E46 M3 to...........? Help me decide.

[Bmw M3 Guy]

Hey guys. As you all know, I sold my M3 seen below in my sig. I do miss it but I'm glad I sold now and got the money I wanted. I knew if I waited any longer I would have gotten much less due to the E92 M3 arriving soon.

I now am very indecisive on what to purchase for my car next. I have considered many cars and may need some help choosing.

1st I drove the Lexus Is350. With out going into much detail, I love the car. It has awesome interior, decent performance, great exterior looks, and an over all great package. I didn't like the auto. It shifted fast but I can't purchase an auto, it's just not for me.

2nd I drove the Infiniti G37S 6MT. Nice car, not much increase in performance from the G35, heavy, great handling, great steering feel, and a pretty good package. I don't think I want to go to that car though.

3rd I was thinking about getting back into an M3, but I don't see the logic going back to an E46 since I owned one for 2 years.

I am now stuck in a position and I don't know what I want to do, so I ask you all to give me ideas.

I used to own a B5 Audi S4 Bi-turbo. I loved that car, but could not purchase an older car now. I was playing with the idea of getting a 2005-2007 B6-B7 Audi S4. That is the newer ones with the 340 hp 4.2 V-8. I have driven them, and are not as fast as the M3 was but offer a lot for the money. I see some 2005's go for $38,000 with 20,000 miles. Not bad. I'm not necessarily looking for a used car but I am thinking practical.

Now alittle about me and what I am looking for in a car:
-I want it to be a 6 speed, no auto or smg.
-I don't mind 4 doors, but prefer a coupe.
-I don't care if its foreign or domestic.
-Has to be a nice performer "around 5.5 to 60 or less"
-Comparable to My M3.
-2004 and up.


Price range:
-I am looking to spend $50,000 - $60,000 for a new car.
-If I buy used I don't see the logic in spending that much on a used car and would spend maximum of $40,000 on a used one.

What I want:
-I want the E92 M3, but I am guessing it is going to be more then my $60,000 limit I have set. I don't know the pricing on the new M3, but I would get a base M3 with I-drive only, if it were under $60,000 OTD, and I have been told, "that is not happening."

With that said, please give me your best suggestions and opinions as to what car I should purchase fitting my criteria.

Your help is appreciated,and thanks for reading.

Justin
__________________

[schneid4323]

The new M3 will be at 60.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by schneid4323

The new M3 will be at 60.

I think base MSRP is gonna be around $57k or so. After a few options and fees (tax, license, etc) it's gonna hit about $70k.

[OhhaiAlex]

save up for the new M3. Or get the 135i. I heard that car is going to be crazy fast in that tiny lil car. I want one still.

[BlackSapphireZ]

335i from factory is on par with E46 M3 and minor chip tuning it'll be blowing doors off of E46 M3

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Bmw M3 Guy

Hey guys. As you all know, I sold my M3 seen below in my sig. I do miss it but I'm glad I sold now and got the money I wanted. I knew if I waited any longer I would have gotten much less due to the E92 M3 arriving soon.

I now am very indecisive on what to purchase for my car next. I have considered many cars and may need some help choosing.

1st I drove the Lexus Is350. With out going into much detail, I love the car. It has awesome interior, decent performance, great exterior looks, and an over all great package. I didn't like the auto. It shifted fast but I can't purchase an auto, it's just not for me.

2nd I drove the Infiniti G37S 6MT. Nice car, not much increase in performance from the G35, heavy, great handling, great steering feel, and a pretty good package. I don't think I want to go to that car though.

3rd I was thinking about getting back into an M3, but I don't see the logic going back to an E46 since I owned one for 2 years.

I am now stuck in a position and I don't know what I want to do, so I ask you all to give me ideas.

I used to own a B5 Audi S4 Bi-turbo. I loved that car, but could not purchase an older car now. I was playing with the idea of getting a 2005-2007 B6-B7 Audi S4. That is the newer ones with the 340 hp 4.2 V-8. I have driven them, and are not as fast as the M3 was but offer a lot for the money. I see some 2005's go for $38,000 with 20,000 miles. Not bad. I'm not necessarily looking for a used car but I am thinking practical.

Now alittle about me and what I am looking for in a car:
-I want it to be a 6 speed, no auto or smg.
-I don't mind 4 doors, but prefer a coupe.
-I don't care if its foreign or domestic.
-Has to be a nice performer "around 5.5 to 60 or less"
-Comparable to My M3.
-2004 and up.


Price range:
-I am looking to spend $50,000 - $60,000 for a new car.
-If I buy used I don't see the logic in spending that much on a used car and would spend maximum of $40,000 on a used one.

