Would you buy an E36 M3 if you were driving this much?

**bmwpower** · 08-19-2002, 06:54 PM

...Like 30,000 - 35,000 miles per year?

That's how much I drive to/from work + other driving around town when I'm not working. I'd like to get an M, but I'm concerned at how much mileage I will be racking up on the thing. I'd hate to beat the thing up. Any thoughts?

**DSK M3/4** · 08-19-2002, 08:04 PM

if i were sitting in traffic, no. if it's open roads, yes. cars were meant to be driven. the M3 is a great car, but it is not a collectible. drive it, enjoy it.

**Cobra Jet** · 08-19-2002, 08:12 PM

*cough* get one damnit *cough*

**bimmerzone** · 08-19-2002, 08:16 PM

Let your car be your slave, you are NOT the slave of your car!

**BJO** · 08-19-2002, 08:48 PM

i used to do 25k a yr on my 95 m3 until i moved to houston. no probs with the long drive. only until i started long-driving and auto-xing 1-2 times a month then more parts started to wear down. get one, it can handle the mileage.

**evlgt85** · 08-19-2002, 09:03 PM

Absolutely I would. What's better than having an exciting car to drive, even during the daily grind? It stirs the soul and calms the nerves. Go for it.

**98///M-DROPTOP** · 08-19-2002, 09:23 PM

I've owned many different cars and the M3 is the only one that I just can't wait to get into again......either going/coming to/from work or just to run an errand. The only other car that came close on that count was a Porsche 911S. The M has also been one of the most reliable cars I've owned as well. If I needed another car I wouldn't hesitate buying an M3 again. In fact...... damn, I wish I needed another car!!

:
Mike

**HR-M3** · 08-19-2002, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by bmwpower
Any thoughts?

Yes, cars are meant to be driven!

**bmw325is** · 08-19-2002, 10:58 PM

Why not use your 5 or 3 series as a daily driver?

**///RBR** · 08-19-2002, 10:59 PM

Go for it! It will be a very enjoyable miles of driving

:

**Bav///Man** · 08-19-2002, 11:16 PM

I would buy an M3 BECAUSE I was driving that much. If that much of your life is going to be spent in the car, don't you want it to be a car that makes you excited to get into? Get it!

**bmwpower** · 08-20-2002, 06:24 PM

bmw325is,

That's what I was thinking about doing, driving my 325ic in the summer (has A/C) and driving my 528e in the winter (no A/C). The mileage on both is getting up there (209K on the 325ic, 290K on the 528e) and I was worried about driving them so much everyday. That would leave the M3 for the weekend and autocrossing.

I'm just not sure I can justify $400-500/month for a car that will have over 200K miles on it when the loan has been paid off. Plus, with all the shit on the road, the body would most definitely take a beating, thus lowering the value even more.

95 M3 with ~80K miles
5 years x 30K miles = 150K miles
230K miles total.

I WISH I HAD A CLOSER JOB LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!!!

**Bernanke** · 08-20-2002, 09:04 PM

u could just buy a honda beater.

**iwannadinanm3** · 08-21-2002, 01:39 AM

yes! get the m3, then go look for a beater honda or integ, get a crx lol i hear those are fun to drive, crazy mileage, and best of all honda reliabilty, that's exactly what i would do if i were in ur position

**Canatro** · 08-21-2002, 10:33 AM

i did that much driving when i had my //m. i drove from brooklyn to connecticut everyday. i don't see why you wouldn't. the car is meant to be driven that much. it only became an issue when i sold it. resale after that much mileage in that short period is a KILLER!

**bungy42** · 08-21-2002, 11:23 AM

The only problem with driving an M3 that much is the gas mileage. I drive my 325 about 140 miles/day, and even then the gas bills are killing me. While I'd love to have an M3 to drive, I think the worse gas mileage will prevent me from getting one. I get 27-28 mpg, and I still spend close to $300/month on gas.

I find my 325 to be the perfect compromise. It's fast enough to beat damn near all the other sluggish commuters, and yet gets decent gas mileage. Not to mention that repair bills are cheaper on a non-M car (brakes, tires, etc.). I'd just get a newer 325/328 if I were you.

**umnitza** · 08-21-2002, 12:54 PM

take it from someone who commutes over 100 miles each day - you HAVE to have the ///M!

I used to drive a Sentra (40+MPG), Saturn SC2 (30 MPG), Camry - 27MPG, and finally the M (26-7) MPG...the money spent at the pump is WELL worth it!

I don't think there IS a better car than the M3 to commute in. Comfortable, reliable, small enough to fit in corners, good mileage, and .......................SPEED!

Don't settle for less! I bought mine with 45K on it, and in the last year and a half have put on 43K on it! It's awesome! Reliable and I maintain it only for a *little* more than the Toyota ($100 a year).

**Filip75** · 08-21-2002, 01:13 PM

get it. Have fun, while you're still young

**bmwpower** · 08-21-2002, 06:52 PM

iwanna,

It's funny you mention a CRX... I used to drive an 85 CRX Si before I bought my 94 325is (now sold for same reason I'm thinking of not buying the M3). The CRX was a BLAST to drive. Especially in Philly. I could fit in any parking spot, no matter how small. Too bad the damn thing was a rust bucket. I put 200K+ miles on that thing before I sold it.

Sounds like the overall majority thinks I should get one and suck up the loss in value due to mileage, etc.

Now that that's established, anybody know of a good 95 M3 for sale???

**///Mracer** · 08-22-2002, 09:48 AM

Since you live in NJ, why not get a cheap beater or winter car to drive in the messy months of the year and the M for the nice ones. That will cut down on mileage on the M. That is what I did

**Jim Bassett** · 08-22-2002, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by umnitza
take it from someone who commutes over 100 miles each day - you HAVE to have the ///M!

I'll second that! Up until recently I too had a 100-mile RT commute. Fun and comfortable in the ///M.

Enjoy!
Jim Bassett
1998 M3/4 - 117K+ miles, and a "minor" 50-mile RT commute now
1993 325is #44 KP - with "only" 95K+ miles

**efria** · 08-22-2002, 08:21 PM

I wish my drive was that long! The original intention when I bought my M was for it to be a third "fun" car...it's the daily driver now. I'm considering selling my original car because it just sits in the garage while I smile in the M.

**bmw325is** · 08-22-2002, 10:19 PM

The 325 and 528 would work fine as commuter cars. They're pretty reliable also and would make good commuter cars.

**///RBR** · 08-23-2002, 01:12 AM

I'm just not sure I can justify $400-500/month for a car that will have over 200K miles on it when the loan has been paid off. Plus, with all the shit on the road, the body would most definitely take a beating, thus lowering the value even more.

If you're planning of not keeping it, then get a beater. Otherwise, the miles you accumulate behind the ///M will be fun times. I only have my car for 8 mos. now, and let me tell you that I have enjoyed the miles I put on my car. Looking forward to driving thru the years.... I'm keeping this one.

**Jon97** · 08-23-2002, 01:52 AM

Why buy a car like the e36 M3 for any other reason but to drive it as much as possible? It is the quintessential "buy it and never let go" car. In other words, even if you land a lot of cash and want to upgrade to a 911 or something more decadent, it will always make sense to keep the M3 as a stealth daily driver.

I never understood the whole "return on investment" concern. A Ferrari -- now that could actually be considered an investment. But the E36 M3 is a plebian supercar that will depreciate accordingly, so you'd probably be happiest driving the hell out of it, keeping it happy with proper maintenance, and living with its dings and stone chips through 250,000 miles of uncompromised fun.

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