So should I keep it? It followed me home

Dasfinc

Ready for the EVlution
Sep 28, 2007
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Wheaton, IL
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Underside:

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2003 (E46) BMW M3; Oxford Green over Cinnamon.

Car has SMG, Xenons, Park assist, Harmon Kardon, and some other options that I'm still figuring out from the VIN decoder.

69,000 miles, has been sitting for nearly 6 years.

I tossed a fresh battery in it, changed the oil ($13 a quart, 10W60 full synth only), put some stabil in the tank, and topped it with fresh premium, and put some miles on it over the past few days.

This is my first time every driving an M car, and I'm thoroughly impressed.

Total split personality car:

Tooling around it feels bank-vault like, everything from the sound the door makes closing, to the quality of the materials being 14 years old dramatically surpassing my 4 year old 'premium' ford..... Everything works, Everything feels solid, nothing acts slow or weak (like window regulators or A/C).

Knock the SMG over to M mode, press the sport button, and it becomes completely unhinged. Despite the power figure (333 hp), it feels as fast as my mustang, which is intense given the power deficit, and taking a look online confirms it IS just as fast.

The only 'downside' so far I've found is that the SMG in its softest setting in full auto mode feels like a drunk 16 year old is shifting at times.

So what does everything think, this something I should kick around in?
 

IDAFC21

WOW.
Staff member
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May 23, 2007
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Im of a certain age where ive always been more enticed by a nice e36 M3, but the e46 is definitely emerging as the M car of old. I dont know what you picked it up for, mileage is a little high but as long as that car is mechanically sound, and if you can maintain it, it could be quite desirable to the right buyer in a few more years.
 

Dasfinc

Ready for the EVlution
Sep 28, 2007
20,919
1,321
Wheaton, IL
Im of a certain age where ive always been more enticed by a nice e36 M3, but the e46 is definitely emerging as the M car of old. I dont know what you picked it up for, mileage is a little high but as long as that car is mechanically sound, and if you can maintain it, it could be quite desirable to the right buyer in a few more years.

I never really got into the E36 M3's, and even the E36 that I V-8 swapped I never became especially fond of.

The E46 is definitely heads above the E36 as far as evolution goes, and I agree that it seems to be a definite 'up and coming' type car. I'm debating if I want to just unload it for a few bucks or sit on it for a little bit as a casual driver if I can keep the space since its not likely to really depreciate any further.
 

Dasfinc

Ready for the EVlution
Sep 28, 2007
20,919
1,321
Wheaton, IL
Why had it sat for 6 years?

Both POs are/were co workers, and close friends.

The first PO left the country, and the second PO (friend) bought it when he moved away really as a favor to the first PO.

Second PO isn't really a car guy (lives in the city), put less than 3,000 miles on it in 6 years of ownership.

He wants to get something more 'appliance' like and more city friendly, and I offered to help him get rid of the car, or just buy it off him full stop.

It has a small laundry list of work it needs, but nothing crippling.
 

Yaj Yak

Gladys
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May 24, 2007
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Knock the SMG over to M mode, press the sport button, and it becomes completely unhinged. Despite the power figure (333 hp), it feels as fast as my mustang, which is intense given the power deficit, and taking a look online confirms it IS just as fast.

The only 'downside' so far I've found is that the SMG in its softest setting in full auto mode feels like a drunk 16 year old is shifting at times.

So what does everything think, this something I should kick around in?

bcuz powercurve & inline 6.
 

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