[b311lee]

recently i have found myself searching for a good 2004-2006 e46 m3 with low miles...for those out there, do u think its worth taking the hit of either trading in or selling an e90 330i with sports/prem package to get my hands on an M3.

As for the future e90 m3, i really dont think i will be able to fork up the money...and from the early photos i would much rather have the e46...

i guess my main question is, for a person looking for even more fun, will the pure enjoyment of obtaining the e46 m3 be outweigh the loss of my e90 and then some?

[younghov85]

I would if I were you. I really want one bad, but I have a 325i, so it will be impossible to make a trade.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by b311lee

recently i have found myself searching for a good 2004-2006 e46 m3 with low miles...for those out there, do u think its worth taking the hit of either trading in or selling an e90 330i with sports/prem package to get my hands on an M3.

As for the future e90 m3, i really dont think i will be able to fork up the money...and from the early photos i would much rather have the e46...

i guess my main question is, for a person looking for even more fun, will the pure enjoyment of obtaining the e46 m3 be outweigh the loss of my e90 and then some?

READ!!!!!


I have an '05 E46 M3 for sale. It has 14k on the odometer. I owe approximately 49k, and my lease payment is $795 monthly. It is Interlagos Blue, and has the Comp.Pkg, rear sunshade, nav, 6-speed, M-cloth/leather, sunroof-delete, etc. I'm only looking to get rid of it for the payoff amount, or you can take over the lease payments via assumption. If you're interested, let me know. I'm in Southern California.

I am looking to get rid of my M3 because I am trying to cut down on my monthly expenditures. I have an E90 330i on the way, so if my car isn't sold by August, it will be traded in.

Here are a few pictures (..with TEIN suspension installed; I will be removing the TEIN's prior to vehicle being sold):

[GuillaumeSoete]

I'd go for the M3 anytime

Guillaume

[Robin_NL]

I used to own this M3 E46, sometimes feeling sorry I don't have the M slip differential anymore and 85BHP less, but the 330i is a better car 'overall' imho.(Mainly because its chassis is better, more modern etc etc)

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

I used to own this M3 E46, sometimes feeling sorry I don't have the M slip differential anymore and 85BHP less, but the 330i is a better car 'overall' imho.(Mainly because its chassis is better, more modern etc etc)

Nice ///M.

[diesel007]

You are comparig apples to oranges. Those are two completely different cars.

[Hula-Hula]

Sedan_Clan dude... your car is jesus, son of GOD!!! (GOD=E92 M3 )

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

Sedan_Clan dude... your car is jesus, son of GOD!!! (GOD=E92 M3 )

Thanks bro. I love that car to death. The ///M is soooooo much fun to drive, but priorities must prevail.

[monolith]

Originally Posted by diesel007

You are comparig apples to oranges. Those are two completely different cars.

One is the most delicious apple you've ever tasted....

[BMW F22]

I'd say go for it iff you can afford it. Im in the same situation as well but figured I dont wanna take the hit and also pay more for the car.

[clutch09]

get the m3

[aem]

Originally Posted by kanishkl

get the m3

Listen to him.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by b311lee

i guess my main question is, for a person looking for even more fun, will the pure enjoyment of obtaining the e46 m3 be outweigh the loss of my e90 and then some?

I have an E46 M3, and this weekend I went and test drove an 06 330i that was optioned just about exactly like yours.

I came away seriously impressed. The fun factor was very close to my M3. Even without the M differential and 8k RPM redline, the car has serious potential. The way I see it, the upcoming 335i will probably put things just about neck and neck. Maybe not if you are going to take the car to the track, but for everyday driving and zipping through traffic on your morning commute the two will be a close match.

So, if I already had an E90 330i today, I think the 335i (be it E90, E92, or E93) would be weighing more heavily on my mind than an E46 M3. I just think that once this car hits the streets, people are going to quickly start forgetting about the E46 M3. Also keep in mind that when the E9X M3s hit the street E46 m3s are going to take a hit in value. Will the E46 remain legendary in many people's eyes? Sure. But I think the new 335i is going to build quite a cult following itself, especially once the aftermarket figures out what to do with it.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I just think that once this car hits the streets, people are going to quickly start forgetting about the E46 M3. Also keep in mind that when the E9X M3s hit the street E46 m3s are going to take a hit in value.

I don't think this will happen. Take the E36 for example; that car has held its value quite well, and still maintains a healthy following. You will always have those who remain loyal to a chassis, be it E30/E36/E46, etc. I believe that the value of the E46 will remain steady.

[Moderato]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I have an E46 M3, and this weekend I went and test drove an 06 330i that was optioned just about exactly like yours.

I came away seriously impressed. The fun factor was very close to my M3. Even without the M differential and 8k RPM redline, the car has serious potential. The way I see it, the upcoming 335i will probably put things just about neck and neck. Maybe not if you are going to take the car to the track, but for everyday driving and zipping through traffic on your morning commute the two will be a close match.

