Undecided between E46 M3 and Evo X MR [merge]
thanks for everyones thoughts. it gave me a good sense of how much extra maintenance it will cost to own the bmw. I will drive both once the mr comes out to compare. I understand that I am posting on the evo forum and might get biased advice but its either post on the m3 forum or evo forum and everyone on the m3 forum are not as open minded and tend to favor their badge
SMG Tranny is a manual gear box woth SMG pump, and actuator that activates the clutch for you. When you turn off the DSC, and turn the shift response all the way up it throws you into the seat, and shifts faster than you can say mind-boggling!!! LOL! Don't know much about tranny in the MR, but I can tell you that in an SMG M3 the tranny shifts fast, and the rpms come fast too. It's a really fast car, and it feels fast to boot!
^^^ yeah, just drop $18,000 on the car and it should be fast... 
I had an E46 M3 before my Evo IX (have not driven a X). The M3 is very classy
and feels great at high speeds, but the mods (exhaust, powerchip, etc...) are fairly expensive for very little gain. 
I would recommend the convertible M3 as the *** seems to sit lower to the ground and appears more aggressive than the coupe, which can be easily mistaken for a 330...
The M3 engine has very little torque down low
(282tq at flywheel?), but revs to 8k rpm and sounds badass doing it (has that F1 sound). It starts pulling smoothly at like 4500rpm all the way to redline.
The M3 gearing is the opposite of the Evo's and favors top-end speeds (keeps pulling easily over 100mph), rather than torquey power down low.
M3 handles very well despite it being heavier; Evo handles even better but does give up some ride comfort in exchange.
If you are going to mod the cars for performance, $1000-2000 into both cars and the M3 gains like 15-20whp, while the Evo (IX) will gain over 100whp.
Conclusion: M3 more classy looking and fairly fast, but be prepared to get eaten up by any Evo with an exhaust and tune...
I had an E46 M3 before my Evo IX (have not driven a X). The M3 is very classy
and feels great at high speeds, but the mods (exhaust, powerchip, etc...) are fairly expensive for very little gain. I would recommend the convertible M3 as the *** seems to sit lower to the ground and appears more aggressive than the coupe, which can be easily mistaken for a 330...
The M3 engine has very little torque down low
(282tq at flywheel?), but revs to 8k rpm and sounds badass doing it (has that F1 sound). It starts pulling smoothly at like 4500rpm all the way to redline. The M3 gearing is the opposite of the Evo's and favors top-end speeds (keeps pulling easily over 100mph), rather than torquey power down low.
M3 handles very well despite it being heavier; Evo handles even better but does give up some ride comfort in exchange.
If you are going to mod the cars for performance, $1000-2000 into both cars and the M3 gains like 15-20whp, while the Evo (IX) will gain over 100whp.
Conclusion: M3 more classy looking and fairly fast, but be prepared to get eaten up by any Evo with an exhaust and tune...
I think these cars are apples to oranges. I like both of them, but it really depends on what you're looking for. Is it a daily driver? Do you live where the weather can get less than favorable? Are you looking to AutoX or track it?
Yea, if it rains or snows the evo is the way to go...
My buddy just sold his 02 m3 to my other friend... They are arguing alot because the car just has so many issues and things that need to be fixed.. Its very expensive...
My buddy just sold his 02 m3 to my other friend... They are arguing alot because the car just has so many issues and things that need to be fixed.. Its very expensive...
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Why do alot of you prefer a M3 over a Evo X?
Im contemplating getting a new evo x and I read a thread where alot of you are telling someone to get a 02-05 M3 instead.
Why?
Cant the evo x be modded to outperform that M3 in everyway for not that much money?
Why?
Cant the evo x be modded to outperform that M3 in everyway for not that much money?
screw the M3. get the X. Its just a lot of people here for some reason tell themselves that they are too old for an evo and that a BMW is so much more sophisticated. Well I think BMW's are lame and people who get think along those lines try to compensate for a lot.
Outperform yes, but that is not the only reason you buy a car obviously. The M3 provides a great balance of power, handling, driveability, while being classy, good looking, and having the ability to score you way more tail. Also, your boss, clients, girlfriend, and family will all love it more than the Evo that they have never heard of. If you don't care about any of those things and want pure performance, then get an VIII or IX and wait for the X to be able to go 500+ whp, then move on up to that
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Outperform yes, but that is not the only reason you buy a car obviously. The M3 provides a great balance of power, handling, driveability, while being classy, good looking, and having the ability to score you way more tail. Also, your boss, clients, girlfriend, and family will all love it more than the Evo that they have never heard of. If you don't care about any of those things and want pure performance, then get an VIII or IX and wait for the X to be able to go 500+ whp, then move on up to that
But personally I think the evo x looks better than a 03 M3 but thats just me. Maybe its because I see a BMW and know the high cost of maintaining one.
If I got the evo my goals for it would be low 12s and Id be happy. What does it take to get a evo x to the low 12s?
As for the evo 8 and 9. I dont like the body style.
Currently I own a lifted 2007 sierra and gas is killing me. Its just not worth it spending $400 + a month on gas
Well I dont need a good looking car to help score me more tail.
But personally I think the evo x looks better than a 03 M3 but thats just me. Maybe its because I see a BMW and know the high cost of maintaining one.
If I got the evo my goals for it would be low 12s and Id be happy. What does it take to get a evo x to the low 12s?
As for the evo 8 and 9. I dont like the body style.
Currently I own a lifted 2007 sierra and gas is killing me. Its just not worth it spending $400 + a month on gas
But personally I think the evo x looks better than a 03 M3 but thats just me. Maybe its because I see a BMW and know the high cost of maintaining one.
If I got the evo my goals for it would be low 12s and Id be happy. What does it take to get a evo x to the low 12s?
As for the evo 8 and 9. I dont like the body style.
Currently I own a lifted 2007 sierra and gas is killing me. Its just not worth it spending $400 + a month on gas
It sounds like you care about drag racing. An E46 M3 is not going to shine in that.
On topic, I would not take an E46 M3 over my X, becasue my X is a new car, and an E46 M3 would be older, higher mileage, etc. I wouldn't ever consider an M3 with an SMG. I drove an E46 M3 when I was looking at 335Is, and I liked the E90 335i lots more.
To me, it would go like this: E90/E92 M3 >>>>>> E90/E92 335i > X > E46 M3.
Same year to same year, an M3 is just in a higher league. Sadly, you pay for that. A new M3 also costs nearly double what an Evo X does.
The newest Car & Driver just picked the E92 M3 over a Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 turbo. That's pretty insane stuff.
I had an E46 M3 before my EVO X.
Its a great car, no doubt. But everyone has one around me. The engine and exhaust note sounds like complete crap, the shifter is worse than rowing a boat, maintainence costs were very high and depreciation was staggering.
Its a great car, no doubt. But everyone has one around me. The engine and exhaust note sounds like complete crap, the shifter is worse than rowing a boat, maintainence costs were very high and depreciation was staggering.