View Full Version : Should I keep the M3?
As I hinted at in another thread, we are now actively looking for a new car. The M3 has nearly 140k miles on it and will turn 11 in November. It has been great, and I still love it, but I just don't think I can trust it for long trips. We will get a wagon or SUV to supplement or replace it. We only have one parking spot at our place, so if we have two cars, one goes on the street or in storage.
The question now is whether or not to keep the M3. We both love it, and are attached to it, but I do wonder if it's worth it to pay for storage or park a new car on the street. We barely drive now, but that could change soon.
I'll probably kick myself either way, but I'd love any input you guys have. Thanks in advance.
clyde
10-22-2008, 01:41 PM
From that description, I don't see any practical value in keeping it unless the potential is that you'll both be driving more soon and at the same time.
As I hinted at in another thread, we are now actively looking for a new car. The M3 has nearly 140k miles on it and will turn 11 in November. It has been great, and I still love it, but I just don't think I can trust it for long trips. We will get a wagon or SUV to supplement or replace it. We only have one parking spot at our place, so if we have two cars, one goes on the street or in storage.
The question now is whether or not to keep the M3. We both love it, and are attached to it, but I do wonder if it's worth it to pay for storage or park a new car on the street. We barely drive now, but that could change soon.
I'll probably kick myself either way, but I'd love any input you guys have. Thanks in advance.
You will kick yourself either way, but if you get rid of it the kicking will be of the abstract, "I should have kept that car" variety. OTOH, if you keep it the kicking will be of the "goddamn I have to spend money and time on this frigging POS that we don't even use anymore" type. The second is worse than the first. Get rid of it.
One other thing to consider is that e36 M3 ownership has made me really fucking picky about what I drive. If the M3 goes, we have to replace it with something just as awesome or I'll be unhappy. I'm not sure even an S4 Avant will do the trick.
For me it would depend on the cost to keep it. I don't see the point in getting rid of a perfectly good car that you like, particularly when the resale isn't going to net you very much.
Of course, you have to keep in mind that I bought a car last year that is only driven about 6 minutes a month - I'm not even sure I've but 1k miles on it yet.
One other thing to consider is that e36 M3 ownership has made me really fucking picky about what I drive. If the M3 goes, we have to replace it with something just as awesome or I'll be unhappy. I'm not sure even an S4 Avant will do the trick.
E90 M3. Keep it eleven years and even if it depreciates to zero it still will only have cost you about 5 grand a year.
E90 M3. Keep it eleven years and even if it depreciates to zero it still will only have cost you about 5 grand a year.
I have a feeling that'll cost me more than getting a new car and keeping the current M3. Plus, I'd probably have to sell my house to pay for repairs after the warranty runs out.
rumatt
10-22-2008, 02:53 PM
E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3 E90 M3
Resistance is futile
I have a feeling that'll cost me more than getting a new car and keeping the current M3. Plus, I'd probably have to sell my house to pay for repairs after the warranty runs out.
Seriously, though, have you seen the lease deals on leftover '08 M3s? If it weren't for the fact that every cent I have is tied up in my asinine real estate maneuverings, I would have already picked one of those up.
Seriously, though, have you seen the lease deals on leftover '08 M3s? If it weren't for the fact that every cent I have is tied up in my asinine real estate maneuverings, I would have already picked one of those up.
What lease deals? :dunno:
What lease deals? :dunno:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317794
EDIT: Plus 0.9 percent financing is also an option.
EDIT AGAIN: Actually, now that I look at it those residuals are kind of crap, even if the MF is outstanding. Never mind.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317794
EDIT: Plus 0.9 percent financing is also an option.
EDIT AGAIN: Actually, now that I look at it those residuals are kind of crap, even if the MF is outstanding. Never mind.
If it leased well, which it apparently does not, I'd seriously consider it. As it stands, I don't think spending that much on a car would be a wise decision for me.
Keep it.
(I don't really feel strongly one way or the other... just being contrarian)
John V
10-22-2008, 03:43 PM
If it's been problematic enough that you don't trust it on long trips, sounds like it's pretty far gone. Get rid of it.
E36s are so simple, though, I can't really fathom what could be THAT wrong with it.
Get rid of it. It's the old news. Enjoy whatever is next.
Everyone reacts differently and enjoys different parts of car ownership. I like the 335 better in almost every way than I did the M3. Of course, I wasn't in love with the M3 like you seem to be, but nonetheless, I have never missed it. I even get to see it every so often - the new owner and I keep in touch.
