Talk to me people...E46/E90/E92 M3 owners please apply...

[DNDN_M3]

So here I am...Going on 29 years old and have been an absolute M fanatic since I was 17...Of course, I couldn't afford an M3 back then...So I went the Japanese route...Had a G35 coupe for 4 years...And now a G37 coupe for 4 years...Well the time has come...But I'm a bit torn...

I do well enough for a living and my ceiling is certainly higher...I'm in the market for a new car...But I'll also be in the market for a new home in about 18 months...

So I'm faced with a decision...Get a used E46 M3 for say 25-30k...I've always loved the E46 and in fact had a saving account named 2004 E46 M3 that I'd started as a teenager...

Or do I get the new prize in my eye...The E90 M3 Sedan? I'll likely have to srping about $41-44k for one of these...And my home buying experience might not be nearly as comfortable with that type of payment...But then again, I could always sell it in 18 months right?

Decisions, Decisions...Can those have owned both give me some insight here...Would you roll with the E90 if only for 18 months and then possibly downgrade to an E46? Or would that be torture? I know people love both and some former E46 owners vow to one day own that car again...

Would love some insight from the group...Cheers


EDIT: Yikes!!! Sorry guys...I already own a house or I should say "mortgage" a home...But we're looking to move "upgrade" a bit in 18 months...

My priorities are typically fantastic...Hell, 20% of my income goes to retirement and I fully fund a Roth Separately...I'm KNOWN for not splurging...To a fault at times...

[Technic]

I bought my house first, three M3 (E46 M3, E90 M3, E92 M3 in three months or so) second. My house will be paid off in approximately 7 years.

It is called, priorities. You set your own.

[Seattle S65B40]

Just go with E46 until you're comfortable to chew off more. It's a great car and will get you out of that G!

[Nelrock]

You'll get a lot more use from the house. Get the house.

I've owned both cars. Both fantastic. I did part with the E46 a couple months after picking up the E92. I just knew I wasn't going to drive it. Love the E92.

But...I already had the home. Get the house dude.

[DNDN_M3]

Yikes!!! Sorry guys...I already own a house or I should say "mortgage" a home...But we're looking to move "upgrade" a bit in 18 months...

My priorities are typically fantastic...Hell, 20% of my income goes to retirement and I fully fund a Roth Separately...I'm KNOWN for not splurging...To a fault at times...

[IFX]

we're all car fanatics here, so the idea is obvious..

But as one already said, priorities.

Definitely consider the M after the house.

[gallian93]

Dude, do the e46 ...you'll wonder where its been you've entire life!!! It was my starter M and remains to this day my fav M car

[Technic]

Originally Posted by DNDN_M3

Yikes!!! Sorry guys...I already own a house or I should say "mortgage" a home...But we're looking to move "upgrade" a bit in 18 months...

My priorities are typically fantastic...Hell, 20% of my income goes to retirement and I fully fund a Roth Separately...I'm KNOWN for not splurging...To a fault at times...

Get a post-2004 E46 M3 (that should be $22-$25,000 in good condition), get house, then an used MY2011.75 E90 M3 in 18 months if you want to experience the V8.

[DNDN_M3]

Originally Posted by Technic

Get a post-2004 E46 M3 (that should be $22-$25,000 in good condition), get house, then an used MY2011.75 E90 M3 in 18 months if you want to experience the V8.

I like where your heads at Technic...I just definitely want to experience the V-8...And the Sedan might work better in 18 months because the wife "cough" wants "cough" kids "cough"...

[benzo23]

Live within your means. E46 m3 is an awesome car and with a 25-30k budget on one you should be able to find a clean low mileage one. Just be patient. Make sure it had the rod bearing recall done if its a 3003 and older and also check for rear subframe cracking.

[Lorde]

The worst thing you could do for your credit is to buy a car right before you buy a house. I'd get the house first, then the car.

That's what I did.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by benzo23

Live within your means. E46 m3 is an awesome car and with a 25-30k budget on one you should be able to find a clean low mileage one. Just be patient. Make sure it had the rod bearing recall done if its a 2003 and older and also check for rear subframe cracking.

Look at a 2006 ZCP
It'll be in the high 20s, low 30s for a nice, low mileage one

But that car is one hell of a car... I've always wanted to own one, especially in blue....

