New member in the hunt for a new(er) car..

[BEN4UF]

hello everyone my name is ben, im living in gainesville FL and im seriously considering buying a 95-99 M3. my boss has one, and i love it. i have only read high reviews on them, aside from $cost$ (maintenance cost/gas/purchase price etc).

i am leaning towards a newer one, 97-99 with around 50-70k miles. 5spd coupe of course, with the M contour wheels and prob either black, silver, or blue in color. i have a red mustang 5.0 now and it draws far too much attention.

anyone have suggestions, comments, thoughts, opinions on these cars?

where there may be a good place to find one? (close to FL preferably)

anything i should try to avoid or watch out for?

i have read the 95 have the best OBD for modding, but im gonna try to do my best to avoid too much modifying aside from maybe a chip or CAI. i also read the 95s have probs with the orig water pump. im also wondering if there is a way to know if the inspection II has been done, since the mileage im looking at is right where it should be performed.

i'm looking to spend between 15-20k.

thanks for any/all input.

[Furious]

just wanna say hello.

[BEN4UF]

hello furious, nice car.

oh btw, as of now i am mainly searching in autotrader, roundel, the big online car sites, a few of the bmwcca chapters classifieds, and i also have a friend who is an autobroker looking at auctions.

what should i have him look out for? (besides the obvious)
are there some common malfunctions such as the water pump impeller on the 95, which i dont think you can tell if its been replaced anyhow.

[ARCHER]

A friend of mine up in DC is selling his. It does not meet "all" of your criteria, but it is a super clean, well-maintained specimen with lots of performance goodies as well.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=160395698

[BEN4UF]

thanks for the link archer. but im hoping to find one in FL or close by. also aiming for under 20k in price. that is a sweet ride though. love the black on black.

[95m3driva]

Thank god you are getting rid of the piece of crap stang, 95=mucho mods
96 and up=more stock torque, same hp so technically less efficient(im a buisness major) I SAY GO FOR 95!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CiscoKid]

go to ebaymotors.com they have alot of Florida cars for good prices.