If it's been problematic enough that you don't trust it on long trips, sounds like it's pretty far gone. Get rid of it.
E36s are so simple, though, I can't really fathom what could be THAT wrong with it.
There's not really much wrong with it right this minute. I just figure with that many miles, something is bound to happen. :dunno:
There's not really much wrong with it right this minute. I just figure with that many miles, something is bound to happen. :dunno:
Not sure that a new VAG product is going to be any better...ba dum bum.
Anyhoo, used CTS-V, and you're done.
John V
10-22-2008, 08:35 PM
There's not really much wrong with it right this minute. I just figure with that many miles, something is bound to happen. :dunno:
My Altima has 197,000 miles. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it several hundred miles if I had to.
Now if your M3 isn't on its third radiator, water pump and overflow tank, then I wouldn't even drive it to work. :D
Aerials
10-22-2008, 09:53 PM
I would keep it. To me, sentimental value has more value than money does. :)
If it means a lot to you, I'd keep it.
Sharp11
10-22-2008, 10:04 PM
I'm not certain a good reason was given to ditch the E36 - is Z planning a lot of long trips?
If not, keep it.
Ed
My Altima has 197,000 miles. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it several hundred miles if I had to.
Now if your M3 isn't on its third radiator, water pump and overflow tank, then I wouldn't even drive it to work. :D
I think the PO replaced the cooling stuff (I'm actually not sure though). Still running fine!
I sold the 328i with 210,000 miles on it. The new owner promptly drove it to Seattle. I wouldn't have hesitated to drive it to your place. The cooling system was replaced recently though.
wdc330i
10-23-2008, 11:29 AM
I think the PO replaced the cooling stuff (I'm actually not sure though). Still running fine!
What's the problem with parking it on the street? Doesn't that solve the problem?
What's the problem with parking it on the street? Doesn't that solve the problem?
People tend to park by feel in Boston. I don't want it to get scratched.
What I really want is a brand new e36 M3 wagon with 350hp, no extra weight, and a very long warranty.
lupinsea
10-23-2008, 12:37 PM
Not sure BMW is making those yet. Maybe for '10?
People tend to park by feel in Boston. I don't want it to get scratched.
What I really want is a brand new e36 M3 wagon with 350hp, no extra weight, and a very long warranty.
Make that 2.
Nick M3
10-23-2008, 03:26 PM
People tend to park by feel in Boston. I don't want it to get scratched.
What I really want is a brand new e36 M3 wagon with 350hp, no extra weight, and a very long warranty.
Not me. E36 wagons are FUGLY. But a brand new E36 M3? With, say, an S54? I'd be all over that.
John V
10-23-2008, 04:39 PM
BMW really took a step backwards in handling with the release of the E46 M3. Miles of understeer leading to scary unpredictable oversteer all with horrible ride quality and a miserable sounding engine. The E36 was really a sweet handling car, at least the '95s with the non-staggered wheels and tires. Part of me wants to drive an E92 M3 to see if they re-learned how to make big sedans handle.
BMW really took a step backwards in handling with the release of the E46 M3. Miles of understeer leading to scary unpredictable oversteer all with horrible ride quality and a miserable sounding engine. The E36 was really a sweet handling car, at least the '95s with the non-staggered wheels and tires. Part of me wants to drive an E92 M3 to see if they re-learned how to make big sedans handle.
The ZHP is a lot livelier with my winter tires on dry roads (225's all around).
I've never owned an e36 but always admired the e36m3, out of the box, it's the best driving 4-seater I've ever driven, perhaps the best car I've ever driven.
Anyone care to remember my gushing test drive a year or two ago, I thought a $15k car was basically as good as the 987S? And in many ways it is...
My only issues are the low euro ncap crash score and the weak feeling frame. The whole body rattles and tweaks over bumpy roads (at least all 3 that I've driven, and yes two had the brace).
John V
10-24-2008, 08:02 AM
My only issues are the low euro ncap crash score and the weak feeling frame. The whole body rattles and tweaks over bumpy roads (at least all 3 that I've driven, and yes two had the brace).
Were you driving the four door or the two door? The four doors all seem worse to me. When I was looking for an M3 (coupe only) I drove a lot of cars. Some seemed really loose and a couple were really tight feeling. I bought one of the ones that felt really tight and it basically stayed like that.
