CWalsh

EDIT: I sold the M3 in October 2012.





I actually felt really bad selling my Fit because it's the first car I've ever sold that didn't have problems. The only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't an M3

I've loved M3's since I was 13 years old and sat in a new E36 M3 at the Baltimore Auto Show, and that was back in 1998. I've wanted an E46 M3 for quite some time now but haven't been able to make it work financially. In 2009 I sold my 2001 Mustang GT and bought a Honda Fit because it was a very practical and economical car, just to get me by until I could get an E46 M3.

Forward ahead to a couple weeks ago when I drove my friend's E46 M3, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I decided that now was the time to buy the car of my dreams, and in less than a week I had found a used 2004 M3 SMG with 57,000 miles and it was at a dealership about five miles away from where I work.

I have some minor plans for it (black kidneys and side grilles are already ordered) but I won't do any major mods for a while because honestly I absolutely love the car as it is. I love the curves of the car, the wheels, the sound of the exhaust, the power is amazing, etc. And since it's such an upgrade from the Honda, I really want to fully understand the dynamics of the car from the factory before I start modding it.

I also plan on taking it to Summit Point this summer so I can get some track time

Unfortunately I haven't had time (or weather) to be able to take some better quality pictures so for now all I have is a cell phone pic. And don't worry, I've already removed the dealership license plates and frames haha.

Sung@MM

Nice!

thats fresh

Nice I say its a fair upgrade but no vtec lol

949

gas mileage will be horrible and the maintenance is also going to kill ya.
but nice ride. i wish i had the money.

Todd00

This is the kind of car you get as a second car...not your primary driver.

Do you have anything to drive in the snow?

CWalsh

I'm getting about 18 MPG. That isn't really too bad. That's what I used to get in my Mustang GT when regular gas was over $4.00 per gallon.

This is my only car, and I know the risks of doing this. However, I only live 10 minutes away from my mom and she has a Ford Escape that she will let me borrow if I really need to. Snow usually isn't a big deal in this area (with the exception of the last couple winters, which are not common) so I'll just call out of work if I need to.

doctor.darkside

huge upgrade, but no vtak! how will you survive?

and yeah most winters aren't so bad here in Baltimore, but the lack of skill of the drivers here makes ANY snow really bad lol.

B20ztek

iTrader: (1)

Best decision youve ever made lol. Beautiful car

10psiLsEf2

***** magnet.
maintanance = shitty



ive seen a e46 with a supercharger running 11's theyre nice BUT its one of those things I WOULDNT PURCHASE!

billboard

gorgeous... just sexy car... impractical for me right now but some day......

CWalsh

Yeah there's no way I'm going forced induction haha. 333 hp is plenty for me. Plus I don't want to deal with all the problems and tuning, etc.

tehondafrk

Definitely nice, just hope it was cared for previously and holds up well for you.

m_shake

333hp of inline 6 itb'd goodness
Smg...not so much. But hey, at least it's not a slush box trannny
Plus you got the good year that doesn't explode haha

furious94ls

Very nice find. If you are financially able to afford it then thats cool, and by that I mean the maint/repairs not the price of the car. lol but if I were you I'd learn to do as much maint/repairs as possible on this car yourself. You will save a ton. This year is less prone to issues but not exempt. Treat it nice and good luck. Any plans on getting another honda as a toy or daily?

CWalsh

I have some friends that can help me with maintenance but there are certain things I'll have to get done at the dealer...just the way BMW is (like Inspection II which may be coming up in about 10,000 miles).

I do plan on getting another beater Honda as the miles start to add up on the M3. I used to have a 1990 Civic hatch that I bought for $800 when I was in college...I plan on looking for something similar.

2k.civic.si

good choice....i would take that over my fit any day.

Scottp_87

M ftw. nice step up.

CWalsh

Got my black grilles on yesterday Stock vs. black:

TOO MUCH TORQUE

friend gets 11-13 mpg on his lol...

CWalsh

Is his modded, or does he drive it hard? I've been averaging 17-18 mpg and I am certainly not babying it.

joselnavarro56

dude i love my fit wouldnt trade it for nothn

E-AT_me

nice. if you run with NASA at summit i may see you up there. wife drives a purple fit with green wheels. we run a miata on track. they are the normal track car.. but there is a reason why. she's an instructor for NASA, Trackdaze, and FATT.

enjoy your dream ride!

scioninla

Nice...M3

Memo6453

Clean

screaminj

looking good!