OT: Crazy, stupid fun in a car: 2003 M3

[Kirk007]

So my son, on a sign of maturity I think, decided he would be better off with $$ in the bank for an eventual house purchase than a sports car heavily modified for the track.

Being supportive I volunteered to drive it north from Bend, through the little traveled, twisty canyons of the high desert of Oregon, eventually making our way to Seattle, where it might be easier to sell.

That might have been a mistake; what a fun, fun car (other than needing ear plugs the whole way). Between railing curves and running through the gear box to get up to speed on freeway on ramps, it was a very temptatious experience. Very tempted to put a muffler back on an keep it. Maybe I need to put an add in the classifieds before I get too attached....

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[jefenger]

I find the E46 M3 to be a special car. Looks like some work has been done on this one?

[batman1425]

A nice one is worth $. They are very capable platforms and a blast to drive, but you need to have the resources to keep them running under heavy use.

[Kirk007]

Originally Posted by jefenger

I find the E46 M3 to be a special car. Looks like some work has been done on this one?

Yeah I have three inches of reciepts - suspension, frame, exhaust, cooling system, tuning .... I need to make an excel sheet.

[Andy sti]

Bring it back, I want it!

[Ken Robb]

Are there requirements in either state that cars to be sold must pass smog test/inspection? Will this car pass them in one or both states? That might help you decide where to sell it. Is it a stick? They are great fun.

[terry]

No such thing as “stupid fun” in a great car. It’s just great fun.

[grateful]

The great roads in the NW deserve a great car. That is one, my friend.

[cgates66]

E46 M3 may be one of the best cars BMW has ever made. It was and is a fantastic car. Very direct. That and the similar-vintage E60 M5 may be the recent zenith of BMW. I haven't driven the latest, but I know the early F10 and related generation was a pretty significant departure.

[Latestart]

I have an 05 E46 Convertible and it's a great car.

If you are deciding to keep it beware of the Vanos - mine broke and it was $8k to fix at 90k miles. Once it breaks, you really are stuck; you can't sell it broken and it costs a lot to fix. Have the car checked and be careful not to over-rev.

But otherwise, a complete keeper!

[jefenger]

Originally Posted by Kirk007

Yeah I have three inches of reciepts - suspension, frame, exhaust, cooling system, tuning .... I need to make an excel sheet.

I find car spreadsheets very useful - I started a one for MY2003 E39M. It's heavily maintenance/repair entries vs modifications, though.

[Ozz]

At least he had the good taste to only stick on course decals of where he has driven.....(Portland Int'l and Pacific Raceways)......I assume.

[grateful]

Don't forget the 1M. A friend of mine owns a very small, used car dealersphip and he has a 1M on his lot. I had just about convinced my wife that the car is unique (which it is) and that it won't depreciate (which is a longshot, but) when Covid hit. Car is still there. Truly an "M" if there ever was one.

QUOTE=cgates66;2731951]E46 M3 may be one of the best cars BMW has ever made. It was and is a fantastic car. Very direct. That and the similar-vintage E60 M5 may be the recent zenith of BMW. I haven't driven the latest, but I know the early F10 and related generation was a pretty significant departure.[/QUOTE]

[Kirk007]

6 speed manual, no emissions test required. Ozz there's more decals on the other side but I assume your're correct ; ). And I'll check the vanos!

Andy a return run to Bend wouldn't be the worst outcome!

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[Tickdoc]

Nice. Closest I got to that was an 01 330i with a manual. Man I miss that little car. Love the old ones before they got bangled and turboed.