Looks like a perfect car for the OP. Just check the engine's condition (potentially too much track time and in need of a refresh, over-revs, compression test, etc.) and you're good to go. Everything the car needs for track duty seems to be already done.

 

Giving this one some thought.... many of the mods are for street posing but the car is a good start and price is on the low end of my range:

Info from seller:

2006 BMW E46 M3 ZCP - VIN WBSBL93486PN64748
- Black/black leather
- Carbon fiber interior
- 61,000 miles
- Service II performed
- Factory competition model
- Last year of production for the series
- No engine mods (stock software) Does have a cold air intake
- Brakes are brand new (rotors, hats, pads) front and back
- Heated seats
- Status Group exhaust (sounds great), passes smog (cats still installed)
- Lowered on coil overs all four corners - no rubbing
- 6 speed manual

Car runs great - no known issues. Fresh oil change service, new starter (dealer installed). Car is drop dead sexy. Front lip is slightly damaged, comes with new front lip but I have not installed. Few paint blemishes on rear bumper and front bumper cover typical of a 60,000 mile car. Title in hand, ready to go.

MODS:
BBS RSGT in Diamond Black and polished lip.
19x8.5 et 35 Toyo T1 85% front 235/35/19
19x9.5 et 25 Toyo T1 85% rear 265/35/19
10mm rear spacers
ST coilovers
Brembo GT Big Brakes
380MM fronts 99% (all new rotors, al hats, pads)
345MM rears 99% (all new rotors, al hats, pads)
VIS Carbon Fiber CSL trunk w/OEM liner and E9x LED license plate lights
OEM hood with OEM E9x M3 vents
ICONZ carbon fiber front lip
Carbon Fiber replica CSL diffuser
AGT Carbon side skirt extensions
black kidneys and grilles
Quad projector retrofit with clear corners
paint matched bumper reflectors
3k fog lights
photochromic tint all around with OEM infrared windshield
Full EAS carbon fiber interior trim, great condition
Coby Alcantara steering wheel with yellow stripe
Carbon fiber shift ****
Hardwired Valentine V1 with concealed display
Intravee II for iPOD
Rare OEM rear automatic sunshade

 

Dont know the asking price, but need to decide what you are looking for. This one seems like a lot of money spent on poser mods that will do nothing but **** you off once you own it (improper fitment, etc). No information on maintenance items such as subframe, clutch, suspension bushings/balljoints, cooling system, valve cover gasket, vanos, etc. Better to buy a car built for the occasional DE with upgrades that are worth the added cost (diff, proper suspension, track wheels, etc).

E46 M3s have hit bottom on their depreciation curve, so you should be able to pickup a great stock example for 14k or so, or a modified HPDE car for 20 and be off to the races!

 

Don't disagree with your comments. I will say, asking price on the car is pretty good for a ZCP with those miles. Nice cars have started to go up in value.

Keeping the search going... that's half the fun.

 

But we all know where this leads to, in 4 or 5 year, you will be tearing the interior out to weld in a cage and the premium you spent on a newer ZCP will be gone!

I would be more likely to buy a newer ZCP model if it was going to be a weekend warrior, but in my situation I would rather spend less to get a car that wont devalue as much once I abused it on track and I wont feel as bad as you get the inevitable road rash/rock chips from all of the track time. And the ZCP rotors cost quadruple what I can buy aftermarket e46 m3 rotors for....

Keep us updated on the search and I will keep my eye out for ya,

 

I would avoid any BMW 2006 or newer for your goal. The handful of them I've been around end up in the shop too often, and that's just street use.

EDIT: Disregard, I didn't realize it was an E46. They made both in the same year?

 

I can't believe an s2000 hasn't been mentioned. Blows mx5 out of the water for your planned usage. Only reason I'd consider the early Cayman/ boxsters or an e46 is if you prefer them for daily usage. If you plan to extensively modify the cars you tend to hit a wall on getting power out of the s2000 which is where the e46 can make great power. But dollar for dollar the s2k blows everything out of the water. Unbelievably reliable and robust and very rewarding to drive fast.

.02

 

This beauty has been in my condo guest parking garage. I've never driven an S2000, but want to some day. I hear so many positive reviews.

 

Get the newest base 981 w/PDK your budget will allow. Drive it like you stole it then send it off to BGB for the 3.8 motor upgrade.

That's what I'd do.

 

I have considered the S2000. I like them, just can't get past the dash. I think I have decided that I prefer an hardtop anyway.

Keeping in mind that this car is primarily to be used as a DD, the e46 does appeal to me. I have driven them in basically stock form on the road and track and they are nice cars.

trackjunky - you should sell me your 2009! I have considered a base 981 but 265 hp is, well, hard to get excited about. I drove the 981 S and, although not overwhelmingly fast, it was a very nice car.

Thread is kind-of getting tired but I do appreciate everyone chiming in.

 

My '09 is outside your budget. I have the Guards LSD, PSS9's, GT3 master cylinder, GT3 bars, RSS toe links and Lower control arms and some other mods. Plus it only has 30k miles on it, so it's barely broken in.

 

Well, I never said I wouldn't pony up for the right car.

Sounds like a very nice ride you have.

 

A well driven base Cayman is a very fast car.

As for the E90 M3, I briefly looked at one as a potential trade for my 911 to cut some costs. They are heavy and very expensive to maintain. Rotors, for example, are 2-3x what they cost for my 997.2 4S. Go figure... Add in tons of nagging "known problems" for what is considered one of the more reliable BMWs of the era, and I would probably stay away.

 

Well optioned car for the price. Hmmm.....
https://san-diego.porschedealer.com/...44164/info.php

 

Here's a 987.2 PDK worth looking at.

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...tiful-car.html