Opinion on which car is best option?

Curt2000 · 12-29-2010, 05:25 PM

Hey guys, I've owned 335i's for the past 4 years and have loved every moment but its time for something new. I was wanting to buy something for about $35K but can stretch to ~$42K if need be. I've been looking at several options and need help/advice from people who may have experience with the various cars.

I'm not going to be tracking the car, just looking for a fun daily driver, mostly highway but I want to have the power available to spank 95% of competitors on the highway with a 60-130 run. I like to mod/tinker with my cars and I have to have a car with a lot of curb appeal. Has to have a back seat because I will most likely have a kid in the time frame of owning the vehicle so I have to be able to fit a child seat in the car.

1. E46 M3 Competition Package. (04-06) between $26-32K. The cheapest of my options but probably the purest sports car. The strait line performance is probably the poorest of all the options but there are aftermarket kits that can make it a beast!

2. E90/2 M3 (2008) Between $40-45K At the top of my price range and probably wont be able to afford DCT. Ive heard its not nearly as fun to drive as the E46 but makes up for it with technology and power.

3. E60 M5 (2007) Between $38-42K Another high end car with plenty of power and curb appeal but plenty of expensive things to break and ridiculously bad gas mileage...but to be honest it would be the best worst choice of all these cars IMO...would definitely wait to find a 6speed manual as Ive heard the SMGs are not reliable. Would also look into extended BMW warranty which is another $3K.

4. E63 M6 (2006) Between $38-45K Cant afford a '07 with 6spd so I would have to go SMG and extended warranty... I drool every time I see one and I would love to drive a car that was $100+K new.

5. 2010/11 Mustang GT 5.0 $35-38K spec'd out with Brembo brakes, 3.73 rear end, premium and comfort packages. I cant believe I'm even considering a Ford but that thing impressed the hell out of me on the test drive and is by far the best bang for the buck of my options...

Any input's/comments are appreciated and any recommendations that I haven't thought of would be great too.

Thanks,
-Curt

ersin · 12-29-2010, 05:46 PM

Oh come now. Do you really expect to get results other than #2 on this forum? I had a 2002 E46 M3 and the E92 M3 is every bit as fun as the E46. It's also faster and more refined. But if you really want an E46 M3 I won't dissuade you. You can do more work on it yourself than on an E9x M3, if you're into that. It'll save on maintenance costs.

The M5 and M6 are good too, but you'll be paying more in gas. It's even more of a gas hog than the E9x M3. They're also heavier and because of this not quite as fun to drive as the M3. But if you cruise on long highway trips, they're the best.

The new Mustangs have the performance of the M3, if you get one with the big engine. But it's a Ford and it'll feel like it. One of the guys at work has a convertible Mustang (MY2005 I think) and while it looks nice it's nothing, and I mean nothing, in comparison to the BMW. The newer ones may be a little better, but you better drive one first before ever going with this.

Good luck.

OC3 · 12-29-2010, 06:27 PM

E63 M6 is a compelling option. I almost leased a low mileage 2008 M6 while shopping for a replacement of end-of-lease '08 M3. But, to be used as a DD, it's a bit too much. Some of the areas in SoCal that I gotta get to (clients' offices), plus some clients thinking "hmm, we're paying OC3 too much" without realizing that it's a used car, etc. So, just got another M3.

Re: I don't think a used E9x equip'd w/ DCT will necessarily substantially increase the sales price. And, re: "Ive heard its not nearly as fun to drive," you've heard wrong.

LateBraking · 12-29-2010, 06:29 PM

The best option is the option currently in the lead.

(The E9X M3.)

Curt2000 · 12-29-2010, 08:50 PM

thanks guys! I'll be able to drive a 6spd E90 and Comp pkg E46 back to back tomorrow...we'll see which on wins my heart

ersin · 12-29-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

thanks guys! I'll be able to drive a 6spd E90 and Comp pkg E46 back to back tomorrow...we'll see which on wins my heart

Cool. Have fun.

