So there has been a 2005 silver M3 sitting on a lot around where i live and i drive by it every day. Sooooo today i stopped by to check it out.

It has 30k on it and as far as i can tell every option(dont know alot about e46) Its in perfect condition. They want $48k for it, so it that about right what do you guys think.

The car felt so amazing to sit in, and the handling was perfect. Now i expected it to feel ALOT faster than my car but it didnt? Dont get me wrong it was fast and smooth but i could not feel it. Should i notice a huge difference? What does the sport button do???

Over all i loved it. I cant stop thinking about it. I want it really bad!!!! Im going to be putting my car up for sale this week to see what i can figure out.

Any comments would be awesome thanks guys:)

It depends on what mods you have done to your car. Personally, I just made the upgrade to an E46 M3 myself, coming from an S52 swapped E36. I had intake/software/crank pulley/catback and with those mods it felt 9/10s as fast as my new car. I had ran my buddy's 2002 M3 a year ago and pulled 1/2 a car by the top of 3rd. That said, my old car would definitely be down 2 cars to my new car. It comes down to the fact that just like all engines before and to come, some are stronger and some are weaker from the factory.

Sport button changes the throttle mapping, so that the accelerator is more responsive to inputs. It doesn't add any power, but it does make the car easier to rev match.

With 30k on an 05, I would be looking to pay in the low 40s, especially given that the E92 M3 is right around the corner and that will drop the resale of the E46. If you can wait a few months to get an E46, you'll be able to get a better deal. That said, if this is the exact car you want (colors, options, etc), don't hesitate to get it now if you can talk it down a bit. You won't regret it - I absolutely love my new car :)

I picked up my E46 M3 a few months ago and I absolutely love it. I felt the same way as you did about not being able to "feel" the power but trust me its there. You dont feel the power as much because the engine delivers the power very smoothly. Sometimes I feel like im not even accelerating that fast but then I realize im already doing 130. I say go for it and buy it if you can. You definitely wont regret it.

My M3 is my daily driver and I wouldnt choose any other car. It is veyr reliable as well as fun.

When I test drove an SMG coupe with aftermarket headers/exhaust I noticed a HUGE increase in power in comparison to my slushbox vert. I hopefully will be doing the same upgrade come March, but after getting 2 compliments from strangers at red lights today it will be hard to let the E36 go

I picked up my E46 M3 a few months ago and I absolutely love it. I felt the same way as you did about not being able to "feel" the power but trust me its there. You dont feel the power as much because the engine delivers the power very smoothly. Sometimes I feel like im not even accelerating that fast but then I realize im already doing 130. I say go for it and buy it if you can. You definitely wont regret it.

My M3 is my daily driver and I wouldnt choose any other car. It is veyr reliable as well as fun.

Hey cliff, i took the plunge and bought one last month:drink1 Let's set up a road trip one day!

i also came from a modded e36 and the e46 is such a better car in almost every way.

Well i am going to sell my car because the Stealership would not give me enough for it. When i do i will be getting this or another e46 M3.

Thanks for all the comments guys. It real helped me make my final decision.

What do you guys think about this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/car/370861630.html

Hey cliff, i took the plunge and bought one last month:drink1 Let's set up a road trip one day!

Sounds good to me. Let me know when you wanna do it.

Also, I was driving on I-80 in Jersey a few weeks ago and ran into a bunch of really nice cars that were all cruising together. The cars included Ferrari's, Lambos, GT3's, and an M coupe. I was just wondering if the M coupe was possibly you?

hm.. 30K miles for $48k ?
i got mine with 25k for $37k...
but mine is an 03 and that's an 05.

hm..... i'd say try and talk the price down a bit.

yep i will. I have been thinking that 42k is about resonable for the car.
For some reason cars sell for more in Oregon and Washington also, probably because there are less to choose from around here.

Well i am going to sell my car because the Stealership would not give me enough for it. When i do i will be getting this or another e46 M3.

Thanks for all the comments guys. It real helped me make my final decision.

What do you guys think about this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/car/370861630.html

competition packages are really nice and handle well...one downfall is that it has the alcantara steering wheel with no buttons on it...but that may be plus for some people...the wheels on that car are extremely nice thoughexpecially for stock

if your looking to go around and race people the e46 m3 may not be for you as it is not the fastest car ... but as far as a hell of a lot of fun to drive and very well desinged inside and out you will not be disapointed

price seems high to me

competition packages are really nice and handle well...one downfall is that it has the alcantara steering wheel with no buttons on it...but that may be plus for some people...the wheels on that car are extremely nice thoughexpecially for stock

if your looking to go around and race people the e46 m3 may not be for you as it is not the fastest car ... but as far as a hell of a lot of fun to drive and very well desinged inside and out you will not be disapointed



Not looking to race. I just love to drive and like to have fun while im doing it so i think BMWs are the right choice for me.

I noticed the S54's grunt above 100mph,compared to my old moded S50 E36. But at those speeds, thats where hp takes over

i payed 42k for my 05' with 29,000 miles, dont pay more than that

Sounds good to me. Let me know when you wanna do it.

Also, I was driving on I-80 in Jersey a few weeks ago and ran into a bunch of really nice cars that were all cruising together. The cars included Ferrari's, Lambos, GT3's, and an M coupe. I was just wondering if the M coupe was possibly you?

Sadly no, that wasn't me:) It may have been Brian, he lives up that way. i wish it was me, that sounds like fun!

yeah, def pricey.

i would say 41-43 is where you should be at.

ok thanks guys im going probably try to go with 42 and see what happens. I will let you all know how things end up, you guys have been very helpfull :clap

my friend got an e46 m3 about a month ago...just riding in it through some twisties was probably the most fun i've had riding in car

however, i'm unable to give up my car so soon as I love the e36 body style...which is why I decided to take the FI path :buttrock

So there has been a 2005 silver M3 sitting on a lot around where i live and i drive by it every day. Sooooo today i stopped by to check it out.

It has 30k on it and as far as i can tell every option(dont know alot about e46) Its in perfect condition. They want $48k for it, so it that about right what do you guys think.

The car felt so amazing to sit in, and the handling was perfect. Now i expected it to feel ALOT faster than my car but it didnt? Dont get me wrong it was fast and smooth but i could not feel it. Should i notice a huge difference? What does the sport button do???

Over all i loved it. I cant stop thinking about it. I want it really bad!!!! Im going to be putting my car up for sale this week to see what i can figure out.

Any comments would be awesome thanks guys
43K to 44K would be about right.

No way I'd pay $48k with the E92 M3 coming in October/November. That car will be about $40k by then.

48k is a little much. But it depends on what the car has (Comp package,wheels,options (nav,sound system,alarm,etc) )also the history is what I would look for. Considering you were not the guy who broke it in as new. Do your homework...as for the new M coming out, the price tag is alot compare to this one. Good Luck

i hope you can talk him down.

i checked out the craigslist one and its sexy, but the price is a smudge high considering you can hold out for a few more months and get the e92

i hope you can talk him down.

i checked out the craigslist one and its sexy, but the price is a smudge high considering you can hold out for a few more months and get the e92

Ha ya i dont think i will go with that one. If i can get my car sold i will try to get the one i talked about in the first post. I will def be talking them down on that, with the help of all of you i have decided that $42k will be the price that i am going for.

But i have to sell my car first. If you guys know anyone looking for a great M3/4 tell them my car is for sale. http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/372013848.html