~~NKY/CINCY Club Lounge~~
10-16-2013, 09:08 AM
#5977
I keep coming back to cars like that. It just seems that even though they tend to be more expensive to maintain, I just have a hard time trying to justify the cheaper cost of a domestic "sporty" car. I have even seen some conv. E46 SMG cars getting cheaper by the day.
10-16-2013, 09:34 AM
#5978
my e36 has been cheap to maintain/bring back to awesome. Cheaper than owning the RX8. There were a ton of them, they share 80% of their parts with the regular 3 series, and there's a huge aftermarket. As long as you can do work yourself, you're golden. Easy to work on as well.
An e46 me gets quite a bit pricier. Way more unique and fewer produced. the SMG II is expensive to fix, and their vanos is a whole different animal that can get pricey.
edit: but if you really want a somewhat fun daily driver, pick up an e46 330xi or 328xi. Get the awd/all weather goodness in a car that handles decently, gets pretty decent mpg, and is easy to get parts for and work on.
An e46 me gets quite a bit pricier. Way more unique and fewer produced. the SMG II is expensive to fix, and their vanos is a whole different animal that can get pricey.
edit: but if you really want a somewhat fun daily driver, pick up an e46 330xi or 328xi. Get the awd/all weather goodness in a car that handles decently, gets pretty decent mpg, and is easy to get parts for and work on.
10-16-2013, 11:51 AM
#5979
The E36 M3 gets interesting with the sedan option. Although autos tend to be the cheapest. Not sure if that is even worth considering? Although the suspension/engine is still there. What do you think of something like this Kevin, is it worth it?
1997 Bmw M3 Sedan For Sale In Westfield IN - Westfield Imports
1997 Bmw M3 Sedan For Sale In Westfield IN - Westfield Imports
10-16-2013, 12:19 PM
#5980
The E36 M3 gets interesting with the sedan option. Although autos tend to be the cheapest. Not sure if that is even worth considering? Although the suspension/engine is still there. What do you think of something like this Kevin, is it worth it?
1997 Bmw M3 Sedan For Sale In Westfield IN - Westfield Imports
1997 Bmw M3 Sedan For Sale In Westfield IN - Westfield Imports
The one you listed looks decent, especially for the money. An auto is an auto though.
A little sluggish and not as sporting, but still a fun car.
The biggest things to check for are wreck repair, coolant system refresh including fan and fan clutch, and non-working or rattling vanos. Suspension problems include cracked or broken trailing arms in the rear, and worn bushings in them. Rear sway bar mounts are known to crack as well. Any well cared for car will have those parts Other than that, there isn't a whole lot that would be a major problem.
You could always go the Subaru route as well. The fun but reliable sedan is slim pickings sometimes. You could go with a mazdaspeed 6 too. Or spend a bunch of coin on a Pontiac G8.
Last edited by fuztupnz; 10-16-2013 at 12:25 PM.
10-16-2013, 10:14 PM
#5984
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Mike, I have a great wife. I only have eyes for her. LOL!
Rides a little more choppy than the 8 but that was on I 294 western burbs of Chicago. Nothing is smooth there. Seats are great. More adjustments than a Barcolounger. Harman Kardon surround sound system sounds great. DCT in sport mode and paddle shift is wicked quick.
OK, it won't redline at 9K and it has pistons.
Rides a little more choppy than the 8 but that was on I 294 western burbs of Chicago. Nothing is smooth there. Seats are great. More adjustments than a Barcolounger. Harman Kardon surround sound system sounds great. DCT in sport mode and paddle shift is wicked quick.
OK, it won't redline at 9K and it has pistons.
Last edited by Mazdax3; 10-16-2013 at 10:18 PM.
10-17-2013, 09:05 AM
#5988
The sedan is nice. A Dakar Yellow one just sold in C-bus recently. There are 3 pretty well priced coupes on the ohiobimmers forum. Craigslist has a few sedans, but not really worth writing home about.
The one you listed looks decent, especially for the money. An auto is an auto though.
A little sluggish and not as sporting, but still a fun car.
The biggest things to check for are wreck repair, coolant system refresh including fan and fan clutch, and non-working or rattling vanos. Suspension problems include cracked or broken trailing arms in the rear, and worn bushings in them. Rear sway bar mounts are known to crack as well. Any well cared for car will have those parts Other than that, there isn't a whole lot that would be a major problem.
You could always go the Subaru route as well. The fun but reliable sedan is slim pickings sometimes. You could go with a mazdaspeed 6 too. Or spend a bunch of coin on a Pontiac G8.
The one you listed looks decent, especially for the money. An auto is an auto though.
A little sluggish and not as sporting, but still a fun car.
The biggest things to check for are wreck repair, coolant system refresh including fan and fan clutch, and non-working or rattling vanos. Suspension problems include cracked or broken trailing arms in the rear, and worn bushings in them. Rear sway bar mounts are known to crack as well. Any well cared for car will have those parts Other than that, there isn't a whole lot that would be a major problem.
You could always go the Subaru route as well. The fun but reliable sedan is slim pickings sometimes. You could go with a mazdaspeed 6 too. Or spend a bunch of coin on a Pontiac G8.
2003 BMW M3, $11,100 - Cars.com
10-17-2013, 06:28 PM
#5990
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135 - 26-27 mpg at 70-80 mph back from Chicago. Not used to that kind of mileage. Engine turns at 2600 rpm at 80.
Fuel on Saturday could be a washout if the weather forecast is correct.
10-17-2013, 07:29 PM
#5991
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Speed 6 has had seal problems with the turbos. I think there was a TSB on it some time back. It would be tough finding one in decent shape and under 100k miles.
10-18-2013, 07:33 AM
#5993
10-19-2013, 12:13 AM
#5994
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James, it's gotta be ragged out. That's a lot for the miles and beat down its had.
It's parked in the grass for a reason. It ran off the road...LOL
It's parked in the grass for a reason. It ran off the road...LOL
Last edited by Mazdax3; 10-19-2013 at 12:15 AM.
10-22-2013, 01:20 PM
#5998
Nice pictures Steve. Got to drive an E46 330ci ZHP today at work... impressed.
On the subject of BMW's my boss is thinking of buying one of those ugly-as-sin i8's coming out next year... I can think of much better cars for six figures, but everyone here at work disagrees with me and says I'm just MAD LOL.
On the subject of BMW's my boss is thinking of buying one of those ugly-as-sin i8's coming out next year... I can think of much better cars for six figures, but everyone here at work disagrees with me and says I'm just MAD LOL.
10-26-2013, 09:08 PM
#6000
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Steve, that's a purty color.
Picked up the Miata's head last night and got her all back together today. Just in time for me to go back to work! At least I'll get to drive it a couple of times before leaving, and won't have to worry about working on it as soon as I get back home.
Picked up the Miata's head last night and got her all back together today. Just in time for me to go back to work! At least I'll get to drive it a couple of times before leaving, and won't have to worry about working on it as soon as I get back home.