Posts: 21
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 12-03-2001 04:19 PM            

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I have a 1989 Porsche 928GT and am considering selling it and getting an M3. I like the E46 but, am not sure if I am willing to pay what they want for one. I found a really nice '99 M3 with 25,000 miles on it here in Atlanta. What is a fair price? Have prices decreased since the E46 came out? How reliable are the E36 cars and what are you alls biggest complaints and positives about the car. I am not sure if I want to go from a 330 h.p. car to a 240 h.p. car. Thanks for any insight.

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posted 12-04-2001 12:16 AM              

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I just recently purchased a 98 M3 in atlanta myself...
My first impression was, wow....what a great looking car, with supurb handling.
The handling is so great that it literally hides all the fault and mistakes I made on the road, the car handles corners like no others, the wheels literally glue to the pavement like aspalt. ( I once did 90mph on a 180 entrance ramp with ease, I wouldnt even dare to try 60 on my toyota!)
As far as power, the M3 responds the best in lower gears. Especially in 1st and 2nd, the M3 takes off like bats out of hell. The higher gears lack the head snapping acceleration, however, still plenty of acceleration on highway speed.
Displays and controls are just supurb, everything is easy to read and at the point of fingers. Seats mold to your body, very comfortable, however, rear seats lack leg room, although I have a 4 dr.
Things I hate about my M3!
well there are very little to complain except
1)pricy repair and maintanance
2)excessive among of break dust, 3 days of driving and the wheels will turn black. Pain to clean the M double spoke wheels
3)Cup holder design is terrible!!
thats pretty much all I got for the down side, however, I highly recommand considering one since it is "the best handling car in the world".

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Posts: 21
Registered: Nov 2001

posted 12-04-2001 11:08 AM            

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Thanks ARCpolo. What mileage did your car have when you purchased it? What are prices doing on '98 and '99s? I would like a '98 or '99 with less than 30,000 miles.

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posted 12-04-2001 07:15 PM              

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I purchased my 98 E36 with around 40k..still under warantee for around $30,000
However, the 99 model will have less miledge and although 98 & 99 is practically the exactly same car, a 99 with less than 30k will run around low - mid 30s....given its in perfect or immaculate condition. Although the less miledge the car has, the more pricier it gets. Except for the convertible versions, they generally run a little more. I would say $35,000 would be a great price.
Just to make sure the engine is clean, no flooding or accident, check parts for DOT-R labels( meaning the car has been crashed)
or no fault or over-rev codes have been saved.
Also check for mods in the engine, M3 are known for chips upgrades, as well as intake, Pullies, so on and so forth. Mods car are not a bad thing at all, but will have better performance, however, there might be issues with the warantee agreements.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Happy hunting

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Posts: 1
Registered: Dec 2001

posted 12-14-2001 09:29 PM            

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Just for reference, I just purchased a 98 M3 coupe with 24,9K miles from CarMax for $28,998. It is absolutely pristine inside and out and drives like a new car. I've put 100 miles on it so far and am thrilled with it. For the sake of not worrying about repairs, I purchased an extended warranty for $1600 extra which will cover me until the earlier of Dec. 2005 or 73K miles. I think that was a good price comparable to a private owner. Most of the new car dealers around with 98 M3s this nice wanted $31K+.

RichJ

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