E46 vs E92?

[ArabianSensation]

So, here is my dilemma. I'm going to be getting a new car sometime between now and this summer and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. My favorite two are the E46 M3 convertible, or the E92 M3 Coupe. But, I'm having trouble deciding. If I get the E46, I will definitely be buying. But the E92 I will probably lease used since they are still a bit expensive for me. And no, I don't want to wait for F30... because I want an NA car. The E46 was my first "dream" car when it first came out 10 years ago. I love the S54. It's my favorite BMW engine of all time. I love the E46 exhaust sound, although many find it too raspy. But... the S65 is amazing as well. And the E92 is much newer and sleeker design. So you can see where my indecision stems from.



What do you all think? Should I buy an E46 Convertible? Or Lease an E92? 6MT either way.

[mgx]

it's retarded to lease used....

[Wes Howell]

You just can't compare an E46 vert to an E92. Makes no sense.

An E46 vert is gonna be a slow pig compared to an E92. Period.

E46 hardtop? I think it's an entirely different comparison....and I think it's easier to drop a bit of weight in an e46 hardtop and have a farily good performance argument.

From what you mentioned, I think you'll even find the S54 more unique and exotic than the S65. And that's coming from a guy that owned the E46 M3, the E60 M5 and the E92 M3. It's hard to understand unless you've owned all 3.

Why the vert? 3800 pounds for that 6 cylinder is too much- it's slow.

[crackberry]

e46 since it was your dream car.

also, the e46 sounds more inline with your budget. id suggest you get something you can afford as this economy my take another dive this summer with gas prices going the way they are...

iono, i personally just wouldnt want to be swimming in debt, and i would just buy something that i can comfortably afford if i were in your shoes. but thats just me. hope it helps.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by e60cs5

You just can't compare an E46 vert to an E92. Makes no sense.

An E46 vert is gonna be a slow pig compared to an E92. Period.

E46 hardtop? I think it's an entirely different comparison....and I think it's easier to drop a bit of weight in an e46 hardtop and have a farily good performance argument.

From what you mentioned, I think you'll even find the S54 more unique and exotic than the S65. And that's coming from a guy that owned the E46 M3, the E60 M5 and the E92 M3. It's hard to understand unless you've owned all 3.

Why the vert? 3850 pounds for that V6 is a sweet car - but it's slow.

i thought the s54 was an inline engine and the e46 vert is a soft top...

[Wes Howell]

it is.. but it's 350+ pounds heavier than the coupe

[ArabianSensation]

Originally Posted by mgx

it's retarded to lease used....

Why? I have had relatives do it with good results.

Originally Posted by e60cs5

You just can't compare an E46 vert to an E92. Makes no sense.

An E46 vert is gonna be a slow pig compared to an E92. Period.

E46 hardtop? I think it's an entirely different comparison....and I think it's easier to drop a bit of weight in an e46 hardtop and have a farily good performance argument.

From what you mentioned, I think you'll even find the S54 more unique and exotic than the S65. And that's coming from a guy that owned the E46 M3, the E60 M5 and the E92 M3. It's hard to understand unless you've owned all 3.

Why the vert? 3850 pounds for that V6 is a sweet car - but it's slow.

E46 is soft top and I-6. BMW doesn't make a V6 motor. That said, E46 vert is 400lbs or so heavier. This doesn't bother me, because the only plus to a coupe (for me) is that I can track it. I will track once, maybe twice a year, but have the vert top down probably 90% of the time I am driving it. It just allows me to enjoy the car more, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by crackberry

e46 since it was your dream car.

also, the e46 sounds more inline with your budget. id suggest you get something you can afford as this economy my take another dive this summer with gas prices going the way they are...

iono, i personally just wouldnt want to be swimming in debt, and i would just buy something that i can comfortably afford if i were in your shoes. but thats just me. hope it helps.

Yeah. That's what I was leaning towards as well. It seems like it would be a smarter decision.

[OC3]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

So, here is my dilemma. I'm going to be getting a new car sometime between now and this summer and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. My favorite two are the E46 M3 convertible, or the E92 M3 Coupe. But, I'm having trouble deciding. If I get the E46, I will definitely be buying. But the E92 I will probably lease used since they are still a bit expensive for me. And no, I don't want to wait for F30... because I want an NA car. The E46 was my first "dream" car when it first came out 10 years ago. I love the S54. It's my favorite BMW engine of all time. I love the E46 exhaust sound, although many find it too raspy. But... the S65 is amazing as well. And the E92 is much newer and sleeker design. So you can see where my indecision stems from.



What do you all think? Should I buy an E46 Convertible? Or Lease an E92? 6MT either way.

(Disclaimer: what's to follow should not be construed as something universal to E46, nor my opinion on E46) Was at Palm Springs area this weekend w/ the wife & kids, and helped push a E46 M3 that died at an intersection. Sure was glad that my new E90 doesn't have problems that 'used' cars may have.

But, if you've been dreaming about E46 M3 for 10 years, you need to realize your dream, brah. Otherwise, you'd always be wondering...

Originally Posted by mgx

it's retarded to lease used....

I'm gonna guess that the OP was referring to leasing a new E92...

