I need some good advice on an m3/zhp!??

Originally Posted by 325iZap

Well I say 14 k a limit cause my insurance is high,I can actually afford up to 20,000,I'm just being cheap lol I make 1000 a pay check and get discounts on tires and everything auto working for the city going through their account for pretty big discounts... so I know for sure I have enough to keep up with it. So how much would a good m3 cost around how much money should I actually spend?

By $1000 a paycheck I assume you get paid weekly? A GOOD M3 will cost you $18-20k. Then you get the awesome maintenance. Even DIYing an inspection II isn't cheap. I'm doing it now. Nothing is cheap on this car.

M3 maintenance costs come in spurts. But when those spurts come you better have some disposable income you're willing to give up.

Like others have said a cheap M car is a myth. Either you're going to pay up front for one with a good service record or pick up some piece of crap and spend even MORE in the long run trying to get it back into shape.

A $14k M isn't an M. It's a Mess. Now is there a CHANCE that you can pick up a good one for that price? Not likely, but sure. Willing to roll that dice?

Don't shop for cars this old and expensive to repair based on purchase price. Especially not the M3. You'll end up with a crappy car you hate while shoveling thousands of dollars into it. Spend whatever it takes to get a 'good' one and even if it costs a bit more up front it's worth it.

Originally Posted by vicariously13

To the OP: Your grammar is horrible. Start with learning English first and worry about a performance car after.

Dude chill out I am texting off a broken screen on an iphone lol
besides I probably make more money than you did at the age of 20...so. s t f u. I could care less what you have to say about my spelling....as for the rest of the replies and feedback has helped out greatly. I am much more leaned towards an m3 and buying a different car for a daily driver such as a stupid little rice rocket Honda for work. I am thinking about looking in the sb area for a silver gray metallic m3 2002-04 .switching my budget price to 17,000 hopefully I can find something that has all the matenance records from BMW. Another thing I want to ask is would it be bad if I do my own oil changes or is that something I should strictly do from BMW........btw. does anybody here recommend getting a 335i for that low of a budget?

Originally Posted by 325iZap

Dude chill out I am texting off a broken screen on an iphone lol
besides I probably make more money than you did at the age of 20...so. s t f u. I could care less what you have to say about my spelling....

Bragging about money? Classy. That's something all wealthy people do... in rap songs.

>.<

I would contribute something useful, but OP has confirmed his idiocy. GL with "tracking" your new ride.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

>.<

i would contribute something useful, but op has confirmed his idiocy. Gl with "tracking" your new ride.

+1

Makes $2k a month.

Thinks he's balling.


Get the M3. It will show everyone how baller you are, yo.

Edit, thought this topic was familiar: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...169&highlight=

I just got this job I've been trying to get at for a year now...I would have never brought it up but when people try to talk down to me it seems appropriate to bring it up...yes 1k weekly starting.so don't mind my spelling to much lol so my apologies for being so. Darn ignorant...

Originally Posted by lcoleman

>.<

I would contribute something useful, but OP has confirmed his idiocy. GL with "tracking" your new ride.

Awhh:l

Originally Posted by 325iZap

I just got this job I've been trying to get at for a year now...I would have never brought it up but when people try to talk down to me it seems appropriate to bring it up...yes 1k weekly starting.so don't mind my spelling to much lol so my apologies for being so. Darn ignorant...

Just get a ZHP. It should offer your enough of the speed you want but it won't make you go broke.

I wasn't trying to talk down to you.

Originally Posted by choxor

Makes $2k a month.

Thinks he's balling.


Get the M3. It will show everyone how baller you are, yo.

Edit, thought this topic was familiar: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...169&highlight=

No where near balling ....like I said just got into this dept. I just think I am doing pretty well with my career set in place here on the city fleet.

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Just get a ZHP. It should offer your enough of the speed you want but it won't make you go broke.

I wasn't trying to talk down to you.

Yeah you're actually right about that, besides a facelift 330 CI Is much more appreciated by someone who isn't quite the enthusiast, But I do want to track the car. Recommend that in at 330?

Originally Posted by choxor

Makes $2k a month.

Thinks he's balling.


Get the M3. It will show everyone how baller you are, yo.

Edit, thought this topic was familiar: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...169&highlight=

That was when I was in the process of getting into this dept. Thanks for reminding me.Why. Can you just stick with being helpful and kind like u were before. And 4k is good for someone my age in my opinion. Especially considering this is a stable job for the rest of my life

If you net $4k a month then that is more than enough for an M3 if you are in a stable financial situation. But like I said, don't cheap out. I've driven these "budget" M3's when I was shopping for mine and I can tell you without a doubt that the experience behind the wheel of a ragged out M is nothing like driving a well maintained one.

If you are anxious about spending a lot then the ZHP would probably be a better choice. An M3 will not kill you in maintenance cost if you can DIY, but you have to remember that it was an expensive car in its day. The entry price is low now, but the maintenance costs are still high. ZHP is much more reasonable. It comes down to how much of your income you want to spend on buying and maintaining a vehicle and how comfortable you are with the chance that you could run into an unexpected repair that could cost a lot like the exhaust hub failure.

Originally Posted by 325iZap

Yeah you're actually right about that, besides a facelift 330 CI Is much more appreciated by someone who isn't quite the enthusiast, But I do want to track the car. Recommend that in at 330?

You can certainly track a 330. Especially look for a 330i/ci without a sunroof and maybe without fold down seats depending on your needs. If you're going to track you'll appreciate those two things.

And props to you for not blowing all your money on your car. Even though you can afford even more- you're doing well to set a limit for the amount you're willing to spend at the current time.

Lot's of people here do drive M3s and live in their parents basement.

Thanks fellas, so what about going down to AA to get a Turbo or SC for a zhp,would it be worth the investment for those gains. If I buy a zhp I would deff. Have some money to Play around with it. But ive never talked to somebody whos gotten one installed themselves ...anyone?

[QUOTE=zhp43867;14952435]You can certainly track a 330. Especially look for a 330i/ci without a sunroof and maybe without fold down seats depending on your needs. If you're going to track you'll appreciate those two things.


Sorry if its a noob question but why no sunroof?

[QUOTE=325iZap;14953646]

Originally Posted by zhp43867

You can certainly track a 330. Especially look for a 330i/ci without a sunroof and maybe without fold down seats depending on your needs. If you're going to track you'll appreciate those two things.


Sorry if its a noob question but why no sunroof?

Less weight structural rigidity because no hole in the roof

Oh alright,I see. Does it seem to make a good difference?

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Lot's of people here do drive M3s and live in their parents basement.

That's unfortunate