17/04/2026 5:55 am
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So Ive been looking at these M3 sedans for like two weeks now and my head is spinning. I have about $45,000 saved up and Im here in Seattle just trying to find a nice one to drive to work every day. But honestly I have no idea where to start or what a fair price even looks like. I look on one site and see a car for $35,000 but then another one that looks exactly the same to me is listed for $65,000 and it makes no sense. My logic was that the newer ones would be more expensive but even the older ones with the V8 thing
- I think thats what it is - are super pricey.
People keep talking about E90 and F80 and I am just totally lost with all the codes and numbers. Is $45k even a real budget for a decent used one or am I just wasting my time? I just want something that isnt gonna break down on me immediately but the prices are just all over the place. One guy told me maintenance history is everything but what does that even mean for the price? Like how much extra do you pay for that? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I am literally just guessing at this point and it is making me so frustrated. What is actually a fair price to pay??
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17/04/2026 5:55 am
Honestly, 45,000 is a solid budget. I have been very satisfied with the BMW M3 E90 Sedan 4.0L V8 which typically lands around 35,000 for high-quality examples. It works well for daily commutes. If you prefer forced induction, the BMW M3 F80 Sedan 3.0L Twin Turbo is faster, tho a sorted one usually starts closer to 48,000. I am quite happy with the E90 platform because the linear power delivery is excellent for the price.
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17/04/2026 6:10 am
Thought about this more and 45k is a sweet spot for a BMW M3 F80 Sedan 3.0L. To clear the codes, E90 is the V8 and F80 is the turbo. Prices vary because of:
- Service history (rod bearings or crank hub fixes)
- Transmission (manuals cost way more) I'm super happy with mine. If you want something smaller, look at the BMW M2 Competition F87 Coupe. Do you prefer a manual or automatic?
1
17/04/2026 6:20 am
Saw this today and honestly its such a scam lately. I spent months looking for a reliable one last year but unfortunately, everything I found was a total mess. It drives me crazy how prices stay high when the reality is usually a mechanical nightmare.
- Factor in 5k for immediate repairs
- Markets are basically broken right now
- Listings always hide major red flags Finding a fair price is basically impossible now.
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