Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Eastern Canada So I'm Missing a Stickshift ...

... more than I thought I would.

I wanna be more involved with my car. Ya it's gotta a steptronic but it's not the same.

So here's my question to you all (esp. Bart):

Would you rather keep an '05 330i auto with full warranty or get an '02 M3 with almost 100,000 km with some of the warranty left on it (I think? chime in Bart).

I may still not be able to afford the M3 but the dealer's looking into it for me ...

Let me know your thoughts ... experiences from people you know with M3's ... etc..

Thx!!

p.s. Ignore my sig - it's out-of-date

M3 all the way. Plus you may not have to worry about your mileage then right?

I would not make this offer to just anyone, but seeing as how your need is so great, I would be willing to swap my beautiful 95 (almost)SE WITH 5 speed for your bimmer. Won't even ask for any cash payment....
Erik

Is that an E36 or E46 M3 you are looking at?

I say get a 545

Hey Lou....I know the "I got me no stick shift" feeling! I drove a 330i with auto yesterday. The engine and handling was what kept me distracted from thinking about the stick shift though. The car is still so much fun to drive even with the auto. One thing I noticed is that the auto robs the car of power on take off. Once You reach midrange, all hell breaks loose!

On here of course anybody will say trade up to the M3. As long as You are willing to invest a bit more cha-ching. If it were me though, I would stick with the 330i auto. It's brand new with full warranty and maintenance coverage. No one has touched it before You. An M3 with 100k must be checked over thoroughly for wear and tear. Brakes and tires are very pricey on that model (even tough You have me haha). Plus from what You told me You spend some time in traffic where auto is a plus.

So to complete my chime... I recommend You get that M wheel / tire package I've been bragging about and give the windows a nice tint. That will complete that car.

Bartman

Yeah ... M3 might run you a little into the red, any other options?

I personally will never buy anything that isn't manual transmission. This 'semi-automatic/semi-manual' crap just doesn't cut it with me. It's not just the shifting you need ... it's the clutch control too.

Good point Bart on the insurance!

I'm now looking at maybe a base '05 330i std or an '04 330i w/ M package - got any of those on the lot Bart out there?