Used BMW M3 for sale near North Aurora, IL

The M3 has gotten very luxurious while losing nothing in performance. Choices abound. the car starts in comfort/efficiency mode, if you are just going to the supermarket. But two "M" buttons on the steering wheel (you set them up yourself) can quickly change that. I have M1 set up for sporty and M2 for "to the max". The seats are a bit firm. I can ask the car to cool itself via a BMW app 10 minutes before I arrive. Many things like that. The manual transmission is standard BMW, similar to my 14 year old 1M. Many options are via virtual buttons, menus, and submenus, but I got used to it faster than I expected. Through the app I can check how much gas I have and what the tire pressure is and where I've driven (you can turn that off). It can connect to the dealer for regular maintenance. It's amazing! I'm not crazy over the electric clutch, but I'm getting used to it.

BMW's, specifically M series can sometimes get a bad rep for reliability and the markup in service cost if out of warranty. This couldn't be further from the truth...I've owned two f80 M3s and these things are extremely well-engineered and other than the random crankhub issues (typically caused by loose crankbolts from the factory or bad tunes that on-ramp torque too quickly) these cars are bullet-proof. I've put over 70,000 miles on this chassis and have had ZERO headaches, zero mechanical surprises and nothing but a xxxx eating grin from ear to ear each and every time I drive one. BMW did a knockout job mechanically and cosemetically with this generation F8X M3 and they've prooven to hold-up against the test of time. With petrol engines being phased out, this car is sure to continue to hold it's value!!!

Bought car to have fun on track days with the Porsche and BMW Clubs and it did not disappoint. It pulled hard on straights and cornered like it was on rails. Great brakes too but I did upgrade.

I bought my M3 (e92) as a fun car for occasional use on track. It’s a project car really, and I’ll upgrade the car as I can afford to do so. So far I’ve had the car out on track twice, without any modifications apart from better pads and racing fluid for the brakes. The car handles extremely well, and performance in the high rev range is astonishingly good for a car that is so docile around town. The only areas requiring some attention are front brakes and exhaust. The front brakes are perfectly ok for normal driving, but for track use I’ll probably change the callipers and discs. The exhaust is ok, but a previous owner has done something with it to make it more noisy...sounds great but at 110db it fails most race circuit noise tests. There isn’t much about this car I don’t like. If I were to be picky maybe the interior is a bit bland, but it is a BMW, and after 78,000 miles there are no squeaks or rattles.

Easy to upgrade (e.g. DINAN) and can actually fit 4 people. Strong motor from the famous E46 series and stays glued to the road. Though a smaller convertible, it is heavy and solid giving a very safe feeling. Also, you can actually have the top down with golf clubs or groceries in the trunk!

The 2001-2006 BMW M3 (chassis code E46). This generation of M3, like others was and still is and icon of sport and spirited diving. When new, this set the bar and was the measuring stick by which other cars were evaluated. Sure, it doesn't have all the current tech, even seeming Spartan compared to all the comforts of a large high-end luxury sedan or SUV, but that's never been why we love M3s. Now the E46 M3 is between 14-19 years old and it's performance on paper is comparable to that of a new Civic Si, but it still has something that very few cars have. Dare I say it at the risk being cliche? Soul. The M3 wasn't supposed to be the fastest in a straight line but a well balanced alround touring car. Its the perfect balance of handling, power not too much power, and class while still reasonable enough to drive everyday or just on those nice spring Sundays. It does "fun" VERY well and that is why it still is one of the most pleasing cards to drive. The looks are before a lot of the more controversial later BMW designs. It has that work of art, screamer of an in-line 6 cylinder S54 motor (2001 engine of the year winner and winner of the 3-4 L category for six straight years in a row 2001-2006). Though SMG had begun to increase in popularity, some E46 M3s still came with an honest to goodness manual transmission. This is what makes the E46 M3 one of the best of what seems to be a dying bread of cars and values should hold (or even increase) through the years like most other M cars have done historically. Cost of ownership isn't cheap. It's a BMW, no surprise there. However, failure and repair costs increase when considering SMG equipped M3's. Another thing you should consider is how much money you'll spend washing and waxing it then time sitting there and staring. That's one of my hobbies too... when not driving it. The E46 M3 is in an icon in a lineage of special cars and had become an instant classic.

I fell in love with the E46 M3 back in the days of high school. The styling, the handling, the aggressive fenders -- it was something to drool over at the time and age. I could not be any more proud of happy to own this car.

I have two bmw m3 competition sedans, with 503 hp and 4 easy computer driving modes, this is a absolute best car for the ‘real world’…as an aggressive but sensible driver, I am getting a remarkable 24.0mpg using the lockup high gear,?overages 35.4 mph in the real world, dynamic styling with many young people commented on the aggressive looks plus the gorgeous interior with professional seats,

I got a lot of head nods on drive home People seem to like it. May be because the new style is eye catching I have owned other sport car. This one is my favorite.

Loved this car while I owned it. I’ve had a couple BMWs and this was by far the most reliable and fun vehicle thus far.

Fantastic does everything car -- kids to school, been camping with it, cross-country drives, autocross / track racing, etc. Amazing sport exhaust sound and multiple personalities -- purring kitten in comfort mode or roaring tiger in Sport Plus!

Great styling, excellent performance, a thrill to drive and you still have a back seat and a huge trunk. This car is a performance sport car that can be easily used as a daily driver.