Cheers.

ss134 · 12-29-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ersin

Cool. Have fun.

Cheers.

+1

jonasaurus · 12-29-2010, 10:31 PM

Whilst they all would be fine I think the E60 M5 manual could be interesting especially if you're doing alot of highway miles, consumption on all those cars will be similar to a certain degree if you are planning to go full throttle on occassions.

MVF4Rrider · 12-29-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonasaurus

Whilst they all would be fine I think the E60 M5 manual could be interesting especially if you're doing alot of highway miles, consumption on all those cars will be similar to a certain degree if you are planning to go full throttle on occassions.

The E46 M3 would be the least thirsty of them all. I regularly get over 20 mpg (US, not imperial) while driving it very hard during my daily commute and mine being a vert has a weight disadvantage. I truly believe the E46 M3 makes for a great daily commuter considering the fun to cost (to own and operate) ratio.

Curt2000 · 12-29-2010, 11:20 PM

The new Mustang gets 28! but the more I think about it the more I cant imagine myself in a Ford...

I'm making a bunch of low ball offers on M5's right now hoping one will work out...

Or I may walk away with a E46 or E90 tomorrow from enthusiast auto...they have a great selection!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

The E46 M3 would be the least thirsty of them all. I regularly get over 20 mpg (US, not imperial) while driving it very hard during my daily commute and mine being a vert has a weight disadvantage. I truly believe the E46 M3 makes for a great daily commuter considering the fun to cost (to own and operate) ratio.

mkoesel · 12-30-2010, 07:38 AM

With that budget I would honestly go with the Mustang, but that's largely because I am not a big used car fan.

03BeastCharmer · 12-30-2010, 09:14 AM

M5, followed by E90 M3 if you want a usable back seat, and don't plan on tracking. Love the M5 HUD, wish the M3 had it too.

M6 would be my last choice. I used to hold it as an idol, until I drove it in anger at M School. Not on the same level as the M5/M3, and if you're just going to cruise the 650 does that just as well with less expensive parts.

James T. Kirk · 12-30-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

Hey guys, I've owned 335i's for the past 4 years and have loved every moment but its time for something new.

I was in the same boat as you, and have had both the M3 E46 and the 335i E90.

I urge you strongly to go with the E90 for the V8. It is a revolution in feel and power... unlike any of its predecessors.

Good luck with your decision. You've got some great options.

Curt2000 · 12-30-2010, 05:13 PM

So today I drove a E46 M3 competition, interlagos on cinnamon, a interlagos E90 6spd, and a black on black E60 M5 SMG back to back to back....

E46 M3, was very responsive and a lot of fun on the highway with the reduced ratio steering but even though it was an '06 the interior was aging pretty bad and was very outdated

E90 M3...to be honest, I had a premium/sport/cold weather E90 335i with JB3 that felt pretty much exactly the same as the M3 w.r.t. speed, the car handled better but I could tell right away that I was going to get bored with it since I drove a car that was very similar in appearance and comfort for 3 years.

M5 takes the prize by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It is excessive in every way! The luxury was light years ahead even the E90, the V10 was very responsive and smooth (hits 130 in an obscenely short amount of time with no effort, I thought I was doing 80 when I checked the HUD!) even though it is very heavy, it felt centered and very solid. I loved the aggressive styling, the HUD, the huge back seat and trunk...I could imagine having an RPI GTS exhaust installed right away making it scream at WOT...Its everything I can imagine wanting out of a car...

I need not look at other cars, I'm ready to pull the trigger on an '07 E60 M5 6spd. Thanks for everyone's help!

JCtx · 12-30-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

With that budget I would honestly go with the Mustang,but that's largely because I am not a big used car fan.

