M3 is on hold because of the Monster attack!

Yup. That's right. Monster has taken over my search for M3.. for the timebeing. No worries though M3s of the world.. I WILL BE BACK HUNTING YOU!

Another crazy asking price: 2002 Laguna Seca Blue BMW M3 Coupe - $28500 (Sherman oaks)

Private Sale. I've witnessed some ridiculous asking price on used E46 M3's during my search, only to see the sellers to lower the price after weeks and months of waiting with no buyer in sight, but this one seriously trumps all of them. 2002 MY, Laguna Seca (ok, some people love it, but some people also don't even want to go near it) with the least desirable GRAY interior with 82,xxx miles. No Navi, No Cold weather pkg, No factory 19" wheels. 2002MY also means no LED tail, no front stabilizer bar, no fix on some early issues of E46 M3 (bearing, etc) and subtle upgrade that came with 2003.5+ MY cars. KBB's maximum value is at around $14.5k. Yet, the seller has the audacity to ask $28,500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am speechless....

Another crazy asking price: Selling my 2004 IR/IR 6MT // 62.5k miles // asking $27k

Another punk kid who thinks his car is worth way~~ more than he can chew on. Private Sale. m3forum. Seriously, one thing that puts me off from buying M3 is its 'certain' owner base. This one is clean and IR/IR can be desirable, but some won't even want this color. KBB value on this is around $20k.  For $27k of his asking price, you can get a 05/06MY M3 with similar/less miles with ZCP. I will just watch the price drop on this..

FS:04 MB/black 6 spd coupe-60k-TN // $22k

Private Sale. m3forum. It looks quite clean and nice.. but I am just not sold much on the color. Also It;s in TN. at asking price of $22k though, I would be interested in checking it out if it was in nearby in CA. KBB value >> $20k

2005 E46 M3 stick, alpine white, red leather // $26k // 57k miles

Private Sale on m3forum. Alpine White with Imola Red! 2005MY!! 19" factory wheels, premium pkg. Inspection II done. no other options. =( Great color combo, but no option kinda throws me off, as well as asking price of 26k. It's in New Jersey any ways... KBB value >> 23k

Another crazy asking price: CA:02 M3 black/Cinn/6spd 15k minor fender bender

Private Sale. m3forum. Oh boy.. where do I start with this one? 2002MY Carbon Black / Cinnamon, 91k miles. Clean car with Fender-bender on the front left. Asking 15.5k and not a penny less! He should simply fix the car at his own cost and list for at 16-17k. It's just too inconvenient to get it fixed, especially for his asking price of 15.5. He mentions he won't take 14k.. I think he should take it.

Another crazy asking price: 2005 BMW E46 M3 Fully Loaded - $25000 (Los Angeles)

Private Sale. Craigslist. If someone pays $25k for this, they are nuts! with 81k+ miles, SMG, no Competition pkg, at maximu, AT BEST it's worth around $20-21k... Again wish the seller all the best on sale!

2004 BMW M3 Coupe - Black - $16995 // 89k miles (Sherman Oaks, CA)

Craigslist. Only if this was 6 speed manual... Black/Black. 2004MY. 19" Factory wheels. No Navi/Cold Weather.

Another crazy asking price: 2002 BMW M3 Coupe 62K Miles, MINT - $21900 (Laguna Niguel)

Private Sale. Craigslist. Comon guys... your car is not worth that much! 62K, 2002MY, normal Silver exterior Black interior.. Asking $21.9? You are out of your mind! This car is at best, AT BEST worth around $17k. BTW, I am not even interested in Silver exterior. Wish the seller all the best on sale.

Time to look at alternatives?

Well... while I know I must be patient when buying a used car, especially with a set of criteria, it is not too fun just waiting. I missed on 2 white ones.. and most likely one great Jet Black / Imola Red already. And when you have time waiting, you get to entertain yourself with other thoughts. I am going to list my Suzuki up for sale after this weekend's polishing. While M3 is still the top choice, Ducati Monster 1100S (San Diego, 3k miles, $10800) / StreetFighter or BMW Z4 M Coupe/Roadster  (San Diego, 52k miles, $22850, 858-429-4057) are looking very very tempting...

OEM bmw M3 19 Rims & Michelin Pilot tires wheels stock original - $1250

I will have to purchase these if I buy the 2002MY White M3 listed below with 18" stock factory wheels. asking price is $1250 firm. I think I can get them a slightly lower. These wheels have been sitting for more than 2 weeks.

