Looking at this M3...what do you guys think?

[cclinard1]

I'm looking at purchasing this M3. Moving from a 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro that I've become bored with. It looks like a clean car with good maintenance history. It was CPO. They were originally asking $28,995 for it and I offered $26k and they accepted. What do you guys think? Good deal? Anyone know the car?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06014175&Log=0

Thanks in advance.

[noremaC]

Don't know the car but if I had to do it again (especially with a sedan), I would have gone LCI. For sedan's/e90 that's 2009 and later.

You can probably find a one model year newer for slightly more and have all of the LCI updates. It is cheaper/slightly easier to upgrade a coupe because you don't have to swap out the trunk lid to retrofit the LCI tails. Also, the CCC offered in 2008 is crap/slow/trash, TBH.

Hold out and find a 2009. You're looking at $2k+ (and that's DIY) to mimic an LCI with a pre-LCI vehicle.

If you don't mind the pre-LCI features, then disregard everything I said lol. That's a good price for sedan. Food for thought.

[ksa]

If that's what fits your budget then I think it's a good pick up! It'll definitely be a good step up from your S4. Let us know how it goes and if you end up picking it up.

[M3 n X5M]

Price is very good. My own '08 still feels fantastic at 69k miles. I would say to test drive the car, and if you like it get it. Mine drove solid at 56k miles when I purchased it two years ago. Now, at 69k miles it drives even better, it feels.

The clutch is soft in these cars, and you need to nanny the tranny to get the gears to mesh really smoothly. And the one you are looking at is a manual... so just be mindful it will not be like a VW that just shifts into gear everytime without an issue. You have to work it to go right.

Once on the road, my '08 feels solid and like it can go another 30k - 50k miles without much issue. It just feels great. So the one you are looking at with 89k miles should be fine.

[M3Bimmer77]

Hmmmm, mmmmm, let me see... 2008, $86k I don't think so. Are you aware of the rod bearing issue on these cars? Another issue are the actuators and the vanos. I will jump at least to a 2010 and less than 40k miles, tops. Unless you are ready to start putting money in it.

[Helmsman]

Looks nice Linard, sedan can't go wrong..☺
Key thing IMO is shape and not to forget - maintenance history. Regardless of age/mileage oil change is important and at 86k miles Id say even more so. BMW 15k miles interval would make me leave. Keep in mind everything is EXPENSIVE for this car, check plugs, transmission fluid, micro filter etc is on the books.

Good luck!

[anom3]

I will second the comments regarding the 6MT on the E9X M3's.

They are a little bit different then the VW you are most likely used to.

It took me well over 6 months to get a really good feel for the tranny, and I still get the infamous 1st to 2nd jerk once out of every 20 or so shifts.

Originally Posted by M3 n X5M

Price is very good. My own '08 still feels fantastic at 69k miles. I would say to test drive the car, and if you like it get it. Mine drove solid at 56k miles when I purchased it two years ago. Now, at 69k miles it drives even better, it feels.

The clutch is soft in these cars, and you need to nanny the tranny to get the gears to mesh really smoothly. And the one you are looking at is a manual... so just be mindful it will not be like a VW that just shifts into gear everytime without an issue. You have to work it to go right.

Once on the road, my '08 feels solid and like it can go another 30k - 50k miles without much issue. It just feels great. So the one you are looking at with 89k miles should be fine.

[cclinard1]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm aware of the common issues with the car. It's not unlike the S4 which also has its fair share of problems, but it's to be expected with a high performance engine.

I've test driven a few and haven't had any issues with shifting, but time will only tell if I buy it.

I think I'm going to make the drive to check it out this weekend.

[ksa]

Good luck, keep us updated. Important thing is to look into the service history and test drive it.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

Hmmmm, mmmmm, let me see... 2008, $86k I don't think so. Are you aware of the rod bearing issue on these cars? Another issue are the actuators and the vanos. I will jump at least to a 2010 and less than 40k miles, tops. Unless you are ready to start putting money in it.

Coming from somebody who actually did have a VANOS related issue, VANOS problems are not common on the E92. They were on the E46. I have yet to find anyone other than myself who has reported VANOS problems on this gen M3.

Throttle actuators are a legitimate concern, but cost about $1k to replace. Not the end of the world by any stretch on a high performance car like this. Rod bearings are a highly debatable concern, to say the least. I don't think rod bearings should be used to scare potential buyers out of looking at M3s as issues are very few and far between.

Despite all of that, 86k is pretty high mileage and you can get a car with <45k miles in the low $30s. If price is your main concern and it's a clean car, go for it. $26k isn't a bad price. If you can afford to spend a little bit more, I would look for something with fewer miles though.

