http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M3-Coup...5fCarsQ5fTrucks

To the guy who was looking at a 1999 Z3 M for 15K, pick this up instead

That's a cheap price!

 

the aftermarket radio seems to hurt their resale value.

also, engine warranty expires after 100k and the example has over 100k.

 

Still one of the best looking cars ever, from any angle. That said, I would hate to pay for any big repairs.

 

There's even better deals on autotrader. You can get one with 70-80k miles for that price if you look hard enough. I'd LOVE a E46 M3, but the repair costs scare me, especially as it goes 100k+.

 

Are the repair costs that much more compared to a 99 Z3M? I would imagine they are similiar in repair $, but at least with the E46 you would be getting a newer design and hopefully less repairs.
I can't get over how much the E46 M3s are dropping in price! I remember not too long ago when beat up used examples were going for high 30's.

 

I don't think the 99ZM has the S54 engine in it.

I was lucky to unload my E46M right before the sudden crash. There are issues that you should consider buying them.

Mainly try to avoid SMG and look at the subframe issue..

 

Yeah, I never understood why people rip their Teutonic dashboards apart to snap in some whiz-bang lookin' Kenwood or Sony Xplod. Is the stocker that bad, in a previously $55,000k car?

It doesn't. Only the 01 and 02 have the S54, and they are still highly sought after. Last I checked a used S54 Z3M starts at $30k (in my area anyhow), which is double this particular E46. And, if you happen to find an S54 Z3M coupe for sale, you're likely to have to take whatever is on the car, since it will probably be the only one available.

 

there are better routes to go IMO by upgrading the speakers, then CD Changer with the latest compatible edition BMW offers to play MP3-based CDs and "BMW radio" mounted in the trunk - to gain Sirrus configuration capability; all while retaining the stock look.

 

Yeah but the repair costs won't be that much more expensive than with an E46 M3 with 20K less miles or something.

And if you buy your parts online and go to a local independant shop you save your spending by 50%.

Heck even with my Porsche I don't find the maintenance to be that ridiculous....

 

What is the cost of a used E46 engine or trans??

Also this car is a 2001. Some of the early E46 motors had issues that required BMW to make changes to the motor and replace a bunch of them.