[mgx]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

Why? I have had relatives do it with good results.

lease payments are calculated on the depreciation of the vehicle (residual (sale price after lease term) value) + interest (money factor)

to make this simple: it is harder to sell a 6yr old car (assuming you are leasing for 3 yrs) than it is a 3yr old car (leasing new) and your lease payment will reflect this

and you may actually wind up paying MORE leasing used than you would leasing new.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

E46 is soft top and I-6. BMW doesn't make a V6 motor. That said, E46 vert is 400lbs or so heavier. This doesn't bother me, because the only plus to a coupe (for me) is that I can track it. I will track once, maybe twice a year, but have the vert top down probably 90% of the time I am driving it. It just allows me to enjoy the car more, in my opinion.



Yeah. That's what I was leaning towards as well. It seems like it would be a smarter decision.

if you are really going to have the top down most of the time, then def the e46. plus its more affordable and its your dream car. the only thing that would really affect my decision tho is the amount of money it would cost to maintain a used e46 vs a used e92. maybe mpg...

[ArabianSensation]

Originally Posted by OC3

But, if you've been dreaming about E46 M3 for 10 years, you need to realize your dream, brah. Otherwise, you'd always be wondering...

Yup. The only reason I considered other cars is because I have had quite a bit of seat time in an E46, so I was thinking about something different.

Originally Posted by mgx

and you may actually wind up paying MORE leasing used than you would leasing new.

I see what you're saying. I've never leased a car before, I usually buy and end up keeping them for a while. My current car is going to stay on for winter duties and I've had it for almost 4 years now.

Originally Posted by crackberry

if you are really going to have the top down most of the time, then def the e46. plus its more affordable and its your dream car. the only thing that would really affect my decision tho is the amount of money it would cost to maintain a used e46 vs a used e92. maybe mpg...

MPG is about the same from what I remember. Anyways the the 6MT and careful driving, very good MPG is possible in any car My friend who owns an E36 M3 routinely gets 31+ mpg, with mostly city driving.

As far as maintenance, I would probably get something with relatively low miles (<50k) so I don't think it would be too much of an issue. E46 is not that old yet haha. That said, they are M cars and Break My Wallet. Haha. But I have planned to set aside money for such an eventuality.

[mgx]

there's A LOT to know about leasing, so if you're seriously considering leasing please let me know, i will certainly make sure you calculate the best possible price

[ArabianSensation]

Originally Posted by mgx

there's A LOT to know about leasing, so if you're seriously considering leasing please let me know, i will certainly make sure you calculate the best possible price

Will do. Thanks!

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by ArabianSensation

So, here is my dilemma. I'm going to be getting a new car sometime between now and this summer and I've narrowed it down to a few choices. My favorite two are the E46 M3 convertible, or the E92 M3 Coupe. But, I'm having trouble deciding. If I get the E46, I will definitely be buying. But the E92 I will probably lease used since they are still a bit expensive for me. And no, I don't want to wait for F30... because I want an NA car. The E46 was my first "dream" car when it first came out 10 years ago. I love the S54. It's my favorite BMW engine of all time. I love the E46 exhaust sound, although many find it too raspy. But... the S65 is amazing as well. And the E92 is much newer and sleeker design. So you can see where my indecision stems from.



What do you all think? Should I buy an E46 Convertible? Or Lease an E92? 6MT either way.

It's really apples to oranges. You can still find mint E46 M3 cabs, with seriously low mileage. Mine currently has 17K miles and it's an 03. You're only going to pay in the 20s too. That's an amazing amount of car for the money. Yes, you'll spend some back in maintenance, but just fluid changes and the occasional valve adjustments. Nothing too alarming if you find a good independent BMW specialist. Bottom line is if you find the right car, it'll still be worth most of what you paid for it years from now. I bought mine in late 09 for $29K w/5900 miles on it. Because it still looks as new today as then, it's still worth north of mid-20s. I think it makes a great and fun DD. Top down is great too. It's like a whole other car. Beautiful too. I don't need it to be the quickest out there. It performs quite nicely and high speed is effortless. Also, I drive hard (and in a hilly area) and still get 22 mpg on average for mixed driving. Some of that is daily on an Air Force base at 25 mph usually 2nd gear.

[Maseroche]

Get the E46, much better fit for your budget and it's a great sports car to boot.

[mb1]

Don't know if it helps but I love my "used car" that I bought in MINT condition with 18,000 miles. Its so nice that I almost hate driving it in the rain. It looks brand new (people think it is that don't know). I'm doing my own maintenance except valve adjustments and its not too crazy from an expense perspective.

I almost bought an e92 but while I could have afforded it, I didn't want to add much more debt. Don't laugh, its paid for LOL

...and there are LOTS of E46 verts out there in good condition. I had a harder time finding a coupe in 6MT. 40% off what the owner paid wasn't a bad way to go. I could have paid less too but the condition was so good, I felt it was worth it. I passed on a ZCP coupe that was less money but the maintenance wasn't done correctly and on time and the condition was so so. Good luck with your decision.

[James T. Kirk]

Given your financial position, I'd buy the E46 over leasing anything else.
Buy what you can afford and live the dream.
I had the E46 convertible and it is a blast.

[checkmate]

E46 Coupe any day...still looks amazing compared to the E92 but then again different strokes for different folks...

[3XTR3M3]

When you throw convertible in a comparison, it becomes really easy and simple.

Do you want a convertible? Yes or no.

Yes - e46 vert

No - e46 coupe

No - e92 coupe (can't lease used captain, it's a genuinely retarded decision. However, you can get an executive lease which is a used M3 but driven by BMW executives. So you lease a used car at a used car PRICE but at a brand new cars lease RATES)

Don't spread yourself too thin. Get something that will make YOU happy, keep YOU happy.