New car?

[Be30mer]

OP - Think of insurance and upkeep as well, not just the purchase price of any given car.

I have been. I can do minor maintenance myself, replace fluids and stuff. But im not too worried about insurance costs because I will only have the car for a couple years.

^ very very expensive to maintain.

I took 5k out of 30k to cover high maintenance costs for high perf cars.

[Jean]

^ very very expensive to maintain.

[Be30mer]

e39 m5

Great idea. I fucking love that car, I test drove one, a few years back at Crevier. I have wanted an s62 engine ever since.

[Jean]

OP - Think of insurance and upkeep as well, not just the purchase price of any given car.

[daniel]

e39 m5

[Be30mer]

Like an ex-Koni Challenge drysump S54, Bosch Motorsport ECU in a clapped out 325e?

Yes, yes, yes.

Go this route.

Then come to the picnic.

I'll wear a bib and try my damnedest not to drool on it.

With mtech II and BBS. That has always been a dream of mine, but I need this car soon and dont have time for a project, so back to the fictional state of reality for now with that idea.

[ck_taft325is]

Like an ex-Koni Challenge drysump S54, Bosch Motorsport ECU in a clapped out 325e?

Yes, yes, yes.

Go this route.

Then come to the picnic.

I'll wear a bib and try my damnedest not to drool on it.

[FredK]

I can think of many more things to do with 25 large.

Like an ex-Koni Challenge drysump S54, Bosch Motorsport ECU in a clapped out 325e?

[DEV0 E30]

How do these cars drive? I have never driven one. It looks like a great car though, with tons of room in the back, a great DD.

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I think they are dead sexy, of course I'm some what biased.

Many people think they are too harsh as dd's. I don't think so, but I'm young and also daily sportbikes. So I must have a skewed sense on what a routine commute to the office should entail. Even with stock suspension they are much more harsh than BMW's of the same era (E39's, E46's, etc). You're passenger should you choose to have one will probably complain about the ride. This is in large part because it's basically an E30. The exact same rear suspension trailing arm setup. The steering is heavier but better than most E30s but still has that same sort of dialed in, pleasant "feel". It is confidence inspiring and likes to feel the road. Something so many cars lack.

There really isn't much room in the back, but assuming you don't need much space it makes do, as someone who can fit his monthly groceries from Costco in the back I see it as the perfect amount, with no wasted space. I like that. Efficiency is priority No. 1. Because waste is a thief. It's a true - leave your excess at home and enjoy that early morning drive through the mountains to clear your head sort of car - while having a lot of fun.

I see it as what many E30's end up as. A more powerful 24 valved engine, 5 lug, better brakes, and did I mention sexy? It's not for every one, and it's like nothing else in the price bracket. 15-20K right now can get you a 99/00 with an S52. For more than 20k is where the S54's are at, although not too long ago I've seen the more elusive colors for 30k+ for a pristine example.

You really have to drive it to see if it's for you.

http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/reviews/m_coupe.htm

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/429030/bmw_m_coupe_on_top_gear/

Now, my priorities are different than yours, but I don't see any reason to spend that sort of coin on a car as I can think of many more things to do with 25 large.

[Rodoni]

arent those pretty hard to come by?

The LSB/s54 yes. If you do a quick search on bfc there was one or two mcoupes w/ s50b32s in them. Asking around 20k

[Be30mer]

LSB mcoupe FTW s54 version

arent those pretty hard to come by?

[Rodoni]

LSB mcoupe FTW s54 version

[Hallen]

The Z3 Coupe, or "Dork" as it is know, has been described as a very fun little car. It is pretty rare, and some people consider it to be very ugly, and it is to a certain extent. It is a car that many enjoy using as a track rat. It's very nimble. It's isn't overpowered either. I would suspect that it's going to be a bit like the E30. I think you'll find that the ones worth having are going to be more expensive than you expect too.

[cat97628]

anyone know how these cars stack up in terms of mpg? Im not a tree hugger, I just get tired of shellin out moneys for gas. Which is why i should probably buy a zhp 330i, instead of an m3. Prove to me that a 330i can be as much fun as an m3 and I might start leaning towards that car.

All of the E46's are fun in their own ways. i have an 02' 325i with the sport package and it is a blast. I can go down the highway and get around 30mpg while doing 85. I can also take it out and find some nice twisties and be very happy. I am able to turn a wrench on it as well. The M3 as a daily is going to hurt on the wallet when filling it up, paying insurance, and the maintenance. If you have the cash go for it but just do not think the lesser badged cars are not as fun.

[Be30mer]

How do these cars drive? I have never driven one. It looks like a great car though, with tons of room in the back, a great DD.

If you can keep you foot outta teh throttle other than when you want to have fun the vette will get 22ish

I cant keep my foot off teh throttle. Especially with the symphony of that huge v8 under the hood.