zaglo6204

It's all about preventative maintenance. If you plan on doing any mods, then... get a different car. I love M3s to death (E30 & E36...E46, not so much), but they really do require your full attention as well as your entire wallet. I've learned that lesson all too well...

gotdilbert

Why don't you like the E46?

zoom44

um since its dad's money let him pick it?

Mugatu

iTrader: (1)

yeah seriously, you spoiled brat

Terrance26

You got some nerve calling someone a dumdum, didn't you say in one of these threads and I quote "All BMW's are FWD my mom had two of them." So you really need to quit with the insults.

gotdilbert

I think im getting a mazdaspeed6 my dad approves too.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

arent you that 15 yr old spoiled kid?

edit: ahhaha! you ARE! you should say "im getting".. its more like "my daddy is getting me a ____"

JCTarheel82

ONLY $30k, huh?

Spoiled brat.

gotdilbert

I'm 17.

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

gotdilbert, I would close your mouth while you're ahead haha

MikeW

Didn't the 2002 M3 get the front strut brace.
and when the the E46 coupe get the LED tailights?

http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/s54.htm

The M54 engines want 5w-40, so Xw-50 should hopefully work fine in the M3 engine.
I have never seen any Xw-60 in auto stores, or Xw-70 online.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=159667

MM warranty act is your friend.

BlueEyes

I thought I saw this guys username somewhere:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...ight=2001+2002
ha

BlueEyes

I believe it was the 2002.5 M3's that got the strut bar. 2003.5 was when LED tails were first offered.

spork

I would have a lot of other suggestions of cars to get but you know if you're 17 and your parents are willing to buy you a car that nice, just get what really speaks to you. the negative for the used m3 is maintanence costs. things will break, you'll need to take it in. when you take it in, it'll be very expensive relatively to fix. if you crash it or get into an accident it'll be horrendously expensive to fix. the car is awesome though. good performance, great looks, good driving characteristics, great brand.

but if you actually think about the negatives of getting the used m3, the answer is who cares? your parents are willing to buy this for you. you're obviously rich (you live in a neighborhood where many 17 years olds have cars that nice or better, plus i mean a 30k car for a 17 year old?). yes, the car will be expensive to maintain, but if it's your parents shelling out for repair costs, why does it matter, really?

EDIT: Holy crap, I just read this in the thread on the m3 forums
"What kind of problems he's sending me to a few performance driving schools."

You know, if you're in that situation, I'm wondering why he's not just getting you a brand new M3...

gotdilbert

He CAN but he doesn't want to spoil me "too much".

BlueEyes

That doesn't make any sense. It's the same car. He would be spoiling you with a warranty and new car smell. Somehow, I don't think you'll be pulling into the highschool parking lot bragging about the bumper to bumper coverage you have for the next few years and asking everyone to stick their heads in the window. If he can afford it, go for a new car. The peace of mind he'll have knowing the car is covered should be worth it.

gotdilbert

He gave me a price of 30k and he doesn't want to make it any higher. Its a parental not budging thing. We're asian if that makes a difference xD

Also, it takes more than an M3 to impress our school. Plus I dont wanna get keyed

spork

Honestly, if you want suggestions, give us more info. Obviously, you don't care about looking spoiled since there are more spoiled people at your school. Your price range is 30K. So we got that. Next few things we need to know are:

1) Who's paying for maintainence? Do the maintainence costs matter?
2) Who's paying for gas? Do the gas costs matter?
3) Who's paying for insurance? Do the insurance costs matter?
4) What do you want this car for?
4a) Prestige? Do you want this car so people will be impressed by your monetary status?
4b) Speed? Do you want this car to drive fast and race people?
4c) Practicality? Do you just want a car to go from point A to point B reliably?
4d) Comfort? Do you want a car with a very comfortable ride, great for cruising?

For question 4, what are your main criteria for what car to get?

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

HE already did.

gotdilbert

I want a car for speed. Maintence doesn't matter as long as its not really bad and in the shop more than average. Parents are paying for everything, until I get a job.

globi

I'd buy a cheaper car and a small trailer and put the rest on race kart.
Depending on what kart you get it will be faster than a new corvette, will have more grip than pretty much any car running on racing compound tires and thus always be more fun to drive.

(I have more than $30k on my savings account, but won't spend it on a car. It's illegal to drive fast on public roads - so why waste it on a fast car?
Well, I also have to work for my money.)

gotdilbert

We also have to work for our money. We being my dad.

UFGator12

If you're Asian don't you want an Evo or something? Those are THE Asian's dreamcar.

Ike

Good to see the south is becoming more and more enlightened...

shahram72

You poor deprived child! Only 30K? How will you be able to look your friends in the face at school? I would hang my head down low with that shameful budget!

Seriously, how you have the nerve to post such a thing here amazes me. Have you no grip on reality at all? Obviously not. Most of us here are hard working adults who have to work very hard to afford this car. And many still (like myself) work hard and drive a POS because the realities of life and family come first. One day if I work very hard, I might be able to buy a used RX-8. Go home.