[M3Bimmer77]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

Coming from somebody who actually did have a VANOS related issue, VANOS problems are not common on the E92. They were on the E46. I have yet to find anyone other than myself who has reported VANOS problems on this gen M3.

Throttle actuators are a legitimate concern, but cost about $1k to replace. Not the end of the world by any stretch on a high performance car like this. Rod bearings are a highly debatable concern, to say the least. I don't think rod bearings should be used to scare potential buyers out of looking at M3s as issues are very few and far between.

Despite all of that, 86k is pretty high mileage and you can get a car with <45k miles in the low $30s. If price is your main concern and it's a clean car, go for it. $26k isn't a bad price. If you can afford to spend a little bit more, I would look for something with fewer miles though.

Yes that's the guy that enlightened me with the vanos issue. That is a funking big repair. Back to your carr, I will jump into a 2010, if possible. Good luck and be patience. It will take more than you expect.

[SheaButter]

Originally Posted by anom3

I will second the comments regarding the 6MT on the E9X M3's.

They are a little bit different then the VW you are most likely used to.

It took me well over 6 months to get a really good feel for the tranny, and I still get the infamous 1st to 2nd jerk once out of every 20 or so shifts.

I think every 6MT owner does that when they get "lazy" at a stoplight or something. then after the lurch you say to yourself "phew good thing nobody else was in the car to witness that!"

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

Yes that's the guy that enlightened me with the vanos issue. That is a funking big repair. Back to your carr, I will jump into a 2010, if possible. Good luck and be patience. It will take more than you expect.

Yup, it was a one-off issue that could have happened to any car regardless of model year or mileage. Just like any other one-off issue that could happen to any car. Certainly should not be grouped in with other common E9x M3 issues, like throttle actuators. My car had under 40k miles when it happened by the way...

2009 and 2010 are the same exact car. Sedans got LCI upgrades in 09 and coupes/convertibles got LCI in 11. Nothing magical about 2010.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

I'm looking at purchasing this M3. Moving from a 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro that I've become bored with. It looks like a clean car with good maintenance history. It was CPO. They were originally asking $28,995 for it and I offered $26k and they accepted. What do you guys think? Good deal? Anyone know the car?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06014175&Log=0

Thanks in advance.

Welcome! I'm a former 2005 S4 sedan 6MT owner. :-)

[CognitiveDistortion]

That's an OK deal. I paid 28k for 2009 with 45k miles 1 owner. I know that's a tough find but if you keep searching and be patient you'll find the right one.

The upgrades on the 2009 are well worth it.

Good luck!

[Honda]

Originally Posted by CognitiveDistortion

That's an OK deal. I paid 28k for 2009 with 45k miles 1 owner. I know that's a tough find but if you keep searching and be patient you'll find the right one.

The upgrades on the 2009 are well worth it.

Good luck!

Wow...28k for 2009 and 45k miles...thats the lowest I have seen by far..nice find

[Bushum]

Originally Posted by CognitiveDistortion

That's an OK deal. I paid 28k for 2009 with 45k miles 1 owner. I know that's a tough find but if you keep searching and be patient you'll find the right one.

The upgrades on the 2009 are well worth it.

Good luck!

This is very atypical. For anyone reading this please don't use this as a benchmark because you may never buy a car.

OP, keep in mind that many after market warranties will not offer a policy for that mileage. If you are planning on buying a warranty I would research that first.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Bushum

This is very atypical. For anyone reading this please don't use this as a benchmark because you may never buy a car.

OP, keep in mind that many after market warranties will not offer a policy for that mileage. If you are planning on buying a warranty I would research that first.

This.

That's at least $5k lower than what is normally considered a good deal.

[DSilk]

Believe it or not I don't think you will find the maintenance on the M3 to be any more costly than it was on your S4. While I have never owned an S4 I did own an A8L for a number of years (great car for cruising with the family), and Audi doesn't seem to have figured out a way to mount the V8 engine in any of its cars (the A8 included) with enough space in front of the engine to permit easy access for service. This means dismantling the front end for even minor service for which access to the front of the engine is required.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

Throttle actuators are a legitimate concern, but cost about $1k to replace

Not anymore

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1142364

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

Not anymore

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1142364

That's cool and all, but most people who own these cars do not work on them themselves. Most people will take it to a shop and pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $1k for a throttle actuator repair.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

I'm looking at purchasing this M3. Moving from a 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro that I've become bored with. It looks like a clean car with good maintenance history. It was CPO. They were originally asking $28,995 for it and I offered $26k and they accepted. What do you guys think? Good deal? Anyone know the car?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...06014175&Log=0

Thanks in advance.

So what did you get OP?