10-10-2013, 03:33 PM
NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE
80k Mile M3 'vert for $11k is suspicious as fuck.
Not only is that SMG transmission shit-miserable to drive (it engages first from a stop like a 15 year old trying to do his first burnout) it was catastrophically unreliable and repairs of the hydraulic units run well into the thousands. My guess would be this one has started acting up again and this guy is trying to dump it cheap instead of throwing another $4k at it.
If you really want an M3 I'd look for one in the $16-17k range with a manual transmission and a good service history. It would still be needy, but managable thanks to the vast DIY community out there. (just prepare your butthole when it comes time to buy brake rotors or those 275/19 rear tires)
Since you do seem to have developed a BMW fetish like the rest of us lost souls, my professional recommendation to you would be a 2003-2005 330i "ZHP" coupe or sedan. It's a regular 330i with slightly more aggressive suspension, a slightly different exhaust, different camshafts (for a whopping 10 extra horsepower), 18 inch wheels instead of 17, unique bumper, unique shift knob (which has been installed on every other model ever by posers, self included) and the same steering wheel as the M3. They were the most performance oriented non-M3 you could buy at the time, and now they are about the best balance of budget and fun while being relatively reliable.
80k Mile M3 'vert for $11k is suspicious as fuck.
Not only is that SMG transmission shit-miserable to drive (it engages first from a stop like a 15 year old trying to do his first burnout) it was catastrophically unreliable and repairs of the hydraulic units run well into the thousands. My guess would be this one has started acting up again and this guy is trying to dump it cheap instead of throwing another $4k at it.
If you really want an M3 I'd look for one in the $16-17k range with a manual transmission and a good service history. It would still be needy, but managable thanks to the vast DIY community out there. (just prepare your butthole when it comes time to buy brake rotors or those 275/19 rear tires)
Since you do seem to have developed a BMW fetish like the rest of us lost souls, my professional recommendation to you would be a 2003-2005 330i "ZHP" coupe or sedan. It's a regular 330i with slightly more aggressive suspension, a slightly different exhaust, different camshafts (for a whopping 10 extra horsepower), 18 inch wheels instead of 17, unique bumper, unique shift knob (which has been installed on every other model ever by posers, self included) and the same steering wheel as the M3. They were the most performance oriented non-M3 you could buy at the time, and now they are about the best balance of budget and fun while being relatively reliable.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S