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Is this as foolish as I'm thinking it is? 2002 M3 *UPDATE PURCHASED*

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Sorry for not updating earlier. Finally got the mechanic to look at it yesterday (busy with work on monday and seller was kind enough to wait) ...everything checked out. I'm picking the car up this evening...can't wait.
 
Very sharp car although I'm of the mindset that putting a roof rack on an M3 is heracy!

E46 M3 was the best of the M3's in my opinion, I still contemplate trading the WRX in for one but I know the wife will never go for it.
 
Kabob said:
Very sharp car although I'm of the mindset that putting a roof rack on an M3 is heracy!

E46 M3 was the best of the M3's in my opinion, I still contemplate trading the WRX in for one but I know the wife will never go for it.
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Necessary evil as at least one of our cars will be needed to transport our bikes. At least the rack is made for the M3 attachments...so it's not hurting the car at all if I ever want to remove it. I think my wife's car would look even worse with one.
 
Kabob said:
Very sharp car although I'm of the mindset that putting a roof rack on an M3 is heracy!

E46 M3 was the best of the M3's in my opinion, I still contemplate trading the WRX in for one but I know the wife will never go for it.
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No offense to anyone with the current gens, but I prefer the E46 and E39 series.
 
Arkaign said:
No offense to anyone with the current gens, but I prefer the E46 and E39 series.
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I definitely agree on the E39. After driving the E92 at the BMW Experience...I certainly wouldn't mind one...but I do love this E46...I have a feeling I'm going to be burning a lot of gas tonight.
 
PricklyPete said:
I definitely agree on the E39. After driving the E92 at the BMW Experience...I certainly wouldn't mind one...but I do love this E46...I have a feeling I'm going to be burning a lot of gas tonight.
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So you bought it? Nice!

E46 M3 is probably the only BMW that I would own, much similar to how I would never have owned a "Mustang" if not for the 2003-2004 Cobras. 🙂 Even if the newer ones are better, I think the E46 just has more character.

Not just the drive train and suspension, but the subtle facia and trim changes almost make a look like it's own car. I never liked 99-04 Mustangs or regular E46 BMWs, but I am absolutely in love with the 03-04 Cobra and E46 M3 for some reason. They are just sleeker, cleaner, meaner looking (with the guts to back it up) than other cars with the same sheet metal and they stand out on their own.
 
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Picked it up tonight...burned at least a quarter tank of gas just driving it around. LOVE the car. Revving that engine up in Sports mode is addicting. Best money I've spent in a while...this thing will definitely put a smile on my face every time I drive it...well until the first repair... 🙂
 
Congrats bud! Finally you'll come to appreciate the fanaticism that's the BWM lover you see around here every now and then. 😉

Speaking of which, I've been in a car shopping mood lately.
 
SSSnail said:
Congrats bud! Finally you'll come to appreciate the fanaticism that's the BWM lover you see around here every now and then. 😉

Speaking of which, I've been in a car shopping mood lately.
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Thanks! I really am loving the engine...a relatively high revving engine with a manual is just too much fun. The car still feels really tight for 8 years and 70K miles. I'm interested to see how it holds up.

Good luck on shopping..it's always fun 🙂
 
PricklyPete said:
Thanks! I really am loving the engine...a relatively high revving engine with a manual is just too much fun. The car still feels really tight for 8 years and 70K miles. I'm interested to see how it holds up.

Good luck on shopping..it's always fun 🙂
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Wait until mod bug kicks in. And congrats!
 
Skoorb said:
Has it rusted in half yet? 🙂
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LOL...of course not 🙂. I did take a look at it the other day. It's only been in St. Louis for a winter and a half...the rest of the time was spent in good old SC. I've been pretty fastidious keeping it clean in the winter...so the rust is minimal...but there is some there.
 
KIAman said:
Wait until mod bug kicks in. And congrats!
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The first "mod" will be to add a DICE iPod interface. I love the sound of the engine...but I've been spoiled with my iPod integration in the other vehicles.

After that...who knows...I'm sure I'll catch the bug in no time.
 
I don't think my wife realized what she got into with ok'ing this car. After only 2 days of driving it, I can't imagine going back to a car that isn't this much fun.
 
sdifox said:
you are so dead...when your wife said ok, it was more of a "are you out of your fucking mind?" ok.
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LOL...luckily she's too sweet to really give me a hard time. She does think I'm crazy though and that I'm going to change my mind and want something else in a year. She can't be complaining too much...she's been at the beach for the last month while I've been slogging away at work...if a car every once in a while keeps me happy...she's cool with it.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Congrats! That is a great car.
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Mucho Gracias.

I did some pretty extended driving yesterday...drove to a nearby state park to go trail running instead of near home and got to really ring the car out some. To be honest...I'm really surprised how tight the car is for being 8 years old (entered service on 4/15/02). The car is not squeaking at all...of course it is the summer...but still, I'm impressed. I thought there was a minor squeak on the rear window behind the driver when I test drove it...but haven't noticed it again...maybe it was not closed properly or something.

I'm actually pretty shocked that all the major electronic "nice-to-haves" still work.

-Seat Heaters Work
-Reverse sensors work
-Navigation and H/K sound system all work well (with awesome 1980's arcade graphics) I swear...nothing ages a car quicker than these navigation systems
-When reversing, the side mirrors tilt down so you can see the curb
-Auto-sensing wipers work
-Auto-sensing and leveling Xenon's work
-Auto Climate control works
-Sunroof and power "slit" windows in the back.

Now, if this was a Honda/Toyota, I'd expect all of these to work by default, but being an early 2000's BMW, I'm surprised any of this works.

To be honest though...none of that really matters...all I really care about is the engine and transmission and those two are working beautifully from what I can tell (and what the mechanic said).
 
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