2004 BMW M3 E46 black imola red interior - $24500

Private Sale. Very good candidate. Going to take a look on Tuesday. More info coming.

LIKES : 2004MY with updates, Jet Black with Imola Red leather. under 53k miles. Almost bone stock (looks lowered? and has aftermarket angel eye?) has Navi. Seems well taken care of. Asking price is a bit high.
KBB value around 20-21k.

UPDATE :: 04.11 Most likely SOLD for 24k.
04.10 I went to go take a look at the car. MORE>> 

Used 2002 BMW M3 Coupe $18,900

Private Sale. I think this might be it!!! More info later.

LIKES:: Alpine White with Imola Leather! low mileage car 47k. two owner car. Seems to have cold weather pkg with heated seats! (I prefer this over Navi) and asking price of $18.9k is a good starting point for negotiation! Seems to taken care of nicely. Bone stock!!! DISLIKES :: 2002MY-I prefer 2003.5 and newer. no 19" factory wheels.

UPDATE: 
04.09 8pm. Damm.. I was on my way to take a look, make an offer... but I got a text. It was SOLD for 21.7k!!!!!!


04.09 4pm I just spoke to the owner. There are like 5 different interested buyer coming to take a look at the car. When the car is a desirable color combo with low miles at very reasonable price, this it what happens! There are way~ too many owners of not-so-desirable examples of M3 asking for way~too much money for their car. Let this be a lesson to many out there!

2004 BMW M3 Red/6 speed/19" - $19000 // 75k miles // Montgomery AL

Private Sale. Listed in Craigslist. I like! Imola Red/Blk leather. premium pkg, navi, xenon. Inspection II done. 19" wheels. Sounds like owner took a good care of the car. Clean M3 at attractive mileage. Asking 19k. Seems very reasonable. KBB values at around 18k. I will offer somewhere between 16-17k. Alabama is kinda far..2000 miles! but might be worth the trip?
KBB values >> 18k

UPDATE:: Owner wasn't that entertained by the idea of a buyer in CA showing interest in his M. I don't know why..
"Why would you buy a car in AL when youre in CA?"
"Dude, this is a relatively common car. I'm sure there are a bunch for sale out west. For your own good, buy a car you can go drive and see before negotiating."

2004 BMW M3 136k miles - $14000 // millbrae CA (near SF)

Private Sale. Listed in Craigslist. At 136k miles, KBB values it at around $12k. Black with Black with Navi, Cold Weather pkg, premium pkg. Inspection II done. Seems to be in fairly good condition. If my offer of 12k goes through, I'd definitely consider this. DISLIKES : Blacked out grill and smoked headlight.

2001 BMW M3 E46 - $16500 // 111k miles // Glendale CA

 Private Sale. Listed in Craigslist. Asking way too much for 2001MY car with 111k miles. Mods do not add value to the car. New parts do not add value to the car. Looks good, but Not interested.

FS: Jet Black 2005 M3 6MT CINNAMON // 75k miles // $22.5 // TX

Private Sale. Listed in m3forum. This one very tempting... I like Jet Black and this one even comes with nice Dakota Cinnamon leather. 75k mileage is good, as well as 2005 MY car. DISLIKE: No heated seats nor Naviation. Rear accident (Seller claims bumper only. Also he can provide all the pictures and documents of the repair job) Car is located in Houston, TX. While kinda far, definitely drivable back to Cali. He also claims all maintenance and Inspection I & II done. With accident, and seeing how it;s been on sale for nearly two month, I will offer 18k?
KBB value >> $21,043 for good condition. $20.4-21.6

2004 BMW M3 59k Miles - $23000 (Irvine)

Private Sale. We have a very good potential here. Titanium Silver isn't my first choice.. but 2004MY, 60K miles. Manual.. will have to see if it's California Car, Clean Title, Maintenance record.. etc. But if I can score this for around/less than 20k, it's a winner.
KBB Value >> $20k

Used 2004 BMW M3 Coupe $16,492 // 99k // TX // SOLD

FYI. 2004MY M3. 99k miles. Silver Gray / Black Leather. Cold Weather PKG. Sold for 16k

Used 2001 BMW M3 $15,795 // 101k miles // AZ

Listed in Cars.com. I am entertained by this car, as it looks good on the paper. Alpine White with Imola Red leather. However, 2001MY and slammed spring/shock concerns me. Will really have to check the car out.. KBB pricing >> $14.5k for retail. $11-12k private.

