Would you buy a brand new one for that kinda money?

Absolutely base specifications - no sunroof, cloth seats w/ leather sides, 6-speed manual.

How much are people paying for brand new M3s these days?

Anyone? :help

Any additional info would be great...

I'm looking to find out if $42,500 total is a good price, for a brand new zero-mile 2006 E46 M3, minimum spec features with no sunroof, black cloth/leather interior, 6-speed manual, and no upgrades/additional features.

Wondering what people are paying for their new M3s.

Thanks!!

Never seen a 0 mileage car...even when brand new. Regardless I think that's reasonable price if you walk out the door paying that and don't mind not having any of the perks. You basically have a sports coup instead of a luxury sports coupe.

Never seen a 0 mileage car...even when brand new. Regardless I think that's reasonable price if you walk out the door paying that and don't mind not having any of the perks. You basically have a sports coup instead of a luxury sports coupe.

Ok - you understand what I mean though, a brand new car from the dealer.

I am in the military stationed overseas, and there is a BMW dealer here that sells US-spec cars to guys like me --- we order the car on paper, and it is built from scratch for us.

The price begins at $42,500 --- tax free, no additional options.

From there, we can order whatever we want - leather, Xenon, sunroof, etc.

Me, I just want the basics. But I wanted to know if this is a good base price, to start with - sorry for the confusion.

I just put an order in through military sales in the UK - 05 M3, premium, xenons, nav, harmon kardon, smg for $53,900 shipped to the states. Right after I did that I found a dealer in the US willing to beat that price by $200.

So in summary the military sales price is good, but it can be beat. (Although if you do local delivery the shipping is cheaper by a good $1500, which lowers the price to the point where a US dealer probably wouldn't match it)

do you guys have to pay tax though? Because tax on top is an extra 4-5k or so.

hey by all means go for it but do one upgrade and thats get the xenons you will love them at night.

great price at 42k, I would be hesitent about the US spec designation, importing it could result in additional expense...

I just put an order in through military sales in the UK - 05 M3, premium, xenons, nav, harmon kardon, smg for $53,900 shipped to the states. Right after I did that I found a dealer in the US willing to beat that price by $200.

So in summary the military sales price is good, but it can be beat. (Although if you do local delivery the shipping is cheaper by a good $1500, which lowers the price to the point where a US dealer probably wouldn't match it)

Great to hear from another military guy :D

Thanks for the info!

I'm going to go with a minimum-spec M3 - I might get leather, a glass sunroof (moonroof?) and the Xenons - but that's about it - it will be a car I keep forever.

Also, do you know if they will support the Individual program? I want to get mine in Estoril Blue.

Great to hear from another military guy :D

Thanks for the info!

I'm going to go with a minimum-spec M3 - I might get leather, a glass sunroof (moonroof?) and the Xenons - but that's about it - it will be a car I keep forever.

Also, do you know if they will support the Individual program? I want to get mine in Estoril Blue.

That's actually a good question; I'm sure they do since it's a factory-direct order, but you'd have to ask your individual sales rep to be sure.

FWIW, I ordered the package I did because I plan to keep the car for a while. I didn't want to look back in a year or two and ask myself why I didn't get one of the options I know I'll want. I'm hoping this car lasts me at least 5 years so I can get my money's worth out of it.

That's actually a good question; I'm sure they do since it's a factory-direct order, but you'd have to ask your individual sales rep to be sure.

FWIW, I ordered the package I did because I plan to keep the car for a while. I didn't want to look back in a year or two and ask myself why I didn't get one of the options I know I'll want. I'm hoping this car lasts me at least 5 years so I can get my money's worth out of it.

I did ask my rep - he's looking into it and s'posed to get back with me this coming week. Fingers crossed here for Estoril :D

I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it - BMWs reward the owners that take care of 'em. I haven't had one yet that I've regretted buying.

When did you place your order? The waiting time is apparently not s'posed to be that bad.

Congrats on the purchase!

FYI....

An E46 M3 with little to no options (especially no sunroof) will actually become pretty valuable in the future because it will be rare. When I say, valuable, I for the most part mean to the racing/auto-x crowd. As the cars get older and more start to turn into race cars (as the E36 is doing now) a car without the additional weight to start will be a hot item. Just something to think about.

