Is this a good base for a track car build? 03 bmw m3 coupe white. 6 speed smg

what do you think: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4491168270.html

03 bmw m3 coupe. White /light gray leather. Sunroof. Premium/sport pkg. Front performance lip. Rear spoiler . M POWER decals. One of a kind . Excellent shape. Xenon lights.good tires

I was wondering how durable the SMG was the other day

I would look for a manual trans car, without the Premium package and sunroof, but that's me.

If you do decide to go for it, I may be interested in the seats, both front and rear.

I love how the ad states "one of a kind". Yep, only 2003 BMW M3 in white ever made!

Duke wrote: I would look for a manual trans car, without the Premium package and sunroof, but that's me. If you do decide to go for it, I may be interested in the seats, both front and rear.

Agree. Ideally I'd look for a no-sunroof car with a standard manual trans.

I'm no BMW pro though, just my preference. The SMG seems to add unneeded maintenance complication.

In reply to xflowgolf:

Its a 6sp manual controlled by a computer.....no real "Unneeded" maintenance unless you're referencing the odd chance the smg actuator could go bad.

I'd find a slick top for track duty though, and the smg will probably be faster than an identical row your own.

yamaha wrote: In reply to xflowgolf: Its a 6sp manual controlled by a computer.....no real "Unneeded" maintenance unless you're referencing the odd chance the smg actuator could go bad. I'd find a slick top for track duty though, and the smg will probably be faster than an identical row your own.

Agreed. It's pretty straightforward to convert an SMG car to a true 6 speed do it yourself transmission. I came super close to buying a supercharged e46 M3 with an SMG. I had already priced out the conversion. Seller flaked on me.

In reply to dyintorace:

I would only convert it if that actuator failed though....the SMG with the later CSL(iirc) programming is scary good.

so smg but no sunroof, this price is hard to beat.....

The sunroof is not a deal breaker. I fit under the sunroof in my DD E46 with a helmet, and I'm relatively long-waisted. Are you going to gut the car? It's easy enough to remove, and then you can poprivet a filler panel in. But if you're not comfortable doing that to this car, then I would try to find one without. It's a lot of weight and it's mounted as high as possible in the car.

If you're going to gut the interior for track use anyway, might as well take out the sunroof cartridge and replace the sunroof panel with sheetmetal or fiberglass. IIRC there was a CSL M3 that got a lightweight carbon fiber roof panel.. Duke beat me to it..

yes, i am going to gut the interior, i have cut the sunroof trays out of e30's so i guess i will do the same, i saw where a dude had a carbon fiber peice to replace the whole roof, that sounds risky to me, cut the whole mid section of the roof out...yikes

Duke wrote: I would look for a manual trans car, without the Premium package and sunroof, but that's me. If you do decide to go for it, I may be interested in the seats, both front and rear.

Guy with a dove grey interior here:

E46 M3 interior

In reply to ZOO:

Wow, thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, I am trying to replace seats with some wear and rips, so his are not helping much. I appreciate the effort, though!

check with me before you buy as i will not be needing these if i pull the trigger.

The wrote: so smg but no sunroof, this price is hard to beat.....

That would just be my preference.....I still need to figure out how to attach my sunroof panel on my e36(gutted sunroof)

i cut the tray out of a e30 and put the panel back in with JB Weld, taped the panel on then applied the compound on the inside, held for years, dont look to bad if you are careful

I'm more worried about air pressure popping it out the top.....I'm thinking some type of latch.