Alright, posted this same thread over at E46Fanatics. Looking to get more opinions on the matter! Have absolutely no idea what to get.....I've always loved BMWs, so much, but at the same time, I've always wanted a Japanese tuner!

I'm aware that all of the following cars are incredibly different, but I need some personal experience/opinions on what to expect/what I should go with and why.

The options:
-Newer 335i. Will be needing snow tires before the next Winter season...hopefully I don't roll backwards on a hill like I almost did in my current non-M e46.


-E46 M3. Alpine White or LSB with under 60,000 miles. I know maintenance is heavy on these cars in comparison to my non-M, and I've got experience around the e46 chassis so that's helpful for the DIYs.


-Mitsu. Evo 8 in White. Absolutely love these cars. I've always wanted a Japanese tuner car for a lot of fun. Something really quick and cheap. A plus to this car is that the AWD system is incredible from what I've heard. Very helpful. That's where it's got the M3 beat...the last thing I want to climb a hill with around here is a $20k BMW.

*P.S: I know I took this picture from someone selling their car on here...just because it looks so

So if the M3 was the route I went, it'd end up being garaged for Winters...and I'd end up driving a beater off of the auction until the weather warmed up again.

If the 335 is the route I go, I'd buy a newer one, and keep it for a VERY long time.. The warranty would be in place and I wouldn't do any modifications to it for a while, it would stay bone stock.

The Evo however, I've been looking into for a while, and it'd make for a great all year daily driver, powerful, and it looks good (not quite as appealing as the BMWs imo).

That's my situation. I don't want to leave the BMW scene, but I also really want a Japanese tuner...

I don't know anymore. I feel so indecisive! It's as if the more time I spend looking at E46 M3s..the more I want one. Same goes for the Evo and 335i.


------------------
Guys over at E46F weren't finding the Evo very appealing for the most part. Makes sense as it's a BMW forum.

With that said, I'd like input for whatever choice you may have.

 

Driving experiences are very different. The BMWs are low, solid, slightly less immediate, more luxurious. BMWs are girl magnets, EVOs are dude magnets. Most chicks don't understand the EVO.
EVO is a more raw car that is fun, entertaining, immediate, draining. Requires you attention. Doesn't coddle you like the BMW.
EVO is better on the backroad and the BMW is better on the highway.

 

Ive driven e30s and e46 both non m, and was considering a 135 for awhile. I ended up pullin the trigger and bought an 03 viii, and dont regret it one bit.

 

If it were me hands down evo. I don't care what fancy things the BMW has, not really my style. Your tastes may differ though and it's whatever you want. If you want a BMW and 4g63 tuner then buy my GSX haha.

 

List whats import in order: Comfort, Power, Will you track it, Will you drag it, Cost, Reliability, Cost of maintenance.

 

I have to say when I traded my Cobra in for the Evo IX I was surprised at how practical the Evo really is.

Even when romping on it I still see better average mileage than the Cobra while making more power sooner. Four doors cannot be beat for daily driving and basic errands. It's easy to get power out of. They are a blast in the rain/snow. Compared to a Red Cobra, the wingless Evo is almost Cop-invisible.

Obviously I owned one so I may be biased, but go with the Evo. I also think you will be *much* happier driving an IX instead of the VIII. Coming from the V8, only the IX had the low end grunt I was looking for. While they both make similar power, the MIVEC in the 9 really makes for a wide powerband and awesome throttle response off boost.

Good luck!

 

I was going to get a E46 m3 before I got my Evo8 since they are in the same price range but besides the "chick magnet" effect and nicer interior The bmw has nothing on the Evo8. In terms of performance, you could say it makes more HP and slightly faster 1/4 times in stock form thats about it. As soon as you start modding both cars once cost about 10x more then the other to achieve the same power levels.

Also another factor for me was insurance and it was alot more on the BMW then the Evo for me (22 years old clean history)


Another thing I considered is cost of repair and each cars defective trait

Evo 8 has a weak 5 gear in the trans along with clutches and transfer cases

E46 M3 has Weak Vanso Bolts and Subframe issues.

BMW service and parts are alot higher if they find one thing to fix its most likely $600+ to fix no matter what.



Good luck.

 

Power.
Comfort. I say this as second, but I never mind the ride in my friend's STi..doesn't feel bouncy to me. I'm young though, could be it.
Reliability.
I will track it.
Cost of maintenance. Always DIY.
I will drag it. We go up to Napierville Dragstrip every so often. Brought my BMW once, not bringing it again. Mostly because I'm afraid something will break, and being a non-M, it doesn't run impressive times.

With that said however, if I got the Evo, there's no doubt I would both track/drag it, but with the BMW, I would track it....MAYBE.



And I have yet to test drive any of the 3 cars. At this point, I've been doing lots of research on them, to see which may be fitting of them.

------------
It's really hard for me to find an Evo9 in white. I've always wanted a white car, and I'd prefer the 5-speed over the 6-speed.

Thanks so far!

 

To be honest man, I bet the Evo will be more of car than you thought.

I was expecting lag city and a gutless on/off powerband. Except the car had better down low grunt than the V8 I drove in with.

I was sold after the test drive and wondering why I never found out about the car earlier. You *really* need to simply go test drive one.

 

Coming from an e46 I can't believe I spent so much time looking up cooling system DIYs for those luxury buses. The Evos interior is probably equivalent to an e21 in terms of build quality. But besides that I've never been less interested in BMWs in my life. Although I've never driven an M, I have no idea how BMWs got their sporty reputation with that geriatric throttle response. Of course I hadn't formed any of these opinions until I got back in the E46 after driving the Evo for a month.

Mind you I think about daily driving a Caterham so my opinions of luxury cars are greatly distorted.

 

Im confused why you wouldnt consider the EVO9. Im sure a used 335 or E46 is well over the cost of a used EVO8

Just sayn

 

I need to find someone nearby to let me test-drive their Evo.

There's only one that comes to mind. It's this kid around my age, he sells Evos on and off...this is what's up for sale at the moment, he lives about 30-45 minutes away:
http://burlington.craigslist.org/cto/2987358068.html

As for the E46 and their cooling system problems.......E46s in general have a lot of stuff to maintain. Vanos included as well.

I've never driven or been inside of an M, but seeing them perform is absolutely stunning. They're fantastic cars, if I were down south in the likes of Florida, I'd definitely be rocking an E46 M3 with an HPF turbo.

@Solenoid
Looking for a 5-speed. Read that the transmissions are better, and I plan on making respectable power with mine (ideally, high 300awhp).
Also, Finding an '06 Evo9 that's White is a damn mission. I don't even know if they were made in white as Evo9s?

 

I forgot to mention cooling issues My e-46 caught on fire while off and BMW bought it off of me ($8,000 worth of damage)

 

what's your budget? i'm assuming it's fairly expansive as a new 335i is a bit spendy.

if your budget is limited to around 20k, skip the BMW. I guarantee you won't find an LSB or AW in good shape with less than 60k miles for 20k

 

The weird thing about e46s is that they're strangely reliable if you take care of BMWs goofups. Other than the subframe clunking mine is solid reliable at 200k miles. But who cares about all that mess when you're chasing Gallardos down canyon roads.