Time to Sell the M3?

BubbaTree · Thu, May-09-2019, 02:32:28 PM

Looks like it may be time to sell the 2003 'vert that I've enjoyed for years. I need to look at a 3 series, a retractable hardtop with an automatic trans so my wife can use the car. She has no faith in the current SMG, so it looks like I need to make a change. Nothing older than about 2014 - what do you guys recommend?
Thanks.

Drewster · Thu, May-09-2019, 02:50:58 PM

For a retractable hard top, your best bet is probably a 335i for a traditional folding hard top (I'm not aware of too many in general)

For going outside the box, a Corvette with a detachable roof panel could be fun, and there's also the Wranger/ Gladiator for a totally different kind of fun...

Texaz3 · Thu, May-09-2019, 03:05:13 PM

I'd go with 328i vs 335i. Cheaper and less problematic.

Paulo M · Thu, May-09-2019, 03:14:56 PM

It’s hard to mess up finding a 2014+ model car with your requirements.

LemonOne · Thu, May-09-2019, 03:24:57 PM

230i vert maybe? (with handling package)

BubbaTree · Thu, May-09-2019, 06:42:48 PM

What problems would I expect with the 335i? I'm too familiar with the S54 performance to go backward in performance very much!!

Nambo · Thu, May-09-2019, 09:30:49 PM

335 of she cares about performance. Otherwise 328

Drewster · Thu, May-09-2019, 10:19:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaTree

What problems would I expect with the 335i? I'm too familiar with the S54 performance to go backward in performance very much!!

How much time do you have?

I would recommend you get one that's covered by some sort of warranty. Valve covers eventually fail (plastic), charge pipes explode (also plastic - but lots of metal aftermarket replacements exist), they require walnut blasting every 30-60k depending on how you drive, and the fancy electric water pump fails frequently.. that's off the top of my head, anyhow.

They can make the jam, don't get me wrong, but definitely don't do track days with it and keep in mind it's going to be more complicated to service.

Kaptom540 · Fri, May-10-2019, 06:23:20 PM

you can check out 2013 335is vert auto .. probable rare to find one for sale for a 6MT. N54 motor is a fun motor to mod but like any BMW's it has some issues or maintenance up keeps. The other option E93 vert. Prices seems to be dropping on E9x M3s

Drewster · Fri, May-10-2019, 06:31:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaptom540

you can check out 2013 335is vert .. probable rare to find one for sale though. N54 motor is a fun motor to mod but like any BMW's it has some issues or maintenance up keeps. The other option E93 vert. Prices seems to be dropping on E9x M3s

Ooooh, totally forgot about the e9x M3 vert - that has my vote for hardtop vert

Thu, May-09-2019, 02:32:28 PM	#1
BubbaTree BubbaTree Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 256 Reputation: 0 Location: Surprise	Time to Sell the M3? Looks like it may be time to sell the 2003 'vert that I've enjoyed for years. I need to look at a 3 series, a retractable hardtop with an automatic trans so my wife can use the car. She has no faith in the current SMG, so it looks like I need to make a change. Nothing older than about 2014 - what do you guys recommend? Thanks.

Thu, May-09-2019, 02:50:58 PM	#2
Drewster Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 3,788 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 E46 Reputation: 0	Re: Time to Sell the M3? For a retractable hard top, your best bet is probably a 335i for a traditional folding hard top (I'm not aware of too many in general) For going outside the box, a Corvette with a detachable roof panel could be fun, and there's also the Wranger/ Gladiator for a totally different kind of fun...

Thu, May-09-2019, 03:05:13 PM	#3
Texaz3 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,154 Reputation: 0	Re: Time to Sell the M3? I'd go with 328i vs 335i. Cheaper and less problematic. __________________ “Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines.” - Enzo Ferrari

Thu, May-09-2019, 03:14:56 PM	#4
Paulo M Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2,453 Reputation: 0	Re: Time to Sell the M3? It’s hard to mess up finding a 2014+ model car with your requirements. __________________ BREMBO APEX DIXIS

Thu, May-09-2019, 03:24:57 PM	#5
LemonOne Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 254 Reputation: 0	Re: Time to Sell the M3? 230i vert maybe? (with handling package) __________________ 2006 Imola Red / Cinnamon SMG II

Thu, May-09-2019, 06:42:48 PM	#6
BubbaTree BubbaTree Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 256 Reputation: 0 Location: Surprise	Re: Time to Sell the M3? What problems would I expect with the 335i? I'm too familiar with the S54 performance to go backward in performance very much!!

Thu, May-09-2019, 09:30:49 PM	#7
Nambo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 170 Reputation: 0 Location: New mexico	Re: Time to Sell the M3? 335 of she cares about performance. Otherwise 328

Fri, May-10-2019, 06:23:20 PM	#9
Kaptom540 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 240 In the garage: '04 BMW E46 M3 Reputation: 0	Re: Time to Sell the M3? you can check out 2013 335is vert auto .. probable rare to find one for sale for a 6MT. N54 motor is a fun motor to mod but like any BMW's it has some issues or maintenance up keeps. The other option E93 vert. Prices seems to be dropping on E9x M3s __________________ http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...post1067430962 Last edited by Kaptom540; Fri, May-10-2019 at 06:47:28 PM. Reason: clarify auto and manual

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