2013 M3

[0605260]

Good morning guys.

I'm looking to buy a beautiful 2013 M3 Cabriolet. A few questions of the regulars.

1. Is there anything mechanically I should be aware of?
2. How much do you enjoy yours? Is it comfortable for long trips?
3. I'm guessing this will at some point go up in value. Thoughts?
4. Is this the best year for the V8?
5. Would i be better off waiting until it gets colder price wise.
6. What are thought on yearly maintenance costs. Plan on storing it in winters.
7. If you store yours what is the recommended process?

Welcome in advance.

[nrubenstein]

Generally, I don't regard it as a good sign when the car has the tow hook cover off in the for sale ad.

[Montaver]

Read this - https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

Engines are essentially the same regardless of year, assuming running most up to date software. If its a manual, 08 had some flywheel / clutch differences I believe.

No one knows what will happen to values. However its safe to assume E93's will be the last to go up in value (if at all) as they are relatively unloved by enthusiasts.

Cost to run it depends on how much you drive it, and whether you buy one with most stuff (brakes, tires, fluids etc.) relatively fresh. When stuff goes wrong it can be expensive, its German.

They are great drivers cars, excellent steering, plenty of feedback, sound great and are exceptionally well balanced. Very comfortable for long trips, for highway cruising its basically like any other 3 series with stiffer suspension. EDC in comfort rides very well, and depending on what exhaust setup you have it's pretty quiet. The car has a significant amount of sound deadening.

Buy the owner, condition, and history well and you cant go far wrong. Good luck!

[zipper228]

1. Add $2500 to your budget for rod bearing replacement. Just regular maintenance and TAs whenever they decide to fail
2. I make excuses to for a drive. Incredible value for the price, very comfortable. Top down sound with aftermarket exhaust is fantastic. Top up, unknowing passengers are always surprised to learn its a convertible. Surprisingly comfortable for 4 people.
3. Don't count on it. Maybe a pristine example will someday due to the S65, but I'd expect coupes and sedans are going to benefit more from enthusiasts willing to pay up for clean examples in the future.
4. Don't think it matters much. RB materials changed in '11 but didn't solve the issue. '11 and up also get cosmetic LCI updates
5. Price declines appear to have slowed in recent years. At this point, I think you get what you pay for w/ e9x M3s (low mileage clean examples commanding top end prices, plenty of high mileage well-used cars under $20k). Range between the high and low end can be $30k
6. Yearly maintenance is what you would expect for this caliber car, but definitely nothing excessive in my experience
7. Can't comment, SoCal

Note: This is my only car (wife has a hatchback) and I think it does a great job doubling as both coupe and convertible and I love having the option . That being said, if I had room for a convertible as a fun second car, I'd likely go with a more traditional two seater rag top, as I just don't think having 4 seats and an expensive hard top would be necessary.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

Generally, I don't regard it as a good sign when the car has the tow hook cover off in the for sale ad.

Probably prev.owner had a license plate mount there.

[0605260]

Thanks for all the good information. If someone was to buy a M3 for a summer driver and wanted to at least hold on to some of his money at time of sale. What's the desirable years.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by 0605260

Thanks for all the good information. If someone was to buy a M3 for a summer driver and wanted to at least hold on to some of his money at time of sale. What's the desirable years.

The most desirable M3 is the least made which is the 2011 E90 with 6MT and slicktop. These cars are trending upward especially if lower mileage. Theoretically if you purchase a lower mileage one now and say five years from now average less than 5k miles per year that car should hold its value. Your E93 will not hold any value in your lifetime. But why so concerned with what it will be worth a few years from now? Drive it and enjoy it regardless of the year or model. But my guess is the best bang for smiles would be a 2009 with updated Idrive. You will spend way less than a 2011-2013 but will essentially be the same vehicle. Essentially.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Buy a real M3 . With a carbon fiber roof ...