comfortable as an E90, especially an LCI E90 with iDrive.

I am scared of the E90 335i though. I think it's worth it to spend the extra money to get the N/A M3. Less headaches in the long run. If I was going turbo charged I'd go F30 to get a later iteration of the turbo 3L.

If HP isn't the biggest deal in the world then an E90 328i 6MT with the sport package is a really fun car at a decent price. And the maintenance costs aren't bad.

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:39

That was hilarious!

Do it again :)

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:42

I'm going to wait a year than do M3s.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
05/17/2014 at 15:43

Yeah looks are a very personal thing. If you don't like how it looks then there isn't anything you can do to change that.

Unless maybe turn it into a race car? Do you like how the E92 M3 looks better when it's setup to do what it was intended for?

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:45

Don't wait a year, that's too long.

Do it in August :)

Aaron James > E92M3
05/17/2014 at 15:45

Pretty much any middle class suburb in the Midwest. I myself live in Ohio. Where are you at?

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:50

I think anything before a year would be too SOON and people would remember. If I do it a year from now, only the true veterans would know the tragedy that befell upon me in the past.

Manuél Ferrari > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 15:51

My E90 M3 is white. Sometimes I wish it was a black E92. Because they are so damn sinister. They look like Darth Vader's BMW:

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 15:52

Haha probably a good call

Wait wasn't today the AutoX day?

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 15:57

TOMORROW

I think I'm just going to go and spectate.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 16:02

It's not that much better for me to be honest. I really dislike Bangle design. I mean this just looks so much better IMO

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 16:05

Nice!!

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
05/17/2014 at 16:08

I hear ya on the Bangle era. I just always thought the E9X was the least Bangle-ish car of the Bangle era.

I just love them both. The E46 and E92/E90 M3s will always have a soft spot in my heart. I really don't like the design of the current generation. I hate how the headlight cover extends to the kidney grills. I don't hate the cars themselves. There are some really cool people on this site that have F30 cars and I'm happy for them. I just can't get over that design detail myself.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 16:12

I like the F30 more than the E90 but not by a whole lot. If it wasn't for the unibrow I think I would like it more.

Manuél Ferrari > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
05/17/2014 at 16:14

Haha yeah if it wasn't for the unibrow I might like it. But I can't accept the unibrow.

And I really didn't like the steering when I test drove the F30 335i before buying a used E90 M3 instead. The electric power steering really threw me off. I guess it's supposed to be improved in the M3/M4.

BKRM3 > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 16:22

Hahaha you, me and Dave can be co-trustees of the E9X M3 sub-blog. Arben can be the secretary because he was banned from m3post.com permanently (although, in fairness, it was for no good reason). =)

Manuél Ferrari > BKRM3
05/17/2014 at 16:30

What did he do???

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 16:45

Man the owner of Ferrari Bev Hills / Silicon Valley has some good taste. He has all the manuals.

This car is so classy that if a 16 year old was driving it everyone would be calling him sir despite his age.

I thought you'd like this 2007 Ferrari F430 on AutoTrader.com.

http://m.autotrader.com/vdp.html?id=37…

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 16:48

I just now realized it had the carbon ceramics!

NP all day long!

Oh man. This might be the best price I've ever seen on a 6MT car with carbon ceramics, a good color combo and not high mileage.

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 17:00

mother of god....

Must not convince you to buy...

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 17:11

It's taking every bit of willpower I have to not drive to LA right now

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 18:02

DO IT

Manuél Ferrari > Brian Silvestro
05/17/2014 at 18:16

I'm at the vet now. Doge is getting his stitches out.

His surgeries, follow up visits and medication have totaled over $2000. That doesn't help the Ferrari budget!!!

Brian Silvestro > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 18:30

It's worth it for your doge though!

E92M3 > Aaron James
05/17/2014 at 18:32

Fort Collins, Colorado (only for 2 more days). Then Atlanta, both are equal in terms of living costs though. I know someone that rents a bedroom here for $500. And that's a deal! She does rent it from her manager though so it depends on how you look at it. I wouldn't want to be around a person I work with (or for) that much.

