View Full Version : Best option for $20,000
Smokin Tuxedo
10-20-2008, 11:22 AM
Hey guys, I'm looking for some suggestions on what car to get with a 20k budget. At first I was looking into an 850i, but I hadn't realized that they weigh like 4100 lbs.
I'm interested in hearing your guys thoughts on this, but I did see that I could get an M5 for less and I would probably like it better. I really want a true sports car, not a sports tourer or something sporty like the E36 325is I currently own. Opinions?
-Mike
Trapper50cal
10-20-2008, 11:25 AM
Late 80's M6 with a fair dash of Dinan.
That'sa spicy meat-a-balla
E36BMW3series
10-20-2008, 12:02 PM
Go with the M5 :).
E30wheelman
10-20-2008, 12:07 PM
what about a E46 M3?
PearlShavedM
10-20-2008, 12:07 PM
e36 m3 and if ur looking for a bigger car go with the sedan and youll have money left over for some goodies....like full suspension
jimmyloose
10-20-2008, 12:15 PM
E30 m3 + S52
apollo322
10-20-2008, 12:17 PM
That would be perfect performance-wise, but I can't say I like that cars looks that much.
Get a 99 z3M coupe. You can find some very nice examples under 20k, and it is without question the most fun car to drive from that era. E46m3 is an excellent choice as well.
Smokin Tuxedo
10-20-2008, 12:19 PM
Late 80's M6 with a fair dash of Dinan.
That'sa spicy meat-a-balla
That would be perfect performance-wise, but I can't say I like that cars looks that much.
I've been looking into the E34 M5, and it looks like a good candidate, but then I saw that the E39 M5 falls into the high end of my price range. Is that biting off more than I can chew with insurance and maintenance/repairs?
-Mike
fijimon05
10-20-2008, 12:20 PM
I would suggest an E36 M3, an E39 540, or an E39 M5(theres been a few for under 20k) or if you have the cash ready, im sure you can find a private party selling an E46 M3.
robmpulse
10-20-2008, 12:26 PM
e36 m3 and if ur looking for a bigger car go with the sedan and youll have money left over for some goodies....like full suspension
+1 but no coupe....sedan only
Smokin Tuxedo
10-20-2008, 12:29 PM
Actually, the same question about cost to own goes for the E46 M3 as well.
Z3 M Coupe or E46 M3.
Your too young to get a M5 V8.
any m5 or e46 m3 at 20k is probably pretty beat, go the M coupe route
M62pwrdE38
10-20-2008, 02:18 PM
e30 M3.
///BMW
10-20-2008, 02:46 PM
any m5 or e46 m3 at 20k is probably pretty beat, go the M coupe route
Not at all actually, with the car market the way it is 20k and less seems to be the SELLING price for an 01-03 with <75k miles
Trust me, I'm looking forward to getting mine next year :)
tsweers89
10-20-2008, 02:48 PM
how much you going to have for maintenance for the car. that will guage what to get. yes you can get a e39 M or e46 M but the cost of maintnenace or what needs to be done to it in the first year might be a lot
ApexinMCoupe
10-20-2008, 02:52 PM
paid 20k for my 00' m coupe with 52k on it..
might have paid a lil too high but it is in near mint condition, inside and out minus the wheel curb rash... oh yeah and now i have a bad ignition coil and 60k service due ... dont forget if ur near the 60k mark u need the $400-$600 service to keep it top notch or a good independent shop to hook u up.
u can easily find an 99-00 m coupe with around 60k miles for 15k-20k
do it.. MC all the way! :buttrock :redspot horay dancing 7-up logo!
Smokin Tuxedo
10-20-2008, 04:15 PM
Z3 M Coupe or E46 M3.
Your too young to get a M5 V8.
Wait, how do you know how old I am? That's not even in my profile. I could be 65 for all you know. Plus, the E46 M3 has close enough to the power of the E39 M5 factoring in weight that there really wouldn't be a huge difference.
If it's between those two, I'm leaning towards the M3 since it's kind of my dream car. M coupe is a good option too.
As far as finances go, I should be able to have at least 5k in repairs and maintenance per year, I was just trying to avoid any huge hidden costs.
-Mike
Dub2Shoe2
10-20-2008, 04:30 PM
Z3 M Coupe or E46 M3.
