I have always wanted to get an e46 M3 ever since they came out. I was checking the new 550 today at BMW of San Diego and saw a carbon black/cinammon M3 and I loved it! I was planning to get the 550 but after seeing the M3 and knowing BMW will stop the making them this year, I am having second thoughts about the 5 series now. The M3 price is 66k, I am pretty sure the dealer won't lower the price since these cars are hard to find now!

 

Wait for the new version or get the 550. Not worth paying 66K for a car about to go out of production.

 

I believe BMW stopped making real M3s after 1991

Go with the 550

 

You can't go wrong with either car. That M3 sounds hot - we have a CB with Imola Interior right now that I get a little drool on every time I walk by it

 

they're alrady out of production....last one rolled off the line months ago.

bobster, don't listen to these guys...

the new M3 (E92) is 2 years away....and the current M3 (E46) is still quite a car....it's no slouch.

the E92 MSRP will be higher than the E46 MSRP...and you won't get much off for the 2 years (if anything).

why is the car you're looking at 66K?

that seems awfully high....even with full jam.

btw, i just picked up an M3 a couple of weeks ago....it's still a serious car.

 

and CB on cinnamon is crazy hot!!!!!

probably the best (and most desired) colour combo out there.

 

You should be able to talk them down SIGNIFICANTLY.

 

66K sounds like a loaded up Competition Package. Does it have the cloth racing seats too?

 

yup, it's a tick-every-box car....coupe or cab (except factory hardtop).

my 2005 cab. stickered for 68K (it has the factory hardtop)....i bought it for 50K.

 

Here is some additional perspective...

I am on my second Audi S4. I owned a 2001 with the twin turbo motor and currently drive an 04 with the V8. I like the S4 because the torque is addictive. I like Quattro because occasionally the weather in Ohio sucks llama balls. This said, two weeks ago I drove an e46 M3 for the first time. In a word, it rocked. The power is close to the S4 at higher revs, but there nonetheless. The real difference is the handling. The S4s handle like pigs, even with suspension mods. You can make it good, but not really better unless you want to spend lots of $$$$. The M3 was nimble and handled superbly. It was like putting S4 power in my S2000. If it never snowed in Ohio, I would sell the S4 and buy the M3.

As far as package, I do like the older E30 model, too. I have driven a few of these and it reminded me of a go-kart on steroids.