Same here, especially with something as expensive to repair/maintain as an M3/5/6. If I can't afford it new, it's not even in my radar. It also helps I have nobody to impress

. Happy new year gang.

cmk227 · 12-30-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

thanks guys! I'll be able to drive a 6spd E90 and Comp pkg E46 back to back tomorrow...we'll see which on wins my heart

Sox speed will be a blast. Go four the 4 door for the kids.

sensi09 · 12-30-2010, 07:32 PM

I'd choose the e9x m3, but since you've had the 335 for awhile and mentioned you wanted a quick car on the highway, the M5 would be the ticket.

dpsfm3 · 12-30-2010, 07:57 PM

on your pt # 2, not true...while the e46M ZCP is an amazing car, the e9X is that much better. Take it from someone who's had both.

So the right answer is e92 DCT :-)

dardeca · 12-30-2010, 08:10 PM

E92 DCT

dpsfm3 · 12-30-2010, 08:13 PM

^ What he said

OC3 · 12-30-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt2000

So today I drove a E46 M3 competition, interlagos on cinnamon, a interlagos E90 6spd, and a black on black E60 M5 SMG back to back to back....

E46 M3, was very responsive and a lot of fun on the highway with the reduced ratio steering but even though it was an '06 the interior was aging pretty bad and was very outdated

E90 M3...to be honest, I had a premium/sport/cold weather E90 335i with JB3 that felt pretty much exactly the same as the M3 w.r.t. speed, the car handled better but I could tell right away that I was going to get bored with it since I drove a car that was very similar in appearance and comfort for 3 years.

M5 takes the prize by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It is excessive in every way! The luxury was light years ahead even the E90, the V10 was very responsive and smooth (hits 130 in an obscenely short amount of time with no effort, I thought I was doing 80 when I checked the HUD!) even though it is very heavy, it felt centered and very solid. I loved the aggressive styling, the HUD, the huge back seat and trunk...I could imagine having an RPI GTS exhaust installed right away making it scream at WOT...Its everything I can imagine wanting out of a car...

I need not look at other cars, I'm ready to pull the trigger on an '07 E60 M5 6spd. Thanks for everyone's help!

Oh yeah, that V10!

ring007 · 12-30-2010, 09:24 PM

I've owned most (other than the M6) of these BMWs. The E90 will be your best choice and allow you to buy something with low miles. The only M5 you'll be able to afford will be older and/or with high miles, neither of which are reliable options. The M5's are notoriously expensive to maintain and repair and you will average 12mpg. With that said, there is nothing (short of a Ferrari) that sound as good as the V10. However you will regret buying the M5/6 the first time you get a $3-5k repair bill. Even though they are now $40-60k cars, they were all originally $90-100k car and repair costs are commensurate with such a high tech machine.

View Poll Results: Cars
E46 Competition M3	8	10.81%
E90/2 M3 6speed	41	55.41%
E60 M5 6speed	6	8.11%
E63 M6 SMG	8	10.81%
Mustang 5.0	6	8.11%
Other (please post)	5	6.76%
Voters: 74. You may not vote on this poll

