Alright well when I get out of school I will be looking at either and EVO IX (used) or an E46 M3. I plan on spending about $25,000 for either and when I am out in a couple years I want to have a game plan. I will be able to get an 02 or 03 E46 M3 6 Speed for about $25,000 with low miles on it. I will be able to get an EVO IX with low miles on it as well. I live in Maine. Here are the pros and cons I listed for myself below. Tell me what do you think?

E46 M3:

Pros:

Awsome feel in regards to build quality, smoothness etc

RWD is very fun to play with even though only for 3 seasons

All kinds of goodies and no rental car interior

Fast and handles well

A very proven car, very amazing in alot of aspects

A bargain I think?

Cons:

I fear that the car could possibly SLAM me if something broke

I don't really no how problem free, regular maintinence they are

I know BMW's can last forever but at what cost?

Reliability concerns me but so don't gear grinds, tcase problems and clutch issues of the EVO's

EVO IX:

Pros:

Fun for all seasons

Never a traction issue

Can be insanely fast

4 doors and plenty of room

handles amazing and is very fast too

Cheaper to maintain I think?

Cons:


Transfer case, clutch, gear grind problems are NOT cheap, and sometimes happen without the car even having been beat

The interior is CRAP

The car is very raw compared to the BMW

When I see and EVO I see a serious machine, when I see the M3 I see a serious machine with some sex too

Boy racer vs Autobahn?

I will be driving either as much as possible, the BMW wouldn't be babies and not driven because it's raining out but obviously I will treat it very well. I will be taking on ramps WOT, turns pretty aggressively, late night road carving, straight aways... Not douchebaggery though I'm not a moronic driver.

The EVO isn't good for rifling through the gears in the straights and can cost me in clutch if not careful... I can't take the car to the 1/4 mile track without being scared of breaking stuff... no breaking the rear loose like in the RWD M3.

What do you guys think?

 

people buy an evo to buy an evo, no questions..
if u doubt yourself buy the M3

 

No man, performance is in mind... with that there are a ton of options. There IS question.

 

E-30 Bimmers last forever, the E-46 crop is a different story. The evo is the best suited car for douchebaggery so you should get the m3 instead.

 

^^ im with you , if you want to go fast get the evo , if you want to look pretty get the m3

 

^+1

 

The inside of the IX SSL is nice, if you get an Evo, it's cause you WANT an Evo, people who decide on these cars know that they want one. If you waiver, go with the Bimmer. I just picked up a IX a couple of weeks ago, after it being my dream car for a long time, and I love it and wouldnt look back. Traction, turbo, looks, uniqueness, to me, I knew it was what I wanted. Go with what you're heart tells you.

 

E46 for 25k with low miles? Do you consider 80k low miles? Its better to get a much newer crappier car than an older nicer car. Stick with the Evo. Buy the M3 when you can buy it new.

 

I would think that you will get a mostly one sided answer here. Both cars are expensive to maitain. Aftermarket goodies will be cheaper for the Evo and easier to find. If you want creature comforts, go for the BMW. If you want a race car, go for the Evo. Just my opinion

 

I love it when people list the interior of an Evo as a con. I seriously didn't go into purchasing an evo with the thought of, "gee I hope it has comfy heated seats and a navigation system."

 

^
lol

 

I love EVO's... LOVE THEM and I want one badly, however I have the BMW in the back of my mind too.

 

i come from an m3 world they are very expensive to mantain and also you cant get that much horsepower out of them and if you try then your wallet must be very large the m3 is a nice looking car but know that i have had both of them i prefer the evo over the m3.

 

m3's are slow and expensive to maintain.. . .$3k of mod's for the IX will put you in 11's or 12's, whereas $3k towards an M3 will give you 10rwhp and a loud exhaust!!

i'm not sure the Evo is for you, the car has a cult following and only those that appreciate it's shortcomings enjoy the car. . .an M3 is luxury with sport, Evo is ALL SPORT all the time. . .

 

I will offer this....I have owned 2 S54 equipped BMW's, an 02 M Coupe and an 02 M Roadster. They were both great cars but the M3 was completely uninspiring by comparison. The M3 felt heavy and clumsy and lacked power when compared with the same engine in the smaller package. I also owned an E36 M3 back in the day which was properly "enhanced" and it also put the E46 M3 to shame. I would certainly pick the Evo over this M3 but I am very excited to see the new M3 with the V8, that plus a super charger could be a lot of fun!