its a sick world we live in when things are chosen because they have a good image and not because they are actually better...

people are actualy choosing a used and (most likely) abused car over a new car (that has such a good mod to $$$ ratio, it practacly has more tuning potential then an m3) mostly because people will see them differently...

if you cant afford a new bmw you are probably going to have a hard time maintaining an out of warrenty bmw.

a 10k turbo kit for an m3 gets you 0-60 in 4.2 and 1/4 in 12.2 for less then half of that you can get a faster car.

i cant believe im saying this but IF you absolutly are not going to get an evo and are going bmw... save yourself the trouble and get a new 135i...

 

evo x doesn't look that good. I was really disappointed. m3 is preferred. but if your talking about viii or ix....hands down viii/ix or maybe even the xi if its coming out.

 

It always amazes me when someone uses a reliability argument to promote a BMW over virtually anything out there. If you've had a BMW, you know that either you or someone you know that drives BMW stays in the BMW loaner car. Electronic issues... unbelievable!!!!

My BMW was that way and the three people I know well that drive BMWs have the same problem. Two have since switched permanently to Lexus and will not even consider a BMW. The E46 had plenty issues back in 01/02 and the E92 will be no different--you'll see in time.

 

When you drive a M3 you'll know why. Getting into a M3 then sit into an evo, it's totally differently feeling. It's the refinement in a luxury sport car. I always tell people you don't need to have a lot of money to own a fast car, but performance isn't everything. After I drive a Porsche for the first time, I know why a lot of rich people buy them.
A true car lover doesn't own just one car, you need different car for different occasion, button line is must able to afford them.

 

I do agree that BMW and Porsche build a car that makes the experience feel special. The fit and finish is so nice and every last detail is considered. I love my Evo but the 911, despite not feeling as readily accessible in terms of performance, feels like a true sports car. I do however love the huge amount of ability the Evo affords and it really is the perfect every day car for an enthusiast.

I like being able to drive both. They really are polar opposites in terms of how to go fast.

 

The 911's (have driven 997 S and 4S) just feel heavy and ... well, BORING. I can't believe I am saying that. But compared to my mini cooper S and my unmodded Evo 8, just really un-exciting and lethargic feeling. Yes, more power, yes, more luxury. But I have a loaded Honda minimvan and loaded nissan truck for luxury, I don't need it in my fast car. I want me fast cars to be fun, exciting, thrilling, SPECIAL. Driving the porsches felt nothing like that at all.

I have not driven a GT3 yet, but going to try one before I make my final decision. I have the money to buy new Porsche, but I am seriously leaning towards another Evo instead (and keeping my mini). I tes drove the Porsches back to back after driving my mini... and when I got back in the mini, it immediately felt way more fun and exciting to drive, much quicker handling, just more "no it" than the heavy, luxurious feeling Porsche.

I know, some of you will think I am crazy... but that is honestly how I felt. So, still playing with idea of Porsche, but now leaning heavy towards getting an Evo instead. Lets see how I like the GT3 before I make a final decision.

 

well said. i am fortunate enough to have a RWD BMW running AO32Rs - slow steering, heavy feel, but solid and confident. the boss has a FWD honda fit, which in all honesty, changes directions faster than my robispec'd evo.

then there's the evo. the car where the focus and the tomfoolery and the fun need no explaining. the bmw gets by with being a desirable marquee; the honda with its incredible turn in and 35 mpg. the evo - you either understand, or you don't. if interior acoutrement make its way into explaining away why car Y is an overall better choice, then i jut don't think we're speaking the same enthusiast language. because i have sat in some truly nicely appointed cars (Lexus LS 400 anyone? and no BMW makes that list). but never did interior appointment get me giddy, laugh out loud, poop my pants, or trade/ talk BS in the paddock between track sessions. that always seems like something for car and driver to talk about, when they get on their idealistic high horse about what makes a proper car.

frankly, both cars are fun, but if you're not a fun driver, it doesn't matter what you get. talking about interiors or which car gets more poon or whatever MISSES THE POINT ENTIRELY.

 

I love Minis, nearly bought one, and recognize that it's one of the most fun cars you can drive next to an Evo however the 911s character really requires the ability to properly drive a rear engined car and frankly, on public streets is simply not the place to learn nor exploit that ability.

Through most driving, the 911 understeers and lacks any massive low-end punch. On the track, it becomes a whole different beast.

 

+1

 

i never driven the GT3 also, but the 911 non turbo i did. And didn't entertained me at all.
I prefer the M3 over them .
Now the 997 turbo is a different story. My god i love that one!

 

get the evo x forget the m3 they are a headache

 

if this were a e92 m3 than i would chose that over an x, but not a e46. bimmers are not expensive to maintain if your a diy kind of guy. than again if the maintenance costs are a concern to you than you cant afford the car, plain and simple.

 

Yep, like whippin out the jelly jars when cumpany comes over instead of the plastic NASCAR to-go cups we usually use.

 

I got a E46 M3 right now and was considering an Evolution X (because I fell in love with AWD control after having my beater GC8 Impreza for a while).
Exhaust note is easy to change. Changed mine out to a full titanium catback and it's very deep sounding (although a bit on the loud side).
And like jon528 says... if maintenance is such a huge concern, then it's not within your budget.
But it hasn't been for me.
Mine is still under warranty and I get the free service work done (from the dealer's guidelines) and the rest is either DIY or (buy the fluids yourself) get it done a lot cheaper at a non-dealer reputable BMW place (and that I get employee discount pricing on parts).
Hasn't once broken down on me in the past 3 years and the car's mainly driven 95% city driving and taken out to the autocross numerous times.
So.. in actuality... the Evo X would actually cost more for me to maintain since Mitsubishi doesn't have a free service contract like BMW does... I don't get employee discount on Mitsubishi parts... and I know the E46 inside and out, but barely know the Evo X making DIYs longer (since time = money). Not to mention, the Mitsubishi dealership here (only 1 fricking dealer on the island) has a very bad reputation for service.

As for the thread title, "prefer m3 over a Evo X"...
If that's what others think, that's fine... but I wouldn't say I "prefer" the M3 over the Evo X.
They are not even in the same category.
That extra $20K~ or so on the M3 goes to things like luxury items, brand name markup and extra performance goodies.
I'm sure if Mitsubishi had around $60K budget to play with for an Evolution, they'd make something that's just as good... or better.
But, with the budget they did have, Mitsubishi decided to focus a great deal on performance factor.
With the M3, BMW still has to appeal to the masses while still keeping some performance.

I definitely can't pick which I like better between the two. Both phenomenal cars.

 

Because they prefer the name BMW. They're probably more into
luxury than pure performance.