Just because it's Embiggen Days, doesn't mean we can't do some unnecessary car shopping

"E90M3" (e90m3)
02/15/2018 at 22:31 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping with E90M3

Currently, Carmax has three E90 M3s with a 6MT. They are all 2008s and all around 30k.

The first E90 M3 they have for sale is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! It’s done 88k miles, but is also a single owner car. All three of the BMWs I have boughten have been single owner cars and for the most part been solid.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is finished in Sparkling Graphite Metallic, which was a 2008 only color. It was replaced during the LCI for Space Grey Metallic, the color of my M3.

Once again, it’s a single owner car that had done 23k less than the other pervious E90. However, 31k for a 2008 seems a little steep.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! finished in Jerez Black Metallic. Unlike the other two, it is not a single owner car. Carmax still wants 31k for the pleasure of taking this to its 8300 RPM redline whenever you want.

All these prices are some what surprising to me. I had my car appraised in December and they offered me 29k. That’s basically what these 2008s are going for. My car is a 2011 with 44k on it, but it still does surprise me that my car is worth that much more.

Sadly, these are all 2008s; otherwise I would be trying to get someone to take the plunge into E90 M3 ownership. There is nothing wrong with the 2008s, you can get a 2009+ from other places for similar prices.

DISCUSSION (21)

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > E90M3
02/15/2018 at 22:39

My dream E90 M3 until the competition pack came out was a 2008 M3 in Silverstone over cloth with the manual and no iDrive. I’m a sucker for the pre LCI as we’ve established.

E90M3 > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
02/15/2018 at 22:46

The LCI didn’t do much for the M3, apart from the tail lights and the clutch/flywheel. Might as well get a 2011 M3 in Silverstone with cloth and the competition package.

WilliamsSW > E90M3
02/15/2018 at 23:10

Thought of you on my way home tonight, as I was alongside a white E90M3 on the Tri-State for a while. It had black wheels, a size smaller than these cars have (ie winter wheels). A rare sighting around Chicago these days - they go into hibernation until spring, it seems.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > E90M3
02/15/2018 at 23:13

The pre LCI tail lights on the E90 are beautiful.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > E90M3
02/15/2018 at 23:37

You rang?

Sovande > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 03:01

I found 14 on Carmax with manuals, 27 in total.

E90M3 > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
02/16/2018 at 09:07

I really do not like the pre-LCI tail lights at all.

E90M3 > WilliamsSW
02/16/2018 at 09:08

Not surprised that most go into hibernation. Wonder if it was a 6MT.

E90M3 > Sovande
02/16/2018 at 09:08

E90 refers specifically to the sedan.

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/16/2018 at 09:08

That I did.

WilliamsSW > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 09:16

If they’re accelerating, I’ll usually pay attention to try to figure that out. This one was just cruising sedately on the highway. I actually passed it fairly quickly (around here, unless it’s a ‘vert, M3's are usually being driven like they’re stolen).

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 09:21

From all of your unnecessary car shopping, what premium does it seem like the sedans demand over coupes with the same miles, condition & features?

E90M3 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
02/16/2018 at 09:26

I would say around 3k. Then again, it’s actually getting pretty hard to find an E90 with decent miles and a 6MT, it seems people are holding onto them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 09:32

110k on mine, heading for 200! =)

Sovande > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 10:05

Oh. Huh. I didn’t realize yours had four doors. I never really understood sedans. Coupe or wagon for me.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > E90M3
02/16/2018 at 13:35

You know what’s funny is I did see that exact one. I can’t do grey leather though. For some reason grey leather just reminds me of my uncle’s early 2000’s Toyota Sienna.

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/17/2018 at 10:51

That’s fair enough, even thought my mom’s 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette had grey leather, I still like it.

I’m assuming you’re serious about getting an M3, what’s your budget and what are you looking for, colors, transmission, options, etc. After helping road trip that IS-F, I’m not going to talk you out of fulfilling a dream.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > E90M3
02/17/2018 at 14:34

I’m semi-serious. I want one and have a planned budget for it. One thing I did not account for was fuel. Looking at fuel and insurance cost is eye-watering for that thing. So now I’m debating if I should get the M3 now. Or get a GTI as a daily and continue to wait for the M3 to get it as a weekend car.

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/17/2018 at 15:35

I’ve been getting right around 15 MPG recently. Insurance for me has always been reasonable, it was around $100/month when I got the M3 at 24. It’s gone up because I’m an idiot and smashed it into my garage wall. I now pay $300/month for full coverage on both of my cars. I also don’t think it’s that expensive to own because I’ve paid it off and don’t have to think about that expense.

It’s my weekend car. It makes a fantastic weekend car because when you’re in it you want to be in it, as opposed to having to be in it. It had lost some of its luster when it was my only car when I was unemployed. Now that it’s not my DD, the luster has returned. I’ve had it for 3.5 years and it still makes me feel the same way as I did the day I got it.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > E90M3
02/17/2018 at 16:02

That’s what I imagined would be a normal mpg for the M3. My commute is stop and go traffic for 13 miles so I’m sure I’d get closer to 10 MPG. I’m not sure I want to pay for that. I also live in a denser area so my insurance would be about what you pay for both your cars for the M3 alone.

My dilemma is I know the GTI is a car I also really want since it’s economical while still being a comfortable everyday car and I can get it in a manual. It’s also a hot hatch, which I like. That’ll probably also help with the whole buying stuff for a house and dogs thing I’ll be doing in a few years. I figure if anything the M3 will come in a year or two. Although I’m not sure if I’m trying to reason my way out of the M3 or if it’s actually me being logical here.

My list is: manual, modern creature comforts (bluetooth mostly), comfortable for dailying, able to squeeze people into the back if absolutely necessary, and torque.

E90M3 > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
02/17/2018 at 17:51

I got around 13 MPG in ATL traffic. My insurance was the same price in San Antonio as it is here, not that it affects your price at all.

It’s hard to be logical with emotional decisions. I was fortunate that I was able to afford one comfortably when I bought it. If you’re worried about paying for it, I would wait on getting it.

I think they all came with bluetooth, I know even my 128i had that. You can fit 4 people in an E92 no problem, I’ve had 4 adults in my 328i before. It’s not bad once you’re back there. It’s not a torque monster with only 295 ft/lbs, but it gets the job done.