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

okay so heres the deal i have a new job been a big fanboy of the e46 series for years and now I want to sell my 3 series and either buy a 2005 zhp or an e46 m3 any year, but dont want to spend more than 14,000 found some nice stick e46 Ms with 89kmiles on it,goes for $13,999....or found some nice zhp six speed 330ci coupes for 12000, I live about 14 miles from my job so im gonna need a DD,my question to you is which would you choose? i also plan to track the car once everry other month with a buddy of mine at buttonwillow springs....wanna smash on his stupid honda grrr....so yeah anything helps! And btw what exactlyy does the M3 e46 average out city/highway...and how bout if i were to drive it granny style how much MPG can i get out of it.....

If your only willing to spend $14k on a M then a M is not for you. Id stick with a ZHP for now. $14k for a M is going to need alot of maintenance guaranteed. If your worried about gas mileage......buy a honda

zhp is a right car for you OP.
M's are a bit too much for DD purpose.

In fact a 6 speed 330ci would be a good choice too. Zhp's are sometimes really overpriced for the amount of MORE you get on them.

A $14k M3 is not an M3.. at least not until you throw a couple thousand at it.

I saw a 2003 Pheonix Yellow M3 at a car dealer today. 100k miles, SMG, and $17,000. It did not resemble a BMW.

Your budget is $14k and you want a high-mileage M3 or ZHP that you will also track 6 times a year? Your budget is too small. Maintenance is more on an M and going racing aint' cheap.

so you have a limit on the cost of the car and yet you plan to track it every other month or so. track time costs not only the fees, but the equipment. brakes and tires add up.

with a limit involved you can maybe find a deal on an M3 if you hunt, hunt, hunt. they are out there, just need time and luck. but don't buy just on price but for the condition. a worn out M3 will cost more to fix than a more expensive one in good-great condition. if you don't have the time then you're better off looking for a 330zhp or 330zsp. these will meet most of your requirements. and leave extra to spend on track goodies or upgraded parts that likely have degraded on the 330.

if you can afford more, then leave yourself some wiggle room for unexpected costs and get the M3. it will cost more to maintain but what you get over the 330zhp just in the LSD is worth it for the track.

if you can't afford more and are extending yourself get the 330zsp or 330zhp

you people are buggin, dude, if you want a m3, buy a m3 and make sure you know what you're doing in order to maintain it. don't replace things you don't need to replace. keep it vital, and you should be fine.

when i was 22 years old (27 now) i had a 02 e46 m3 for 3 years and didn't maintain it AT ALL (didnt know anything at the time) i even had it sit around for 7 months without it being driven while i was on my deployment in iraq, and never ran into any issues, and i pushed it to 162mph several times without a hiccup. the cars a beast, and its made to be beaten with care.

M3 or ZHP that's a silly question, M3 all the way

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

with a limit involved you can maybe find a deal on an M3 if you hunt, hunt, hunt. they are out there, just need time and luck. but don't buy just on price but for the condition. a worn out M3 will cost more to fix than a more expensive one in good-great condition. if you don't have the time then you're better off looking for a 330zhp or 330zsp. these will meet most of your requirements. and leave extra to spend on track goodies or upgraded parts that likely have degraded on the 330.

if you can afford more, then leave yourself some wiggle room for unexpected costs and get the M3. it will cost more to maintain but what you get over the 330zhp just in the LSD is worth it for the track.

if you can't afford more and are extending yourself get the 330zsp or 330zhp

He said his budget is $14k. There is no question. That is not enough for what the average person would consider to be a "nice M3."

Originally Posted by BMWespresso

M3 or ZHP that's a silly question, M3 all the way

Not with his budget.

You know that saying "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes" -- it applies to BMWs too. Especially M-cars. $14k can get you a pretty nice 330. For an M3, $14k will get you one that is in dire need of maintenance.

Even when everything is done right, the M3 costs a decent bit to maintain. The consumables aren't cheap. So if you're already stretching yourself at 14k... then you really can't afford an M3. Either save up some more or get a nice 330 and enjoy it.

Originally Posted by zhp43867

He said his budget is $14k. There is no question. That is not enough for what the average person would consider to be a "nice M3."

well he's in California..SB is a nice area. here people love their expensive cars and probably more M3s and 330zhp than anywhere in the USA. people trade-in and or sell these cars for the next new car more often. so the chance to "find" if hunting a "nice M3" not impossible. but i abolutely agree $14K for a "nice M3" anywhere else Very unlikely.

Agreed, $14k for an m3 will be **** and the seller knows it...

2001 m3 with 130k is around that price tag.. That's almost going on 12 years old and a lot of driving.

I got an 03' with all scheduled maintenance, really clean interior and exterior with 90k for $18000 what I paid for... But I jew'd him down from 18,750 cause the brakes were almost due

Originally Posted by Fern2899

Agreed, $14k for an m3 will be **** and the seller knows it...

2001 m3 with 130k is around that price tag.. That's almost going on 12 years old and a lot of driving.

I got an 03' with all scheduled maintenance, really clean interior and exterior with 90k for $18000 what I paid for... But I jew'd him down from 18,750 cause the brakes were almost due

While I do agree with you on what you said because in most instances it is true. I managed to get my m3 with 100k miles its an 03 owned by an older gentleman for 13k. It needed a new front bumper because the shop put a coupe one instead of a M one on. I know its rare but possible.

Edit: it had all necessary maintenance done to it and it was recorded. That's the only reason I bought it though honestly. I should say that a quality M will be priced around 20k and I think I would take an e36 m before a zhp for some reason lol

^^^ granted the e36 m3 is still an amazing car, and has an awesome top end power/speed, I'd probably go with the zhp if I had to choose between the the two because cosmetics (I think they look better) and that it's newer (resale value).. To each is own

And you got lucky making your purchase for an m3 that cheep granted the few issues..

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

well he's in California..SB is a nice area. here people love their expensive cars and probably more M3s and 330zhp than anywhere in the USA. people trade-in and or sell these cars for the next new car more often. so the chance to "find" if hunting a "nice M3" not impossible. but i abolutely agree $14K for a "nice M3" anywhere else Very unlikely.

Maybe, maybe. But more than likely not. Nice M3 territory is $18-$20k as an average minimum.

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?

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

so you have a limit on the cost of the car and yet you plan to track it every other month or so. track time costs not only the fees, but the equipment. brakes and tires add up.

with a limit involved you can maybe find a deal on an M3 if you hunt, hunt, hunt. they are out there, just need time and luck. but don't buy just on price but for the condition. a worn out M3 will cost more to fix than a more expensive one in good-great condition. if you don't have the time then you're better off looking for a 330zhp or 330zsp. these will meet most of your requirements. and leave extra to spend on track goodies or upgraded parts that likely have degraded on the 330.

if you can afford more, then leave yourself some wiggle room for unexpected costs and get the M3. it will cost more to maintain but what you get over the 330zhp just in the LSD is worth it for the track.

if you can't afford more and are extending yourself get the 330zsp or 330zhp

E36 M3 with a S50B32 with a 6 speed is around 14k, but you would have to get is smogged.

Faster than a E46M3, more fun, do it OP.

Originally Posted by LeMansteve

Your budget is $14k and you want a high-mileage M3 or ZHP that you will also track 6 times a year? Your budget is too small. Maintenance is more on an M and going racing aint' cheap.

This this this. Keep your current e46. ZHP is not enough of an upgrade, M is too expensive.

gotta love people wanting high performance cars, say they can afford maintenance, then want to know about best mpg's..haha...

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