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E46 M3 owners chime in...daily driving reports.

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Thursday is popular for happy hour here, went out tonight for a bit and we started talking cars.

Got a ride in a really nice 2005 tonight. HPF car. Not too bad on coilovers, fast as f'k.
Guy had a ton of money sunk in it I bet, 2x,000 miles only. Guy was cool to offer a spin around the block...I was just a passenger. Dash looks a lot better with a more modern DVD/Nav unit.

Didn't care for the loud BOV though.

Also got to ride in a E63 AMG, much bigger than a C63; I see why they call the C series the 'baby benz'...I didn't get to drive it though either, these guys were pretty much strangers. It was quick. A bit too 'professional' for me though. It did look much better with aftermarket wheels though than the factory ones. He insisted I'd think it faster than the M3...he didn't know at the time it was such a modified one. 🙂

The E46 keeps having me back to look at it, I hope the new Charger is out when I get back from this next 6+ weeks of travel. The problem I have is the M3 I'd be targetting would be in the $35-40k range. Something around 20k miles or less and all docs/mint.
 
Well for what it's worth, I went from an a v8 S4 to an M3. The M3 is way more of an agile sports car in all regards (aside from transmission) - better brakes, better acceleration, steering, suspension etc. I don't really drive to work (CTA subway), so no qualms or looking back.
 
alkemyst said:
Thursday is popular for happy hour here, went out tonight for a bit and we started talking cars.

Got a ride in a really nice 2005 tonight. HPF car. Not too bad on coilovers, fast as f'k.
Guy had a ton of money sunk in it I bet, 2x,000 miles only. Guy was cool to offer a spin around the block...I was just a passenger. Dash looks a lot better with a more modern DVD/Nav unit.

Didn't care for the loud BOV though.

Also got to ride in a E63 AMG, much bigger than a C63; I see why they call the C series the 'baby benz'...I didn't get to drive it though either, these guys were pretty much strangers. It was quick. A bit too 'professional' for me though. It did look much better with aftermarket wheels though than the factory ones. He insisted I'd think it faster than the M3...he didn't know at the time it was such a modified one. 🙂

The E46 keeps having me back to look at it, I hope the new Charger is out when I get back from this next 6+ weeks of travel. The problem I have is the M3 I'd be targetting would be in the $35-40k range. Something around 20k miles or less and all docs/mint.
Click to expand...

Personally, I like the Mercedes CLS550. I've driven one and my boss has one (his is black on black on black-he loves that car). They are beautiful cars, plenty of power, nice ride, and reasonably sporty.
 
SpatiallyAware said:
Can you really not find an e46 m3 in decent condition for $35k? That surprises me..

So what are you current considerations?
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Dude, stop f'ing (edit for garage anti-profanity rules) trolling. I have already responded to you with the entire story so you'd take notes and not bother me.

Here it is one more time. I just came off of 6 months of training. I head out for 6 more weeks Monday. Not the best time to buy a car esp if I discover a problem. It's bad enough my Harmony One remote came today and is defective from the factory.

I am wanting to test drive the 2012 Charger SRT8 first. That's one the opposite spectrum as far as max creature comforts (ventilated seats, beverage coolers, 7" LCD w/ Nav, etc), but more on the cruiser/GT side.

You aren't even in this ballpark financially, but picture yourself dropping $10k on a car on a whim to not like it. You'd more than likely be stuck with it. At $35k-40k, I may be able to resell it for $30k, but more would be suspicious of why I was flipping a car I just bought. I'd rather not go through the aggravation.
 
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JulesMaximus said:
Personally, I like the Mercedes CLS550. I've driven one and my boss has one (his is black on black on black-he loves that car). They are beautiful cars, plenty of power, nice ride, and reasonably sporty.
Click to expand...

For the performance numbers I want I'd be looking at the CLS63 AMG...that's a $75k used car. The E63 AMG is close as well, but the Mercedes offerings are a bit too much refinement visually for me.

All the x63 AMG's are real muscle car feeling (if that makes sense)...they also get equally craptastic MPG.
 
alkemyst said:
For the performance numbers I want I'd be looking at the CLS63 AMG...that's a $75k used car. The E63 AMG is close as well, but the Mercedes offerings are a bit too much refinement visually for me.

All the x63 AMG's are real muscle car feeling (if that makes sense)...they also get equally craptastic MPG.
Click to expand...

Don't get too caught up in performance numbers, it doesn't mean shit in 99% of the driving most people do anyway.

Be aware that maintenance costs will be high in a used Mercedes...as well with a used BMW. If you're used to Nissan parts pricing and aftermarket support you might as well double or triple your costs when moving to a German car.

