Another evo to m3 thread.....
For a street car, the M3 is a nicer, more luxurious package. Unfortunately with the comfort and luxury also comes $$ -- maintenance and upkeep can be very expensive on an M3 (or any BMW for that matter). When the car is under the maintenance / warranty, it is cheap 
, but once off that the visits to the dealership usually wind up costing ~$1200 and we had at least 3 'visits'/ year.
If the car is your only car, you are not tracking it, you don't need to have the fastest car on the block, you want something different (more luxurious), and you don't want to be tweaking on the weekends, then the M3 may be for you...
, but once off that the visits to the dealership usually wind up costing ~$1200 and we had at least 3 'visits'/ year.If the car is your only car, you are not tracking it, you don't need to have the fastest car on the block, you want something different (more luxurious), and you don't want to be tweaking on the weekends, then the M3 may be for you...
I have owned 4 M cars, 2 with S54 motors so I can answer your questions pretty dead on.
Pros:
1. The M3 is a gorgeous car.
2. Depending on the trim, the interior can be very nice.
3. Lots of bells and whistles compared to the Evo.
4. Good car to be seen in.
5. The S54 is one of the all time great engines.
6. The concept of the SMG is fantastic.
7. Most M3s come with a 6 year/100K warranty on the engine.
Cons:
1. The M3 is not slow but it is also not very quick (it did not live up to my expectations).
2. It is on the slightly overweight side of things and you can feel it.
3. The SMG is slow to shift compared to a truely great sequential manual (I had a Ferrari with an F1 box which is how trhe SMG should shift) which is also dissappointing when you consider BMW claims shift times that are faster than everyone elses.
4. You may need the 6 year engine warranty, I had a rod go through the side of the block on an otherwise stock and UNABUSED car with only 12K miles on it. It is not a design issue but was a constant assembly issue that plagued many S54 engines (not only the '01-'02 range). The good news is that is if hasn't happened by 23K miles, it probably won't happen and if it did, BMW will probably cover it.
As to maintaining it, parts are expnsive when they get out of warranty and silly little things like climate controls, sunroof motors, window lifts, etc will ding you hard. HOWEVER, this is no different from any other German car and should not be seen as a con, just the way it is. The cars are built well and will look and feel new far longer then any Evo provided you keep it up.
Drvie the M3 on an extended test drive. If you come away happy with the performance and like the SMG,, buy it and don't look back. This will be a subjective decision as it is VERY different from an Evo.
If you come away unhappy with the performance. Try out an '01-'03 E39 M5. They are very fun to drive and have much more performance on hand (and ready to be extracted) then an M3 despite the slight increase in size and extra weight. These cars can still be had with low miles and in your budget if you look hard. WHile I never liked the E46 M3 compared to other M3s, the E39 M5 is my favorite of all M5 generations including the new E60 (amazing car but too ugly and too much techno garbage that ruins the experience of driving it).
Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions as I can probably answer them.
Pros:
1. The M3 is a gorgeous car.
2. Depending on the trim, the interior can be very nice.
3. Lots of bells and whistles compared to the Evo.
4. Good car to be seen in.
5. The S54 is one of the all time great engines.
6. The concept of the SMG is fantastic.
7. Most M3s come with a 6 year/100K warranty on the engine.
Cons:
1. The M3 is not slow but it is also not very quick (it did not live up to my expectations).
2. It is on the slightly overweight side of things and you can feel it.
3. The SMG is slow to shift compared to a truely great sequential manual (I had a Ferrari with an F1 box which is how trhe SMG should shift) which is also dissappointing when you consider BMW claims shift times that are faster than everyone elses.
4. You may need the 6 year engine warranty, I had a rod go through the side of the block on an otherwise stock and UNABUSED car with only 12K miles on it. It is not a design issue but was a constant assembly issue that plagued many S54 engines (not only the '01-'02 range). The good news is that is if hasn't happened by 23K miles, it probably won't happen and if it did, BMW will probably cover it.
As to maintaining it, parts are expnsive when they get out of warranty and silly little things like climate controls, sunroof motors, window lifts, etc will ding you hard. HOWEVER, this is no different from any other German car and should not be seen as a con, just the way it is. The cars are built well and will look and feel new far longer then any Evo provided you keep it up.
Drvie the M3 on an extended test drive. If you come away happy with the performance and like the SMG,, buy it and don't look back. This will be a subjective decision as it is VERY different from an Evo.
If you come away unhappy with the performance. Try out an '01-'03 E39 M5. They are very fun to drive and have much more performance on hand (and ready to be extracted) then an M3 despite the slight increase in size and extra weight. These cars can still be had with low miles and in your budget if you look hard. WHile I never liked the E46 M3 compared to other M3s, the E39 M5 is my favorite of all M5 generations including the new E60 (amazing car but too ugly and too much techno garbage that ruins the experience of driving it).
Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions as I can probably answer them.
