[dghits26]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to know would you trade in your e90 m package e2011 335 xi for 2004 e46 m3.

Both cars are fully loaded.

the 2011 has 48k
the e46 has 53k

The e46 was kept in a garage for 3 years and only driven in the summer . The paint , interior and engine bay is crazy clean. All im waiting on are the maintenance work and then bring it to get checked out. However, if all checks out would you do it ?

The positives to this trade i wouldn't have car payment. I would save up to supercharge it.

The negatives are that it is a 04 , its a smg and it has no warranty. However overall m3s are still a solid car. The money i get back can pay for full coverage warranty.

I would be getting about 5 k back in cash for the 2011 if i decide to go through with it.

[dghits26]

i guess this would be though to be a crazy deal

[JDane07]

If I was wanting to upgrade my car, I'd go for an e46 M3 over a 335xi if that helps lol

[SHEEDI]

check this out LOL

[SHEEDI]

[hankcah]

Originally Posted by dghits26

Hey Guys,

I wanted to know would you trade in your e90 m package e2011 335 xi for 2004 e46 m3.

Both cars are fully loaded.

the 2011 has 48k
the e46 has 53k

The e46 was kept in a garage for 3 years and only driven in the summer . The paint , interior and engine bay is crazy clean. All im waiting on are the maintenance work and then bring it to get checked out. However, if all checks out would you do it ?

The positives to this trade i wouldn't have car payment. I would save up to supercharge it.

The negatives are that it is a 04 , its a smg and it has no warranty. However overall m3s are still a solid car. The money i get back can pay for full coverage warranty.

I would be getting about 5 k back in cash for the 2011 if i decide to go through with it.

I don't consider your thoughts to be crazy at all: car will be paid for, you'll be able to get a warranty, and it sounds like you've seen this car. Just make sure to get a PPI (don't judge a car based on how much wax it has on it.) and specifically the main issues like rear subframe and whatever else the e46 is prone to.

I recommend shopping around the warranties to see if they specifically cover the spring deal that goes out on the SMGs. And as your questions of mileage, years of coverage, deductibles, certified shops, if this is out of your pocket or straight billed to the warranty. I know of Endurance, Wanted, and you may want to look into warranties. But 48k miles is a good range to be in as it'll be cheaper the sooner you have warranty. Get the most you can afford to still be breaking-even on the swap, and enjoy it.

If it checks out then yes.

[smuler]

If you see SMG as a negative , could you not find manual M3 ?
Best to change for what you really want.

[CantCatchMe]

No thanks on the SMG trans. Get a manual for the E46 M3.

[dghits26]

Originally Posted by smuler

If you see SMG as a negative , could you not find manual M3 ?
Best to change for what you really want.

I haven't found a manual as clean as this car.

An i know it sucks , but i never learned to drive a manual car.-(

[CantCatchMe]

Originally Posted by dghits26

I haven't found a manual as clean as this car.

An i know it sucks , but i never learned to drive a manual car.-(

It's super easy give it a couple days you'll have it down. Trust me took me two days to learn. And the E46 is great to learn how to shift.

[ThugzZ BunnY]

dont worry about the smg, they are only bad if you dont know how to drive them properly. i know i would do this trade if i had the chance. s54 is such a solid engine and will run for a long time.

[Kolyan2k]

Not sure E46 M3 is reliable.....mine wasnt. Cool car still....but I wouldn't go hookers and blow shopping just yet and keep that extra $5k for repairs and maintenance

edit: i see you wanted to buy warranty....that could be a goo idea if warranty company is actually good and would cover your all SMG and other expenses

[Nitrousbird]

I considered an E46 M3. Drove a manual one at that. Though a better track car than a 335, it isn't as good of a street car IMO. E9x has a nicer, more modern interior. N54/N55 have more power potential and don't have to be fully wound out to make power. As a daily, the 335 is a better choice IMO.

[dghits26]

thx guys. I ended up just keeping my car. I going to upgrade to pure stage 2 turbos in the near future. Thx for your input.

[Wingnut335]

Originally Posted by dghits26

thx guys. I ended up just keeping my car. I going to upgrade to pure stage 2 turbos in the near future. Thx for your input.

I think you made the right choice. I was actually quite surprised so many people were suggesting that you trade your Msport 335 for the E46 M3. Personally, I wouldn't even consider the trade. Granted you were going to walk away with $5k in your pocket, you're talking about a 7 year age difference. I would have expected a bit more than $5k to make the deal fair.

Most 2004 E46 M3s in my area sell for about $15k. It doesn't cost a whole lot to get one.

[ThEnder]

I would do it if it were the 6MT but the SMG in the e46 is awful.

[maddmatth]

Will be a big step back in comfort when you're used to an E90.

E46 M3 will make a great weekend/track car but for day to day the E9x cars just feel nicer and more comfortable inside.

I'm coming from an E46 328i MSport to an E92 335i MSport. Still have my old car and drive it on weekends until someone buys it.
Seats are a huge difference, the E46 seats will never hold you as well. And E9x series has loads of nice tech improvements like the better climate control system (The E9x one just does a better job overall somehow), adaptive headlights ect.

I was trying to decide for a long time between an E46 M3 and an E92 335i as my next car. In the end I chose the 335i because it'll be newer, more reliable, comfy and have newer technology.

[Tim07e90]

I'd go for it buttttttttt...its an SMG. Go for a manual and make sure the subframe is reinforced or get it done as your first mod.

[cdgatti]

look at this website for the best e46 m3s ib the country.

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by dghits26

The negatives [...] its a smg

Run, far, now.

[9352e90]

Go with the 335xi, the e46 M3 is a great car, but as something to live with everyday you will be much happier with the e90. The n55's power is a lot easier to access in everyday driving. Performance wise the two are pretty close. E90 has more space, and a nicer more modern interior also.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by dghits26

Hey Guys,

I wanted to know would you trade in your e90 m package e2011 335 xi for 2004 e46 m3.

Both cars are fully loaded.

the 2011 has 48k
the e46 has 53k

The e46 was kept in a garage for 3 years and only driven in the summer . The paint , interior and engine bay is crazy clean. All im waiting on are the maintenance work and then bring it to get checked out. However, if all checks out would you do it ?

The positives to this trade i wouldn't have car payment. I would save up to supercharge it.

The negatives are that it is a 04 , its a smg and it has no warranty. However overall m3s are still a solid car. The money i get back can pay for full coverage warranty.

I would be getting about 5 k back in cash for the 2011 if i decide to go through with it.

E46 M3 for me. If the SMG really bothers you, it's real easy to do the 6MT swap, so I hear. And if the SMG breaks, then that's a great excuse to do the swap