That's easy. Who are you buying the car for?

Brilliant! :D

Who buys a new M3, (whenever it was), and never keeps any service records?? 5 owners? That car is a seriously edgy M3, probably owned by 3 or 4 rich 16 year olds. It's worth about $12k, if it checks out on a PPI.

Widebody, are you one of those eBay-phobic people? It's a minefield, for sure, but there are a schitload of these cars on eBay last time I looked. They are truly a dime-a-dozen. :cool:

The Dakar Yellow? I don't hate it, and others here have said they like it. Your vote is the only one that matters.

I take it all back...just looked on eBay and there are no tempting cars within a reasonable distance from you right now. That said, the selection changes daily and they definitely come up. When I browse those cars, I only look at the absolute cream-puffs. If I get the least whiff of turd, I stop scrolling and hit the back button quickly.

Then buy it! Who gives a damn what a bunch of losers on the internet think anyway?:cool:

With that said, we aren't talking about '73 RS shopping here. If the yellow SMG isn't the car that you want then just be patient, another will come along soon. M3s are pretty dime a dozen by sports car standards. Or expand your search, plane tickets are cheap. I assume you are checking Autotrader, Cars.com, Craigslist, bimmerforums, 6speedonline, Ebay, etc? It's amazing how many people advertise their car in one obscure place. I personally find some great cars on Craigslist.

Carbon black 2004 6MT with 2 owners, records, only 22k miles, all service records, $28k OBO. Selling because he bought a 991.

2004 BMW M3 six speed with 22,xxx miles -- rare and beautiful - 6speedonline.com Forums

That took me about five seconds and confirms my initial thought that the cars you are looking at seem over priced. I bet you could get that M3 for less, it's a private party sale.

Then it is a total no-brainer. If you don't like the SMG after a year then flip the car. At least then you're selling a no-excuses car with clean carfax and full records.

fwiw I like the yellow too.

Here's one I would love to have, if cost was no object. '05 Imola Red ZCP with 16k on the clock

2005 BMW M3 Manual Coupe Competition Pkg for sale at Enthusiast Auto

I was thinking along the same lines.

Just talked to the shop about the PPI on the yellow car. The most pressing issues are the trunk release button is flakey (likely a loose connection), there are scratches on the bottom of the muffler, some minor rock chips on the front, and light curb rash on one of the wheels. Sorry, but I think that trunk button is a deal breaker.

Haha...that sounds like one creamy car. Buy it.

rock chips? You mean he *drove* the car?!?!?

That's a crack smoking price. You can easily find an E90 M3 with the same or less miles for the same or less money.

I parked near one this color yesterday while waiting for a coworker. It wouldn't be my first color choice, but I didn't hate it.
Besides, I thought maintenance and records trumped color.
I'd own a well kept Sepia early 911 over a questionable Ossi Blue early 911 in a microsecond.

Yeah.

nice

Did the PO have pointy elbows as well?

I'd be more concerned that you had to have the car flatbedded to your house. ;)

Nice looking ride. Embrace the Dakar Yellow.

So how is the SMG so far?

You're supposed to drive it! Congrats.

so? What's the early verdict?

I had to have the car flatbedded because my secondary driver backed out at the last minute.

So far, so good on the SMG. There is a learning curve, but I'm getting the hang of it. What I haven't figured out yet is how to gracefully come to a stop. When coming to a stop with a manual, instead of dropping to first for the last few years, I just put in the clutch and use the brake; the SMG drops it to first gear, which is kind of clunky.

If you coast up to the stop a little slower it'll drop to first but not actually let the clutch back out.

Mine doesn't usually actually put it into 1st until I'm stopped, and at that point it's slow enough that it doesn't re-engage without some throttle added when ready to go again.

Are you running it in S5?

I've been experimenting with the entire range, but using mostly S3 and S4

Took it on a spirited drive and had the SMG light blink a few times, then my buddy drove it an managed to get the SMG light to stay on and the CEL. I ran the codes and 2 were temp sensor "implausible" codes (seen that one on my '02) and the last one was "MIL external info." I wasn't able to clear the codes - got an error. I did some quick reading, disconnected the battery for 1/2 hour, then the SMG light went out and I was able to clear the CEL.

Have you checked the SMG fluid level? There is a quick fix for that stupid temp sensor.

DIY: Resistor Mod To Cure Summertime SMG Blues - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3 | F80/X)

So, 32 people voted MT and 4 voted SMG. And what do you buy? I never had the MT light come on on my car! ;)

The good news is that a ton of these cars are out there, so fixing it, even if it breaks will never be a problem.

G

Guess that should now be 5 in favor? Rather ironic that the SMG warning light came on considering the conversation in this thread.......;)

Clearing the SMG's memory by disconnecting the battery probably helped quite a bit.

Believe me, I got a triple ration of shot from my anti-SMG buddy after the SMG light came on while he was driving it.

You can also do a passive smg reset by driving along at 30-40mph dropping the car into neutral and pull both shift paddles back for 10secs. Or if you have INPA do a full smg recalibration. If you're not confident in doing it take it someone and have them do it. It resets the clutch biting point and changes all the shift parameters back to factory. It will feel completely different afterwards.

How's the signal on your phone? :D

http://doublehappiness.ilikenicethin...cell-phone.jpg

Those probably worked better as phones than the modern ones do.;)

Proud flip phone owner here. So, there you have it!

G

Another thing that'll freak you out if it happens.

In somebody's wisdom, they made the SMG light blink if the hood isn't closed all the way.

I've done it twice and wondered wtf was wrong after doing something under the hood and then not actually driving it for a day or two so I didn't relate one to the other.

I always leave it in S5 because it gets the clutch in the fastest, so when you hit the paddle, there is little to no delay with the clutch getting pushed in.

In all the maps, you can moderate how much it slips when letting it back out with the throttle, but they are all slightly different, so it's good to get used to one and mostly stick with it.

This user interface has been brought to you by the geniuses behind the iDrive...and the Lexus floormat, apparently.