Ok so my beloved M3/4/5 was taken from me last week in a highway hydroplaning incident involving a rig running over me and then a F150 t-boning me. (If I wasnt in a BMW then I'd be dead. But since I was I walked away with only a bruise on my foot!!) Anyway, I'm back on the market looking for a car. I've been an E36 loyalist since 1999 but am now considering an E46 M3. I've got a coupla quick qstns for you SME's:

1. I'd like to spend less than $25k. Is this possible? I still want sub 75k mile car thats going to be a reliable daily driver for years to come.
2. Should I still worry about all the probs that existed when the E46 M3's first came out?

My only other requirements are 6spd and hopefully fold down rears.

Any thoughts? Should I stick with the E36?

Thx in advance gang...

1. I'd like to spend less than $25k. Is this possible? I still want sub 75k mile car thats going to be a reliable daily driver for years to come.
2. Should I still worry about all the probs that existed when the E46 M3's first came out?
1. Probably not that you'd want. Tales of auctions and rock-bottom pricing aside, that's a low price for a sub-75K mile car of any MY E46 M3. That low and the serious question of "why that low?" will probably bring answers that would disqualify the car. Nothing would suck more than getting the car for $24K only to have a $5K repair hit you right away.
2. As far as worrying about the problems like recalls and such, as long as the fixes have been done, I wouldn't sweat it. The greater worry by far would be #1.

it can be done. i got my 52k 01 for 26.7k at a bmw dealership, i overpayed a little because lsb was becoming hard to find and its what i really wanted.

if you dont mind color/options you can find a nice sub 75k 01 m3 for ~25k. all 01's are 6mt so you wont have to worry bout smg unless you buy an 02, most cars should have fold down rear seats.