Topic: Flinter's "What Car?" Thread

[rrocket]

What about an E46 BMW M3??

[Flinter]

What about an E46 BMW M3??

I'd love to find a good used E46 M3. I'm not sure if I'd be able to find a good example in my price range but I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open. The asking prices for examples I've seen listed at BMW dealers seem to be off the charts.

If you happen to come across a good example please do share.

[vdk]

E46 M3 

[Turbo Bob]

135i (CPO or good new deal)
Genesis Coupe  
WRX 265 (+Cobb Accessport)

I'd love to get my hands on a 135i, new or CPO. Must admit though, I'm not too optimistic about finding one in my price range.

When are you looking to buy again?  I got e-mailed an offer of over $6K off 1 series' at year end to clear out dealer stock.

I haven't yet driven the Genesis Coupe but I'm really excited by what I read. I dropped by the dealer this past weekend and took a closer look. This car looks like the real deal. During your recent purchase, did you get a chance to compare the 3.8 to the 2.0T? The 2.0T looks like an insane value but even the 3.8 (base model) is not a bad deal for a 300+hp RWD coupe.

I love the Genesis Coupe, the driving position, the noise, the handling, the gearbox... everything just seems to come together very nicely indeed.  And the equipment spec is just unbelieveable, especially on my base model (who says you can never buy a base car!)

As I said before, the difference between the 2.0T and 3.8 is less on the road as it looks on paper, and I'm getting very used to that turbo shove.    To be honest I think you would love any of the range, be it a 2.0T with the GT pack, or a base 3.8.  With the turbo tuned a little you get a load of torque from very low down the range.  I can't stop driving mine, I'm taking the very long way to work and back each day at the moment!
 

[Julie]

What about an E46 BMW M3??

I'd love to find a good used E46 M3. I'm not sure if I'd be able to find a good example in my price range but I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open. The asking prices for examples I've seen listed at BMW dealers seem to be off the charts.

If you happen to come across a good example please do share.

Extremely hard to find one at a price that isn't...  well, nuts.

The E46 M3 are coveted by enthusiasts on the used car market.  They are somewhat like the E30s in that sense.  Their appeal doesn't seem to die.

[Julie]

As per Bob's post above, it's actually a good time (April is even better) to buy a remaining 2010 Bimmer.  The 2011s are coming for all series (except the 7, IIRC).  So basically, they need to move the 2010s.  The 2011 MY begins April 2010.

[Flinter]

135i (CPO or good new deal)
Genesis Coupe  
WRX 265 (+Cobb Accessport)

I'd love to get my hands on a 135i, new or CPO. Must admit though, I'm not too optimistic about finding one in my price range.

When are you looking to buy again?  I got e-mailed an offer of over $6K off 1 series' at year end to clear out dealer stock.

I haven't yet driven the Genesis Coupe but I'm really excited by what I read. I dropped by the dealer this past weekend and took a closer look. This car looks like the real deal. During your recent purchase, did you get a chance to compare the 3.8 to the 2.0T? The 2.0T looks like an insane value but even the 3.8 (base model) is not a bad deal for a 300+hp RWD coupe.

I love the Genesis Coupe, the driving position, the noise, the handling, the gearbox... everything just seems to come together very nicely indeed.  And the equipment spec is just unbelieveable, especially on my base model (who says you can never buy a base car!)

As I said before, the difference between the 2.0T and 3.8 is less on the road as it looks on paper, and I'm getting very used to that turbo shove.    To be honest I think you would love any of the range, be it a 2.0T with the GT pack, or a base 3.8.  With the turbo tuned a little you get a load of torque from very low down the range.  I can't stop driving mine, I'm taking the very long way to work and back each day at the moment!
 

My lease is up at the end of April but I'd take the plunge in March if a good deal was available.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the Genesis Coupe. I think I'll need to test drive both the 2.0T and the base 3.8. Given the aftermarket potential, the 2.0T seems like the better value and from what I read it is slightly more balanced/nimble than the 3.8. However, I'm liking the V6 too.

[Flinter]

As per Bob's post above, it's actually a good time (April is even better) to buy a remaining 2010 Bimmer.  The 2011s are coming for all series (except the 7, IIRC).  So basically, they need to move the 2010s.  The 2011 MY begins April 2010.

Thanks... you make a good point. A 128i or perhaps even a 135i might be sweet if significant discounts on 2010 models are available. 

