Hey guys I am looking into buying a used E46 M3 within the next 2 years. Obviously this leaves me with quite a bit of time. However, I'm a little picky (as we should be) when it comes to my car and I would prefer a specific color combo (Black on black) and a manual transmission. I'm sure most of you can understand that :buttrock

Anyways, my question is how available do you think this particular car and color combination will be in a year or 2 after the new M3 comes out? Also, what would be a decent price in 2 years? I would go '03, '04, or '05. I appreciate the help.

I've seen alot of b/b m3s running around, no doubt they'll be hitting the auctions in the next two years when the new chassis hits the streets.

you may want to wait up to a year after the new chassis is available so the E46 M3 used market has a chance to stabilize.

Anyone else have any advice?

Anyone else have any advice?

Well the new model certainly wont make the prices of the current m3 go up, so you really cant lose. There will be more available, and they probably will take at least a slight price hit...not really different than any other car.

Visit the used car sites & be willing to travel to buy the used car that has all the things you want (color, options, price, mileage, condition...)

(traderonline.com, cars.com etc)

One-way airfare is cheap these days - and a very fun drive home.

Usually buying used means better price, but more compromise.

If you want used and specific criteria be prepared to search and search and travel to get it.

Ill give you a good deal on my 05' Black on Black M3. PM me.

Honestly, I don't think it's a wise idea to purschase an USED-M3.
M3 is the car for you to "drive", whoever had M3 must had abused the crap out of it I mean...that's why people get M3 in the first place. Although, Blk/Blk are common to find in 2 years, to get a mint and good condition car is hard. Again, this is M3 we're talking about, the car will cry if you don't drive it the way it should be driven.
So, good luck on your search and be patient to find a decent one.

CheeRs

What about purchasing a CPO '02 M3 that has received a replacement motor? Pros and cons?

Again, this is M3 we're talking about, the car will cry if you don't drive it the way it should be driven.

I disagree with this. There's a very big difference between
driving a car and having fun, and abusing a car.
And in my opinion, there is no such thing as driving an M3 the way
it should be driven. If you do, you'll be replacing a *lot* of parts
in no time. The M3 is, after all, a street car. Not a race car.

Furthermore, there are M3 owners out there that drive the car
in a very different way to the early 20 year olds (and younger) that populate
many of these forums. It's simply a fact of life.

It's not the car. It's the driver.

By 2 years, the E92 M will be out, E46's will be a dime a dozen on the used car market :D which is good news for you. With prices arleady hitting low 30's, who knows how much they will be going for by the time you are ready.

I agree with the fact that I would be extra weary when shopping for used M's... on one hand, you know some people would push the car to the limits, on the other hand, there ARE responsible drivers out there. A friend of mine bought his E36 M3 used, in pristine showroom condition inside and out. It all depends on the owner.

Agree totally with you Rommel. I came from an S4 (B5) and would baby my car. I would run it hard on some days but 85% of the time is within daily traffic speed limits. Now, lots of people on Audiworld had tons of issues that I never did.

I just got a 2002 M3, low miles, SMGII. No issues, but its only been a month. The interior is flawless and the car has not issues at all.

That said, when you're looking for a used sports car, the risk is more elevated (just the nature of the people who buy sports cars). You'll need to do your due diligence; CarFax, dealer records, have a mechanic check it out etc.

One of my professors at business school buys used cars and uses a different screening method: If its from a private party buyer, he checks the radio stations and if he finds all hard rock, heavy metal bands, he avoids the car lol.

Agree totally with you Rommel. I came from an S4 (B5) and would baby my car. I would run it hard on some days but 85% of the time is within daily traffic speed limits. Now, lots of people on Audiworld had tons of issues that I never did.

I just got a 2002 M3, low miles, SMGII. No issues, but its only been a month. The interior is flawless and the car has not issues at all.

That said, when you're looking for a used sports car, the risk is more elevated (just the nature of the people who buy sports cars). You'll need to do your due diligence; CarFax, dealer records, have a mechanic check it out etc.

One of my professors at business school buys used cars and uses a different screening method: If its from a private party buyer, he checks the radio stations and if he finds all hard rock, heavy metal bands, he avoids the car lol.
so if he found urban, hip hop, R&B and rap, he'd buy it? :confused

Being fearful that all M's out there have been abused is rather absurd. If you think you are careful about your cars condition, just remember theres always going to be someone out there more anal than you. You just have to find them. Just take a look at my car for example :D

Thanks guys I really appreciate all of the input. However, like I said, my purchase will not be for another 20 months (end of lease). This being said, perhaps I'll wait a year but I still feel I should start searching a couple of months before in order to have the car by then.

Honestly, I don't think it's a wise idea to purschase an USED-M3.
M3 is the car for you to "drive", whoever had M3 must had abused the crap out of it I mean...that's why people get M3 in the first place. Although, Blk/Blk are common to find in 2 years, to get a mint and good condition car is hard. Again, this is M3 we're talking about, the car will cry if you don't drive it the way it should be driven.
So, good luck on your search and be patient to find a decent one.

CheeRs

thats stupid, all my m3's that i've bought were "used" but I couldn't be happier. Its how the car is maintained, not how it is driven, that is important. The stock rev limiter, governor, etc are pretty conservative anyways. Stock shocks tend to wear out around 50-60k normally so they should be changed but thats wear and tear, there are some other minor things but a used m3 can be as good as a new one.

He'd probably stay away from it lol... I just mentioned that for laughs.

Don't wait...
Buy my 02 M3 6 manual now for $35,000
32,800 miles with warranty
Listed in autotrader :D

Being fearful that all M's out there have been abused is rather absurd. If you think you are careful about your cars condition, just remember theres always going to be someone out there more anal than you. You just have to find them. Just take a look at my car for example :D

well, when you want to sell.. PM Me! lol