for an '02 you're at least 5k to high.

Make sure you understand the risk before you buy one. I bought an '02 new and am so glad I ditched it rather than dealing with the engine failure issue.

http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm

Zoanas, what that kid should want is what's in your picture. We call those E-46's right, I mean, like the Bimmer model

Since it's probably for your mom, tell her to go ahead and buy it. It oughta be fun!

Ghetto as can be!
Is the car from the slums of DC or Atlanta???
I think anyone installing chrome on ANY German car that was built after 1973 should be flogged repeatedly until the ghetto-ness flies outta da nugguh.
Ye-ah! What? OKAY!

Chrome seems to be making a comeback - there's some dealers in CA and TX that sell Z4s with the wheels chromed. Weird, but whatcha gonna do?

As for the car, the E46 M3 isn't a total nightmare, but the earliest years are problematic - BMW extended the factory warranty on the model to 6 years, 100,000 miles. To play it safe, I'd want one of the later ones with all the bug fixes and to have a warranty as long as possible.

Prices should be coming down (even on cabs) with the impending release of the E90 M3, so $40k seems a little high. Personally, I'm not a fan of the E46 cab - I like my convertibles to be designed that way. I was looking at getting an M3 myself last year, but since I didn't like the cab I split the money and bought my 325i and Z4. Of course, now they've got the Z4 M Roadster for people like me, but I'm happy with what I've got.

It is not for his mom. He happens to come from a well off family, but I for one, am not holding that against him. 86911 has never flaunted his parent's money and if he had never told anyone on this board he was 16 (now 17?) everyone here would think he is much older.

You're right, Kurt. I've met the young man, and he seems to have his head on straight. He isn't as "experienced" as many on this board, and I find it refreshing that he doesn't hesitate to ask questions and guidance. We should applaud that and understand that he's a teenager, and may not have the same tastes, and maybe shouldn't. Matt, my advice is that it really doesn't matter what you pay for a car. It's not a true test of the value. If you pay double what anyone else pays, and you enjoy the car every day that you drive it, then it was a steal. I think the more illuminating questions for you involve issues that others might have had with a similar car. Who really cares if smeone else can buy one for half the price? But if there's a big issue with the particular model that you don't know about, it could help you decide. Whatever you do, it's YOUR money, your decision, and the experience will always help you grow.

i agree. matt gives me reason to even consider having kids. he is one of the good ones. as for that car, it is only my lame opinion. my other car is a chevy S10, so that says all it needs to say about my car expertise. not much. i just dont like the softtop M3, but i do love the hardtop. i dont even know crap about asking prices.

either way, matt get a cool car, and if you want...big brother cliff can give it a proper test drive. hehe

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I kinda got the opposite reaction from the M3 forums ;). I think I will go with the '02 since it is CPO'ed, has a warranty, and imho looks nice. I just have to have the convertible after owning the Porsche... there is no way I can drive a hardtop. Plus, all you do is press a button to drop the top, or even as you walk to the car you can drop the top by pressing a button on the keyless enty keychain. Pretty cool. Zoanas and Cliff, thanks for your kind words. You'll def. see the car on the next Mines Rd. run... if I'm allowed to come ;).

Go for it, have fun!

Go for it Matt!

Same here. My 1st car was a 1971 Dodge Colt 4 door w/ auto tranny and in was powder blue. I paid $800 for it.

My second car was my dream car. It was a 68 Mustang w. 4 on the floor and a 302 swapped in. I paid $1200 for that and it seemed like every penny in the world to me.

I like BMW, alas my good friend and neighbor has your model..different color only difference. It is in the shop alot, little stuff mainly, but cannot be DYI solved..everything seems to need , another run on the problem solving machine.
Rika

Matt, I just got home from picking mine up. Topaz Blue coupe with 6 speed! These cars rock!

Just be carefull if you get one, I could see myself getting in a lot of trouble at your age with one of these rockets. But I'm sure you are more mature than I was at 16.

Congratulations Matt! I'm still thinking about one. What options does yours come with?