The journey on becoming an M3 owner.

Hi guys!
I've spent an enormous amount of time lurking these forums of late. I've realised you are all a pretty tight knit group, and I feel like I want to become a apart of it.

I'm Andrei, from Adelaide and I'm looking for my 1st M3. The time has now come to make my dream a reality. Ever since i first saw them at Adelaide Motors on my way to school day in day out, I have wanted one. Since I was in year 10, old enough to think about getting my licence and what car I want to be driving.

So thus begin the final stages of finding the 'one'. I'm sure you will all help and chip in where you can.
andrijko (Andrei)

Ye get one!

Hello! you sound like a true fanatic! What do you want to know?

Welcome

Welcome mate

Which model?

If you haven't been in a e46 shoot me a pm, I will take you for a blat.

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I don't know why but I'm really hanging for the traditional stick shift. Any reason why i should consider the SMG?

CortinaD, I haven't been in one in recent years. But I should probably get on it.

I do know that the E46 M3 is what I want and the newer the better. But I do have a budget that I am trying to keep to.

Any particular colour you're looking for? Options? If you were looking in a few years time I reckon I'd be selling mine haha! I think you should try both SMG and Manual and see which you prefer, though they say the SMG takes a little while to get used to. Welcome, and any questions feel free to ask.

Not too fussed on colour as long as it'a not that gold colour. I would love a white one, but they are hard to find. So i'd settle on anything really. I'd rather it be in the right condition with service history and what not. I've been looking for about 6 months now, and the time has come that i have enough $$ to be able to consider an affordable one.

Originally Posted by andrijko

Not too fussed on colour as long as it'a not that gold colour. I would love a white one, but they are hard to find. So i'd settle on anything really. I'd rather it be in the right condition with service history and what not. I've been looking for about 6 months now, and the time has come that i have enough $$ to be able to consider an affordable one.

Perfect attitude! Prioritise condition and service history over all

What's the budget. Your best off going 2003+ if your budget can accommodate it.

I'm trying to stick under $35k. It's hard but I'm a patient man.
If anyone knows of any or sees any help a brother out.

Originally Posted by andrijko

I'm trying to stick under $35k. It's hard but I'm a patient man.
If anyone knows of any or sees any help a brother out.

You'll find a few for that .. but i think if you can possibly extend it to 40K, you will have a much easier time!

Originally Posted by andrijko

I'm trying to stick under $35k. It's hard but I'm a patient man.
If anyone knows of any or sees any help a brother out.

For that price I reckon you'd be looking at a 2002 model with 100,000+ kms. Is that something along the lines of what you're looking for?

I can stretch my budget to $40k but setting it a bit lower forces me to be patient for that right one. Hoping for at least an 03 with less than 100 000kms. I've waited long enough what's a little longer?

Wtf you can find really low mileage ones for way less and newer than that I've seen 48 k miles go for 24k y'all must not be in USA ?

Originally Posted by Sanman10

Wtf you can find really low mileage ones for way less and newer than that I've seen 48 k miles go for 24k y'all must not be in USA ?

Correct. Should've checked what section you're in first!

Originally Posted by andrijko

I can stretch my budget to $40k but setting it a bit lower forces me to be patient for that right one. Hoping for at least an 03 with less than 100 000kms. I've waited long enough what's a little longer?

Having a quick look on carsales. There's only 5 manuals that are 2003+. The cheapest one, that silver one for $32,500...has been around for a while and I think people here have already found it to be suspicious. So the next best one would be this imola red one:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...06&sort=~Price

$40k with 100,000kms. Seems pretty good, though it's an import from NZ. I like imola red. It's actually a very nice colour.

Else you have this vert:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...06&sort=~Price

Not sure are you looking for a coupe or vert?

Welcome Andrei! The E46 M3 is in my opinion the perfect car BUT I am very biased :-) You will have to be very patient to find one in your budget if you want a sub 100km car and later than 03. White is going to be very hard to find on the later model cars also. I think white is the perfect color but have never found the right combo of color, interior and km's when I have been searching for one. As for as SMG vs Manual, you'll get all sorts of opinions here and on the other forums. It really comes down to personal prefrence, drive both and make your mind up from there. I have had both SMG & Manual M3's and really dont have a favourite and I grew up very much anti auto and thought all performance cars had to have a clutch pedal.

If you need any advice or answers to any specific M3 questions send me a PM, I know them inside out and I am only too happy to help out another enthusiast!

Originally Posted by ating

Having a quick look on carsales. There's only 5 manuals that are 2003+. The cheapest one, that silver one for $32,500...has been around for a while and I think people here have already found it to be suspicious. So the next best one would be this imola red one:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...06&sort=~Price

$40k with 100,000kms. Seems pretty good, though it's an import from NZ. I like imola red. It's actually a very nice colour.

Else you have this vert:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...06&sort=~Price

Not sure are you looking for a coupe or vert?

Yeah that silver coupe has been around for a long time and there's something about it and the way the ad is written that screams "stay away" to me.

The Imola red coupe in WA that was imported from NZ is a very nice car and has been really well looked after. The wheels are sh1t I know but overall the car is immaculate and from what I have heard the owner is keen to negotiate.

Yes check out the imola one. It's really nice car. If I had sold my e30 m3 I'd be all over it.

Welcome!!