I think I should put out a few feelers to some dealers. Any suggestions on good BMW dealers in Southern Ontario region?

[Turbo Bob]

BMW Waterloo is pretty good. (Julie/GD/Dave)

[initial_D]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-FS-2003-BMW-325-XiT-Rare-manual-transmition-with-sport-seats-W0QQAdIdZ187848701

I was tempted to look at this car.

Cannot pass the looks of the last 1/3 of thw 1-series. E46 M3 would be awesome.

[initial_D]

Found another 1 fits the budget.

http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_Cars_details/RED+DEER_Alberta_2008_MITSUBISHI_LANCER+EVOLUTION+Turbo+AWD_3623598.html?srcid=6997404&source=27&pgno=1&srt=10&CompanyID=20100107165638178&r=calgaryalberta&ad-attributes=photos,,

[Giant Dwarf]

I've been keeping my eyes open for e46 M3s and 135is and I'll be astonished if you can find one of either in good condition within your price range of less than $35k.

[airbalancer]

BMW Waterloo is pretty good. (Julie/GD/Dave)

They are owned by the Quinn group, they also own BMW Toronto and Parkview

This one has been on the lot a couple of months
http://www.cobourg.nissan.ca/PreOwnedVehicles/InventorySearchDetail/tabid/16189/poid/926559/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Also BMW ragtops are very thick

[Weexy]

As per Bob's post above, it's actually a good time (April is even better) to buy a remaining 2010 Bimmer.  The 2011s are coming for all series (except the 7, IIRC).  So basically, they need to move the 2010s.  The 2011 MY begins April 2010.

Mmmmm.. thats good to know -- thats when i'll be looking next year...   (insert Monty Burns "Exxxcellent...." here)

[Giant Dwarf]

BMW Waterloo is pretty good. (Julie/GD/Dave)

They are owned by the Quinn group, they also own BMW Toronto and Parkview

This one has been on the lot a couple of months
http://www.cobourg.nissan.ca/PreOwnedVehicles/InventorySearchDetail/tabid/16189/poid/926559/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Also BMW ragtops are very thick

I wouldn't choose a used BMW that isn't a CPO car to begin with, but an M3 with an SMG and power top gizmos too?  Yikes, that's just asking to have your account drained.

[ovr50]

The new BMW DCT tranny is far superior to the problematic SMG. I would avoid the SMG cars. Unfortunately, the DCT cars will be well over Flinter's financial limit for now. I don't know if I will want to own my M3 once the warranty is gone..?! In fairness, the current M3 has been a more reliable car so far.

[HeliDriver]

Well, you know what I chose in that price range, but of course I needed a hatchback.

Looks and versatility aside, I really like the 128i. If you can live without leather, the base car is a pretty good value - even more so with the incentives others have mentioned. If you have to have leather, then you're stuck with a bunch of other packaged options (most of which I wouldn't want) and the price rises quickly.

If you're looking for a step up from your WRX (both dynamically and in interior quality), then the 128i seems like the obvious choice on your list. (I'm sure the Genesis Coupe is worth looking at also, I just don't have any firsthand experience with that one.)

[Flinter]

BMW Waterloo is pretty good. (Julie/GD/Dave)

They are owned by the Quinn group, they also own BMW Toronto and Parkview

This one has been on the lot a couple of months
http://www.cobourg.nissan.ca/PreOwnedVehicles/InventorySearchDetail/tabid/16189/poid/926559/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Also BMW ragtops are very thick

Thanks for the suggestion...It certainly appears easier to get a E46 M3 in the convertible. I guess the additional stiffness of the Sedan&Coupe body is more coveted in the used market. In any event, still too much $$ for me at this time. As others have said here, I don't think I would spring for a used BMW unless it was a CPO model due to concerns about maintenance costs.

[Flinter]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-FS-2003-BMW-325-XiT-Rare-manual-transmition-with-sport-seats-W0QQAdIdZ187848701

I was tempted to look at this car.

Cannot pass the looks of the last 1/3 of thw 1-series. E46 M3 would be awesome.

Not common to find a 3 series wagon in a manual. Very interesting but a little too old for me. Having never owned a BMW, I don't think I'd buy one used unless it was a CPO model. I also suspect that the 325 would feel kinda sluggish after driving the WRX for 2 years.

[airbalancer]

CPO will not help in maintence of the BMW
It also does not cover most electrical sensors