Used 2004 BMW M3 Coupe $17,800 // 98k miles // TX

Private Sale. Listed in Autotrader. I had an initial interest.. but seeing this is a car with minimal options and being in Texas.. most likely I will wait on it. LIKE :: 2004my. DISLIKE no options. I am still in the fence for Carbon Black which looks like deep blue metallic. I prefer Jet Black.
KBB value >> around 16k

Used 2001 BMW M3 Coupe $16,999 // 98k // TX

Private Sale. Listed in Autotrader. 2001MY.. I'd rather go for 2003.5+ cars with updates. Might even go for 2002, but 2001 is the first model year for E46. Thus, I'd rather avoid. Also, $17k asking is way above KBB's pricing $12-13k, not that it really matter, as evidenced by many similar sales.
KBB value >> $12-13k

Used 2005 BMW M3 Coupe $19,900 // 86k // CA

Private Sale. CA. Listed in Autotrader and Craigslist. Classic Blk and Blk. 2005MY. Manual. No Navi, No heated seats. asking price of $19.9k is reasonably priced for the car. One thing I dislike is the modified smoked headlights. I dig the factory white side marker look.
KBB value >> 19-20k

Used 2002 BMW M3 Coupe $16,500 // 102k miles // VA

UPDATE ::  Spoke to the owner. SOLD for 16k. Must have been in excellent condition. I might have to adjust my price target. Private Seller. Listed in Autotrader. I will definitely be interested if this car was in CA. 2002MY is minus. prce and miles are reasonable. $14k would be my offer and see if he takes it.
KBB Value >> 13.7k

Used 2006 BMW M3 Coupe $26,500 // 87k // FL

Can I please have an example like this in CA? Listed in Autotrader. LIKES :: ZCP pkg, Silver Gray, Blk leather, Navi, Cold weather pkg, 2006 MY. DISLIKES :: It's in Florida!! Dealer sale.

KBB value >> $25,573

FS: 2004 E46 M3 Silver Gray 6MT in Socal // $17.5k // 106k miles

Listed in m3forum. I am somewhat entertained on this example, but there are signs of diy mod that I am not a fan of.. Also, interior condition isn't not attractive. $17.5k asking for 105k.. not too bad. But I really want a bone stock machine.

E46 M3, available from 2001 to 2006 model year in US, went through BMW's usual model year changes. E46 Model Year Changes Summary after the jump

Used 2005 BMW M3 Coupe $31,990 // 72k // OH

Again... I can drool over this one.. but 32k is way over the top for me. EnthusiastAuto, Autotrader. Alpine White with Black leather. ZCP. under 80k miles. no navi nor heated seats.

Used 2005 BMW M3 Coupe $29,990 // 73k // OH

I must admit.. these EnthusiastAuto guys have some of the nicest conditioned M3 on sale. Downside is... they are very overpriced. Granted, nicely conditioned M3 with low miles and desirable color and option combo does command a premium, but not 5-6k over premium. I will happily pick up the example above for.. maybe 24k. (or am I dreaming?) This one is basically EXACTLY what I want.. 2005 MY, Silver Gray metallic, Red leather, ZCP pkg, navi, cold weather pkg, bone stock, manual... drool.. but def not for 30k. Autotrader.

Used 2004 BMW M3 Coupe $25,200 // 44k miles // AL

Autotrader. Private, Low Miles, 2004 MY, Black with Cinnamon leather, Navi. no heated seats, no 19". Will consider for 21-22k. Asking price of 25k is too much for this car.

Used 2006 BMW M3 Coupe $30,998 // 60k miles // CA

Listed in Autotrader. CarMax. (Here) 2006 with ZCP competition pkg! 31k isn't too bad. black on black is cool. but.. 31k is way more than what I'd like to spend! nice.. but pass. sale at CarMax, Duarte, CA.

Used 2005 BMW M3 Coupe $23,800 // 69k miles // CA

CA car, private sale. Listed in Autotrader, Craigslist, and BMW forums. LIKES : Imola Red on Black, manual, under 80k miles, clean title, navigation, HK, parking sensor. DISLIKES: no factory 19", no heated seats, smoked headlight mod (i personally don't like the look), blacked out grill mod (don't like) $23,8k price is a 2k over KBB pricing. As I really am not looking to replace parts, these mod put me off. no 19" also hurting. price bit too high. I will keep looking.

