So I was daydreaming yesterday and this morning about what my next car would be (several years from now if/when I decide the S2000 needs to make way for a more comfortable 'regular' car) and I've always loved the sleek classy look of BMWs.

Something like the M3 coupe maybe...



Any opinions (bad or good?)

 

Great car. Expensive to maintain. Parts are exhorbitantly expensive. If you are use to Honda reliability you may be disappointed if you keep the car any length of time.

My neighbor has an '01 3-series nearing 100k miles. He's replaced all 4 window motors at least once, had the fuel pump replaced ($600!!!), and various other things that most Honda owners would consider NOT to be routine (your average GM-buyer might not think so).

I have to say that the fit and finish is outstanding and they are quite fun cars to drive... you also can't beat the styling, especially of the M.

 

I have had a couple and they are nice cars. Most have great driving dynamics where it is just a pleasure to use, but Todd is right about maintenance costs being higher.

 

I shoot for at least 1, maybe 2 a day...

 

Most BMW dealers treat you like crap or worse. I have had many BMW's and still have a e36 M3. Parts are outrageous.

I dont like the handling of the e46 M3. Crazy understeer. Wasnt designed from the ground up to be the car it is. The e46 sedan was the original platform and all the other models including the coupe are derivitaves built off of that.

C6 really makes the m3 look overpriced and underperforming. I would go for a C6 new or used and then wipe the floor with the M3.

 

That's not true at all, especially with the 3 series and if you're considering an E36 or E46. Both cars have been out a very long time and there are just as many online parts retailers and dealers that do wholesale pricing as there are for the S2000. The only parts that are expensive are big driveline parts that you shouldn't be breaking anyways like motors and transmissions. Even then, if you frag a F20C in a S2000 it's not going to be cheap.

I hate it when people hear some rumor and then it gets replicated. If you're talking about basic oil filters, bushings and maintenance items they're not any more expensive than the S2000. Your neighbors car is an outlier, my 97 M3 hasn't had a single electronic problem other than some pixels dying in the radio which BMWNA replaced for free. If you're dumb enough to pay dealer prices for parts and labor then that's your own mistake either for a S2000 or a BMW.

The key to owning a BMW is either buy a new or CPO car with included scheduled maintenance or find a good independent BMW/german automobile mechanic and buy your own parts online.

 

Stop buying parts at the local DFW dealers then.

There are plenty of good online parts retailers that sell for considerably cheaper. Try pacific bmw in california, circle bmw in NJ, bimmerzone, pelican parts and also there are tons of used parts as well as group buys on bimmerforums.

 

CPO?

 

central office production order......very expensive camaros.





....or.....

certified pre-owned.

 

CPO---> Certified Pre-owned.

But if you noticed there are so many 2-3 year old BMW's on pre-owned lots...not everyone wants to - or can afford to own a BMW outside of it's warranty/free scheduled maintainance period.