I turned to the dark side (B..M...)
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 170
From: SoCal
I turned to the dark side (B..M...)
Background: wife lost her job, wife got pregnant, sold my 2008 TSX, lived with our MDX as our sole vehicle for 4 months, refinanced home, had about $9-10K to spend on a used car to drive to and from work (and then some).
During refi process, I had a while to research. $9-10K is a difficult ballpark because any desirable car (Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, etc.) is going to have 100K+ miles. I would have bought another 2003 TL-S (car prior to TSX) if not for the tranny issues. 2004+ TLs are not in this price range. I didn't want another TSX. I love Caddy CTS, but only the 3.2L were in this range at 100K+ miles (no thanks). There were several others I mulled over (i.e G35), but in this range, for me it boiled down to...
I test-drove various brands/models during the refi, but with cash finally in hand, we went to go seriously look at some Lexi. My wife couldn't stand the 2001 ES300 interior and said I looked like a grandpa in the 2002 ES. The GS300 is a nice car, but the interior is a little dated and it's big. Then we ran into this beautiful 2003 steel blue BMW 325i for $11,999 with only 74K miles. I drove the car and was hooked on its RWD and handling...never in a million years did I think I'd own a BMW...I got it for $10,100 + tax/license and couldn't be happier...this baby is clean...
Coming soon are 18" wheels, a lip spoiler, and a ......car seat......
During refi process, I had a while to research. $9-10K is a difficult ballpark because any desirable car (Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, etc.) is going to have 100K+ miles. I would have bought another 2003 TL-S (car prior to TSX) if not for the tranny issues. 2004+ TLs are not in this price range. I didn't want another TSX. I love Caddy CTS, but only the 3.2L were in this range at 100K+ miles (no thanks). There were several others I mulled over (i.e G35), but in this range, for me it boiled down to...
- 1998 - 2001 Lexus ES300 (80 - 100K miles)
- 2002 - 2003 Lexus ES300 (100K+ miles)
- 1998 - 2001 Lexus GS300/400 (100K+ miles)
I test-drove various brands/models during the refi, but with cash finally in hand, we went to go seriously look at some Lexi. My wife couldn't stand the 2001 ES300 interior and said I looked like a grandpa in the 2002 ES. The GS300 is a nice car, but the interior is a little dated and it's big. Then we ran into this beautiful 2003 steel blue BMW 325i for $11,999 with only 74K miles. I drove the car and was hooked on its RWD and handling...never in a million years did I think I'd own a BMW...I got it for $10,100 + tax/license and couldn't be happier...this baby is clean...
Coming soon are 18" wheels, a lip spoiler, and a ......car seat......
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Senior Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 18,017
Likes: 1,737
Having driven both the V8 and I6 versions, I'm still not feeling the E53. But if the price were right, I would be all over the 4.8 just on principle. (I love the E70 though.)
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 170
From: SoCal
wanna run my vin for me?
I'm always impressed with Azine's knowledge of cars as the E46 is indeed a great car...can't wait to add light mods...I'll definitely post pics...
why is it that people buying a BMW/Audi always say they are going to the "dark side"...?
Last edited by F23A4; Dec 9, 2009 at 08:37 PM. Reason: Carfax sharing is not allowed on Acurazine
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
Congrats 
I drove one few weeks back, that was an e46 M3 convertible stick shift... I am hooked. What a difference between FWD and RWD. Next car RWD only for me. Maybe I'll be going to the dark side too.....e39 or maybe 2g Lex GS....
I drove one few weeks back, that was an e46 M3 convertible stick shift... I am hooked. What a difference between FWD and RWD. Next car RWD only for me. Maybe I'll be going to the dark side too.....e39 or maybe 2g Lex GS....
Absolutely...just send me a PM with your VIN and I'll run it. I have an unlimited account through 01/07/09, so if anyone wants me to check a VIN, just send my way. Make sure to include your email address and I'll send a full report.
And thanks everyone for the congrats...I've owned various makes/models through the years, but never RWD. I'm a huge fan of Acura, so it was extremely hard to look elsewhere.
I'm always impressed with Azine's knowledge of cars as the E46 is indeed a great car...can't wait to add light mods...I'll definitely post pics...
For me, I said "dark side" because I've found BMW owners to have an arrogance about them consider they drive "the ultimate driving machine." I've always found BMW as a brand to be pretentious...but this particular 325i fit the bill for me at this time...
And thanks everyone for the congrats...I've owned various makes/models through the years, but never RWD. I'm a huge fan of Acura, so it was extremely hard to look elsewhere.
I'm always impressed with Azine's knowledge of cars as the E46 is indeed a great car...can't wait to add light mods...I'll definitely post pics...
For me, I said "dark side" because I've found BMW owners to have an arrogance about them consider they drive "the ultimate driving machine." I've always found BMW as a brand to be pretentious...but this particular 325i fit the bill for me at this time...
I am in no way attempting to pretend that I'm a moderator, but I'm pretty sure sharing your Carfax account is NOT allowed on here and could be grounds for a potential ban...just an FYI
Suzuka Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,271
Likes: 236
From: Maryland
Congratulations T34! I've always been an unconditional fan of the E46 series, I've owned both a 328i and 330xi. I missed that car so much that I ended up buying my old E46 328i from the friend I had sold it to some 7 years ago( its my dd and is at 137k miles); in manual transmission, its a boot to drive and a big value pre-owned! for the upcoming kid as well. Mine looks like this:
for the upcoming kid as well. Mine looks like this:
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 170
From: SoCal
[]
Last edited by F23A4; Dec 9, 2009 at 08:38 PM. Reason: Carfax sharing is NOT allowed on Acurazine
958 & 991
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,925
Likes: 1,291
From: South Florida
Nice pick up! I would have never guessed that was an '03, looks way more current. Good call on getting rid of the car payment on the TSX too. My gf's friend lost his job, couldn't afford his house payment so it went to foreclosure, then they were expecting a child, all the while he had 2 new BMW 5 series costing him over $800 a piece and he wouldn't part with them.
Congrats and can't wait to see the wheels, love to see some 19" M wheels on there
Congrats and can't wait to see the wheels, love to see some 19" M wheels on there
Disinformation Terminator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Very nice! You will enjoy that car.
Here are your two new favorite websites:
www.e46fanatics.com
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...aramCat=E46328
There is a cooling system overhaul package about a third of the way down on the Turner page you might want to look at closely.
-Mirror
Here are your two new favorite websites:
www.e46fanatics.com
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...aramCat=E46328
There is a cooling system overhaul package about a third of the way down on the Turner page you might want to look at closely.
-Mirror
Last edited by TheMirror; Dec 9, 2009 at 06:38 PM.
