Wanted: 1996-1999 BMW M3 Street Car

[JoeP]

I am looking for a 1996-1999 street M3 for occasional DE use and to teach my kids how to drive a stick.  It must be a manual transmission.  I would prefer a 4 door, but mileage and condition are my highest priority.   Thanks for any leads you can provide.    

[jmr3]

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1562202934.html

[JoeP]

Thanks!  I left a message.

[bobt993]

Joe,  Rennlist members classified has a 99 M coupe with some track stuff added already.

[ccm911]

Joe, see if Myles wants to sell his.  I know it has been well cared for.

[jmr3]

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1626461588.html

[Porshagod]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct...dard=false

[JoeP]

Update:  Thanks for your help guys.  I'm on the trail of a 1998 two door with no sunroof.  I'm still looking because it has been hard to arrange a meeting with the Seller.  I think he has a prior deal, and is just using me as a backup in case it falls through.

Dave Mano (and the recent snow) also started me thinking about Audis.  What knucklehead told Audi that they should stuff a V8 into an S4?  That seems like a ton of fun if you don't toast the brakes.  The biturbo A4 and A6 cars aren't too shabby either.

[AMoore]

Joe,

I also checked into the S4.  It is fast but heavy.  Also, I read somewhere that they are very expensive to fix.  I think a slightly modified turbo A4 would be cheaper, handle better, and easier to fix, assuming the tubocharger isn't shot.

 

Have you considered a used WRX,  EVO, or GTI? 

 

[JoeP]

Aaron:  Until Dave mentioned Audis, I had narrowed my choices down to 1996-1999 M3's or slightly newer Minis.  Since I am still on the steep part of the DE learning curve, I already have my hands full with normally aspirated cars, or at least cars that behave normally aspirated (like the Mini).  

I test-drove a new Mazdaspeed 3.  The torquesteer was unnerving, and I hated the way things became complicated as boost went in and out.  I also drove a friend's WRX.  It was better behaved, but the throttle was still very nonlinear - and would change midcurve depending on your RPM.  The Mini was not so dramatic, perhaps because it was not as radical.

This car will be my daily driver that I will also use to teach my daughter how to drive a manual transmission and introduce her to track events, starting with autocross.  An M3 or S4 would be waaaay overkill, but would give her less to learn than a turbo car.  On the practical side, an S4 or Mini would be better in Winter than an M3.  

Right now, the decision seems to depend more on the right individual car.  These babies are getting pretty old.  I keep getting tempted to spend a little more for a newer car, but that really defeats my original purpose.  Prices are dropping fast.  Here is a beautious 2003 no-sunroof M3, and they are only asking $20K:

http://streetdreamsbmwm3coupe.com/info.php