Last summer selling my e46 M3... guys on Craigs/Marketplace: “But you’re above blue book!!! Will you take [insert stupid trade + low cash]”

KBB is good starting point for many vehicles but not for a clean, low mileage vehicle that has a cult-like status/following, such as the M3.

Benjamin - mind telling me about your experience with the CLS? I’m currently considering a 500/550 as a 2nd car. I’ve always loved the looks and specs but haven’t driven one yet. 

Thank you for the good laugh... I just spent 30 minute of time at work reading through a bunch of these email threads. 

They are pneumatically actuated, which, in manufacturing is one of the most reliable movements you can use... so you’re counterpoint is mute.  

What motor do the current ones use??

As an mechanical engineer and DIY mechanic myself, I’ve been following Christian VK for many years and he never ceases to amaze me. The guy is a brilliant mastermind who, along with his team, actually delivers some of the most amazing automotive technology of the last 20 years. I only hope his ideas trickle down into…

Easy to read between the lines that 250mph is not the top speed. This car is capable of much more. 

This is the correct take. 

HP numbers on a MUSTANG dyno only get you in the ballpark. Their relevance is limited to making tweaks on the car to determine gains/losses.

For reference, I recently purchased my ‘02 330Ci 5spd w/ 128k miles (w/ less than 5k on tires, clutch, new brakes, upgraded cooling system) w/ M3 bumbers, wheels, side skirts etc... for $4,400. Almost double the hp as this 318 and much better looking.

I’ll put this on my list of cars that would be cool to drive but I won’t ever want to own one outside of it’s warranty. Its right up there with the Giula Quadrifoglioliolio, DB11, CLK63 black.

6% of gross, 8.7% of net

33 yrs old, family of 4, one income.

The reason is stated in your explanation, the IS has an unusable back seat for adults.

Why should you pay the same amount for less?

Ref: Porsche. They’ve make boatloads in past years doing this.

My dd is a 2wd Silverado in the northern part of the midwest. Why 2wd? Because (with good tires) I can literally use ±355 days a year and get better gas mileage than a 4wd. As for the other ±10 days, I have a $1,500 beater 4x4 with mud tires.

Re: Don’t Rely On The CarFax

For this reason, I own two trucks. One is my dd - one is a 93 k1500 w/ 300k miles that I bought for $1500... It gets used a few times a month from friends and family who need a truck. I get lots a beer in return. Win-win. 

Recently sold my clean, low milage e46 330Ci 5spd manual to a mid-20s guy who (on the test drive) could barely clutch and shift correctly. I almost didn’t let him buy it. But he had cash in-hand and I needed a vehicle that could fit two car seats.

A week later he texts me and says he got in a wreck... but that he was…

Are they even trying to make good looking cars anymore? Other than their “cheap” convertibles (california / portofino), the Ferrari lineup of the last 10+ years looks like they were designed by video gamers who never laid eyes on a Ferrari from the 50s & 60s.

I’ve owned quite a few rebuilt/salvage title vehicles and they are a great way to get a good deal... if you know how to spot red flags vs clean rebuilds. You typically cannot buy with a loan or get full coverage insurance on a rebuilt car so you keep that in mind. This ST would probably be a great drivers car for…