Still, E36s will never have the stiff feeling of, say, an RX-8. But they are great driving BMWs. Lively. Not as lively as an E30, but a very good driving experience.
Every time I get close to getting rid of this car, you guys write stuff about how awesome e36 M3s are, I think about it for a while, and then end up keeping it. :mad2:
I was so impressed last year, when I drove a well-kept 95 coupe, that I was speechless. It was almost as fun as my 06 Cayman with a back seat and at 1/3rd the price. If I had a nice one, I'd keep it, but not use it too heavily or over bad roads.
I was so impressed last year, when I drove a well-kept 95 coupe, that I was speechless. It was almost as fun as my 06 Cayman with a back seat and at 1/3rd the price. If I had a nice once, I'd keep it, but not use it too heavily or over bad roads.
Right. It's a blast to drive. Garaging it in the city is about $350/month. Alternatively, I can park it at my inlaws' garage in Connecticut, but obviously that's not as convenient (but free).
hmm
Right. It's a blast to drive. Garaging it in the city is about $350/month. Alternatively, I can park it at my inlaws' garage in Connecticut, but obviously that's not as convenient (but free).
hmm
The M3 is a great car, no question, and to this day I regret a) not getting a sedan instead of a convertible, and b) not keeping the sedan indefinitely. If I had the space and a paid-for M3, I'd keep it forever. But if I was going to spend $350/mo garaging a second car, I'd want something else. Something, perhaps, like JV's Porsche.
The M3 is a great car, no question, and to this day I regret a) not getting a sedan instead of a convertible, and b) not keeping the sedan indefinitely. If I had the space and a paid-for M3, I'd keep it forever. But if I was going to spend $350/mo garaging a second car, I'd want something else. Something, perhaps, like JV's Porsche.
Yeah, but JV's Porsche costs money. The M3 is paid for.
$350/month to park a car? Ouch. Given that, if it's something that you won't drive much, then I'd get rid of it.
John V
10-24-2008, 11:12 AM
Yeah, but JV's Porsche costs money. The M3 is paid for.
Once you sell the M3, the Porsche starts to look like pennies ;)
Well, here's some food for thought. I had a pristine e36 M3 that I didn't like much. I put thousands into improving the suspension and engine response. I still didn't like it all that much. It was great for super twisty roads where power didn't make all that much difference, but when you came down to it, it was slow. And the frame was really flexible by today's standards.
I know, I know - everybody loves them, so the fault must just be me.
I test drove tons of cars as I got more and more disallusioned with that car. Usually I would walk out of the test drive saying "I am glad I took that test drive - it just saved me a bunch of money and made me love my car again." Two weeks later, I would drive something else.
Eventually I drove the CTS-V. I put the M3 on the block the next day. I sold it at the asking price the day after that. Well, two days. It was the wednesday and friday around thanksgiving.
Get rid of it. $350/month to store a 10+ year old car that has been used well is nuts. Imposing on your parents to store it remotely so you will never drive it is nuts. Knowing that you will have to soon replace the cooling system on a car that you will never drive is nuts. Selling it and getting some chunk of money to use as a down payment on your next car makes sense. Even if you just buy John's car (and at that price . . .), you will have something different to play with for awhile.
Teh e36 m3 was great for what it was in its time. That time has passed. There are tons of other great options available that are simply better cars without the drawbacks of that particular car.
clyde
10-24-2008, 12:48 PM
Teh e36 m3 was great for what it was in its time. That time has passed. There are tons of other great options available that are simply better cars without the drawbacks of that particular car.
30 Helens agree.
30 Helens agree.
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
John V
10-25-2008, 06:58 PM
Teh e36 m3 was great for what it was in its time. That time has passed. There are tons of other great options available that are simply better cars without the drawbacks of that particular car.
I can't say I really disagree with you. Maybe I am totally off my rocker, but I really believe I had an amazingly "tight" example. Every time I drove another one, I was disappointed at the flexiness but I really loved mine. It's probably tough these days to find really good examples of them.
The E46 330 ZHP is a better car in a lot of ways but it doesn't have the nimble feel of the E36 M3 and it's slower. Really nothing modern feels quite like a good one.
John, I agree that M3 examples varied widely in how they felt. I drove a bunch before I found one that felt good enough to keep. Probably 20 of them. There were two that felt right, but didn't make the cut for other reasons (one was too much money for what it was and the other was beat to shit inside).
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