Hi all,
I currently own a 1999 Honda Prelude DOHC VTEC with quite a few mods. Love it, but looking to get something new. I'm thinking a manual coupe E46 M3. Will keep the Prelude as a 2nd ride.

I'm 26... single... get apx $650/week of disposable income (after tax/savings acct/401k/other misc).

I have tons of questions about the E46 M3...

1. Does the above fit in the demographics of an E46 M3 owner?
2. What color should I avoid (if any)?
3. How many miles are too many to buy one? When do problem start occurring?
4. What should I get checked out before buying one? Known or common issues/defects?
5. I know owning a BWM costs more than owning a Honda, but how much are we talking?

Thanks all.

lol..what color to avoid..?


...id say any that you dont like..but AW is quickest :shifty

^ I asked that cuse I know a black BMW wud be a pain in the azz to clean.
Just looking for input from peeps who own this car.

i went from the honda camp to the e46 myself... love it.

but i will say this... if you don't own a house yet, buy that instead.

2 years from now when you're still paying 850/month for a car payment, you'll regret buying it.

^^ You raise a good point... thats true, I don't own a home yet. That is on my shopping list as well. :)

But, I have been saving up a lot... I might be able to pay off the car in 5-6 months, esp if I sell the Prelude. But, I love my Prelude. Oh man, decisions!

You may want to check out this thread...
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=905963

Bimmers, I believe, are expensive to maintain over normal cars that people drive. I personally own a honda accord (that's the wife's car) and the M3. I wanted to get winter tires for the M so I did some research and figured out that the tires alone will cost me about $2000.

A tip: I bought my M from carmax. I must say, I was a bit skeptical at first purchasing from CarMax, but I haven't had any issues with the car. The Ms are made to last if you take care. Anyways, I ended up investing about $2000 to purchase a warranty from Carmax. That was an awesome move, I think. About 2 months ago, something went wrong with the sunroof. All I had to do was take it to the dealership, they fixed it and charged Carmax about $1400. So, my warranty already paid off ... and its good until 100,000 miles. I had 50,000 when I bought mine.

Oh yeah ... make sure you have a garage. You wouldn't want to leave that outside.

^^ Thanks for that input.
Yes, I do have a 1 car garage.

I THINK, I want....
2002-2005 Alpine White or Laguna Blue manual coupe M3 with the warranty expiring at 100,000 miles.

You would be an idiot not to buy a house right now with the way the market is in many areas. Buy the house, wait a couple years then get a used '05-'06 M3.

^ I hear ya.
I'm waiting on a few other things to fall in place, which I don't have control of... the day those happen, I'm buying a house... and hopefully in summer, a M3. :)

^^ Thanks for that input.
Yes, I do have a 1 car garage.

I THINK, I want....
2002-2005 Alpine White or Laguna Blue manual coupe M3 with the warranty expiring at 100,000 miles.

Yeah, definitely use the garage. And, Laguna blue for the win!