Buying a M3

[pavlo1994]

Well ill start off by saying im 15 currently almost 16 and i want to get an m3. Dont laugh at me just yet, I want to get it in a few yrs. But theres nothing more i want than the m3. My father promised me a 99 m3 for a first car and i told him my only upgrade would be a new car after a few years. I dont know which is best way to do it but my father has a good friend that can get me a amazing deal on a m3. I dont really care whether its sedan or coupe.

Which way would you say to buy it?

Lease-> buyout

Finance?

Straight buy?

[URBAN LEGEND]

Lease the DCT model and be done with it.

[pavlo1994]

ok, really bad question? whats a dct?

[kgz]

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by kgz

+100000

you took the words right out of my mouth!!!

[LemonOne]

Originally Posted by pavlo1994

ok, really bad question? whats a dct?

Double Clutch Transmission.

[HappyNDing]

I didn't know paper routes paid that much? I'm applying for your job, kid!

[chungdae]

If your father was smart, he wouldn't get you a high performance car for your first car. You would probably end up in a severe accident or dead.

[Fuzzz]

Hi Pavlo...

Welcome to the wonderful world of M3s.

I too had a father, that back in the early 90s got me a used M3 as my first car... an E30. And I loved it more than life itself... Now I am on my 4th M car... but I still wish I had kept that white e30!

If I can make a suggestion, now that more than 15 years have passed... I would definitely take your father up on the E36 M3 option. It is an amazing car, with great balance, a strong (but not scary) engine, and if you respect it, it will teach the joys of driving a rear wheel drive car.

The limits of a DCT E90 M3 are so high, that it is not that conducive to really learning how to drive well on. You need something rawer, less insulated, and honestly with less power. 240 hp really is more than plenty to have fun, and more than plenty to learn how to control power oversteer!

Besides when you are ready to move up to an E92, the E36 will make a mean track car...

Good luck! Be safe. Have Fun!

[kgz]

Originally Posted by dark335i

Then he should search. If you wanna buy a car but don't know the transmission, you need to do some research.

+1. OK .. here's my advice .. and I'm going to make it emotionless and to the point.

1. A dad who is wealthy enough .. (or as some would say .. forget it .. I promised I wouldn't go there ... ) to even consider an //M3 for his lad should first know that his inexperienced lad needs to understand how to drive and handle a performance vehicle. He should therefore send him to BOTH the BMW driving school and (at least) //M school.

2. It wasn't clear to me in your post (on whether you know how to drive an MT) .. but I personally believe that anyone who plans to buy an //M MUST learn how to drive a MANUAL transmission FIRST .. REGARDLESS of what transmission they ultimately may chose.

NOTE: I am not saying that you need to become an "expert" in handling a car at the limits and doing controlled power slides with the manual transmission but at least KNOW how to operate it and appreciate it. Whether we like it or not .. those mechanics ultimately will help you drive and enjoy this vehicle.

3. Research: Please .. learn about this vehicle and its various capabilities (DSC, DCT, EDC, DSC, performance tires, M-drive, rev-matching, braking techniques, over-steer/under-steer, handling //M high-rev engines, shift points, etc.).

I say spend a year on this board while your building confidence in your manual transmission car and learn about all that this vehicle can offer. Ask questions .. search .. and contribute your 2c. You will be the wiser in a year.

I say this because you will learn to respect the car (and its abilities) and be technically competent at the same time.

[Finnegan]

Not another one of these. We're at about 1/week.

[jakeburton]

Although I agree that you should use the forum search function to plumb the extensive depths of knowledge already accumulated on this board (there is really very little regarding these cars that has not already been discussed), I also know everyone thinks their own situation is inherently unique and deserves individual responses. So with that in mind, I would:

1) Second the suggestion to learn on a less powerful and expensive car than the current M3, as well as attending driving schools

2) Suggest you read the following books, which forum members recommended to me:

The Physics of NASCAR

Speed Secrets

Going Faster

Also, don't lock yourself into the M3 now. You're only 15, the next several years are going to have a great impact on your development as a person. Your wants and desires are very likely to change. So keep learning about all cars, and make sure you build a solid foundation for understanding and enjoying them the rest of your life.

[pavlo1994]

oh boy where do i start, Start off by saying that i dont know YET how to drive a manual, but it will all come in a few months. I want a e36 m3 because it looks amazing (my sister has a 318) I know the whole shpeal about racing and controlling and managing and all this stuff, ive understood that since i got on here. I have some pretty interesting future plans and dont want to ruin them with something like a car accident. I wanted the e36 me since i was 6 and from that point on i havent wanted anything else, no lambos no nothing. Just m3. I definately will be on this forum quite some enjoying some m3 pictures and stuff. Thanks for all the comments and ill use what u told me. Research #1

[pavlo1994]

Originally Posted by chungdae

If your father was smart, he wouldn't get you a high performance car for your first car. You would probably end up in a severe accident or dead.

Can we not bring family into this.

[jblaze]

learn to drive a non turbo 2-3 litre engine hard and proper before you get a turbo or a V8

ill compare it to motorbikes. the person who buys a 600cc and learns to ride it before buying a 1000, will always be far more skilled then the guy who just jumps on the 1000

also my brother is 16 and a half and about to get his first car, what i have made as a agreement with my mother, is that he should drive a 1 series 120-130 NOT A 135I until he is 18
then he can get a Evo which he is constantly talking about!

dont hate the kid because his perants want him to reap the benifits of there hard work, but i agree a full sport car isnt the way to go

i started with a new subaru just before i was 18 with little to no expirence, i developed and became a great driver, but non the less 16k miles and 1 year later i wrote the car off
with that saying, when your young, its NOT IF IT HAPPENS, BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS

stay safe

[pavlo1994]

I completely understand what youre saying. Ill take it into consideration.

[Nawaaz]

Go for it man! And don't look back.

Most importantly: Be safe and drive safe.

[warzilla]

Originally Posted by pavlo1994

Can we not bring family into this.

Umm, I think you are the one that brought them up first by saying your 'daddy' is going to buy you a M3.

If your 'daddy' is going to buy you the car, own up to it. Don't get all sensitive if people make note of it.

[pavlo1994]

Thanks, im looking at the a 95 m3 but it doesent show how many miles it has. Has a funny price though $4600.

[pavlo1994]

Originally Posted by warzilla

Umm, I think you are the one that brought them up first by saying your 'daddy' is going to buy you a M3.

If your 'daddy' is going to buy you the car, own up to it. Don't get all sensitive if people make note of it.

He is going to buy it for me, but saying if ur dad was smarter.. what are you tryin to say?

[MJC///M3]

[MJC///M3]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Not another one of these. We're at about 1/week.

last week was..."I am 18 and I am gonna get an M3 cuz I wanna go fast and race!"