Used 2004 BMW M3 $19,698 // 98,578 miles // SC

Listed in Autotrader. LIKES:: Manual, Silver Gray metallic, 2004 MY, not to bad price for $19,698, Black leather, heated seats, One Owner car, Bone Stock, 19" factory wheels. Seems to have had all maintenance. DISLIKES too far in South Carolina, Dealer car, almost 100k miles, no Nav. I dig Silver Gray color a lot.. I am on the fence between this or Alpine White. This example is almost exactly what I am looking for. worth a look if it were to be in CA or immediate surrounding.  view CARFAX .

Used 2006 BMW M3 Coupe $23,990 // 79.8k miles // MA

Listed in Autotrader. I like this one. Black with Red leather!!! LIKES: Color combo! 2006 MY, under 80k mileage, manual, loaded with most options i want, did I say the COLOR? DISLIKES: in MA - winter driven? too far for me to go see it. Dealer car asking $23,990. DIY type mod - front grill. I really like this one.. if it was in Cali, I might even buy it!

CARFAX on this M3

Used 2002 BMW M3 Coupe $17,795 // 71,318 miles

Listed in Autotrader. This is the first Oxford Green Metallic M3 I've seen. LIKES: Manual, Cinnamon leather, unique exterior color, under 80k mileage. bone-stock DISLIKES pre-2003.5 MY (No LED, strut bar, etc) no Xenon, no heated seats, no 19" factory wheels, Dealer sale car. The price I'd pay? I'd rather not even look further. While unique exterior color intrigues me, I Can't pick up a car with no Xenon...

Used 2005 BMW M3 Coupe $21,995 // 100k miles // CA

Found in Autotrader.. This is very close to what I want. LIKES: Manual, Silver Gray Metallic, 2005 MY, Bone stock, Navigation, 19" Factory wheels, One Owner California car, Gray leather. DISLIKES: Dealer sale, Price $21,995 asking is 1k over KBB suggested retail. (Private party value is $17-18k), over 100k mileage, No heated seats, Gray leather (I am on the fence on Gray leather) What will make me to put down my cash? If it was a private sale car with price between 17-18k. Even I pay $20k, after taxes and everything, it's bit too much for a car with 101,000 miles.

Used 2004 BMW M3 Coupe $20,000 // 87k miles // CO

This is listed in Autotrader. It seems it's been posted awhile ago. LIKES: Manual, Silver with Red leather, 2004 MY with 87k is not too bad, heated seats, 19" factory wheels, bone-stock, poster seems to take care of the car well. DISLIKES: Price $20,000 is a bit too high for this car. (according to KBB, $17,790 for excellent, $17,290 for good), Colorado car that seems to be driven during winter days - possible rust later? I won't mind picking this up for $16.5k

Why E46 M3?

Simply put, I always wanted one!!!!! If you are a car enthusiast, I don't think you need another reminder why E46 M3 is really awesome - considered as one of the best driver's car you can own. So, no doubt the car is good. Better reason to get the car now is its price in the market place. E46 M3 was produced between 2001 and 2006, and these days you can find a decent example with acceptable miles in 15k-25k price range. Also, E92 having naturally aspirated V8 and upcoming F10 M3 (or M4?) moving to twin-turbo inline 6, E46 M3 will be recorded as the last M3 with naturally aspirated inline 6 cylinder engine. Thus, E46 M3 will surely be able to keep its place in the marketplace with fairly reasonable valuation.

So the mission is to find the best example M3 that fits my following criteria:

Clean Title, Less # of Owners the better.
All recalls and issues (VANOS, Subframe, etc..) resolved.
Manual Transmission and Coupe!! No exceptions (No SMG nor Convertible)
Lower miles, the better
Xenon, Premium pkg, Cold Weather pkg, Navigation preferred (more option, the merrier)
White or Silver Gray exterior color preferred
Cinnamon, Black, Red, Gray leather
2003.5 - 2006 model year preferred
under 20k preferred. But willing to spend more for an excellent example from a private seller.
Bone stock or with minimum mod.

NO EXCESSIVE MODDED CARS!