M3 as a daily driver?

[aero]

In light of my Vortech exploding in a blaze of glory [somewhat exaggerated], I've been thinking about getting something else as a daily driver and making my G the weekend car/project car. I know there are a few M fans roaming around on here, what do you guys think about a used M3? Just as an example, found an 02 for $26K. With a few grand down, we're talking $350/month.

http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/...2449276/BMW/M3

I have absolutely no experience with BMWs though. What are the odds that this thing will break down at that age? If it were a 5 year old GM, I'd avoid it like the plague.

P.S. Just noticed that the car in the link above is an auto??? Didn't even know that they made M3 autos, looks like it has paddle shifters too?

[izmir41500]

that's not really auto. it looks like the smg transmission. there are shift settings and at the fastest and harshest, it will chirp 2nd and maybe 3rd. it was awesome when i rode in one.

[PRMax]

How many miles on the M? Very expensive to maintain if you don't have an extended warranty on the car.

[aero]

Originally Posted by izmir41500

that's not really auto. it looks like the smg transmission. there are shift settings and at the fastest and harshest, it will chirp 2nd and maybe 3rd. it was awesome when i rode in one.

So it's still manual, but it has paddle shifters and you can control shift settings? If so, that's pretty sweet.

[aero]

Originally Posted by PRMax

How many miles on the M? Very expensive to maintain if you don't have an extended warranty on the car.

If the one in the link is any indication of market value (may not be the case though), probably about 60,000 miles. That's what I was afraid of, heard they're expensive to maintain in good shape, may not be worth it if the car was beat up by the previous owner.

[izmir41500]

it's like a clutchless manual. it's hard to explain, there are a few guys with m's on the forum. you should probably browse the bmw forums for more info. i agree it's goin to be expensive as hell to maintian if you don't have an extended warranty. i'd go certified pre-owned from the dealer and make a deal.

[GeeWillikers]

I'd never own a BMW out of warranty. Parts are expensive and good service is hard to come by.

[Yv12345vY]

It's SMG. Sweet ride, too bad maintenance is a b!tch.

[Deang35c6]

In terms of reliability G35SC>2002 M3. I added my Vortech at 79k and I'm now at over 90k and this includes a 4-day cross country trip from Chicago to San Diego! Not one peep out of the Vortech or the G on reliability and if so, I can get parts pretty cheap as I'm well past the warranty phase. Make sure the M3 has had the engine recall done. Get the M3 for cool points, but not because you perceive it as being more reliable than your '06 G35SC.

[WaLLy]

Originally Posted by GeeWillikers

I'd never own a BMW out of warranty. Parts are expensive and good service is hard to come by.

+1

one of the reasons I'll be getting rid of my M3 once the warranty & service goes out in Dec/2011.

[Jeff92se]

SMG = traditional clutch operated transmission. But the clutch action is electronicly controlled. It can shifter many times faster than a human can. So it's actually faster than a tradtional manual.

VW has a very nice twin clutch system on their semi-autos. It shifts even faster.

IMHO, if you buy the E46 series M3. You probably won't even want to mod your G anymore.

[SLVR JDM]

As others have said, it is the SMG tranny. Make sure the rod bearing recall was done if you go with any M3 before '03.5. Maintenance will be high, especially since it is starting to creep into the upper miles. I looked into one for a long time and decided on the G, as maintenance and ongoing costs will be significantly higher with the M3. Very sweet cars, but know what you are getting into there.....plus you'll want to mod it, which is a lot more pricey as well.

[jawjaw]

Originally Posted by aero

If it were a 5 year old GM, I'd avoid it like the plague.

While not many, everyone I know that had a BMW had a ton of maintenance issues. Every trip to the dealer is big $$$ as well. I don't know why GM gets a bad rap when others are as bad or worse. The whole reason to get a BMW is for the prestige and driving characteristics.

[aero]

Thanks for all the honest feedback. It's a tough call. I just have this feeling I'd get one and then the head gasket blows 2 days later. But you're right, the cool points would be off the chart. A supercharged G and an M3.

Another option would be to get something like the 08 accord coupe, the 4 banger is about $24K after markup. I could always throw on a fart pipe and NOS sticker and have M3 performance with none of the maintenance headaches! Hahaha.

[Jeff92se]

Not sure why you guys are trying to compare reliability of an engine that has a giant supercharger on it and has 100-150hp more than stock vs an bone stock BMW M3.