M3T

[Bimma360]

Yeah, doing it all at once, and not waiting for stuff to fail, is really the move. Do it once, do it all, do it right, and you can just enjoy the car.

I pretty much just drive it. In 30,000 miles, when it reaches 200,000 miles, I'll refresh everything again and go back to just enjoying the car without worry.

Currently doing the same treatment on a Land Cruiser, which is probably generally considered to be the most reliable car ever made? Still doing valve cover gaskets, radiator, thermostat, water pump, piping, timing belt, accessory belt, idlers, tensioners, alternator, front upper control arms, steering rack, lower front control arms, front half shafts, all 5 rear control arms, all sway mounts, all sway end links, rebuilding the ABS system, spark plugs, coils, tie rods, etc. But, like the M3, I expect to drive it like a new car for 100,000 miles after that with little to zero issues.

I don't know what dollar value experience the M3 is, but I have yet to drive any car that I prefer, at any price point. Have driven a fair variety of cars, from Miata (don't fit well at 6'4, and the engine is uncharismatic and buzzy) to Carrara GT (too fast to actually push, too expensive to actually drive, to impractical to actually use). The e46 M3 is the best combination of them all, for my wants. The steering is great, the engine is charismatic, the engine has enough torque to not be annoying while DDing, the engine had enough revs/HP to be rewarding to push hard, the car isn't too fast to actually push hard, the car isn't so slow as to be annoying, it's manual, the back seat makes it useable for all sorts of things a 2 seats never can be (tires to the track, family use), the trunk is surprisingly huge, the car is pretty small on the outside, the sight lines are great, it's easy to work on, the community support is world class, it has good rust proofing, and 6'4 me can drive it with a helmet on. Assigning a value to an experience is a weird concept, but I can't think of a car I'd put a higher value on for my wants.

That's the idea! I also want to experience this car as close to new/fresh as possible. This is the only way to do it.

On the value bit, "experience" is so subjective that you are right, how do you assign value. It's obviously going to vary. I am very fortunate, I'll admit, b/c for the first time in my life, as a car guy, I had the opportunity to answer the what car would you buy for $100k or less question. I agonized over it for a long time. Lots and lots of cars to think about, and I have reasons why most of them don't make the cut. Going through that exercise, I think, is at least a start to put a some sort of value on it. At least that's how I see it anyway.

[davidf]

I do believe it because it's mostly true.

You can have an extremely tattered looking M3 that drives phenomenally for around 20-25k especially if you start off with a higher mileage example for like 12k (they do exist, they made 70k of these things).

If you're chasing perfection out of old cars, I have bad news for you lol

Also, an NA Miata + the cash you'd spend on an E46 would actually be pretty awesome (personally looking into this) and do everything I'd need the M3 to do without the bullshit of NLA parts and BMW stupidity.

I can attest to the above statement. My son purchased a loaded 2003 (Carbon Black on black) for $12,500 (paint a bit rough, interior very decent with good leather). So far, we have done rod bearings, VANOS, rebuilt suspension, new brakes all around, replaced muffler back to factory, and a myriad of bits and pieces. My son and I are doing all the work and currently sitting at $24k with a few grand left to go before we even consider converting from SMG to manual. But, it has been a blast working with my son over the past 6 weeks.

[dreamdrivedrift]

That's the idea! I also want to experience this car as close to new/fresh as possible. This is the only way to do it.

On the value bit, "experience" is so subjective that you are right, how do you assign value. It's obviously going to vary. I am very fortunate, I'll admit, b/c for the first time in my life, as a car guy, I had the opportunity to answer the what car would you buy for $100k or less question. I agonized over it for a long time. Lots and lots of cars to think about, and I have reasons why most of them don't make the cut. Going through that exercise, I think, is at least a start to put a some sort of value on it. At least that's how I see it anyway.

I also see very eye to eye with you on value - I've been driving these cars for a long time but when it came to having a fun do-it-all car in the garage I actually went MK5 Supra first. I like the rest of you was tired of the old car game, don't have the time to wrench anymore, and I like having a car that looks beautiful and can be ripped on any time. Value is based on what alternatives exist.

Unfortunately I didn't like the MK5 Supra. Looked at M2, Cayman GTS, GT 350, but none spoke to me as much as the E46 M3. So we were back to the E46 M3. That was 3 (?) years ago. I've spent an inordinate amount of money to some making it "perfect" ceramic coating/PPF'ing it, and also spent many miles tracking, drifting, and road trips. No regrets - love this thing. It might have been a $30K experience back then we all remember the old E46 prices but I can easily justify 70-100K for a perfect M3 now. A G80 is around that price anyways but I like most - no interest in that.

Actually thought about buying that silver grey E46 M3 with CSL bits/KWs with 6K miles on it, that one of our forum members bought and sold last year (?) on BAT, could have justified buying it, transferring my parts to it, just to have a lower mileage car. Just didn't feel like spending the effort to do so. It ended up going for $75K which I thought was a deal.
(https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...-m3-coupe-164/)

[lcrain]

This is very cool, looks like a well executed restomod. The price would be impossible to justify for me, but people are maying millions of dollars for restomod air cooled 911s so there seems to be a market for very pricey nostalgic cars.

I have been thinking hard about replacing my current dd f150 with a wagon when my older kid goes front facing. But I want something newish. I also don't need a missile dd wagon (rs6 or e63) but the lower trim models of those two (the e450 all terrain and allroad) are appealing to me. Very comfortable, quick enough, practical.

[Bry5on]

I sold a $150k car to upgrade to my ‘M3’ touring and wouldn’t have any other car over it! I don’t think I’d pay $150k for the car by itself, but I prefer this car to every car I’ve owned, including cayman & 911. I for one am happy to see these guys developing M3 tourings. Specifically this one has the best executed rear bumper I’ve ever seen. Enough so that it’s worth finally considering the wide body.

Obioban nailed it except that the touring is incredibly practical with even more trunk space and easily takes kids in the back. For us tall folks, seats are a must though.

[Obioban]

I sold a $150k car to upgrade to my ‘M3’ touring and wouldn’t have any other car over it! I don’t think I’d pay $150k for the car by itself, but I prefer this car to every car I’ve owned, including cayman & 911. I for one am happy to see these guys developing M3 tourings. Specifically this one has the best executed rear bumper I’ve ever seen. Enough so that it’s worth finally considering the wide body.

Obioban nailed it except that the touring is incredibly practical with even more trunk space and easily takes kids in the back. For us tall folks, seats are a must though.

The touring certain has it's moments:


^that made me very excited when I did it.

... but if you have another car that can handle the taller objects, I'd just rather have a sedan and avoid the NHV/weight penalty.

I will say the e46 touring is way less compromised than the e39 touring. e39 touring is a 270 lbs weight penalty, compromised rear suspension geometry, and air suspension.


buuuuuuut, it can do this: