2005 BMW M3 SMG: opinions please

655 Views 26 Replies 12 Participants Last post by bruceinmiami, Jul 13, 2010

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2010

I've been driving a cousins m3 for the last few days and he wants me to buy it from him.
Its his household "beater" and has slept outside under the miami sun for a few years.

The car has 58,000 miles, the window ttrim is cracked, and the clearcoat is cracked in some places. Otherwise the exterior is mint with no door dings or any bumper scratches and the 19 wheels are mint. Car is imola red and black leather, a beauty. The smg is not my preferred tranny but its a cool tranny when running hard. It blips on downshifts, holds gears great, and I don't mind it at all.

There aree no squeaks, rattles, or errant noises. The suspension is stock and still feals awesome. Its incredible how well bmw can make a 19" rim ride considering the composure in curves and lack of roll.

Inside the leather is slightly worn and some minor trim pieces around the console are scratched. Otherwise the interior is in great shape.

Mechanically the car has a check engine light but everything is working fine. The car has always had dealer servicing. The smg is clunky as usual but that's just how they all are. There has never been any abuse.

I will get a compression check and see about the cel b4 doing any deals.

How much is this car worth? How muxh should I offer to steal it and fix the weatherstripping etc?

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bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jul 1, 2010 (Edited)

The scion is getting sold and I will get a beater escape or explorer to augment the work requirements

I've never had a bmw so the parts situation is unknown to me. If you can recommend a few websites for aquiring the trim, weatherstripping, etc, I will look into it

Jameson

· #3 · Jul 1, 2010

I would avoid the SMG. Replacement/maintenance costs are silly. The e46 on it's own is pricey to maintain with dealer valve adjustments and $150+ oil changes.

If you buy, I have plenty of good BMW sources for parts. Join the CCA and for $40 you get 20% off parts and labor at most dealers.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 1, 2010

Can you offer an opinion on what I should offer for the car considering the cosmetics and arcade transmission?

I could make a killing on this car. There is a healthy market for these cars even with the autotragic

Jameson

· #5 · Jul 1, 2010

bruceinmiami said:
Can you offer an opinion on what I should offer for the car considering the cosmetics and arcade transmission?

I could make a killing on this car. There is a healthy market for these cars even with the autotragic

If it was a stranger, the car would be listed on CL for about $16-17,500, then walk out for $15k after a bit of negotiating(this is without seeing pictures to see how bad things are).

But this is a family member, so who knows. I would like the car more in the $12k range.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 1, 2010

I was thinking offering 10k. But maybe even less. If this is a 15k car then my 10k offer would be worthwhile.

I will post pics tonight and you be thejudge. I just don't know e46 cars all that well but this thing is sexy as hell. And my mom can drive it whick is a plus.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 1, 2010

Craigslist seems to have cars in the 17k range but they all are 01 to 03 cars.
This is an 05 car. I don't think I can get it for 10k or even 17k for that matter. Its prolly too rich for my blood.

Moreboost

· #8 · Jul 1, 2010

Bimmerforums is great for used parts. Contact a guy by the name of Asmod3us. He is a supporting vendor on there and literally has almost any part you need, at least that's what I'v been told. As far as new parts, FCPgroton is great and i can't say enough about their customer service. I love the m5s but i have very limited knowledge to help you out. I do have to agree with Jamie about the price, anywhere from 10-12k should be good for the car you described.

Jameson

· #9 · Jul 1, 2010

bruceinmiami said:
Craigslist seems to have cars in the 17k range but they all are 01 to 03 cars.
This is an 05 car. I don't think I can get it for 10k or even 17k for that matter. Its prolly too rich for my blood.

This is the first time you are giving the year. For some reason I thought it was older. As you said, an '05 is far into the 20's on average. Cousin or not, the $10k is not going to happen.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 1, 2010

thread title does have year...but yeah i dont think 10k is gonna happen.
we'll see how desperate cousin is...

he just got a white c63 as a replacement. and still has the sl65 as a dd

Sleepy7666

· #11 · Jul 1, 2010

I could see 12K if you factor in $500 in parts and 3k for body work as your bargaining chips.

JLausch

· #12 · Jul 1, 2010

Jameson said:
I would avoid the SMG. Replacement/maintenance costs are silly. The e46 on it's own is pricey to maintain with dealer valve adjustments and $150+ oil changes.

If you buy, I have plenty of good BMW sources for parts. Join the CCA and for $40 you get 20% off parts and labor at most dealers.

x1000, early smg's suck, they eat clutches and all of the other stuff Jamie is sayin. My 993 was cheaper to keep on the road, and IMO a much better car even as a DD.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 1, 2010

JLausch said:
x1000, early smg's suck, they eat clutches and all of the other stuff Jamie is sayin. My 993 was cheaper to keep on the road, and IMO a much better car even as a DD.

i do rather get another 996 over the m3.

but this car is growing on me quickly.

IronJoe

· #14 · Jul 1, 2010

You can do better Bruce. Just my opinion.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 2, 2010

my next car is an e46 m3 6spd or another 996.

its clear to me that my 2 year hiatus from a rwd german coupe is coming to an end. maybe not a gt3 just yet, but something similar.

Hirsch

· #16 · Jul 2, 2010

If it were me and my money? 996 is the way to go.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 2, 2010

i like the juicy torque and free-revving nature of this m3 3.2 engine vs the compratively lackluster torque and appliance-like nature of the 3.6 in a 996. having a trunk is nice, too. and the m3 is a looker, too. and the suspension is great, too. and they are inexpensive to buy. and the car feels special, too. its a perfect car, really. in 6spd form.

but the last 335i i drove does everything the e46 m3 does except feel special. it makes up or it with the beautiful interior though...

the 996, on comparison, is more special-feeling than either bmw. engine sound, handling, looks, are all better. reliability is likely better as well.

JLausch

· #18 · Jul 2, 2010

I will say my 335 has been pretty much trouble free (i had a taillight bulb failure, sorta common on the early e92s, and a stone got stuck in my brakes backing plate or something and caused a squeal, otherwise its been fine, albeit it has 30k on it, still not horrible, i don't think anything else has gone wrong. I like the 996, but i'm not a huge fan of the looks (i don't dislike, i just don't think it has the appeal of the 993 or 997) except in 4S or Turbo trim, the body kit on said models gives it a nice aggressive look.

bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 11, 2010

9

had forgotten to upload these. still driving the car.

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bruceinmiami

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 11, 2010

JLausch said:
I like the 996, but i'm not a huge fan of the looks (i don't dislike, i just don't think it has the appeal of the 993 or 997) except in 4S or Turbo trim, the body kit on said models gives it a nice aggressive look.

the thing about the 996 is that it came after the beloved 993 and thats a hard act to follow. but taken as a standalone car, its still a looker. it has presence in spades. its a 3000lb, everyday-comfortable car that will do 170+ mph in the slowest stock permutation. and get 25mpg.

i mean, what else looks as cool as a 996 for the price and performance? what other sportscar is better-rounded.

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

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