Aite guys. My parents just said they'd spot me 20k for downpayment on the E46 M3. I'd just have to pay off the extra 30k+ in the next few years. Which is fine with me. Now...

1.) I'm from the bay area and i was wondering what the wait list is like for this car? I read Loki waited 1.5 years for his car. Is the wait list still this crazy?!? If i have to wait this long, forget it BMW...your marketing blows...

2.) I want to spend no more than 52k for this car. If it goes above that, than I'm just gonna buy the S2000 myself. I don't want to spend that much money for this car. I'd rather cruise in the S2000, being droptop and all...

Thanks guys.

Bryan

 

HEY!! who gave the thread a one! that's messed up..

I'm just asking questions....geez

 

my understanding is that the market for new M3's in N. CA is still pretty tight. You might expect to have to pay a premium for the car and may even have to wait list.

However, if you're willing to explore options in S. CA. I know for a fact that you can get the cars at MSRP. Some dealers down here actually have multiple cars on the lot. If you can't find what you want, you can also order direct from the factory (it takes about 2.5 months give or take a few weeks).

The price you will pay will be largely dictated by what you want on the car. A stripped M3 can be ordered here in S. CA for less than $50K (excluding tax, lic. registration, etc.). If you buy a loaded car in the bay area, you might have to pay upwards of $60K.

If I can get on my soapbox for a moment...

I'm going to assume that you're pretty young (based on the fact that your folks are giving you $20K for a car). I'm not knocking you or your parent's generosity. Hell, I wish my parents would give me $20 let alone $20,000. My advice to you (in all honesty) is that both of these cars are too much for a young and relatively inexperienced driver. Put your hormones in the back seat for just a minute and think about biting off a smaller payment (buy a nice WRX or RSX or something) and use that $20K as savings or downpayment on your first house. In the short and long run, you'll be far better off (IMHO).

Having said that, if I were in your shoes I'd throw caution to the wind and get the M. But I have the luxury of having to slug it out for a few years after college and know the value of having a car that I had to wait for, pay for myself. More importantly, I know the value of owning my own house and having $$ in the bank.

Just food for thought. Life is short and you should do what makes you happy. I just wanted to present another scenario for you to consider.

 

Words of wisdom Da Hapa, and all very true.

and on that note:

 

LOL guys. HAHA.

Well, the 20k is just a last present from my parents. I could get it now, or get it when i graduate. I can afford the S2000 myself since I go to school and live at home.

I'm more than willing to go to Southern California. Do you guys recommend any dealerships? Any place i can call? the "direct from the plant" sounds good. How would i go about doing that? I'd even commute out of state for the car.

Thanks in advance.

Bryan

 

E46 M3 FAQ

 

You might try Braman Motorcars, West Palm Beach, Fl. They have 2 M3's on the lot right now! Silver/Black and Dark Red Metallic/Black. I think they will ship via flatbed to your home or local dealer. This is the biggest bmw dealer in the world, and they can usually find anything you want. I had very specific color/feature requests for my 330i, and they had it in 3 days.

561.684.6666, ask for Michael Scharmer, he's an outstanding sales person. Plus, they are an authorized Dinan Dealer, so they can put in the Dinan Chip, etc... if you want it.

 

Let me guess Saratoga kid, lives at home, goes to San Jose State or is it Santa Clara?, lives the good life off mom and dad. Gets $20K for a college graduation present. I know this is not odd for Saratoga, I grew up there too. But when I graduated I got a 10year old Toyota Cresida and a pat on the back, "Now go get a job". You will get no sympathy from me. Personally I think a 22 year old in a $55K+ car is ridiculous. Earn it yourself. It took me till I was 30 to comfortably afford a S2000 becuase I've been paying myown way. In the end you will have a much more realistic view of the world. Have you thought about how you are going to make a $600 a month car payment with your first job out of college in a shakey market?


That said, good luck finding one. A good friend just got his and he ordered it from Oregon and it still took 2 years. I'm sure if you threw down another $10 over sticker for it you could get it quite quickly. Should be no problem for Mommy and Daddy.

Go and get yourself a WRX or something. You're probably gonna wreck you first fast car anyway. Oh but let me guess, you probably already got a twin turbo Supra when you turned 16.

I'm not bitter, I can just taste the bile building up in the back of my throat.

Maybe I'm an ass for posting this, but you have really touched a nerve here with me. Especially since I know Saratoga very well. Saratoga High class of '89

 

have you considered the european delivery program?

ps - you have pm

 

UCrazyKid :

I understand your bitterness or frustration or jealousy or whatever you call what you were feeling when you wrote that not-so-nice post. I felt that way about my friends for their parents bought them E36 M3's and 323iS's when my parents bought me a used Honda Civic when they wanted to buy me a brand new M3 Cab. They told me they decided not to buy me the M3 because they didn't want a high school kid driving around in a nice, fancy car when he just attained his license. Can you call me spoiled then? Ever since I was little, my parents put money in stocks/bonds/savings just for me so that they could reward me for my college graduation. THis money is not simply spare change. THis money was saved up by me and my parents for a situation like this. I never had the chance to experience the thrill of owning or even paying for myself a car that I actually desired for and sought out for for so long. And for you to post such a belittling post on my image and my intents hurts me. I have money saved up on my own from the past three years that I have worked hard for to go into my car. I just recently landed a technician job that requires various certifications that I worked hard for to get and I will now be able to pay off the car, whether it be the M3 or the S2000, myself and be proud of it.
I had no intent of this post other than make known to you that I'm not a spoiled kid but rather a young man that wants something that he has desired ever since he was in grade school. And for him to come to this point to actually pay or even help pay his parents for the car is great for me. Thanks for listening. Sorry for the long post.

Bryan