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

[Maynard]

I've never driven an SMG, but it is frequently disliked/converted to MT (and I've heard plenty of people countering anti-DCT comments with "that was how SMG was but DCT fixed al those issues") - this may just be more of the BS stigma towards anything non-MT, but something to consider. Overall it looks like a fairly rare find to have an unmolested well-kept M3.

[Alfisti]

You keep faffing about and it will get sold from under you, there are too many buyers who don't concern themselves with such things and just buy it.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I've never driven an SMG, but it is frequently disliked/converted to MT (and I've heard plenty of people countering anti-DCT comments with "that was how SMG was but DCT fixed al those issues") - this may just be more of the BS stigma towards anything non-MT, but something to consider. Overall it looks like a fairly rare find to have an unmolested well-kept M3.

Check this out. The internet sales manager called me and whatnot.

Said there's an additional $998 on top of the $23,895. "Ceramic coating and 5-year interior protection package"

We sell that stuff at our dealership for $3395. But it's a 10 year 100k mile Exterior and interior warranty. Our cost is $2,500.

So, it cost the M3 dealership roughly $350ish for that "Protection bs"

[Alfisti]

Walk in with a cheque for 23K, take it or leave it. They will take it. Don't fuck around though, just pending inspection.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Walk in with a cheque for 23K, take it or leave it. They will take it. Don't fuck around though, just pending inspection.

That's what I might do. This wedding is messing things up. I got no time today (work until 9) Saturday 9-7

Walk-in with a check for $23k

March 2nd is my next day off. If it's still available I'll go look at it

[Darth One]

That’s a good price considering what other M3’s are going for. If it’s clean, it looks like a good deal. If the big 3 have already been done (rod bearings, vanos, subframe) it’s an excellent deal.

SMG’s are terrible, IMO. It’s a big hit to the car’s value for a reason. But i always thought they were great aribitrage opportunities because swapping to manual is relatively easy and cheap. IIRC it costs around $3k, which is far less than the price delta between a manual and an SMG car

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Darth One

That’s a good price considering what other M3’s are going for. If it’s clean, it looks like a good deal. If the big 3 have already been done (rod bearings, vanos, subframe) it’s an excellent deal.

SMG’s are terrible, IMO. It’s a big hit to the car’s value for a reason. But i always thought they were great aribitrage opportunities because swapping to manual is relatively easy and cheap. IIRC it costs around $3k, which is far less than the price delta between a manual and an SMG car

No record of the vanos or subframe. Rod bearing were done in 04 at 35k miles

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

March 2nd is my next day off. If it's still available I'll go look at it

LOL good luck with that. Check the calendar, it's 2022. Someone from here lurking probably ready to snipe you this afternoon.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

LOL good luck with that. Check the calendar, it's 2022. Someone from here lurking probably ready to snipe you this afternoon.

Welp if it's sold it's sold

[Maynard]

No way I'd pay extra for a protection pkg on a used car. Those add-on packages are where they make the big profits, so your salesman is just trying to scoop the finance guy. If it were a real hard cost they would have added it to the bottom line. I would get a paint-depth checker and know how to use it - it is awfully spiffy to not have a repaint anywhere (can't really tell off a vid, but that close up of the rear logo shows a lot of orange peel, DK if they came that way). Still a good deal if the work was done well, but if it was in a wreck that can really change things.

[Mosaud1998]

Originally Posted by Maynard

No way I'd pay extra for a protection pkg on a used car. Those add-on packages are where they make the big profits, so your salesman is just trying to scoop the finance guy. If it were a real hard cost they would have added it to the bottom line. I would get a paint-depth checker and know how to use it - it is awfully spiffy to not have a repaint anywhere (can't really tell off a vid, but that close up of the rear logo shows a lot of orange peel, DK if they came that way). Still a good deal if the work was done well, but if it was in a wreck that can really change things.

I'm not paying $998 for no bs protection package.

They did tint the windows. So, I'll be nice and pay $250 for the tints

Might go see it tonight

[Esteban]

I was looking at an E46 M3 some years ago for sale. I did not like the SMG at all, but try it yourself and see what you think. I've read where some people don't mind it, some like it.

And yes, you owe it to yourself to learn and drive a manual. Some people never go back. It may be just what you want.

[TiMSport]

I know that fiveohwblow would likely have something to say about that. Unfortunately he is currently on a sabbatical and may not be able to at this moment.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

I know that fiveohwblow would likely have something to say about that. Unfortunately he is currently on a sabbatical and may not be able to at this moment.

About what?

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Esteban

About what?

SMG.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

SMG.

Lol, I couldn't have said it more gently. Some people like it, some don't. I actually hated it. It was a deal breaker for me.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Lol, I couldn't have said it more gently. Some people like it, some don't. I actually hated it. It was a deal breaker for me.

Haha, yeah I Know. We had this exact conversation a while back if you remember. Fiveoh was defending SMG.

[Chihuahua]

I would jump on that car in a heartbeat, SMG and all. It's the best M3 in my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Haha, yeah I Know. We had this exact conversation a while back if you remember. Fiveoh was defending SMG.

I remember. I think he said I wasn't driving it correctly, or something. I know how to drive it. And I'm not the only one who doesn't like the SMG, as I'm sure you're aware of.

As I said, OP, drive it yourself and see what you think. You might be one of those that like it. And drive a manual if you can. You might like that better.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

I would jump on that car in a heartbeat, SMG and all. It's the best M3 in my opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Don't get me wrong, I think the E46 M3 is the nicest car BMW made. I, personally, just don't like the SMG.

[M5Rick]

Sequential Manual Gearbox is more fun and involving on a track than a manual gearbox I have read and it's not an automatic, you have to shift yourself or it will redline.S6 is the most aggressive setting for the track.

[TiMSport]

That's how sequential gear boxes should all work IMO. None of this upshifting automatically stuff. Only thing missing is the third pedal which I don't mind nowadays.