So what do you guys think of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-BMW-M3-Convertible-/112462400102?epid=83333063&hash=item1a2f480a66:g:iDIAAOSwnK9ZV8V2&vxp=mtr

I've always, always loved these. Can I afford to buy one....no. But hopefully one day.

I also think they look better than anything after that generation.

Those also are the best wheels on it IMO.

You probably wouldn't like the SMG II so you better get a manual.  Good cars otherwise

yeah seems like the only way to go

I probably wouldn't go for the E46 M3 cabriolet.  I think I'd get the coupe instead.

Yeah those look great but nothing like a good convertible to blast around in.

These look pretty good too:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-BMW-M5-DINAN-S-Signature-Car-/282658877395?hash=item41cfc82fd3:g:MQoAAOSwoa1Zk5h4&vxp=mtr

Someone I know just traded one for an M235i. Too many problems. 11-12 year old BMW.... you better know what the hell you're doing cuz

Yeah, 12 years old, for brand new Miata/Spider money. Or, could probably get an off-lease 2 series with warranty.

Great cars... Avoid the SMG like the plague and read up on needed maintenance

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on September 22, 2017, 04:30:38 AM
Someone I know just traded one for an M235i. Too many problems. 11-12 year old BMW.... you better know what the hell you're doing cuz

I'd feel more comfortable with an E46 than any of the newer ones out of warranty

SMG is a waste of time

The satanization of SMG by people who have never driven it here is really interesting. It's much less bad than it sounds, just takes a little getting used to and budgeting $$$ for clutch replacements when needed.

Much maligned by journalists who either try to use it in auto mode or have the car only for a day or two.

I like the transmission on my M5 a lot. I have friends that own E46 SMG II cars and they find it ok. Yes, it can get expensive to maintain, but that's the way it is.

Regarding this specific car - the '06 M3s are the best (last year production) and it's a manual (which still is better). But it's quite expensive. Like some have suggested, an M235i or M240i cabrio may be better. But the M3 has it's advantages, starting with the NA sound, specially in a cabrio.

I think an E46 is a fine and mostly reliable car, just budget adequately.

My main concern on SMG would be reliability at this point.  I know a guy that bought one about 6 months ago and had to sell it 2 months later when the SMG failed (assuming clutch).  The repair estimate was rather large.

If I ever come across a nice manual E46 M3 in Phoenix Yellow while car shopping, might have to buy one 

Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on September 22, 2017, 08:47:33 AM
The satanization of SMG by people who have never driven it here is really interesting. It's much less bad than it sounds, just takes a little getting used to and budgeting $$$ for clutch replacements when needed.

Much maligned by journalists who either try to use it in auto mode or have the car only for a day or two.

I like the transmission on my M5 a lot. I have friends that own E46 SMG II cars and they find it ok. Yes, it can get expensive to maintain, but that's the way it is.

Regarding this specific car - the '06 M3s are the best (last year production) and it's a manual (which still is better). But it's quite expensive. Like some have suggested, an M235i or M240i cabrio may be better. But the M3 has it's advantages, starting with the NA sound, specially in a cabrio.

I think an E46 is a fine and mostly reliable car, just budget adequately.

It's not reliable in the slightest, and early SMG's are clunky in traffic. It's also very expensive to repair when it breaks. I have driven a few (albeit not on a track) and Single-clutch AMT's are generally garbage about automatically slipping the clutch to move around slowly in traffic.

The DCT's in the later E90 cars are worlds better in daily livability and reliability.


I feel like SMG's lop off a lot of M car value in the US; it seems like an SMG car is notably cheaper than a manual car. (Versus the Audi RS and S cars, where the DSG and MT cars are priced roughly the same)

Luckily, an SMG can be converted into a manual for less than the price difference between an SMG and manual car.

They are expensive to fix, thus the diminished value. But the driving experience isn't bad. I wouldn't discount a well priced, well maintained SMG car, that's all.

Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on September 21, 2017, 11:25:18 PM
Yeah those look great but nothing like a good convertible to blast around in.

I agree with you, but the E46 convertible wasn't the most successful convertible design.

I really wanted to trade in the GTI on an 2005 M3 with a 6MT. Then I realized what a bad idea that would be when you don't have $Texas

Quote from: BENZ BOY15 on September 21, 2017, 10:39:44 PM
So what do you guys think of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-BMW-M3-Convertible-/112462400102?epid=83333063&hash=item1a2f480a66:g:iDIAAOSwnK9ZV8V2&vxp=mtr

I've always, always loved these. Can I afford to buy one....no. But hopefully one day.

I also think they look better than anything after that generation.

I love the look of that car.

Yeah it's a good one. Buy a lakefront vacation home and I might be able to afford one.