[Hunter78]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to find a clean e46 M3 at a reasonable price. I want to start a summer project! Is it possible to find something under 3k? I plan on swapping the engine so high miles is fine.

Thanks!!

[Zara]

If you want to find something under 3k then it's not going to be clean.

[Mr. Tasty]

Originally Posted by Hunter78

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to find a clean e46 M3 at a reasonable price. I want to start a summer project! Is it possible to find something under 3k? I plan on swapping the engine so high miles is fine.

Thanks!!

A clean e46 M3 will run closer to 18k-22k. Even more for a low mileage car.

[rjd_F30]

A clean E46 for under 13k is hard to find, let alone under 3k. Go for a coupe and 6MT and it turns into being impossible. They can be had for under 10k but they will not be clean. Then again you're looking for a project so I guess that works...

[Kailec]

As others have said that's not likely to happen. Anything in that price range will need a lot of work and will be high mileage for sure. That being said if you find one for that price I will pay you $6k to take it off you.

[Hunter78]

I was looking at some salvage cars since I plan on rebuilding it myself. Most of the cars I have seen are way to damaged. Can you buy just the frame somewhere?

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Hunter78

I was looking at some salvage cars since I plan on rebuilding it myself. Most of the cars I have seen are way to damaged. Can you buy just the frame somewhere?

It's a unitized structure, there is no 'frame'.

If you're OK with an engine swap just buy a regular E46. There isn't a snowballs chance in Haiti of buying an E46 M3 for three grand that's in any kind of usable condition. They're appreciating in value.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by Zara

If you want to find something under 3k then it's not going to be clean.

[DerEisbaer]

It'll be difficult to find a clean E36/E46 with an MT for around 3k$, an M3 would be the unicorn we are all looking for

Early Z4s and some Z3s are still rather "cheap" here in Germany, might be a good alternative (Z3 would definitely make a good Miata equivalent). But even those will not be easy to find at a budget of 3-5k$.

[yco]

3k? really?

[xander_g]

No chance you'll find one for 3k. They're going up in price from what I've seen. I know someone selling one for 40k CAD but its flawless.

[The Wind Breezes]

Obviously you are driving your family's xdrive.

Look, you can still find a BMW to work on and drive with that budget but it WON'T be a a M3. Maybe a '90s E36. And you'll likely need to do a lot of maintenance, probably as much as you paid for the car.

You sound like you may be new to cars in general so good luck, because it will be a trial by fire.

[10"]

It's your lucky day!! have found you a clean E46 M3 for under $3k....and guess what it's a CSL! Lucky day!!

http://www.legacydiecast.com/bmw-e46...t-in-118-scale

[M00011owner]

Originally Posted by Hunter78

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to find a clean e46 M3 at a reasonable price. I want to start a summer project! Is it possible to find something under 3k? I plan on swapping the engine so high miles is fine.

Thanks!!

I know this is resurrecting an old thread, but if you are still interested, I've got a 2003 M3 SMG vert. (laguna seca blue). LMK if interested.

[SunnyD]

Why not do an e36 non M w/S54 swap? If I wanted a project car, that's what I'd do.