Smart to Trade my 330ci for an E36 M3 99'

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sciroccotwo

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Hi Everyone,
I am new to this forum. It looks to me like there are some extremelly knowledgable BMW enthusiasts Here and I would appreciate some advice on a situation I am in.
I am making payments on a 2001 330ci, Sport Pck, Prm Pck, HK Sound, 40,000mi... babied. I don't really want to sell It but it would be nice to have a slightly lower car payment as I am in a little over my head. The only car (one of lesser $ value) I think is worth replacing it with would be an e36 M3. I found a very nice e36 M3 99' with 80,000mi on Autotrader that is gorgeous and looks to have been "loved".
Am I making a mistake by making this "swap" just to have a $100 per month LESS car payment?
Would the e36 M3 be more fun to drive?
IS 80,000 MILES TOO MANY?
Would I encounter more problems down the road with a higher mileage older car?
I would very much appreciate any suggestions or advice.... Feel free to elaborate on any issues I have probably overlooked!
Much Appreciated,
Justinhttp://www.bmwboard.com/forum/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=6#
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

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The performance of the E36 M3 would probably be more fun, but the interior of the E46 and E36 are almost night and day. Your coupe is far more luxurious than the E36 M3, I'd personally stick to my 40k miles babied 330ci before I buy a performance sports car with 80k miles that I have no idea about.
 
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deutsch100

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I would not trade your 330ci with only 40k miles for an older car with 80k miles. The E36 M3 might be more fun to drive, but there is much more maintenance involved on an M car. As our other members mentioned, the E46 interior is so much nicer than an E36. I personally feel you are doing an incredible step down, and do not think you will save any money per month, once you calculate what the old M3 will cost you in maintenance. Keep your 330ci, or if you are that cash strapped where $100 even makes a difference, you probably shouldn't be driving a BMW. Maybe consider a nice Honda or Toyota. Good Luck!
 
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sciroccotwo

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Awesome feedback Guys! Thank You so much. Prior to my 330ci I was driving a z3 Coupe 2.8... So I kink of like the minimalist aspects of the earlier BMW's. Cupholders are nice though! I just thought it may be fun to drive an M... even if it could be thought of as a "downgrade". I have always wanted an M-Coupe and am still not ruling that out in the future. I'll see what happens and I am open to any more thought and/or advice anyone may have.
Thanks Again :)
 
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hosagod

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Definitely keep your 330Ci!!!!

I have driven both cars and the E36 M3 is definitely not worth the $100 less payment. Your just gonna get pure performance.

With your coupe, you get power and luxury, not to mention it is a newer model.

Perhaps you can find an affordable E46 M3 somewhere? Good luck!
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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I love the E46 M3, but the E36 M3 is a hell of a car too! You really should test drive an E36 M3 to see if you would like it. Yes, they are a blast to drive too....

Your "01" 330ci, is a great car too, top notch... One factor would be to what degree you are over your head as well. If you really cannot afford the car then you really should look for ways to ease the burden. Selling your car and buying an older M3 would be a great route to take. I would just take your time and scrutinize every car you look at. Before you purchase the car take to a reputable BMW technician and have it gone over thoroughly.....
 
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Big Daddy

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You can pick up some nice e36 M3's with low miles for less than 17k, so I would think that you would save more than 100 per month? Either way if your in over your head you need to get out, regardless of what you get later! I agree with Scott and would definitely scrutinize every thing I consider buying. Best of luck to you!
 
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Kenny2g

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Men.....I would never down grade when it comes to these cars.
Besides, The older the Car is, the more u'r payment will be. U need to consider that. I've had and E36 and even though they're great cars, I love my 330CI 200 times more. If anything, i'll look into ways to get my payment lower.

I hope u find a solution.
 
