Jbarnes RS

I need a second car in AZ.

90% of my driving is freeway. 2k miles a year.

I want to spend around $30k or less.

I am thinking about a 08-09 M3 . Any of you guys owned one. Any other car you would recommend.

Anyone feedback would be great.

FJSeattle

Here is another option with Japanese reliability:
http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/why-bu...s-f-1642454407

Protocav

I have an 08, fantastic car. Fun to drive, and (knock on wood) has been really reliable. I have the DCT, which shifts quickly and smoothly. Nothing like the GT3, but fun enough.

Jbarnes RS

I found 2 cars one is 6 speed the other is DCT. I heard that the auto has some maintenance costs?

Steve Theodore

I have a few friends with IS-Fs, and they love them. However, I'd be more interested in an E90/E92 M3 myself, and my buddies who have them are crazy about them. For those same buddies, there is no GT3 in the garage so it is their 'fast' car, but it is a very fast and fun machine.

The V8 powered M3 gets pretty atrocious gas mileage for a daily driver from what my friends tell me, but other than that is a well made and very fun to drive car. I've heard the DCT transmission is preferable to the 6MT, but I personally plan to drive both to decide for myself.

Boostu

I test drove one with the 6-speed and I wasn't terribly impressed. I'm a proud member of the "Save the manuals" crowd but I'm baffled why anyone would call that transmission good. The clutch was ridiculously light and the shift action felt like a sporty interpretation of a gearbox filled with pudding. I can totally understand why people would prefer the DCT.

That said, I'm sure it can be fixed but if it's not your primary "fun" car... eh. Effort. I haven't heard of the manuals having issues but if you go with the DCT I'd recommend finding one through CarMax and getting their 6yr/125k warranty. Bumper-to-bumper coverage for ~$1.8k is worth the peace of mind on that engine and DCT and it can be taken directly to a BMW dealership for service.

Nizer

Same here. And it's no better in the F80 M3. Can't understand what BMW's doing to M3 manuals lately - my '08 535i was way better.

To the OP, what a couple of months and buy a used F80 M3. I've owned and driven both E90 and F80. The V8 in the E90 is a nicer lump but the F80 is a much better daily driver on multiple fronts.

ranger22

Because in a couple of months he can get one for $30k or less? I think not.

Fwiw, I have a 2011 w/DCT that i quasi use as my daily. I'm not sure why I still have it actually, but I do really like the car. The GT3 is more of an occasion to drive. My m3 has been reasonably solid and is good to drive around town. It's feels like a big fat Cadillac after driving the gt3 though. Still a great car though.

ChrisF

Bought an '11 E92 in January as my DD. LOVE this car for that purpose. Very comfortable. More street performance than you could ever sanely utilize. No issues so far in the 16K miles I've driven her including 1 track day. It is a great car for everything but the track....and gas mileage. I average 17.5MPG but could care less.

One major issue to be aware of is main bearing failures. Either get a warranty or a very thorough PPI/oil analysis:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=786615

Otherwise, can't think of a better DD and I've been through a few.

monk46

My 2011 E90 6-speed was my fast car until 997.1 GT3. The GT3 now is for fun and the M3 is just a rock solid ride with a really nice motor. Get's around 20-21 on road, terrible mileage around town. Improved chassis over E46 and surprisingly good handling for the weight. Daily appliance/grocery getter is a very satisfactory WRX.

WernerE

I've owned all M3 iterations except the E30. Currently, I have a E92 M3 DD with DCT. I'm a manual guy, but the E92 feels too heavy for it -- the DCT is fine.

Very comfortable for highway miles and the V8 sounds great under power. To my eyes, BMW is going backward with the M4 in aesthetics, and the E92 M3 is the last year of NA motors. The E92 resale is very strong for 2011-2013 M3s ($50k - $57k): I leased mine and I have equity in it ("heads I win....").

The 50th Porsche is way more fun to drive...

FJSeattle

You can get a brand new Mustang Eco-Tec with a warranty for under $30K

Cobb is working on a tune right now, could be worth a look.

Jbarnes RS

Great feed back. I think the semi auto will work best. My GF will be happy.

Should be a great car for freeway cruising around the AZ 202 loop

Spyerx

Wow that thread has as much drama as the typical RMS, Coolant pipe, or 996/7 IMS bearing threads here! :-)

A couple of USCTrojans' friends have these, they are fast, they track them. But to track they added brembo big brake kits, a few suspension goodies. They sounds nice, and drive nice. Once brakes are addressed the DCT models on track overheat in hot weather. Manual seemed to do better.

neanicu

Get the last year(2006) E46 M3 with the Competition pkg. 6 speed only,forget the SMG,DCT,PDK and the other alphabet garbage.
Fun car,nice tight and precise steering,lighter than E92.