What I want:
-I want the E92 M3, but I am guessing it is going to be more then my $60,000 limit I have set. I don't know the pricing on the new M3, but I would get a base M3 with I-drive only, if it were under $60,000 OTD, and I have been told, "that is not happening."

With that said, please give me your best suggestions and opinions as to what car I should purchase fitting my criteria.

Your help is appreciated,and thanks for reading.

Justin
__________________

...apparently you're not considering a 335i? I mean, if you are, then I'd happily suggest it over the other choices...but then again this is e90post so all of your responses here are gonna be pretty biased. I'm surprised you found the IS350 so nice considering you came from an e46 M3. I still think the 335i is the mostt sensible option...when you factor PROcede into the equation lol.

Good luck shopping.

[Artz 330]

Originally Posted by BlackSapphireZ

335i from factory is on par with E46 M3 and minor chip tuning it'll be blowing doors off of E46 M3

no it wont...

... ask me how I know VVVVVVV

[BlackSapphireZ]

Originally Posted by Artz 330

no it wont...

... ask me how I know VVVVVVV

could it be a driver error? lol

well 335i is on par with E46 M3 from factory.

I know u chipped ur 335 and ran with ur Mcoupe but M coupe is lighter, could be different diff from 335 and M coupe(being more aggressive) as well

oh and comparison is made between E46 M3 and 335i

[Kiemyster]

yeah. these responses are biased, but what the hell? i hate those cars u listed. they have no personality. test drive a 335i! and just chip that SOB! yeahhh!!

come on. just test drive it, thats all im asking of u. then make ur decision. sounds fair?

[Artz 330]

Originally Posted by BlackSapphireZ

could it be a driver error? lol

well 335i is on par with E46 M3 from factory.

I know u chipped ur 335 and ran with ur Mcoupe but M coupe is lighter, could be different diff from 335 and M coupe(being more aggressive) as well

oh and comparison is made between E46 M3 and 335i

e46 M3 and Z4M are pretty much even in straight line pulls. A bit different around corners but ehh... what the hell...

[arcrox]

A Porsche Cayman or Cayman S? Or you could get a 335i and pimp it out with Procede 2.0, some light forged rims with nice rubber, a quaife LSD, coil overs, anti-roll bars, exhaust, etc.

[jlspeed29]

My thoughts are
1. Cayman S
2. 335i coupe (seriously, not biased)
3. S5 audi?
4. Pre owned NSX

[mesier1111]

Originally Posted by Artz 330

no it wont...

... ask me how I know VVVVVVV

Art, no way a 335i coupe chipped ISN'T blowing the doors off an E46 M3. Sorry, but I just see it happen too many times. Maybe not your M coupe which WAYS LESS, but an e46 M3, sorry, but its toast.

[Artz 330]

Originally Posted by mesier1111

Art, no way a 335i coupe chipped ISN'T blowing the doors off an E46 M3. Sorry, but I just see it happen too many times. Maybe not your M coupe which WAYS LESS, but an e46 M3, sorry, but its toast.

guess ill have to find out for my self and ask a friend of mine with an M3 to come out and run my 335i

[Spool]

Originally Posted by mesier1111

Art, no way a 335i coupe chipped ISN'T blowing the doors off an E46 M3. Sorry, but I just see it happen too many times. Maybe not your M coupe which WAYS LESS, but an e46 M3, sorry, but its toast.

I've owned both, i wouldn't as much as say blow the doors off an M3, it would walk it...

E46 M3 technology is 7 years old, why don't we compare today's M3 to a chipped 335i

[nmulax]

My vote would either be a:

- modded 335i
- Audi S5
- E46 M3
- pre-owned 911

[Artz 330]

Originally Posted by Spool

I've owned both, i wouldn't as much as say blow the doors off an M3, it would walk it...

E46 M3 technology is 7 years old, why don't we compare today's M3 to a chipped 335i

thats what i told someone the other day

[phoenixbmwlife]

Here is a simple and really nice option.

• Buy a low milage 335i coupe ($45,000 - $50,000)
  http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

• Get the proceede 380-400HP Engine Upgrade, with Exhaust for $2665 +$1400 respectively.
  http://www.vishnutuning.com/bmw_1_v380.htm

• Get the TMS Limited Slip Differential Unit (installed) for $5,149.00
  http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...=100-100-00008

Total $54214 - $59214 + Tax etc.

And now you have a really fast, comfortable and reliable car for the next few years. (Oh and it will be faster than your previous M3 with an LSD.)