1997 M3 ...

[PCH]

A '97 M3 luxury (automatic) has suddenly come into the picture as an option for me.. and at a good price..

its a 1997, M3, automatic with 28k miles on it. (5 years at 28k only.. very low mileage!)

Anything I should know about them?

I know the auto is a 6.7sec or 6.4sec 0-60 whereas the stick is 5.7 (but this is auto only...)

I will look at it this weekend.

Anything I should look for, anything I need to know about it?

Good and Bad.

Thanks,

PCH

[3.5litermoose]

why are you buying an automatic M3? to most sports car lovers, it was a sin of BMW to put an automatic transmision into such a motorsport bred high performance car. Driving a stick in general is more fun, and obviously performance is better. i agree its a great deal, but an automatic is a bit sketchy in my book. but if your heart is set on buy the automatic, i agree that it sounds like a good deal.

[PCH]

this m3 just sorta appeared. It just happens to be an auto.. but I agree.. m3 should be stick only.. But if I can get it at a great deal, it may be worth it in auto still.

-PCH

[328isRob]

ugh... auto.

[3.5litermoose]

how low of a price are we talking here? because you know, it might be worth shelling out the extra money for M3 with a stick instead of settling for an auto.

[PCH]

the other problem is since the car is 5 years old.. theres no way to get an extended warranty or service plan.. It's pretty much buy and hope for the best.

I have also talked to a dealership with a stick 97 m3, a little less in price as well.. but colors are green on black... havent seen it yet though..

I'm just a bit worried that if i get a 5 year old car, theres no warranty, and by the time its paid off its 10 years old and whats the value of resale by then? etc etc

decisions decisions


At least there's this forum for q/a and info!!

-PCH

[328isRob]

Whadda mean no extended warranty.... I've seen 96 M3's that were CPO.

[NJMAXSELTD]

You can purchase a warranty from an aftermarket firm. (Not BMW) Your local dealer may be able to give you a reference.

As far as a 10 year old M3, that car isn't going to depreciate in value as quickly as most cars do.

Automatic - Hey I'm all for it, call me lazy as I get older, but I'm sick of shifting. That car will perform very nicely as an automatic.

So if the price is right, go treat yourself to a great car.