I know that if I were to ever get my act together and get an E46 M3 before the production line shuts down, I would get only two options: SMG (because I like that transmission) and Navgation (because I am a bit of a car gadget nut :) ). Good luck with your choice and, yes, that is a good price for a E46 M3, base or not.

I did ask my rep - he's looking into it and s'posed to get back with me this coming week. Fingers crossed here for Estoril :D

I'm sure you'll get your money's worth out of it - BMWs reward the owners that take care of 'em. I haven't had one yet that I've regretted buying.

When did you place your order? The waiting time is apparently not s'posed to be that bad.

Congrats on the purchase!

Last Thursday. It's supposed to deliver in July sometime. I'm looking forward to it. :D

FYI....

An E46 M3 with little to no options (especially no sunroof) will actually become pretty valuable in the future because it will be rare. When I say, valuable, I for the most part mean to the racing/auto-x crowd. As the cars get older and more start to turn into race cars (as the E36 is doing now) a car without the additional weight to start will be a hot item. Just something to think about.


Here's the perfect example, only option is the xenon headlights!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=180262785&dealer_id=56130220&car_year=2003&make=BMW&distance=10&lang=en&max_price=&model=M3&end_year=2006&min_price=&certified=&address=35242&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1981&isp=y&cardist=0

Just something to think about :redspot

That's actually a good question; I'm sure they do since it's a factory-direct order, but you'd have to ask your individual sales rep to be sure.

FWIW, I ordered the package I did because I plan to keep the car for a while. I didn't want to look back in a year or two and ask myself why I didn't get one of the options I know I'll want. I'm hoping this car lasts me at least 5 years so I can get my money's worth out of it.

What about taxes? Do you anticipate having to pay any? Maybe when you get back to the States?

What about taxes? Do you anticipate having to pay any? Maybe when you get back to the States?

The taxes you pay depend on the state, so I'm not sure at this point. But I'm willing to pay if I have to as that's the price of admission to a new car.

Thanks for all the tips 'n' info!!

So this is what I'm probably going to order:

- 2005 6spd manual coupe
- Silver Grey metallic - Black Leather - Titan Shadow trim
- No moonroof, manual seats
- Harman Kardon sound
- Xenon headlights

Comes in at $46,800 delivered.

It's pretty stripped, minimal options - but I like it that way :D

Gonna think it over for a few more days, and then pull the trigger!!

Great price! In my opinion I would at least get the aluminum trim (no cost option for '05), it looks better with the black interior.

Great price! In my opinion I would at least get the aluminum trim (no cost option for '05), it looks better with the black interior.

Really? Thanks for that input - I have been meaning to ask about the difference between Titan Shadow and the Aluminum.

I have never seen Titan Shadow --- I have seen the Aluminum in a grey leather M3 --- it was sweet!!

I just thought the Titan Shadow would be kinda subtle --- but do any of you have any pics of your interiors? Esp. with black leather?

Thanks!!

Titan Shadow is a medium gray plastic trim. Aluminum is bright and (obviously) aluminum.

And yes that is an excellent price!

Titan Shadow is a medium gray plastic trim. Aluminum is bright and (obviously) aluminum.

And yes that is an excellent price!

Ah ha - didn't realize Titan Shadow was plastic...

... aluminum it is, then. No question.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with the price myself :D

Are the seats different in the '05s, compared to, say, the first couple model years of E46 M3s? They look different - no upside-down-horseshoe stitching line in the seats... ?

I have the titan shadow in my black interior and I love the way it looks, very subtle. I thought the aluminum was too bright. What I'm really looking for though is carbon fiber. I'm big on subtle.

My car was bought through U.S. Military sales and then shipped over too which gives you a couple of options you can't get in the US. I have rear fog lights (great for tailgaters!) the first aid kit (more of a trauama pack) the emergency triangle and German writing on the tool kit. There's also a switch on the light area that I have no idea what it's for. Mystery!! I only wish I hadn't bought the sunroof, I could use the extra head room with my helmet.