^^^^even though you're thinking of an M3, I have to go with what Blacksport said. My dad has a 2000 BMW M5 and that car is a thing of beauty. Awesome power, amenities, handling, and above all, CLASS. You want something more professional and classy, something to feel a little more pampered AND is a BMW? The E39 M5 is your car. I've driven in an M3 and also agree that while the car is surely not slow, it ain't supa-fast either. Comparing that to the M5, again, I vote for an E39 M5. It's heavy, for sure, but the engine has more than enough oomph to get you up to speed.
i'm sorry but stock for stock the 335i does not perform better an M3. Not in performance and not even in handling. A bmw M cannot be compared to the 335i. Both are different vehicles.
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I drove an M3 and was not really all that impressed. IDK if I built it up in my mind to be more than it really is (I think a lot of people do this) or what but, I felt it was reasonably quick but, not quick enough to justify it's price tag.
I got my wife a 335i in December and love it. Enough to where I'm selling the Evo and ordered a coupe. The torque that motor has makes the S54 feel pretty weak. Grant it the S54 pulls liked a raped ape up top where the 335 starts to loose steam but, for most driving I'll take the torque. It does need an LSD though.
I would really drive both car 335 and M3 before buying the M3. You will regret it if you don't. If for no other reason than wondering what it's like. If your going away from the Evo you probably don't track it much at which point there isn't much need for M car. The 335 has more than enough real world performance and is in my opinion a much more comfortable car than an M3. Even though both will be considerably more tolerable than your evo for logging miles up and down the highway.
I got my wife a 335i in December and love it. Enough to where I'm selling the Evo and ordered a coupe. The torque that motor has makes the S54 feel pretty weak. Grant it the S54 pulls liked a raped ape up top where the 335 starts to loose steam but, for most driving I'll take the torque. It does need an LSD though.
I would really drive both car 335 and M3 before buying the M3. You will regret it if you don't. If for no other reason than wondering what it's like. If your going away from the Evo you probably don't track it much at which point there isn't much need for M car. The 335 has more than enough real world performance and is in my opinion a much more comfortable car than an M3. Even though both will be considerably more tolerable than your evo for logging miles up and down the highway.
Last edited by hotrod2448; May 27, 2007 at 06:30 AM.
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Well I wouldn't touch the m3 if I could not get my hands on the extended warranty. As I said before the current warranty expires in August of 2008 so it has more than a year left. I can afford the car but I probably can't afford repair costs like a blown motor, tranny, rear diff, etc. SMG is nice because you never have to replace a clutch. I also considered the 335i for those of you saying that I should test drive both. I really don't even know the price tag of a 335i to compare at the moment.
Well I wouldn't touch the m3 if I could not get my hands on the extended warranty. As I said before the current warranty expires in August of 2008 so it has more than a year left. I can afford the car but I probably can't afford repair costs like a blown motor, tranny, rear diff, etc. SMG is nice because you never have to replace a clutch. I also considered the 335i for those of you saying that I should test drive both. I really don't even know the price tag of a 335i to compare at the moment.
Here is some free 335i advice:
The 335i is a fantastic car that can be tuned for a great boost in power (no pun intended) and is certainly capable of leaving the E46 M3 behind in a straight line and has a great interior with every luxury that an M3 can offer and more. However, in all other respects, it is no M3. I can't imagine that if you own an Evo that you are willing to give up the handling feel and balance of the M3 for the power the 335i, I certiany wouldn't (despite the fact that I find the M3 on the slow side).
Still though, take my advice and find an E39 M5 to drive as well. You have nothing to loose by driving the M3, M5, and 335i and my bet is that you will come away ranking them like this:
1. E39 M5 - Best all around M car that does everything well and nothing badly with oddles of power.
2. E46 M3 - Great handling, well balanced, great looking but underwhelming in the power department.
3. 335i - Fantastic car with amazing power for the money that can out gun an M3 in a straight line but not an M car (power isn't everything, if it was, you would be shopping for an American V8).
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good luck on your decision but for me my m3 is parked outside rain shine or snow and my evo is inside the carpeted garage and has only 2950mi got it last aug.06 thats how much i love my evo than m3 and soon the m3 will be traded to tne new lancer for my daughter
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Well, I'm not 100% but, I believe the extended warranty will only cover the car for an additional 2 years. I don't know how long you are going to finance it but, you would most likely still owe on it when the warranty expires.
The potentially good thing with the 335 is it's new so you could lease it for probably about the same as the payment on the M3 would be. Then either get another one or buy at lease end with the extended warranty. You would end up paying for it for a really long time which isn't the best thing though.
The sticker price on both my wife's and my car was @$47K. Which is just about everything you would want on the car. They both have sport, premium package. Her has steptronic and cold weather. Mine is a stick with Nav. I'm doing European delivery so, I got my price down to around $42K which is not too bad IMO. I think we paid $44K for my wifes hers is a lease though. So, at the 42.5 they are asking you are almost there, get better interest rates, and a new car.
The potentially good thing with the 335 is it's new so you could lease it for probably about the same as the payment on the M3 would be. Then either get another one or buy at lease end with the extended warranty. You would end up paying for it for a really long time which isn't the best thing though.
