Hey Guys, I have always been an e36 guy but came across this buautiful ride with some minor damage. Have inspected the car in person and done all calculations as to the cost of repair and i can be in this car for about 18,500 give or take a few hundred dollars.

This my question: Will I be happier with the e46 over my e36 and is this a good deal considering the minimal damage and it having a salvage title? Thanks for the opinions.

2002 6spd 49k HK 18" wheels
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711a.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711a2.jpg)
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711b.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711b2.jpg)
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711c.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711c2.jpg)
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711d.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711d2.jpg)
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711e.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711e2.jpg)
http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711f.jpg (http://www.oklahomaforeign.com/photos/711f2.jpg)

Looks like the owner has an angry GF. Did you get an estimate on the damage?

doesnt look that bad. but i guess other parts of the car need to be check out as well just in case...... trany ,diff ect..... to make sure nothing majorly expensive was damaged.

Looks like the owner has an angry GF. Did you get an estimate on the damage? The estimate to repair the damages are accurate. I will repair myself because I have the facility at my disposal and have the skills to do so.

doesnt look that bad. but i guess other parts of the car need to be check out as well just in case...... trany ,diff ect..... to make sure nothing majorly expensive was damaged.
I have inspected in person, upper and lower parts. Nothing is damaged except some rear suspension that I have priced.

Now to both of you: If I showed you before, in process and after pics of this car. Would the salvage title hurt it badly? Say if I were to drive it for 2-3 years and then possible sell it. Would it be a big consideration if it were say 2-3k cheaper than one with a good title? Of course with proper maintenance. Thanks.

I know from experiance with dealer auctions that a salvage title will bring the price down about 5 k. Now how come the car comes with a salvage title? is this an insurance sell of?. As far as salvage titles go, you are better of fixing and keeping the car while keeping the savings considering its a bargain for 18.5k with that little damage. Also if you are financing the car than your bank will most likely give u a higher percentage for a salvage vehicle.

I know from experiance with dealer auctions that a salvage title will bring the price down about 5 k. Now how come the car comes with a salvage title? is this an insurance sell of?. As far as salvage titles go, you are better of fixing and keeping the car while keeping the savings considering its a bargain for 18.5k with that little damage. Also if you are financing the car than your bank will most likely give u a higher percentage for a salvage vehicle.Yes is is an insurance sell off and it has a salvage title because the insurance company considered it a total even though it really is not.

If you were a buyer in 3-4 years and I showed you before, inprocess and after repair pics. Would it be that big of a consideration?

Yes - I would never buy a salvage title... I have a jeep with a "Not Actual Miles" on the title from when it rolled over 99k - and no one will touch it, carfax says BAD so everyone agrees.. heh

I wouldn't do it....:nono :nono :nono

For few more $ you can find bunch with clean titles..here's few

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-SILVER-ON-IMOLA-RED-19-S-LED-S-HEATED-SEATS-BMW-CPO-WTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ22009101 2211QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-M3-Coupe-25-800-F-I-R-M_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ2800880148 37QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-ONE-OWNER-2002-BMW-M3-COUPE-ONE-OWNER-SPORT-PKG-EXTRA-CLEAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ220087 763628QQrdZ1

Yes is is an insurance sell off and it has a salvage title because the insurance company considered it a total even though it really is not.

If you were a buyer in 3-4 years and I showed you before, inprocess and after repair pics. Would it be that big of a consideration?

Well there lies the problem, you will have to sell it privately and you will have to wait for someone willing to accept the salvage title, maybe a buyer who has experiance with dealer auctions. Honestly with the money that you will save on this car it doesnt make sense to buy it and sell it, its like save the 5-7 k now and lose it later when you sell? so if you cant pull the price of a none salave m3 with a 25k+ price than I guess you can buy it now and try to sell it later but either way you will lose the money sooner or later ( maybe even more later ) so I suggest buying this car and keeping it.

Well there lies the problem, you will have to sell it privately and you will have to wait for someone willing to accept the salvage title, maybe a buyer who has experiance with dealer auctions. Honestly with the money that you will save on this car it doesnt make sense to buy it and sell it, its like save the 5-7 k now and lose it later when you sell? so if you cant pull the price of a none salave m3 with a 25k+ price than I guess you can buy it now and try to sell it later but either way you will lose the money sooner or later ( maybe even more later ) so I suggest buying this car and keeping it.
Good Call, Thanks for the opinion.

For few more $ you can find bunch with clean titles..here's few

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-SILVER-ON-IMOLA-RED-19-S-LED-S-HEATED-SEATS-BMW-CPO-WTY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ22009101 2211QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-M3-Coupe-25-800-F-I-R-M_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ2800880148 37QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-ONE-OWNER-2002-BMW-M3-COUPE-ONE-OWNER-SPORT-PKG-EXTRA-CLEAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6131QQitemZ220087 763628QQrdZ1
Yes, this does put the car into a better perspective and the amount of money that I would be saving is not that huge. Thanks.

I say go for it, that sh#t will buff right out! Just think, that car needs someone like you to make it right again.

With the salvage title, you are going to have to buy this for yourself, something that you will apreciate. A salvage title is like AIDS for a car, it will always go for 40-50% below book value. Remember, most M3 buyers are a select group of people and are very picky. As for myself, I would not pay more than $20k for that car AFTER it was fixed. No matter how well it will be fixed, it will always be a "salvage" to a prospective buyer.

Go for it.

I'm gonna be picking up a rollover or seriously damged E36 M3 from the auction as well. I need a parts car for my upcoming heart-transplant into the e30.
Its not the first car that ill be purchasing.

check out www.iaai.com

i have more info if needed.Let me know