[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by jcee76

Or point me to where I can find this information.

I am not sure for the M3...
As for the e9x (335 included) -- free maintenance plan covers:
- oil changes are covered when the interval goes off -- depends on the driving style, generally every 12-16k miles (may be too long, so people do changes in between out of pocket -- could be >$100), or once a year whichever comes first
- adding/replacing all fluids
- replacing brakes
- replacing winshield wipers
It also covers, but not clearly specified:
- tire replacement if they unevenly wear and have <10k miles on them; or split cost for >10k miles on them
- I have seen dealer replacing the steering wheel if it peels...

You also get a 4yr/50k miles warranty on it -- so anything goes wrong (clutch, steering column, rattles, even premature seat wear) is covered...

As for the major services, the maintenance program covers emission stuff too. Tune up is not due till 100k miles...

I think that is about it -- all is in the car's computer.

Also, in one of the sections below, you may be able to download the maintenance manual, I am not sure...

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by matsarge

he said he's seen some with under 50K

true, so you get the remainder of 50k miles there...

[sterns]

Originally Posted by MarkY

Are you sure about that? Dollar-to-dollar, I bet the M3 holds its value much better then a non-M 3-Series. Lower overall sales volume of M3s would seem to be a key indicator.

That would be true if they were the same year. My point was that a 2-3 yr old M3 (with say 30k miles) will not hold its value as well as a new 335i. The M3 is further down the depreciation curve, and will get even worse once the '08 comes out. If you were to re-sell them 2-3 years down the road, the 335 would be a better trade-in.

[berm3]

Just look at the market, M cars are definetly hold their value better then non M cars, and also there is less M cars then non M cars on the road.

[lvwirelessguy]

Get an M3 and never have to 2nd guess yourself!

I had the 335i & an '05 M3 at the same time and just sold the 335i. Zero regrets and my M3 still has free maintenance until '09 and CPO warranty until '11

The 335i is fast but gets boring really quickly, plus it handles like ass compared to the M3

[ward]

Originally Posted by sterns

That would be true if they were the same year. My point was that a 2-3 yr old M3 (with say 30k miles) will not hold its value as well as a new 335i. The M3 is further down the depreciation curve, and will get even worse once the '08 comes out. If you were to re-sell them 2-3 years down the road, the 335 would be a better trade-in.

you are completely backwards on that


which year does a car lose the MOST resale value????

it's the first year, by far.

the depreciation is steepest when the car is new, and gradually slows down until the car is eventually worth nothing.

you'll lose VASTLY more money when you sell your 335 than if you'd purchased a 2-3 year old M3.

The sucker who drives the car off the lot first is always the one who loses the most.

you can tell yourself whatever you want to try and justify your choices, but your reasoning is incorrect.

[ironic]

335i > e46 m3 imho

if u want an m3, wait for the new one. i love th elook of the e46 m3s still, but it's going to look dated after the new one hits the streets. i don't look at e46s the same way anymore.

just my personal opinion.

[jonerik26]

i'll admit i still love the M

[RaptorKTM]

M3 all the way

[Zeiss]

New car ftw!

[shipill]

go with 335 brand new , buying a used car is very Risky

[TMNT]

a 2004 M3 has already suffered most of its depreciation hit as where a new 335i will suffer a 40% hit after the next 3 years. The M3 will at most depreciate around 3k a year.

Lets do the math:

2007 335i: Lets go with a purchase price of 45K. After 3 years in 2010, it will lose around 40% of its value which equals = $27,000

2004 M3: Lets go with a purchase price of 39K. After 3 years it in 2010, it will lose 3k a year which equals = $30,000

As you can see, by the effects of depreciation alone the M3 will be worth $3,000 more.

However it doesn't stop there. Now you must consider the cost of ownership.
An M3 is VERY expensive to maintain, lets not forget the higher cost on insurance, and the higher cost in gas. I believe the M3 gets 16 city/21 highway. By the time you factor in all those costs, the M3 will put you over the 3K gap provided by depreciation.

I'd expect an M3 to cost around 5-6K more to own than a 335i thats under the free maintenance and warranty.

So final numbers:

335i = $27,000 after 3 years
M3 = $30,000 - $6,000 = $24,000 after 3 years

Lastly.........everyone will know the 2004 M3 is an older model. Especially when the 2008 model comes out, so why pay so much money for one.

