[iGreek]

200,000 miles is a lot, but for any older, well taken care of Bimmer, it isn't. Though, the price is too high. I got my 1997 E36 M3 Cosmos Black Coupe, with 172,000 miles on it, for 5400 and I still paid 300-400 dollars more than I should. Not that it's is bad condition, everything is perfect, but that's the prices.

I'd wouldn't pay anymore than $4500 for it and that's pushing it.

[prostreeter]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

Regardless of the cars you go look at, if I might put my 2 cents in, i'd suggest that you look at them based on your wants, needs, and buying criteria.

As someone who was recently in the market for a used car, recently sold one, and will sell another very soon, I can tell you that everyone's idea of "nice condition" is different. Sometimes VERY different.

I'm not insinuating anything about anyone's car in particular. But i've seen some of these "I got a great deal on my car" cars at meets, autoX events and what have you. I have yet to see a clean example of an E36 M3 sell for significantly less than your average asking price (all things considered). What I *have* seen are cars that people got at low prices that have significantly more wear and tear than cars that others buy at fair market pricing.

Anyone with high standards has been through it. You call about a car and are told that it's "mint", "not a scratch on it", "everything is perfect"...and when you get there the thing is an absolute abomination. Keep that in mind. I just bought my 330ci on a relative budget for E46's. I was told by plenty of people that "the deals are out there". I looked at cars below my price range, and believe me, they weren't worth buying.

Deals may very well be out there. But use your own sense of judgement. Buy the car YOU want. Buy a car that YOU find to be in good shape. Buy a car YOU think is a fair price. Any used car will need some TLC. Pick your battles. Initial price tag is tempting. But look at the big picture. Decide how much your time is worth if buying something that needs a laudry list of TLC items. It's almost never less money to buy the cheaper car that needs more reconditioning. The nicer cars always wind up being cheaper in the long run, and you wind up with a nicer car in the end.

Very well written Nick makes alot of sense and you pretty much covered everything.