Buying an M3(E46) need help

[Rintoul]

hey everyone this is my first post. i am in the market for a M3 (E46) i know they made them for 6 or 7 years and i am wondering what year was the best and the differences between those years and any tips or suggestions. i am looking for either a blue, black, or red M3 it has to be the coupe and has to be manual. i dont know if there is a similar post if so just send me the link thanks in advance and its a pleasure joining the group. thanks

[pharmdphd98]

Originally Posted by Rintoul

hey everyone this is my first post. i am in the market for a M3 (E46) i know they made them for 6 or 7 years and i am wondering what year was the best and the differences between those years and any tips or suggestions. i am looking for either a blue, black, or red M3 it has to be the coupe and has to be manual. i dont know if there is a similar post if so just send me the link thanks in advance and its a pleasure joining the group. thanks

Go to M3forum.net for E46 M3-related info. This forum greatly emphasizes the E92. To be brief, the best E46 to have are the 2005-2006 with competition package/ZCP, preferably with manual transmission. It's hard to find one with low miles and in good condition but if you do it's not going to be cheap. A car with the above description will command a price close to a 2008 E92 M3. Good luck.

[bm11]

Originally Posted by pharmdphd98

Go to M3forum.net for E46 M3-related info. This forum greatly emphasizes the E92. To be brief, the best E46 to have are the 2005-2006 with competition package/ZCP, preferably with manual transmission. It's hard to find one with low miles and in good condition but if you do it's not going to be cheap. A car with the above description will command a price close to a 2008 E92 M3. Good luck.

Agree with this except to say that you shouldn't immediately rule out the SMG. I had one and I really liked it. Much faster than I could be and didn't feel like I was making a compromize giving up full manual.

[Rintoul]

ok thats great thanks for the info what does the competition package and zcp include thanks

[bm11]

Originally Posted by Rintoul

ok thats great thanks for the info what does the competition package and zcp include thanks

CSL wheels, cruise control delete, Alcantara wheel and seats, M-track mode for the stability control.

ZCP is the option code for the Competition Package.

[fuddman]

Originally Posted by Rintoul

hey everyone this is my first post. i am in the market for a M3 (E46) i know they made them for 6 or 7 years and i am wondering what year was the best and the differences between those years and any tips or suggestions. i am looking for either a blue, black, or red M3 it has to be the coupe and has to be manual. i dont know if there is a similar post if so just send me the link thanks in advance and its a pleasure joining the group. thanks

There are about 40 or so models (2003-2006) like that on CARS.com. Check out BMWUSA.com under "Certified pre-owned" also.
To get what you want, you're probably going to have to buy it out of your area. On the websites I mentioned, I suggest you conduct your search nation-wide. Obviously, you have to be very careful, not only because you'll have limited knowledge of the car, but, particularly, because it's an M3 and M3 owners like to get on the car. Before contacting the owner I would check the CARFAX. I've eliminated cars I was interested in just on the basis of what the CARFAX said.
In addition to the M3, you might want to consider an e46 with the "performance package." Although a step below in performance and wow factors, these are a neat alternative to the M3 and with owners less likely to have put hard miles on them.

Good luck on your adventure.

[positiveions]

Well best is to have a manual; however, there is a doctor in our hospital that has an SMG with 150K on it. Never serviced it, and still runs like a champ. GO figure.

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by bm11

CSL wheels, cruise control delete, Alcantara wheel and seats, M-track mode for the stability control.

ZCP is the option code for the Competition Package.

and upgraded brakes

[igom3]

Originally Posted by redline9001

and upgraded brakes

I think they are same size just Euro rotors (drilled) instead solid

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by igom3

I think they are same size just Euro rotors (drilled) instead solid

rotors on the comp package are 345 and civic m3 325

[IrishCoffee]

If you were going to buy the e46 M3 and have it as a pretty much dedicated track car would the ZCP package make much difference?

I would upgrade the brakes, suspension, wheels, etc. anyway. Are there any other pluses to the package?

Does the e46 make a good dedicated track car? I am just thinking for the future about doing a fun project car and an e46 certainly is more affordable than tearing apart an e92.

[igom3]

Not really IMO. Competition package was available on 2005 and 2006 models as far as i know, and those models are a bit more expensive than 2001 or 2002 year model for example. You can use that difference in price and buy much better suspension, brakes, wheels than ZCP model is equipped with. Again this is JMO

[igom3]

If properly done E46 M3 is very nice well balanced track car.

[blast1st]

try autotrader I found about 4 with in 500 miles from me here in cali.. good luck!!