Your too young to get a M5 V8.
even though an E39 M5 is essentially just as quick as an E46 M3 :rolleyes
Rock a z3 M coupe. it's much more individual, more fun to drive, and cheaper than the alternatives. do it
Stealthauto
10-20-2008, 04:37 PM
I say check the auctions to see if you can find an E39 M5 in pretty good condition, which may be possible, though unlikely. You can also look for an 850, though keep in mind it's older, high-end, and will have costly repairs so if you're on a tight budget it may not be the best choice.
Just my $0.02 :)
MIMI1
10-20-2008, 04:47 PM
E39 m5
driver145
10-20-2008, 04:54 PM
E46 330ci ZHP with 50k miles on it would be about $20k, I think. Its probably the sportiest non-M in that price range.
SDKmann
10-20-2008, 04:54 PM
Id go with an E36 M3. Theyre plentiful under the 20k mark plus you will have some cash left over for immediate modding. Plus since there are plenty of them around there will be plenty of parts cars if youre on a tight budget when it comes time for repairs.
efficentpower
10-20-2008, 04:59 PM
E30 m3 + S52
Why would you throw away a perfectly good E30 M3, and instead swap into a 325e or other less valued e30?
EaglEye
10-20-2008, 05:46 PM
While you can probably find an E39 M5 or E46 M3 for under $20k, most of them for that price are going to be a real handful. There have been several well known examples of folks on this forum and others picking up one of those cars for well under the $20k mark that turn out to be just fine, but they are the exception to the rule. On average you're biting off more than you've probably bargained for by going with one of those deals. If you get lucky though, more power to ya.
As for other options, you can have your pick of the Z3 range with the exception of the S54 M cars and some lower mileage or modded S52s, and you can easily find an early Z4 as well. The vast majority of E36 M3s are available for well under that price, as are most all E46 non-Ms over 5 years old. There's a fine line between "sports car" and "sporty car," so you'll have to decide which of those suits you best. The sky is the limit when it comes to modified cars, but comparing stock cars narrows the "sports car" field substantially. It just depends on what you're after.
Trapper50cal
10-20-2008, 06:20 PM
That would be perfect performance-wise, but I can't say I like that cars looks that much.
I've been looking into the E34 M5, and it looks like a good candidate, but then I saw that the E39 M5 falls into the high end of my price range. Is that biting off more than I can chew with insurance and maintenance/repairs?
-Mike
I know taste is subjective but...
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9458/14510414mv4.jpg
By trapper50cal (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/trapper50cal) at 2008-10-17
you don't like the looks of that???!!!!
That's classier than a case of Chateau Mouton Rothschild!
Smokin Tuxedo
10-20-2008, 06:59 PM
IDK, I like the front end, but the rear doesn't do it for me. I'd prefer the E34 M5 if they weigh about the same.
As far as an E30 M3 goes I'd want to have a lot of money to spend on a custom interior, because even in good condition it looks way outdated. Other than that it would be sweet with some serious mods. I plan on keeping my 325is and doing an s52 swap down the line, so I think I'll hold off on the E36.
What is a good estimate of how much an E46 M3 (like 70k mi) costs per year? I think I can make it work, unless some major component has a bad reputation for failure that I don't know of.
-Mike
jibaholic101
10-20-2008, 07:17 PM
e46
PJ Steamboat
10-20-2008, 07:25 PM
e46 330 ZHP. You can choose from a sedan or coupe.
ryane39m5
10-20-2008, 07:31 PM
e46 330 ZHP or E46 M3
TopasBlau46
10-20-2008, 07:52 PM
E36 M3 or 330 ZHP
spookymilk
10-20-2008, 08:20 PM
S54 powered M Coupe, if you can't afford one...save a bit more for one. Excellent examples can be had for under 25g.
I'm too in the market. My budget is more like $15-16k so your possibilities are greater.
I personally don't want an older car anymore so here's the list I came up with:
S2000 - tons of them at or under that price, 02+ for the glass rear window. No torque but for for that budget you can get an SC one.
350z - track version with LSD and brembos is nice. Add nav and you're golden. If 03, tranny should've been replaced.
Boxster S - a handful in this price range, more in yours. 250hp + big brakes+ 6speed + bad ass chassis.
99 E36 M3 - unable to find one with reasonable mileage at a reasonable price :dunno:
E39 M5 - many 99-00. Some beat 01. Avoid secondary air pump codes codes. Found a very clean and well maintained 01 with 100k miles. Maintenance costs are scaring me though. thoughts?
E46 M3 with 80-100k. Not all look well maintained.. Look for rod bearing recall on 01/02.