So, if I already had an E90 330i today, I think the 335i (be it E90, E92, or E93) would be weighing more heavily on my mind than an E46 M3. I just think that once this car hits the streets, people are going to quickly start forgetting about the E46 M3. Also keep in mind that when the E9X M3s hit the street E46 m3s are going to take a hit in value. Will the E46 remain legendary in many people's eyes? Sure. But I think the new 335i is going to build quite a cult following itself, especially once the aftermarket figures out what to do with it.

I agree 100% and yes the E46 M3 in one year from now will take a hit in resale value and 2 years down the road forget it.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

So, if I already had an E90 330i today, I think the 335i (be it E90, E92, or E93) would be weighing more heavily on my mind than an E46 M3. I just think that once this car hits the streets, people are going to quickly start forgetting about the E46 M3. Also keep in mind that when the E9X M3s hit the street E46 m3s are going to take a hit in value. Will the E46 remain legendary in many people's eyes? Sure. But I think the new 335i is going to build quite a cult following itself, especially once the aftermarket figures out what to do with it.

I had (and still do) an E90 330i and I couldn't quit thinking about an E46 M3. Now I have both and they are two completely different vehicles. The 335i is nice, but I didn't want a 2-door version of the car I already have.

My E90 is a nice "surpriser" type car. It looks classy and refined until I decide to take a corner at 20-30 MPH faster than the posted speed for it or downshift on the highway and leave most cars in the rear-view mirror. People who are not familiar with the car are surprised at how well it drives. It's my long-distance crusing car.

My E46 is a demon. There's no hiding it's abilities and the street cred this thing has is incredible. Everytime my wife and I take it out we have at least a couple of people talking to us on the road or at lights asking us about it and drooling over it. It's a totally different ride than the E90 in terms of feel and it's hard to say which one I like the best. It's depends on the mood I'm in. But overall, the best way to describe the performance of the M3 is intoxicating.

Will the 335i be a great car, without a doubt. But it will have a very long and probably impossible road to get to the same level in terms of the way people feel about the E46 M3.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I don't think this will happen. Take the E36 for example; that car has held its value quite well, and still maintains a healthy following. You will always have those who remain loyal to a chassis, be it E30/E36/E46, etc. I believe that the value of the E46 will remain steady.

I hope you are right, because I'd love to be able to trade mine in for great down payment on a shiny new E93 335i in a couple years. Or maybe even an E93 M3 if the price isn't too far over 70k.

I still think that the original poster should at least drive a E92 335i before he makes the leap. He may change his mind. Of course, the down side to that is his 330i might lose some resale value when the 335i hits.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Moderato

I agree 100% and yes the E46 M3 in one year from now will take a hit in resale value and 2 years down the road forget it.

You obviously haven't paid close attention to the resale value of other ///M cars.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I hope you are right, because I'd love to be able to trade mine in for great down payment on a shiny new E93 335i in a couple years. Or maybe even an E93 M3 if the price isn't too far over 70k.

I still think that the original poster should at least drive a E92 335i before he makes the leap. He may change his mind. Of course, the down side to that is his 330i might lose some resale value when the 335i hits.

One thing to keep in mind when talking about the impact of the 328/335i on the resale value of the 325/330i is that the 328/335 model are not meant to be replacements for the existing models. They are additions to the model line. Most people who were looking to buy a 325/330 are looking at sedans (i.e 4-doors cars) and the fact that a new model (2dr.) is available is not going to make them change their minds. The impact is going to be to the much smaller base of buyers who really wanted a 2 dr. but leased a 325/330 in the interim until a 2 dr was available. The impact of the 328/335 on the resale value of the 325/330 will range somewhere between non-existent and very minimal.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You obviously haven't paid close attention to the resale value of other ///M cars.

Agreed. One of the best selling points of the M cars has always been the resale value regardless of model designation. M cars are not mass built and thus not subject to the same train of thought when looking at the impact of new model lines on previous models. Personally, I will never have any trouble selling my E46 M3 and getting top dollar for it. The market will always be there.

[BK]

Originally Posted by matsarge

One thing to keep in mind when talking about the impact of the 328/335i on the resale value of the 325/330i is that the 328/335 model are not meant to be replacements for the existing models. They are additions to the model line. Most people who were looking to buy a 325/330 are looking at sedans (i.e 4-doors cars) and the fact that a new model (2dr.) is available is not going to make them change their minds. The impact is going to be to the much smaller base of buyers who really wanted a 2 dr. but leased a 325/330 in the interim until a 2 dr was available. The impact of the 328/335 on the resale value of the 325/330 will range somewhere between non-existent and very minimal.

I assume he meant the sedan versions. In any case, I don't think any resale "hit" will be significantly different than it would for any 2007 replacement of the current models.

IMO, if resale value is a major concern, one should buy a slightly used car instead. It's almost new, and an immediate resale will be about what you paid for it. For most of us buying new, resale value is pretty far down on the list of priorities.