Good luck with your choice.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Don't get too caught up in performance numbers, it doesn't mean shit in 99% of the driving most people do anyway.

Be aware that maintenance costs will be high in a used Mercedes...as well with a used BMW. If you're used to Nissan parts pricing and aftermarket support you might as well double or triple your costs when moving to a German car.

Good luck with your choice.
Click to expand...

My brother says that too. He sold his 997 for a GTI. 🙂

My Nissan is about 75% not stock, I try to keep my car mint so it's pricey too.

Spherical bearings and the like. Plus I run Assymetrics and PS2's at 8000-9000 miles a pop. 235/40R17.
 
The e46 M3 is a stunning car. I've loved mine every time I get in it for the last five and a half years.

Nobody has mentioned the main thing to look for in a used example; 1200 mile run in service. If it didn't have it, run away. Running this car on thin oil for 10000 miles is bad news. It will be in the service book, make no exceptions, at no price.

Also, if you can,check for cracked or cracking rear springs. I've had a new set, it's pretty common.

I would always go for the manual with the DVD/TV Nav options. The manual is a better drive than the SMG and anyhow the SMG is the same box, just actuated mechanically, and if you have the nav display your ipod options are much wider, and there are hacks for the nav to add boot images (mine is the ///M logo when you unlock the car), speed cameras, etc.

As for driving, it's a very flexible engine, but more than a little Jeckle and Hyde. Low end you do get good daily driver torque, but no face ripping power. Get the mill over 4k however and it's a different story right up to 8k. The soundtrack is stunning and the horizon gets sucked in pretty fast.

As mention, the steering feel could be better, however get a ZHP(US nomclature) version and this was remedied. This version also gets the larger drilled brakes we always had in Europe.

As for upgrades, I am thinking about changing it, but I won't be leaving the ///M line, but then again, some days I just look back at it and I can't do it...

Anyway, just buy one and if you don't like it, get something else. Travelling is no excuse, I do that constantly, too. If you really want this, you'll get it done.
 
alkemyst said:
Dude, stop f'ing (edit for garage anti-profanity rules) trolling. I have already responded to you with the entire story so you'd take notes and not bother me.

Here it is one more time. I just came off of 6 months of training. I head out for 6 more weeks Monday. Not the best time to buy a car esp if I discover a problem. It's bad enough my Harmony One remote came today and is defective from the factory.

I am wanting to test drive the 2012 Charger SRT8 first. That's one the opposite spectrum as far as max creature comforts (ventilated seats, beverage coolers, 7" LCD w/ Nav, etc), but more on the cruiser/GT side.

You aren't even in this ballpark financially, but picture yourself dropping $10k on a car on a whim to not like it. You'd more than likely be stuck with it. At $35k-40k, I may be able to resell it for $30k, but more would be suspicious of why I was flipping a car I just bought. I'd rather not go through the aggravation.
Click to expand...



Alky first off, no one is trolling you. It's a legitimate question to help push your thread along. A talking point. IE I'm actually trying to help you so no need for the personal attacks. Second, you of all people really have no room to be talking about money issues - aside the fact that you have no idea who I am etc.

Basically grow up, you're flipping out at people who you personally don't want in your threads even though you're the one egging them on. Reminiscent of a children's playground.. You egg and poke until someone takes your bait and then whine and cry to admins about them being in 'your' thread.


I don't care about your life pity story.. I asked you a simple question, which is what cars are you shopping to compare to the m3... I think you need to figure out what kind of car you want. SRT8 is not even in the same car class as the m3. Completely different vehicle.

Are these the only two cars you're cross shopping??
 
alkemyst said:
I know exactly what you are and what you make

So as I requested, go away
Click to expand...



No, you don't. And no, I won't. I have a legitimate interest in this thread and will post in it. I'm not trolling, I have a similar car to what you're wanting and am actually trying to help.


Stop being a big ole baby Alky.
 
DivideBYZero said:
The e46 M3 is a stunning car. I've loved mine every time I get in it for the last five and a half years.

Nobody has mentioned the main thing to look for in a used example; 1200 mile run in service. If it didn't have it, run away. Running this car on thin oil for 10000 miles is bad news. It will be in the service book, make no exceptions, at no price.

Also, if you can,check for cracked or cracking rear springs. I've had a new set, it's pretty common.

I would always go for the manual with the DVD/TV Nav options. The manual is a better drive than the SMG and anyhow the SMG is the same box, just actuated mechanically, and if you have the nav display your ipod options are much wider, and there are hacks for the nav to add boot images (mine is the ///M logo when you unlock the car), speed cameras, etc.