12-29-2010, 05:25 PM	#1
Curt2000 Brigadier General 1013 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: '93 Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (25)	Opinion on which car is best option? Hey guys, I've owned 335i's for the past 4 years and have loved every moment but its time for something new. I was wanting to buy something for about $35K but can stretch to ~$42K if need be. I've been looking at several options and need help/advice from people who may have experience with the various cars. I'm not going to be tracking the car, just looking for a fun daily driver, mostly highway but I want to have the power available to spank 95% of competitors on the highway with a 60-130 run. I like to mod/tinker with my cars and I have to have a car with a lot of curb appeal. Has to have a back seat because I will most likely have a kid in the time frame of owning the vehicle so I have to be able to fit a child seat in the car. 1. E46 M3 Competition Package. (04-06) between $26-32K. The cheapest of my options but probably the purest sports car. The strait line performance is probably the poorest of all the options but there are aftermarket kits that can make it a beast! 2. E90/2 M3 (2008) Between $40-45K At the top of my price range and probably wont be able to afford DCT. Ive heard its not nearly as fun to drive as the E46 but makes up for it with technology and power. 3. E60 M5 (2007) Between $38-42K Another high end car with plenty of power and curb appeal but plenty of expensive things to break and ridiculously bad gas mileage...but to be honest it would be the best worst choice of all these cars IMO...would definitely wait to find a 6speed manual as Ive heard the SMGs are not reliable. Would also look into extended BMW warranty which is another $3K. 4. E63 M6 (2006) Between $38-45K Cant afford a '07 with 6spd so I would have to go SMG and extended warranty... I drool every time I see one and I would love to drive a car that was $100+K new. 5. 2010/11 Mustang GT 5.0 $35-38K spec'd out with Brembo brakes, 3.73 rear end, premium and comfort packages. I cant believe I'm even considering a Ford but that thing impressed the hell out of me on the test drive and is by far the best bang for the buck of my options... Any input's/comments are appreciated and any recommendations that I haven't thought of would be great too. Thanks, -Curt __________________ Former Car: '16 SUNBURST GOLD F80 ///M3--6MT/Carbon Cloth (ED Thread) Former Car:'13 SANTORINI BLUE E92///M3--6MT/Speed Cloth/ZCP(ED Thread) INSTAGRAM:@C2KMotorsports
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12-29-2010, 05:46 PM	#2
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,144 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	Oh come now. Do you really expect to get results other than #2 on this forum? I had a 2002 E46 M3 and the E92 M3 is every bit as fun as the E46. It's also faster and more refined. But if you really want an E46 M3 I won't dissuade you. You can do more work on it yourself than on an E9x M3, if you're into that. It'll save on maintenance costs. The M5 and M6 are good too, but you'll be paying more in gas. It's even more of a gas hog than the E9x M3. They're also heavier and because of this not quite as fun to drive as the M3. But if you cruise on long highway trips, they're the best. The new Mustangs have the performance of the M3, if you get one with the big engine. But it's a Ford and it'll feel like it. One of the guys at work has a convertible Mustang (MY2005 I think) and while it looks nice it's nothing, and I mean nothing, in comparison to the BMW. The newer ones may be a little better, but you better drive one first before ever going with this. Good luck. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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12-29-2010, 06:27 PM	#3
OC3 Havin' a blast! 125 Rep 4,847 Posts Drives: 2013 M3 E92 Jerez Blk DCT ZCP Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	E63 M6 is a compelling option. I almost leased a low mileage 2008 M6 while shopping for a replacement of end-of-lease '08 M3. But, to be used as a DD, it's a bit too much. Some of the areas in SoCal that I gotta get to (clients' offices), plus some clients thinking "hmm, we're paying OC3 too much" without realizing that it's a used car, etc. So, just got another M3. Re: I don't think a used E9x equip'd w/ DCT will necessarily substantially increase the sales price. And, re: "Ive heard its not nearly as fun to drive," you've heard wrong. __________________ BRP 1:56 \| CVR 2:01 \| ACS 1:53 \| WSIR 1:34
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12-29-2010, 06:29 PM	#4
LateBraking Brigadier General 326 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	The best option is the option currently in the lead. (The E9X M3.)
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12-29-2010, 08:50 PM	#5
Curt2000 Brigadier General 1013 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: '93 Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (25)	thanks guys! I'll be able to drive a 6spd E90 and Comp pkg E46 back to back tomorrow...we'll see which on wins my heart __________________ Former Car: '16 SUNBURST GOLD F80 ///M3--6MT/Carbon Cloth (ED Thread) Former Car:'13 SANTORINI BLUE E92///M3--6MT/Speed Cloth/ZCP(ED Thread) INSTAGRAM:@C2KMotorsports