Corvette C5 - ugh
Z3M roadster/coupe were in my list too but rear frame welds/floorboard/diff issues FTL. I'd never want to deal with that.
paulmer
10-20-2008, 08:55 PM
E31's weigh 4100 lbs? orly? My E32 weighs about that...Exaggerations ftw?
Anyway, I still say go with the E31 :D...such beautil cars :drool: :drool: ..if only I had the money
Trapper50cal
10-21-2008, 02:19 AM
IDK, I like the front end, but the rear doesn't do it for me. I'd prefer the E34 M5 if they weigh about the same.
As far as an E30 M3 goes I'd want to have a lot of money to spend on a custom interior, because even in good condition it looks way outdated. Other than that it would be sweet with some serious mods. I plan on keeping my 325is and doing an s52 swap down the line, so I think I'll hold off on the E36.
What is a good estimate of how much an E46 M3 (like 70k mi) costs per year? I think I can make it work, unless some major component has a bad reputation for failure that I don't know of.
-Mike
To each his own, BMW makes enough nice rides to please everyone.
Sharks just make me drool
as far as a e46 zhp or e46 m3, I had the same choice this summer, with 20k as my limit, and I found e46 m3s with 80k on them for like 21k, and it drove like it was kinda beat, really most of those cars that saw 80k miles, probably saw quite a bit of beating. Then I found the zhp for 19k with 40k on the clock. And really around town it has around the same tq, and its not like I'm racing someone everyday. Even at autocross I was a half a second behind a m3 with smg.
MrBlah
10-21-2008, 09:56 AM
e39 540i sport with stick
e46 330ci zhp
e36 m3 (will have money left)
z3m roadster/coupe s54 version
those are your real choices for that price cap, now decide if you want a 2 door, 4 door, back seats, or a drop top
Canadian Psycho
10-21-2008, 10:51 AM
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1100617
get that:eyecrazy
jfboy
10-23-2008, 05:05 PM
Are you a DIYer ? If no then forget the e39 m5. The maintenenace is going to kill you.
Best bang for the buck is 36 m3's. Cheap to buy and maintain. for 10k youll have a nice one.
I like the M coupe idead as well. Very nice car.
E46MD
10-23-2008, 06:36 PM
I would suggest an E36 M3, an E39 540, or an E39 M5(theres been a few for under 20k) or if you have the cash ready, im sure you can find a private party selling an E46 M3.
werd...except leave the e46 m3 out..bc when an m5 is in the air...screw the m3...and yea ive seen a few m5s under 20
2000mkoop
10-23-2008, 06:42 PM
How important is individuality/rarity? If you are lookin for that, can't go wrong with a Z3 M coupe. The only time I've ever seen one on the road is at the Woodward Dream Cruise
TopasBlau46
10-23-2008, 08:16 PM
werd...except leave the e46 m3 out..bc when an m5 is in the air...screw the m3...and yea ive seen a few m5s under 20
:shifty
I've seen a few E46 M3s under 20K but you would be crazy to buy one since the mileage and condition is probably not on par.
I haven't seen any E39 M5s under 20K, and you would be even crazier to buy one, since reliability and maintenance costs would be way more than the M3 would throw at you.
That said, the M5 is fast, but the M3 is more youthful and is definitely more nimble.
4500 RPM
10-23-2008, 09:21 PM
E34 M5 dude, it's perfect. You could try to find a Euro 3.8 for that price.
GR330ZHP
10-23-2008, 11:42 PM
I can think of a few different options...you can go like you said with an early E39 M5...or an E46 M3...the M3 is amazing!
You can also try to find a Z3M Roadster or coupe that is a sports car...
But for a true sports car find a nice E30 M3! They are climbing in value though, so $20,000 should buy you a good one...or one thats not perfect and you'll have money left over to put into it!
The nicest one I've seen I would die to have...a 91 M3 in Alpine White over black...with only 14k original miles...the owner also had an E36 M3, and an E46 M3 all in Alpine White! And he says that the E30 is his favorite!!!!
rhe30
10-23-2008, 11:46 PM
E30 m3 + S54
fixed
DaJackel
10-23-2008, 11:52 PM
E39 M5 or if you could spend a little more, a C5 Z06.
DaJackel
10-23-2008, 11:53 PM
:shifty
I've seen a few E46 M3s under 20K but you would be crazy to buy one since the mileage and condition is probably not on par.
I haven't seen any E39 M5s under 20K, and you would be even crazier to buy one, since reliability and maintenance costs would be way more than the M3 would throw at you.
That said, the M5 is fast, but the M3 is more youthful and is definitely more nimble.
Completely false.
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