[Juggs]

Originally Posted by TMNT

a 2004 M3 has already suffered most of its depreciation hit as where a new 335i will suffer a 40% hit after the next 3 years. The M3 will at most depreciate around 3k a year.

Lets do the math:

2007 335i: Lets go with a purchase price of 45K. After 3 years in 2010, it will lose around 40% of its value which equals = $27,000

2004 M3: Lets go with a purchase price of 39K. After 3 years it in 2010, it will lose 3k a year which equals = $30,000

As you can see, by the effects of depreciation alone the M3 will be worth $3,000 more.

However it doesn't stop there. Now you must consider the cost of ownership.
An M3 is VERY expensive to maintain, lets not forget the higher cost on insurance, and the higher cost in gas. I believe the M3 gets 16 city/21 highway. By the time you factor in all those costs, the M3 will put you over the 3K gap provided by depreciation.

I'd expect an M3 to cost around 5-6K more to own than a 335i thats under the free maintenance and warranty.

So final numbers:

335i = $27,000 after 3 years
M3 = $30,000 - $6,000 = $24,000 after 3 years

Lastly.........everyone will know the 2004 M3 is an older model. Especially when the 2008 model comes out, so why pay so much money for one.

very well said

[Crazy Bimmer]

What would you guys rather have...

E46 328ci or E36 M3?

[bmw0perat0r]

I had a similar choice to make...new 335xi 50k or used e46 m3. I had an m3 ...two door, not that practical (b/c I changed the suspension).

Depends on how long you will have it and for what you will be using it. For fun? both are good choices. For work? 335i - m3 isn't quite as professional looking to me...personal opinion, i'm sure some will disagree.
Daily driving? both are fine...

its a tough call to me, but i went with the 335 as you can see and am very happy with the choice, now I know who broke in the car (me!) and know who has touched the paint (me!) ...i wouldn't know how the car has been driven or taken care of had I gotten a used m3. Already did that with an e36 m3...

If you can afford either with low financing and putting a lot of money down, then go for it.

[ward]

Originally Posted by TMNT

a 2004 M3 has already suffered most of its depreciation hit as where a new 335i will suffer a 40% hit after the next 3 years. The M3 will at most depreciate around 3k a year.

Lets do the math:

2007 335i: Lets go with a purchase price of 45K. After 3 years in 2010, it will lose around 40% of its value which equals = $27,000

2004 M3: Lets go with a purchase price of 39K. After 3 years it in 2010, it will lose 3k a year which equals = $30,000

As you can see, by the effects of depreciation alone the M3 will be worth $3,000 more.

However it doesn't stop there. Now you must consider the cost of ownership.
An M3 is VERY expensive to maintain, lets not forget the higher cost on insurance, and the higher cost in gas. I believe the M3 gets 16 city/21 highway. By the time you factor in all those costs, the M3 will put you over the 3K gap provided by depreciation.

I'd expect an M3 to cost around 5-6K more to own than a 335i thats under the free maintenance and warranty.

So final numbers:

335i = $27,000 after 3 years
M3 = $30,000 - $6,000 = $24,000 after 3 years

Lastly.........everyone will know the 2004 M3 is an older model. Especially when the 2008 model comes out, so why pay so much money for one.

I think you left out that the M3 was 6 grand cheaper to start out with in this case.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

What would you guys rather have...

E46 328ci or E36 M3?

3 series vert's are sort of (limp wristed smiley)

[Crazy Bimmer]

Originally Posted by ward

3 series vert's are sort of (limp wristed smiley)

Who said anything about a vert?

[ward]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Who said anything about a vert?

what's a vert then a cic?


whatever happened to the good old days when the sedan was an 3xxi, and the coupe was an 3xxis?

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by ward

what's a vert then a cic?


whatever happened to the good old days when the sedan was an 3xxi, and the coupe was an 3xxis?

I thought sedan was "i", coupe was "ci", "is" used to be "sport"
"cic" was not on the back of the car, but meant vert...

[Crazy Bimmer]

Yea they seem to change it with every generation.

[jcee76]

I like the information here :rocks: That was a good break down TMNT.

Correct me if I'm wrong. It seems like 4 years down the line the $$ is going to even out. I think going with the new body style would be a better choice.