I actually felt really bad selling my Fit because it's the first car I've ever sold that didn't have problems. The only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't an M3

I've loved M3's since I was 13 years old and sat in a new E36 M3 at the Baltimore Auto Show, and that was back in 1998. I've wanted an E46 M3 for quite some time now but haven't been able to make it work financially. In 2009 I sold my 2001 Mustang GT and bought a Honda Fit because it was a very practical and economical car, just to get me by until I could get an E46 M3.

Forward ahead to a couple weeks ago when I drove my friend's E46 M3, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I decided that now was the time to buy the car of my dreams, and in less than a week I had found a used 2004 M3 SMG with 57,000 miles and it was at a dealership about five miles away from where I work.

I have some minor plans for it (black kidneys and side grilles are already ordered) but I won't do any major mods for a while because honestly I absolutely love the car as it is. I love the curves of the car, the wheels, the sound of the exhaust, the power is amazing, etc. And since it's such an upgrade from the Honda, I really want to fully understand the dynamics of the car from the factory before I start modding it.

I also plan on taking it to Summit Point this summer so I can get some track time

Unfortunately I haven't had time (or weather) to be able to take some better quality pictures so for now all I have is a cell phone pic. And don't worry, I've already removed the dealership license plates and frames haha.

 

Very nice upgrade! We all have a weakness for that dream car that we always completely love.

 

Very nice pick up. Looks pretty clean... Just be nice when you pass us (Fit drivers) by. Vrrrooooommmmm!!! We'll wave back at 'ya at the next gas station . Good luck! Enjoy your new ride!

 

Nice upgrade

I was planning to get a Laguna seca blue m3 but I heard alot of issues with the smg.

 

Hope you left some funds for replacement/repairs. Loved our Beemer, until we had to rack up lots of cash for parts that should wear out at 70k miles.

 

Haha no worries, I still love Hondas (I've had three over the years) and I'll still be making it to plenty of import meets.

Yeah I know it will be expensive. Gotta pay to play!

 

Enjoy your new ride - its good to get it out of the system too (ie. owning a car you're really wanted for a while).

 

Nice car. I've had two of those over the years. Currently driving it's big brother...

 

Meant to say shouldn't

 

nice, BMW is a rich mans car, meaning you need a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ for maintenance and repairs

 

This is funny because I plan on doing the exact same thing once I move out of New England in a few years. I love my Fit but I've always had a thing for E46 BMWs especially the M3. One day.....One Day.

 

for what it is, a well maintained m3 is actually not a wallet buster, though it certainly is more $$ to maintain than a fit. my last one, the yellow one in my signature pic, i owned for 2.5 yrs, went from 30k mi to 60k miles on her. Only replaced the battery and RTABs, outside of maintenance. However, there is always that possibility for a catastrophic failure, moreso than in a honda.

Regarding parts wearing out at 70k miles, yeah, that sucks, namely the cooling systems on the non M e46s and e39s. Plastic crap. But hey, that's part of the ownership experience! I just replaced the lower control arms on my M5 at 46k miles cause the fluid filled bushings leaked out (common issue). They were only 120$ a side for parts. Haha.

 

Talking about repairs, I have an e90 with 123k miles.

Needs new headlight motors, amp, door lock, oil change. Looking at an easy 2k in parts alone. ya, you can keep the beemer lol

But the Beemer is a great car just $$$$$$

 

Part of my measure of a good car is *not* having to shell out big money on repairs and maintenance early and continually. The European cars all tend to drain the wallet a bit, even the lower-end ones. Electronic components are the weak point for some reason. Engines and transmissions are bulletproof, generally. But starting as early as they made cars, if it took electricity to make it go, it took nothing to make it stop. That's why, after 47 motor vehicles, I've settled into some trends of my own:

Japanese (with strong preference for Honda, Toyota, Nissan)
Manual transmission (or pedal in the case of motorcycles)
Inline engine configuration (4 mostly, but 6 in some cases)

It's led to an incredible reduction in unforeseen costs and headaches. I haven't been stranded on the road in years, and my most expensive repair cost has been around $700 for damn near everything getting updated or replaced.

GO HONDA!

All that said, I know that what most people mean by quality is that the machine is an absolute blast to drive. But, grab yourself an S2000 or a refreshed and customized Datsun Z (both considerably cheaper than their German counterparts) for a winding road or the track.

 

Used cars can always be a liability as they are somewhat of an unknown. Given Honda's pretty much abandoned the enthusiasts, I'm waiting for a turbo to find its way into the FR-S/BRZ. A turbo BRZ STi would be quite the ride... Subaru's got just about everything else right on the engineering of the car.

 

Sweet, My dream car too! I have the Fit and a 2004 325ci coupe and so far neither have caused me any pain ($$$).

 

Too bad I can't fit in an S2000 otherwise I probably would have already had one.

 

A 70's Z would be sweet.

 

Or an SR5...

 

Subie i think the Z would be sweet