Chesty Bonds

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hosagod said:
I have driven both cars and the E36 M3 is definitely not worth the $100 less payment. Your just gonna get pure performance.
Click to expand...
Remember that sciroccotwo is in Itay and therefore a '99 M3 would mean it's the proper Euro-spec 321BHP version. I would say that to "downgrade' to a Euro M3 wouldn't be all that silly given the huge performance difference. I must say though, that with 80K on the odo of the M3 I would be keeping the 330.
 
tazza0712

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I have no idea myself, but would petrol cost more with an e36 M3? BMWs aren't exactly the most frugal of cars, but would the M3 use more juice than the 330?? Just a thought.
 
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Big Daddy

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Your all missing the main point, he said he is in the car over his head. It is never a good idea to be over your head and for that reason only I would get out of the 330, what I would get instead is the only debate!
 
MyHarley

MyHarley

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Wouldnt the insurance probably be higher on a M3 than the 330 therefore taking up some of the $100.00 savings? Financing a used car versus purchasing a new car usually has a higher loan percentage rate therefore taking up some of the $100.00 savings? $100.00 savings a month shouldnt make or break somebody......that's only $25.00 a week........now $100.00 a week would make a difference....

Rearranging the phone and cable bill can save you $100.00 a month
Eating/drinking out less can save you $100.00 a month
Driving a 2001 BMW 330 - Priceless
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

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MyHarley said:
Wouldnt the insurance probably be higher on a M3 than the 330 therefore taking up some of the $100.00 savings? Financing a used car versus purchasing a new car usually has a higher loan percentage rate therefore taking up some of the $100.00 savings? $100.00 savings a month shouldnt make or break somebody......that's only $25.00 a week........now $100.00 a week would make a difference....

Rearranging the phone and cable bill can save you $100.00 a month
Eating/drinking out less can save you $100.00 a month
Driving a 2001 BMW 330 - Priceless
Click to expand...
Actually rearranging the phone and cable bill would not save you as much as you think if you did it through your cable provider... At least not when companies like vonage and another offer nationwide unlimited calling for $24.99 and $19.99 respectively. The cable companies just decided to jump in on it since they already had a loyal customer base they can overcharge. The only problem with that phone service is if an emergency arises and the cable is done.


On topic: The guy is in Italy and I think things work a little differently there, and when it's all said and done I wouldn't recommend a 6-7yr old 320+hp car with 80k on the odometer.
 
Chesty Bonds

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Bmw 325i 7803 said:
when it's all said and done I wouldn't recommend a 6-7yr old 320+hp car with 80k on the odometer.
Click to expand...
Why not? Would you recommend a similarly aged 120bhp 318i with 80K on the odo? If it's in good nick then it shouldn't be a problem apart from the servicing costs associated with the ///M-cars
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

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Chesty Bonds said:
Why not? Would you recommend a similarly aged 120bhp 318i with 80K on the odo? If it's in good nick then it shouldn't be a problem apart from the servicing costs associated with the ///M-cars
Click to expand...
The simple fact that the car may have been tracked or driven by a snob who didn't maintain it very well makes it more risky a choice than a 318i...He is going to be using this car as a daily driver, which means reliability and maintenance costs come into play.

In general I don't like buying used luxury sports cars, they are expendible to the rich.
 
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sciroccotwo

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Hi Guys!
You have all made exellent points... Thank You. Just to get a couple things straight
#1 I do not live in Italy (any more). I live in Boston, Mass and I realized after today's snow storm I am going to have to look around for a nice Winter Wheel/Tire Package.
#2 $100 will not make or break my finances... But the $2500 cash I could get after selling the car and paying the loan difference not to mention the $200 less car payment (I pay $540 now and I am ballparking $18,000 over 60mo payment at about $350 per month) would be nice.
#3 The fan inside my climate control has gone CRAZY and I no longer control the volume of air it releases (it just fluctuates all over the place). So.... some maintenance $$$ will be required. No Factory Waranty.
Having said all that... I still love my E46 and will not let it go easilly!!!!!! I work hard and feel it should be rewarded ( I am sure a lot of You feel the Same Way).
I think my best Plan would be to Refinance and keep driving the E46 because at the end of the day, Driving the E46 makes me Smile.
Thank You for Caring,
Justin
 
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