The sticker price on both my wife's and my car was @$47K. Which is just about everything you would want on the car. They both have sport, premium package. Her has steptronic and cold weather. Mine is a stick with Nav. I'm doing European delivery so, I got my price down to around $42K which is not too bad IMO. I think we paid $44K for my wifes hers is a lease though. So, at the 42.5 they are asking you are almost there, get better interest rates, and a new car.
Last edited by hotrod2448; May 27, 2007 at 07:34 AM.
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) or he probably wouldn't be contemplating selling the Evo in the first place.I agree on the used M5 though. Very nice car.
Last edited by hotrod2448; May 27, 2007 at 07:19 AM.
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I dont get it...I just purchased a yellow Porsche Cayman S off of autotrade from a guy in the carolina's and paid $51.5k for it with 5k miles on it...and it's fully loaded with navi, 19" wheels etc...Why would anyone pay nearly that much on an E46?
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Funny that. I'm in management myself and get a lot more positive attention with my Evo than if I had gotten an M3. Human Resources rationalizes that such things (hobbies included) are a reflection of one's personality -- risk taking, one's ability to plan, etc.
Point here is that the Evo is as rice as one makes it out to be. I'm known to be a petrolhead hereabouts, and senior management knows I track my car regularly, and I know my stuff goes to show that I put in the same care and attention in my work life. That I am getting in various sponsorships also enhances the understanding that the car was not bought because it is:
1. cool
2. good for street racing
3. loud for the sake of being loud
4. fast for the sake of being fast
5. good for drifting
6. all of the above
Not bragging, but I wanted to debunk the myth that the Evo is not a 'proper' car for management folk. My directors refer to it as the 'race car', and not in a negative light.
Stick with the evo, and enjoy what you do. Besides, do you really want your management peers to see how easily you succumb to peer pressure? Enjoy doing what you do, and be who you are.
I came quite close to getting an E46 M3 as well, but I decided I didn't want to give up the joy of learning more about the evo, and to be able to track the car in a cost-effective fashion (financial prudence is also a value treasured by management)
Point here is that the Evo is as rice as one makes it out to be. I'm known to be a petrolhead hereabouts, and senior management knows I track my car regularly, and I know my stuff goes to show that I put in the same care and attention in my work life. That I am getting in various sponsorships also enhances the understanding that the car was not bought because it is:
1. cool
2. good for street racing
3. loud for the sake of being loud
4. fast for the sake of being fast
5. good for drifting
6. all of the above
Not bragging, but I wanted to debunk the myth that the Evo is not a 'proper' car for management folk. My directors refer to it as the 'race car', and not in a negative light.
Stick with the evo, and enjoy what you do. Besides, do you really want your management peers to see how easily you succumb to peer pressure? Enjoy doing what you do, and be who you are.
I came quite close to getting an E46 M3 as well, but I decided I didn't want to give up the joy of learning more about the evo, and to be able to track the car in a cost-effective fashion (financial prudence is also a value treasured by management)
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,815
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From: Davidson, NC
Funny that. I'm in management myself and get a lot more positive attention with my Evo than if I had gotten an M3. Human Resources rationalizes that such things (hobbies included) are a reflection of one's personality -- risk taking, one's ability to plan, etc.
Point here is that the Evo is as rice as one makes it out to be. I'm known to be a petrolhead hereabouts, and senior management knows I track my car regularly, and I know my stuff goes to show that I put in the same care and attention in my work life. That I am getting in various sponsorships also enhances the understanding that the car was not bought because it is:
1. cool
2. good for street racing
3. loud for the sake of being loud
4. fast for the sake of being fast
5. good for drifting
6. all of the above
Not bragging, but I wanted to debunk the myth that the Evo is not a 'proper' car for management folk. My directors refer to it as the 'race car', and not in a negative light.
Stick with the evo, and enjoy what you do. Besides, do you really want your management peers to see how easily you succumb to peer pressure? Enjoy doing what you do, and be who you are.
I came quite close to getting an E46 M3 as well, but I decided I didn't want to give up the joy of learning more about the evo, and to be able to track the car in a cost-effective fashion (financial prudence is also a value treasured by management)
Point here is that the Evo is as rice as one makes it out to be. I'm known to be a petrolhead hereabouts, and senior management knows I track my car regularly, and I know my stuff goes to show that I put in the same care and attention in my work life. That I am getting in various sponsorships also enhances the understanding that the car was not bought because it is:
1. cool
2. good for street racing
3. loud for the sake of being loud
4. fast for the sake of being fast
5. good for drifting
6. all of the above
Not bragging, but I wanted to debunk the myth that the Evo is not a 'proper' car for management folk. My directors refer to it as the 'race car', and not in a negative light.
Stick with the evo, and enjoy what you do. Besides, do you really want your management peers to see how easily you succumb to peer pressure? Enjoy doing what you do, and be who you are.
I came quite close to getting an E46 M3 as well, but I decided I didn't want to give up the joy of learning more about the evo, and to be able to track the car in a cost-effective fashion (financial prudence is also a value treasured by management)