Would you keep the M3 if it has 100k+ miles?

[vitalsigns]

I'm at about 75K...not sure what will change for a very well-maintained car over the next 25K miles to trigger a sale.

What else can I buy for a similar price that is practical (E90) yet has loads of driving feel and can turn into a beast at a moment's notice?

Answer: Nothing...

That's where my analysis begins and ends.

And there are still a few more mods that can make it even better. I'll just toss a small fraction of the new car savings towards those mods, and I'm still ahead financially.

[PandaM3]

I have 104k on my white slick top e90 M3.
-Already did the rod bearings and throttle actuators.
-Upgraded the oil cooler/ radiator/ steering cooler to Do88.
-M factory CF drive shaft
- solid rear sub frame mounts and upgraded diff mounts
- monoball front and rear bearing conversion and a bunch of SPL parts
- Bilstein damptronic coil overs with GC camber plates
- Stoptech trophy kit front and rear with Volk G25's wrapped around them. (I've got the recently discontinued te37 sl's on order)

I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. I only use it on weekends because I have a Tesla M3 for weekday use. Getting in that car and revving that engine up to 8k and shifting gears feels so satisfying after driving my Tesla M3 all week.

However with less fun I've cars on the horizon I've been looking at ordering a manual 718 GTS. This does have me tempted to sell my M3 however I don't think I will. I've only got a two car garage. I keep my M3 and FJ Cruiser parked in the garage all week to keep them clean and from aging. My Tesla and wife's car (which will be replaced soon with a Model Y) stay parked outside. If I get a 718 GTS due to space concerns I may either get rid of the M3 or one of the Teslas (likely the Model Y since I can probably sell it for more than I bought it which helps with the GTS dealer adjustments on price). Or leave my FJ parked in the 3rd spot of our driveway with a car cover which is also a pain to use.

At least when my mind starts thinking of all those possibilities I just hop in my M3 and forget it all.

[anselmw]

Originally Posted by M3Dreaming

Recently I met with a member on this site to buy wheels / tires off him. I am not a car community guy (I want to be, but I got my first "cool" car, an M3 during Covid and haven't gotten to meet people yet). He was extremely successful and had an M3, two other nice cars, and a Porsche GT3. This is a man who can afford much more high end cars, but he said he was on his FOURTH E9x M3. He said he just keeps coming back to them. All this to say that I think that if someone who can afford much more luxurious, high performance cars like the GT3 still finds a reason to hold on to his M3, you should too. Just my $.02.

A man after my own heart. I have gt3. M coupe. And Macan turbo. This is my 2nd e90 m3. They are just amazing and not sure I see anything else close to replacing it currently. To the OP. I wouldn’t consider tracking as part of the costs. Any car you want to track reliably will need consumables and the parts on the Camaro will not be any cheaper to replace.

[Delete]

Have you sat in a Camaro yet? It's like being in a chop top the doors are so big and the windows small. The view is horrible.

[1SloeEm3]

Originally Posted by m3gang

Hi All,

Recently I have been thinking about selling the M3 for something else. My car currently has a little under 110k miles. Car has been extremely reliable. Did the rod bearings as soon as I bought it 3 years ago at 78k miles. I am thinking about whether I should keep the car and put more money in it like changing all the suspension arms, subframe bushing, and other potential problems down the line or just get another fun car. Car is modded to my liking right now with reclinable OMP seats, suede steering wheel, front lip, weight savings, wheels/tires, etc. Any input is appreciated.

Supercharge it. Go full e85 and you’ll forget you ever wanted another car. Then again i daily a 2018 Ford F-350 and can never go back to a car as a daily so can’t comment on any other cars. But my 647 Whp m3 always makes my stomach hurt when I take it out every now and then

[1SloeEm3]

Originally Posted by Mog-10

Have you sat in a Camaro yet? It's like being in a chop top the doors are so big and the windows small. The view is horrible.

Agreed. I sat in buddies zl1 couldn’t even check you blind spot. Car feels like a Danm lowered truck. The view in that car is seriously shit lol

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by m3gang

Hi All,

Recently I have been thinking about selling the M3 for something else. My car currently has a little under 110k miles. Car has been extremely reliable. Did the rod bearings as soon as I bought it 3 years ago at 78k miles. I am thinking about whether I should keep the car and put more money in it like changing all the suspension arms, subframe bushing, and other potential problems down the line or just get another fun car. Car is modded to my liking right now with reclinable OMP seats, suede steering wheel, front lip, weight savings, wheels/tires, etc. Any input is appreciated.

I have 238,XXX and it's been a good car. Most of the issues I've had have been simple. If you are not willing to work on the car or pay for the fixes then yes sell it. But let's be real there are no more NA V8's like this coming out of any manufacturer much longer if anymore. The world is looking to kill emissions quickly. The character of this car is unique and amazing. Yes there are many other better cars out there. My 2 cents say keep it.

