Well, I'll be moving back to Germany in a year and I'm kinda stuck... Right now I've got the 96 Auto and it is 'okay' for the autobahn. I really need something else though...

The issue is this. If you can go as fast as you want and drive on some of the most well built roads in the world, what would you drive? Unfortunately a 911 Turbo is out of my reach. Fortunately Bimmers are cheap (no haggling, invoice priced, and $12 tags). Basically 330i for $30k, 325i for $24k and hopefully the M3 for $40k. I'm really leaning into the Germans, but maybe the 2002 max will impress. Finally the SupraTT is a beg the wife request.

So all in all, I'm looking at a 2002 330i, 2002 Maxima, 93-98 Supra, or 2002 M3 (big down payment). 2 sedans and 2 GT cars to consider. I've got 2 kids and 4 doors will be easier, but the speed of a M3 or Soop is VERY appealing. Decisions decisions decisions...

Thanks for your input...

Zam

 

I'd go for the M3, you even might be able to find a "cheap" used 2001 M3. I wonder if they plan to come out with a four door like the last one. What about a used M5?

 

M5 would be a great choice!

 

M3. In germany you could maybe find a year old one, which will be the same "new" M3 we hardly get here. Larger V8 BMWs are dirt cheap in Germany, due to gas usage/prce.

 

From what I've heard the M3 lists for around 45K in the US, but it will never sell for that. A fully loaded 330Ci goes for just over 40, who wouldn't go the extra for the M3? But they will be so difficult to come by that the dealers will tack an extra 10 grand on to the list. And why not for a car that can even be compared to a Carrerra in the handling dept.

Do your German bimmers lose the 128 mph top speed like the american ones? I could never understand a 740i sport that had a top speed of 128, seems a waste.

A German friend of mine shattered the myth for me. I thought Germans drove as well as they engineered. He said no, and when there are accidents in Germany, they are far more serious than anything we see here. Well I saw a 7-car smash-up Monday on I-287 in Westchester due to less than 1/4" of snow.

 

The new US M3 is basically the normal German M3. So you could get an M3 in germany that is a few years old and it would be very similar to the "new" US version (with a few less HP) But don't forget about all the money that you're going to need to modify it, there is a huge market for BMW parts especially in Germany.