5 year old M3

[jzcrna]

Hey folks my F30 lease is up in 18 months and I was wondering if it makes sense to buy an older M3. I'm thinking $45000 or less is perfect but concerned about maintenance, etc.

what are your feelings of older M3s reliability and maintenance?

What MPG is common with E92?

[SamS]

Waaaay different cars. You'd better drive one first.

Expect about 15mpg.

[sparkyg]

If you're in the city it is 16.1 l/100km

That is 14.6 mpg. That is very realistic and no sh*t.

If there is a downside that is it. Oh, its not the greatest in deep snow either..winter tires or not.

[jzcrna]

Thanks guys. Terrible gas mileage, but do you feel that the thrill far outweighs the gas mileage?

[bsiciliano]

Originally Posted by jzcrna

Thanks guys. Terrible gas mileage, but do you feel that the thrill far outweighs the gas mileage?

Yes!

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by jzcrna

Thanks guys. Terrible gas mileage, but do you feel that the thrill far outweighs the gas mileage?

The high revs and sound plus power are all some. not many cars are doing this unless you have a exotic.

Although this is a BMW M3 repairs will not be cheap if you do not have warranty. We cannot tell you if it makes sense financially

[robotk]

I'm getting 13 mpg, but I drive it like I stole it.

[zsx_m]

You're planning a car purchase 18 months from now?

[Rshane]

If you're concerned with gas mileage the E9X M3 may not be a good idea. I have managed to get around 19.1MPG according to the computer (not the most accurate measurement). My car is not my daily driver and most of my driving is cruising the back roads or longer trips on the Autobahn.

Normally, I get about 220 miles to the tank with city driving and 310 with highway driving. On the highway, once again according to the computer, I see 21mpg traveling at a steady 75 mph.

[luis_m3]

I get 13 MPG on a good week. It really depends on your driving; I get on the autobahn a lot... so that makes a difference.
However, regardless of your driving habit, if you are concerned about gas at all, then this is not your car.

[Prince_of_Persia]

If you think about MPG, M3 is not the right car for you. And you are planning for 18 months from now?!

[CrucialScott]

I always get around 12-16MPG depending on how i drive it. I've even seen it drop to below 10 sometimes when really pushed...

You don't buy this type of car and think about the fuel, i can't measure the amount of times when i've planted it and immediately begun grinning from ear to ear....Fuck the fuel!

The noise and handling outweigh any negatives i can think of

EDIT: mine is a 2010 and so far every time i've driven it something has broken so do bare that in mind...Again it still out weights the negatives for me and its only been little things that were causing problems. Battery issues, D1S bulbs went etc...

[soniczoom5]

i get 17 mpg, 90% highway driving

[Greeney]

Originally Posted by jzcrna

Thanks guys. Terrible gas mileage, but do you feel that the thrill far outweighs the gas mileage?

Not particularly. But it depends how you drive and use the car, also climate. They also seem to be a bit finicky in the maintenance department.

[jimf15e]

Originally Posted by zsx_m

You're planning a car purchase 18 months from now?

Ha! I start planning my next car purchase the day I drive a new one off the lot, if not earlier. More fun that way!

[05Mdriver]

Originally Posted by jimf15e

Ha! I start planning my next car purchase the day I drive a new one off the lot, if not earlier. More fun that way!

How is that more fun ?! I actually dislike car shopping and after a 7 month search... dont even want to think about changing vehicles again for a while, Not to mention I am completely thrilled with this car

[jimf15e]

It's more fun because I like cars - all kinds. I'm not saying I go to dealerships to haggle and test drive for 2+ years, I just like to research, look, learn, etc. To me it's not a chore. If cars were a chore then I'd buy a Honda and call it good for 10 years.

To the OP - non-warranty cars are a gamble, although generally the odds are always in your favor. Long term reliability just sways those odds a little bit, but they still will be in your favor (unless you buy something made in the UK). Weigh that and go with your gut.

[jzcrna]

Originally Posted by jimf15e

Ha! I start planning my next car purchase the day I drive a new one off the lot, if not earlier. More fun that way!

Im always looking Given the time frame I have a few cars that I'm considering (some non-BMW) and if my interest is still there after 18 months and I have test driven all of the cars then it should be a solid decision.

I like my F30 335i but it doesn't have the thrill factor that my E90 with the N54 did. Im considering an M235i when they come out as well.

I just feel that an M3 would keep me happy for a very long time and it would be a car that I purchased (used) probably from a BMWCCA member.

I drive 60 miles per day which is a slight issue but it doesn't break the bank. IMHO the more that you are in a car, the more refined it should be. I can't imagine spending all of that time in an econobox just to save money, although it makes a lot of sense to do so.

Oh, I'm sure insurance is not cheap but I have a good record and a family plus Im over 40 so that would help.

We also have a minivan so this car is all mine

[pbonsalb]

For $45k, you should be able to hedge your bet and find one with a little factory warranty plus 2 years of CPO. So essentially, you are buying one that is 3 years old, and you should be able to do that for $45k. I did a couple of years ago.

[bkrM3]

I don't know about the warranty availability - CPOs are pretty hard to come by in that price range, unless you'd be the 3rd owner. Dealers usually want an arm and a leg from what I've seen.

I can tell you one thing - don't even think about the gas mileage. I recently got 20mpg on a highway trip and that seems about normal. My everyday work commute is only 4ish miles on suburban roads (just enough to warm up the car really) and I've been getting 10ish mpg. Seriously, I haven't even seen 11. I have, however, seen 9.8. Of course, that's not why I bought the car.

EDIT: today I really tried on the way to work and I got the average mpg to read 11.0. Small victories =)