[Idfkman]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

I have 238,XXX and it's been a good car. Most of the issues I've had have been simple. If you are not willing to work on the car or pay for the fixes then yes sell it. But let's be real there are no more NA V8's like this coming out of any manufacturer much longer if anymore. The world is looking to kill emissions quickly. The character of this car is unique and amazing. Yes there are many other better cars out there. My 2 cents say keep it.

Wow. Are you the original owner?

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by Idfkman

Wow. Are you the original owner?

No the 2nd, picked it up with 25,000 on it.

[pqr]

I was at dealer last week dropping off old X3 and picking up e90 M. The Service Manager asked if mine was for sale.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Built to last https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1184983
.

A proper Doctor keps everything healthy...

[decimation1]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Built to last https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1184983
.

WOW!!! Someone has me beat!!! I am sitting at 233K!!

[Remonster]

In 2014 I bought a 6k mile 2013 E92 M3 and had it until 30k miles, I was young and afraid of maintenance costs out of warranty so I got rid of it at 30k miles.

Since then, I've had a 340i, an F80 M3, a Tesla Model 3 Performance, and now I just bought an E90 M3 and am loving it all over again.

Originally Posted by AdM1nsarEas$

I would probably sell it.

1. m3 resell value has never been higher, sell before it crashes

2. if the gen6 SS 1LE is the alternative, I would take that 7/10 times vs. an e9x. the alpha 6 chassis is something special. that said, you will lose more money on the SS

1. is a good point, if you decide to sell it you will get a good price for your car now. I just paid the same price for my 2008 M3 this year as my friend paid for her lower mileage 2008 M3...in 2014.

2. I fully disagree with. I drive a the current gen Camaros often at work and they perform well when driving 10/10ths but feel like a discombobulated mess at any lower speeds. I spent this past weekend driving a C7 Grand Sport and was so happy I decided not to buy one of those when I got back into an M3 earlier this year. But I will say the LT1 V8 engine is a beast, very enjoyable and very very powerful.

[FrznM3]

I bought my Frozen White M3 in 2019 with 85k miles on the clock. I did the correct thing and put an extra 50k miles on it in 2 years driving it like it was meant to be driven and now sit at around 135,XXXk miles on it. Only problem I ever had was having to put gas in it. Did rod bearings when I first got it. I did wrap it myself in Alpine White to preserve the Forzen White paint job underneath. After all, there was only 87 of these made in that color.

[aerosynch]

Bought my M3 in August 2020 with 89k miles and as of today it sits at 126k miles, with every one of those additional miles being awesome. It is my daily driver and I intend to keep driving it like it was meant to be.

[apexscholar]

I think as time passes these vehicles will become inherently difficult to source and unattainable to buy seeing what prices have started doing.

Do what you do, but i'd drive, preserve and maintain until I get the chance to add something to the fleet.

[Rulaxin12]

looking at 100k cars and this thread is very helpful.

[m3fan143]

I got mine at 77k and now has 87k miles....i drive it sparingly since we have 2 other cars and i use my scooter a lot ..lol.
BUT, thats V8 is simply a joy!!! Im about to put the Eventuri in and looking forward...
right now, when you rev thta baby, it simply sings!!
I will never sell this...it is a engine marvel

[neilum]

I recently sold my E90M to get a 997. The 911 is for sale and I am coming back. The utility and practicality of the E90 helps a ton

Be careful, you need to spend a lot to truly upgrade the experience and overall ownership.

[BeaterM3]

Originally Posted by m3gang

Hi All,

Recently I have been thinking about selling the M3 for something else. My car currently has a little under 110k miles. Car has been extremely reliable. Did the rod bearings as soon as I bought it 3 years ago at 78k miles. I am thinking about whether I should keep the car and put more money in it like changing all the suspension arms, subframe bushing, and other potential problems down the line or just get another fun car. Car is modded to my liking right now with reclinable OMP seats, suede steering wheel, front lip, weight savings, wheels/tires, etc. Any input is appreciated.

I am closing in on 100k (just under 97k now) and I will probably end up upgrading to an F series M at some point. But for now, I am just going to enjoy the V8 goodness.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by AdM1nsarEas$

Interesting. I did this move (997 to e90) and am trying to go back, but not at dumb prices.

Can you talk about why?

911's are amazing cars but aren't for me right not with my life situation. The 997 911 I have is a little too nice, low and unpractical for me and my situation with little kids.

Plus I really enjoy(ed) the S65, add it all up and its a better fit for me right now.

[ol doc gully]

I definitely wouldn't do it if its because of mileage.

I just bought my E90 M3 with 12x,000 miles. I do think time has shown these are even some of the more solid BMWs.

For me its just about getting as close as possible to what I really want as a car, driving experience, etc.

If a coupe/camaro sounds closer to what you're wanting then I'd go for it. I love me a GM alpha chassis. I'm not much a fan of the camaros but I honestly wish I was. I'd be all over the ATSV if it wasn't for the gloss plastic dash and lack of V8.

I was very on the fence between E90 M3 and F-type. If I was like you wanting a coupe I'd be in Jag so quick my own head would spin.

GR86 is the only car that has me really truly considering selling for something else....