heresy I know but....
08-20-2001, 02:08 PM
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heresy I know but....
I found a '97 M3 coupe w/42K that I should be able to get for around $25K (my mid-life-crisis budget). Drove it and it was damn fun. Unfortunatley there is no Audi equivalent (in price), so it was this or a late 80's Porsche. The plusses for the M3 are better interest rate on the loan, and hopefully less maintenance costs (and I can get a warranty for it).
Any thoughts? I'm hoping that it has taken most of it's depreciation hit, and that if I don't crash it I could sell it in a year or two and only lose a few thousand.
Will I be drummed out of any AW gatherings? We still have an A8 in the family...
Any thoughts? I'm hoping that it has taken most of it's depreciation hit, and that if I don't crash it I could sell it in a year or two and only lose a few thousand.
Will I be drummed out of any AW gatherings? We still have an A8 in the family...
08-20-2001, 02:19 PM
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depends what you're going to do with it
That sounds like a pretty good price for either an M3 or a late-80s Porsche.
E36 M3 is a nice car.
FWIW, great track car, too, even bone stock.
E36 M3 is a nice car.
FWIW, great track car, too, even bone stock.
08-20-2001, 02:23 PM
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decent price, don't know if that model year is prone to the plastic impeller in the h2o pump
replace it with a metal one, one of the 1st things I'd check, you do not want the pump going, it sux!
Also get the pressure plate checked, some get weak
if it is a manual
also many have electric sunroof problems
Overall they are really nice cars but are damn expensive to have fixed once warranty is up.
an inspection II at 60k miles is like $600
Also get the pressure plate checked, some get weak
if it is a manual
also many have electric sunroof problems
Overall they are really nice cars but are damn expensive to have fixed once warranty is up.
an inspection II at 60k miles is like $600
08-20-2001, 02:34 PM
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what color? and who is doing the pre-delivery inspection? (don't trust the dealership to do it)
I can give you names and numbers of some ind BMW mechanics/ shops..that you should be $100 bucks at
08-20-2001, 02:39 PM
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they all might have the plastic impeller, up till 98
definelty want to check the clutch
and Inspec II..is only ~$350, when you don't go to the "stealer"
neither of my M3's had any SR problems
and Inspec II..is only ~$350, when you don't go to the "stealer"
neither of my M3's had any SR problems
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08-20-2001, 02:44 PM
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E36's are getting to be decent performance deals these days..
'95 M3's are dropping to $20k. I would still recommend a good leakdown test and full inspection by a BMW independent. Check on bimmer.org. I am sure there are some buyer's checklists, etc.
One benefit of M3's is also a huge aftermarket and lots of young kids wrecking nice ones with nice parts. :-)
One benefit of M3's is also a huge aftermarket and lots of young kids wrecking nice ones with nice parts. :-)
08-20-2001, 05:40 PM
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metallic black and...
I'm having a local (Pasadena) BMW shop do the PPI tomorrow. It has sport package, computer, new tires, one owner, books and records (dealer maintenance). It impressed me on the short drive...seemed to have lots of juice (and a great throaty sound), and handled well. It was also a lot more comfortable/luxurious than a 911 (the AC blew ice cold!). I'll have a lot better look and drive tomorrow, as the owner is letting me drive it to the shop for the PPI.
08-20-2001, 05:42 PM
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the problem with a WRX...
is that I'll get a depreciation hit. There is a pretty good possibility that I will need to sell this car in a year or so. I figure the M3 shouldn't lose too much value, while a WRX, being new, will take a pretty significant hit.
Plus the M3 is sooooo much nicer on the inside.
Plus the M3 is sooooo much nicer on the inside.