As for driving, it's a very flexible engine, but more than a little Jeckle and Hyde. Low end you do get good daily driver torque, but no face ripping power. Get the mill over 4k however and it's a different story right up to 8k. The soundtrack is stunning and the horizon gets sucked in pretty fast.

As mention, the steering feel could be better, however get a ZHP(US nomclature) version and this was remedied. This version also gets the larger drilled brakes we always had in Europe.

As for upgrades, I am thinking about changing it, but I won't be leaving the ///M line, but then again, some days I just look back at it and I can't do it...

Anyway, just buy one and if you don't like it, get something else. Travelling is no excuse, I do that constantly, too. If you really want this, you'll get it done.
Click to expand...

I thought ZHP was just as slightly faster steering ratio?

Seconded on cracked rear springs, had to swap driver's side rear also.
 
Review on the ZCP option: edit (ZHP is the non-M3 package at the time)
Almost a CSL
For your extra $4 grand you got a bunch of hardware that made the M3 ready for track day: 19-inch forged alloy wheels; stiffer shocks and springs; a quicker steering ratio (15.4:1 to 14.5:1); larger, cross-drilled front brake rotors (12.8 inches to 13.6 inches); cross-drilled rear rotors; and brake pads with a more aggressive bite. Most of all, you got big Michelin Pilot tires, 225/40ZR19s in front and ultra-wide 255/35ZR19s in the rear.

The CSL's less intrusive M Track mode for the M3's electronic stability control also proved to be a key part of the package. Actuated by a button on the steering wheel, it backed off the threshold of the stability control's intervention. Although the system didn't shut down completely, it gave you the sense of command you need in a real high-performance car.

Inside the cabin, you held a steering wheel wrapped in soft, racing-style suede, and it felt like it was worth $4 grand all by itself. The interior was also notable for what had been left out, as cruise control and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel don't have any place in a track car.

The Competition Package was available with a six-speed manual or the early, rough-shifting version of BMW's Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG). Once all the usual options were factored into the price, you could be looking at $55,840.
Click to expand...
 
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alkemyst said:
Review on the ZCP option: edit (ZHP is the non-M3 package at the time)
Click to expand...

The problem with the ZCP cars is that you have VERY few brake pad/rotor options, and (as mentioned in the article you quoted) you lose cruise control and the steering wheel controls for the stereo. The ZCP should be a slightly better/more focused track car but I think it's a slightly worse car everywhere else.
 
Yeah cruise control could be a blow I guess. I have only used it 4-5 times I think in 20 years. Limited pad and rotor options are fine IMHO.

I don't care for buttons on the steering wheel though in general.
 
alkemyst said:
Yeah cruise control could be a blow I guess. I have only used it 4-5 times I think in 20 years. Limited pad and rotor options are fine IMHO.

I don't care for buttons on the steering wheel though in general.
Click to expand...

I must admit I only use cruise control on long road trips or where I am particularly paranoid about not getting pulled over, but I wouldn't want to not have it. I consider the brake pad/rotor issue kind of a big deal - there are a ton of road, track, and mixed-use pads for the M3 and a gazillion different rotors, but the ZCP options are extremely limited. Personally I use my steering-wheel audio controls on every drive and would be annoyed not to have them (though it's somewhat balanced out by the fact that the E46 stereo, even the H/K version, is fairly crummy, and the engine sounds great, so I am less audio-focused on this car than on my E90).
 
with audio controls that is just it. Most factory stereos are only 'ok' at best to me. Today there are a bunch of adapters that allow you to still control an aftermarket with the stock steering controls....however, I think steering wheels look cluttered with a/v controls.

As far as the limitations to the brakes (and to be honest I will probably go BBK anyway as I like the look of non-floating calipers esp powder-coated black.) it doesn't seem that bad to me: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E46/c-119-bmw-brake-packages.aspx

As far as pads though I think the ZCP is now covered by all the big brands. You are correct they were limited originally.

One of the big factors in going M3 is in town I have Active Autowerkes and my current alignment guy just happens to be Ernie Bello.
 
I will say that I've never actually driven a ZCP car and so I can't comment on the enhancement in steering. I do find the stock car feels a little slow and numb in the steering wheel - the steering on my ZSP E90 feels quicker and more precise.
 
Hold on, the H/K sound system is pretty bloody good. It's weak point is the sub, but that can be fixed by a dealer or the famous "tennis ball" mod if it starts buzzing. Even then there are drop in replacement options from major speaker companies to improve it.
 
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