I have found new cars to be a serious waste of money. The idea here is to show that over the course of 4 years I can build and maintain a track-ready E46 330ci for less capital than required to run a new toyota camry on the streets. If you cannot tell from my post count, I am a very introverted individual. My father bought me service manuals to read as a kid. I stayed indoors and absorbed a lot of knowledge over the years.

All Data will be included at the end of the 4 year period. Here is the information I have made public so far. No, I will not share any of the other data until the project progresses. I run the show. I welcome dissenters. The most important piece of information here is that I'd rather be driving my s2000

Initial maintenance items:
- subframe welded
- Rear subframe bushings
- RTABs and limiters
- Diff bushings
- OTS Koni yellows
- Style 119s with hankook v12
- Beisan vanos seals
- VCG
- Front control arms and FCABS
- new M3 steering wheel
- cheap crutchfield speakers
- front/rear strut mounts
- power steering lines/reservoir/ flush
- Sparks and O2s
- Cooling system
- Fluid flush - Brakes, trans, diff, engine oil, engine coolant

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytcZtH_5Iv8[/media]

CURRENT PARTS COST 8/25/2013: $3,914.09
notes: Includes subwoofer, amp, sunshade fix, M3 sway bar, bmw diagnostics, shifter rebuild bushings, pilot+throwout bearing (not previously listed in maintenance)

FUTURE PURCHASES: DISA, oil separator, Clutch, Flywheel, driving event brake pads, alignment plates

CURRENT FUN COST:Priceless + $125 in track fees.

NOTES: My first year of insuring the camry cost over $3,000. I haven't even touched on parts for the camry.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggn3GJK959g[/media]

I transferred a small amount of funds to a brokerage account to show you how your savings can grow. I have some information posted on this in the "money and investing" section of this site. The intent over there is to address the finance vs cash debate. I will also use it for the german camry experiment to show what will happen to the money you saved by not purchasing the camry.

 

Stock 330ci at Thunderhill. Some nice S2000 footage in here.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdZZxPEJe14[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxbW4VkWMh4[/media]

CURRENT PARTS COST 5/16/2014: $7,614.11

FUTURE PURCHASES: I believe the car will be maintenance free for next 6 month period.

CURRENT FUN COST: I'm not going to count track fees or fuel.

NOTES: The E46 330ci is a great car. It does everything well but nothing great. It's greatness stems from the fact that it does everything well. I believe it offers an incredible bargain at it's current market price point. If you cannot turn your own wrench or do not have deep pockets, you should skip this car entirely.

 

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interesting, what is your major?

 

Thanks EastS2k! B.S., Mechanical Engineering 2013.

 

Not to crap on everything you're doing, I find it interesting, but I think the general public fully understand that if you buy a cheaper used car, it leaves a ton of room for repairs and what not. I did a quick kbb for a 2006 bmw 330i, and it'll run you around 12k or so, so imagine if you bought a 2002 2003, etc. A new camry these days will run you 20k+. So over the cost of ten years, yeah I'd venture to say the bmw will cost less especially considering the depreciation etc. Fact is, the camry will predictably depreciate, whereas the bmw's loss of value via repairs is unpredictable. You may get the one of the many cars that run to 250K without anything major going bad. Or you may get the one that has constant eletrical issues needing numerous trips a specialist.
Further, the fact that you have above average automotive knowledge makes this experiment non applicable to most people, including modern day enthusiasts, I mean most kids dont read chilton manuals for kicks and giggles, nor do they feel compelled to.
I mean heck I can prove the same point for buying an old range rover or jaguar.
If you really want to make a credible argument, buy the same year e46 and camry, or a 10k e46 and a 10k camry, because that would give your experiment less of a head start for the bmw.