George Costanza > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 19:26

Man, Rusto your advice is great. I just always have a few concerns. I have only really owned one other car which I sold because of mechanical problems and I was moving. I only had it for a few months and it was given to me by a family member. So my car experience is limited. I am just afraid I'll total the M3 or worse someone will hit me. To go to that level of automotive pedigree and then see it taken away so soon in my life is scary to me. I almost just want to by another E34 since I didn't think I got the time I needed with my last one, (the 525 i had was given to me with 300k and needed an engine rebuild. So I sold it for parts)

Aaron James > E92M3
05/17/2014 at 19:30

Yeah those areas are higher than where I'm at. Still cheap compared to NYC though.

Manuél Ferrari > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 19:41

Thanks! My advice may not be the safest out there. I just like to enjoy life. Work hard, play hard...

The concern you have about having that much power at your age is a totally valid one. I would suggest you focus more on that than the financial risks. You have the rest of your life to make money. You can buy a CPO 2011 car from BMW to have warranty until 100K and you can extend the maintenance program until 100K too. But you can't magically fix the situation if you total the car and get killed or hurt (or kill or hurt someone else).

I'm trying to think if I would have been safe having 400 HP at your age. Hmm. I might not have been. Sometimes I don't think I'm mature enough now and I'm 35. It is a shit ton of power.

If you don't think you're fully ready for that much power then it might be a good idea to get something else and buy an M3 later. You could look for a nice E34. It would be sick to get an E35 535i with the 3.5L I6.

Or you could always get a CPO E90 328i. I know that car doesn't have blindingly quick acceleration but it still has enough power to be fun. If you get a clean CPO one with the sport package and 6MT it will be a very reliable car. You can have fun with it without too much risk of spinning into a tree. It's the last 3 series with the N/A 3.0L I6. That is a really solid engine that will last a long time. Last time I got my car serviced the tech told me that one of his customers has one and she has put 250K miles on it without anything other than scheduled maintenance. An LCI 328i with the sport package and premium package with iDrive is a very livable car. If you get one make sure to check to see if it has Bluetooth music streaming. I forgot to check and my M3 doesn't (stupid that it was an additional option). I can use Bluetooth for voice calls but I can't stream music over it. Other than that I love iDrive. I have the wide screen layout (there was a standard screen and the professional one that was wider) with sat radio on it. I love sat radio and the interface is great for it.

George Costanza > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 19:54

Thanks you very much, I need to bookmark this comment. I'll definitely have to check out the nearest BMW dealer, for sure they got plenty of E90s. Maybe hold off on the M3 till I finish college. Try to experience the lineage of cars as best as I can.

Manuél Ferrari > George Costanza
05/17/2014 at 19:58

You're very welcome!

You know what would be sick? Get an E90, E34 or E39 wagon now, then the M3 in a few years and keep both!

George Costanza > Manuél Ferrari
05/17/2014 at 20:07

I like the way you think.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3
05/21/2014 at 17:25

How many of us are there here now?

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/21/2014 at 17:26

You two can be co-presidents. I'll be the janitor ;)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
05/21/2014 at 17:27

I want to be the Joe Biden of the E9x M3 sub-blog.

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/21/2014 at 17:33

That is an awesome idea!

Also - why couldn't BMW have taken the BMW E92 GTS engine and added cylinder deactivation for fuel economy?

That would have been wayyyyy cooler

BKRM3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/21/2014 at 17:34

Umm. Five I can name off the top of my head but I know there are more that I've stumbled across. I'd say a solid 6-10, which is too low. There should be HUNDREDS.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > George Costanza
05/21/2014 at 17:38

Meant to respond to this earlier. Sorry, but you'll get no #YOLO answer from me... I'm 36, married with 3 kids, and bought my '08 M3 two years ago. I love my E90 - it is truly one of the most fantastic cars on the planet - but I would only advise buying a car like this if you've got money in the bank enough to not worry about spending plenty of it on gas, tires, maintenance and/or repairs. A car like this should be a joy to own, and it will be, if you wait until you're in the right place, financially. If you buy it before you can really afford it (or sacrifice saving for the long term to get it), it could become an anchor and one of the worth financial decisions you've ever made. If now's not the right time, wait. You'll get there eventually, and it will be all the sweeter once you do.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Manuél Ferrari
05/21/2014 at 17:45

Seriously, why doesn't BMW AG ever listen to us!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > BKRM3
05/21/2014 at 17:47

Ha! If they only knew what they were missing...

Manuél Ferrari > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/21/2014 at 17:48

I dunno :(