Thinking about pulling the trigger on this 02 E46 M3....

[Mosaud1998]

https://www.mcgrathacuralibertyville...e-il/63779624/

Looks like it's been well maintained. 59 service records, no accidents or damage reported. 2 owners

Going to ask the dealer to send pics of the under body, a walk-around video of the engine and stuff, service records, and if they have any records of the SMG pump being replaced and if the rod bearings were done. I'm going to NY end of Feb. So, I hardly got time to go see it in person right now.

What do y'all think a good price would be? I know E46 M3s are catching crazy money right now. I've always wanted one. but $24k for a 20-year-old car seems kinda steep.

They took it in on trade (shows on the carfax). Trade-in value ranging anywhere from $14k (fair shape which most dealers start the trade-value from) to $17,950 (like new). They probably gave the guy roughly around $16,500 maybe. Add roughly $2k for service and detail. So, their total cost roughly around $19k. I was thinking of offering $20,500+TTL.

[bosstones]

Nice find! Love me some S54! Of course Vanos and rod bearings would also be of interest.

Would any SMG stigma carry over to cost? I don't know how desirable those (SMG) are and if they would carry a lower price tag vs a manual.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by bosstones

Nice find! Love me some S54! Of course Vanos and rod bearings would also be of interest.

Would any SMG stigma carry over to cost? I don't know how desirable those (SMG) are and if they would carry a lower price tag vs a manual.

I'll look on cars and bids. I need a learn how to drive manual

[Mosaud1998]

Looks like the red on is not priced bad compared to similar optioned ones on cars & Bid

https://carsandbids.com/search?q=2002%20E46%20M3

[TiMSport]

Pretty crazy considering I paid around $55k for a new factory ordered e46 M3 two decades ago! 6sp manual and no sunroof FTW.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Pretty crazy considering I paid around $55k for a new factory ordered e46 M3 two decades ago! 6sp manual and no sunroof FTW.

Still got it?

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Still got it?

No. Sold that off many years ago when I still lived in Cali. It was a blast to drive and I really miss having monthly meet-ups in the Malibu area for some spirited driving in the canyons with fellow M3 owners.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

No. Sold that off many years ago when I still lived in Cali. It was a blast to drive and I really miss having monthly meet-ups in the Malibu area for some spirited driving in the canyons with fellow M3 owners.

I really want to pull the trigger but this would be my technically first "big" purchase. My E90 was $8k

[nyalpine90]

do it!!

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

do it!!

Thought my insurance would jump through the roof with the M3 added. Only goes up $2 (6 month policy)

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Thought my insurance would jump through the roof with the M3 added. Only goes up $2 (6 month policy)

besides the m3 can be weekend toy & when the weather is nice.
for work you can take e90

[M5Rick]

Always hankered after an SMG cab in Phoenix Yellow,love this combo.

[TiMSport]

You didn't like Smurf Blue?

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

No. Sold that off many years ago when I still lived in Cali. It was a blast to drive and I really miss having monthly meet-ups in the Malibu area for some spirited driving in the canyons with fellow M3 owners.

We're still here dawg. Cars got a bit bigger though Sorry F/G80 dudes.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

We're still here dawg. Cars got a bit bigger though Sorry F/G80 dudes.

Haha, yeah your M2 Comp is basically the same size as an e46 M3, right? I remember years ago seeing a new M2 in person and really liked the design which somehow reminded me of that. An e46 with a bit of roids going on. To this day I still love Hockenheim Silver Metallic. Wish I could have ordered that for my M340i.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Haha, yeah your M2 Comp is basically the same size as an e46 M3, right? I remember years ago seeing a new M2 in person and really liked the design which somehow reminded me of that. An e46 with a bit of roids going on. To this day I still love Hockenheim Silver Metallic. Wish I could have ordered that for my M340i.

Yeah bit heavier though. But still as close you can get to the E46 as far as i'm concerned.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

Yeah bit heavier though. But still as close you can get to the E46 as far as i'm concerned.

That, and as close as you can get to the old school, raw feel behind the wheel. It's almost as though BMW made that car for previous e46 owners that might consider upgrading to a current BMW. Minimal tech inside the cabin, power and character under the sheet metal.

[Box Collector]

Please please please do not let me influence you into a decision that would put you into financial uncertainty, especially as we trend into a higher risk market

but this, in my my view, is a somewhat rare and random occurrence

a trade-in of this color and mileage

at 80k miles you're still in the range of arguably decent condition

but also too little to expect any major maintenance ie vanos, rod-bearings, sub frame

you'd be extremely lucky if the rod-bearings or subframe were done under recall, would be great being relatively lower mileage

to me this is a great candidate for a manual swap

just budget more than expected for preventative vanos maintenance and subframe reinforcement when it eventually cracks

the seasonality could be to your advantage with the snow that just fell

i might even check it out

PS. lift the carpet and covers from the left and right trunk wells to see if the frame is rusting

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Box Collector

Please please please do not let me influence you into a decision that would put you into financial uncertainty, especially as we trend into a higher risk market

but this, in my my view, is a somewhat rare and random occurrence

a trade-in of this color and mileage

at 80k miles you're still in the range of arguably decent condition

but also too little to expect any major maintenance ie vanos, rod-bearings, sub frame

you'd be extremely lucky if the rod-bearings or subframe were done under recall, would be great being relatively lower mileage

to me this is a great candidate for a manual swap

just budget more than expected for preventative vanos maintenance and subframe reinforcement when it eventually cracks

the seasonality could be to your advantage with the snow that just fell

i might even check it out

PS. lift the carpet and covers from the left and right trunk wells to see if the frame is rusting

If you're in the area, maybe we can go together and take a look at it.

Two brains are better than one (especially if one person knows more about E46 M3s than the other)

but also too little to expect any major maintenance ie vanos, rod-bearings, sub frame

Can't forget the SMG pump and oil leaks. Seems well maintained if you check the carfax. No record of the Rod bearings being replaced, SMG pump being replaced or any oil seals being replaced.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

besides the m3 can be weekend toy & when the weather is nice.
for work you can take e90

Then I gotta keep the E90 out in the snow and stuff

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

I really want to pull the trigger but this would be my technically first "big" purchase. My E90 was $8k

Do it. The call VF and order the supercharger. Then go rip that shit around:-)

[Mosaud1998]

Connecting rod bearings were replaced in 2004 when the car had 35k miles on it. Called the original servicing/selling dealer.

They said it was maintained its whole life at their facility.