If you get one in the high 20s, in about 18 months, you should be able to sell it (if you've kept it in prime condition and not added toooo many miles to it) for mid 20s-ish

if you but an e90 now for about 45k or so, it'll be worth in the low to mid 30s (depending on how much mileage you put on it and condition)


The E46 has taken pretty much most of it's depreciation hit, while the E90 still has some to go.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by Snig

The worst thing you could do for your credit is to buy a car right before you buy a house. I'd get the house first, then the car.

It depends.


If he will be signing for the house (and not jointly with his wife), then if he gets a car now, he should have the checks/payments made from her account (not a joint account).

But, if they will be signing together, then this option is meaningless.

If he has a company that can write the checks, it will have the same effect though

Or another option is to get the car in the wife's name if he's going to be the primary on the house.

[Kiemyster]

simple. you can get your cake and eat it too. Get a 2 family home for a good deal, maybe a little foreclosure action. rent the other shit to a good honorable friend. Boom.

if not, get the E46 now, and then when you got money get a cpo e90 m3

[Nine]

Originally Posted by DNDN_M3

EDIT: Yikes!!! Sorry guys...I already own a house or I should say "mortgage" a home...But we're looking to move "upgrade" a bit in 18 months...

My priorities are typically fantastic...Hell, 20% of my income goes to retirement and I fully fund a Roth Separately...I'm KNOWN for not splurging...To a fault at times...

This is a lot of people's problem, they don't 'play' enough. For everyone early 20s kid with a huge monthly payment there is the over conservative pleasure delayer who will probably NEVER own an M3 because it is never the 'rational' decision.

Sometimes you need to live a litttle if not a lot, life is short and I hate to break it to you, you won't be retiring until your mid 70s if ever ...

[mdosu]

you're asking us what should be your priority?
I dunno, I would blow my cash first on blow.

But seriously, i guess you're asking should you spend a lot of money or less money for different cars? Dude we mostly own E9X here on the forum, i think we're all going to say buy the E9X.

[PKL]

Sell the house and buy an M3. That is a serious suggestion. Owning is a PITA

[Seattle S65B40]

Based on your follow up responses, it sounds like you're financially stable and are just being conservative. If you have the chedda, get whatever car makes you happy. You can't go wrong with E46 M3 or E90 M3. Both are ///M-azing.

[e1000]

Don't believe what you hear in the news, depending on area, housing may see another +20% drop.

Of course, if you need to purchase a home for a larger family, etc etc, then by all means that takes precedence. But if you're even THINKING of buying a home for a potential investment opportunity, forget it.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by e1000

Don't believe what you hear in the news, depending on area, housing may see another +20% drop.

Of course, if you need to purchase a home for a larger family, etc etc, then by all means that takes precedence. But if you're even THINKING of buying a home for a potential investment opportunity, forget it.

Well some want a bigger house due to growing needs, and overall it's a buyer's market right now

If you need to add a room or 2, whether you do it now or next year isn't going to be that different when taking into account your need for the upgrade.

Real estate is always great for investment. It may take several years but it'll always eventually go up lol

[Prince_of_Persia]

Bought my e92 M3 before buying the house since it was my graduation present to myself (worked myself and earned the money, not a gift from some one else). going to buy a house in few months as well.

I would get the last V8 M3 if i were you. I would also get a CPO rather than a new one.

[bsiciliano]

Decide what you afford to spend and then shop around for the best value that fits your budget. It may take awhile, but with some searching, you can find a good deal. It took me 4months of web browsing at work, but I found a lease on a brand new 2011 E93 for $0/$659/mo. Seriously, I have friends that drive crappy Nissan Altimas that barely pay less than I do. Deals can be had, be patient. There are many good deals on the E46 too. Shop around, browse online.

Also, you need to consider maintenance costs as a factor. If you get an E46, it may not be under warranty. These cars are well built, but eventually, things break. If you wind up spending $1200/year on maintenance issues, then you have effectively increased your monthly payment by $100. The E9x shouldn't cost you anything on maintenance, but it drinks gas and oil like there is no tomorrow.

No matter what you decide, take your time, pick what you like best and you will be happy.

Just don't go blowing a ton of money on mods. --yeah right...