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12-29-2010, 10:31 PM	#8
jonasaurus Brigadier General 76 Rep 3,178 Posts Drives: E90 M3 [Sold] Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Whilst they all would be fine I think the E60 M5 manual could be interesting especially if you're doing alot of highway miles, consumption on all those cars will be similar to a certain degree if you are planning to go full throttle on occassions. __________________ ///M3 \| E90 LCI \| Space Grey \| Fox Red with CF Structure \| 6MT \| 260M \| My build
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12-30-2010, 07:38 AM	#11
mkoesel Moderator 7512 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	With that budget I would honestly go with the Mustang, but that's largely because I am not a big used car fan.
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12-30-2010, 09:14 AM	#12
03BeastCharmer Lieutenant Colonel 257 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: '13 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	M5, followed by E90 M3 if you want a usable back seat, and don't plan on tracking. Love the M5 HUD, wish the M3 had it too. M6 would be my last choice. I used to hold it as an idol, until I drove it in anger at M School. Not on the same level as the M5/M3, and if you're just going to cruise the 650 does that just as well with less expensive parts. __________________ Current: '13 E92 M3 Euro Delivery Gone: E86 M Coupe; E30 M3, E39 M5, E36 M3
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12-30-2010, 05:13 PM	#14
Curt2000 Brigadier General 1013 Rep 3,157 Posts Drives: '93 Supra Turbo Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (25)	So today I drove a E46 M3 competition, interlagos on cinnamon, a interlagos E90 6spd, and a black on black E60 M5 SMG back to back to back.... E46 M3, was very responsive and a lot of fun on the highway with the reduced ratio steering but even though it was an '06 the interior was aging pretty bad and was very outdated E90 M3...to be honest, I had a premium/sport/cold weather E90 335i with JB3 that felt pretty much exactly the same as the M3 w.r.t. speed, the car handled better but I could tell right away that I was going to get bored with it since I drove a car that was very similar in appearance and comfort for 3 years. M5 takes the prize by farrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! It is excessive in every way! The luxury was light years ahead even the E90, the V10 was very responsive and smooth (hits 130 in an obscenely short amount of time with no effort, I thought I was doing 80 when I checked the HUD!) even though it is very heavy, it felt centered and very solid. I loved the aggressive styling, the HUD, the huge back seat and trunk...I could imagine having an RPI GTS exhaust installed right away making it scream at WOT...Its everything I can imagine wanting out of a car... I need not look at other cars, I'm ready to pull the trigger on an '07 E60 M5 6spd. Thanks for everyone's help! __________________ Former Car: '16 SUNBURST GOLD F80 ///M3--6MT/Carbon Cloth (ED Thread) Former Car:'13 SANTORINI BLUE E92///M3--6MT/Speed Cloth/ZCP(ED Thread) INSTAGRAM:@C2KMotorsports
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12-30-2010, 07:32 PM	#17
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	I'd choose the e9x m3, but since you've had the 335 for awhile and mentioned you wanted a quick car on the highway, the M5 would be the ticket. Last edited by sensi09; 12-30-2010 at 09:08 PM..
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12-30-2010, 07:57 PM	#18
dpsfm3 M enthusiast. BMW CCA member. 13 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 7MDCT AW loaded Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	on your pt # 2, not true...while the e46M ZCP is an amazing car, the e9X is that much better. Take it from someone who's had both. So the right answer is e92 DCT :-) __________________ 2011 ///M3 e92 7MDCT 19", Alpine White, Black Leather/Carbon, Loaded 2005 ///M3 e46 6MT 19", ZCP, Carbon Black, Black/Alcantara seats (sold, but not forgotten!) Last edited by dpsfm3; 12-30-2010 at 08:13 PM..
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12-30-2010, 08:10 PM	#19
dardeca Major 500 Rep 1,313 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Competition Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Dallas iTrader: (2)	E92 DCT __________________ E92 M3 Supplemental manual p.38: "The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with DSC."
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12-30-2010, 08:13 PM	#20
dpsfm3 M enthusiast. BMW CCA member. 13 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 7MDCT AW loaded Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	^ What he said __________________ 2011 ///M3 e92 7MDCT 19", Alpine White, Black Leather/Carbon, Loaded 2005 ///M3 e46 6MT 19", ZCP, Carbon Black, Black/Alcantara seats (sold, but not forgotten!)
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12-30-2010, 09:24 PM	#22
ring007 Major 60 Rep 1,036 Posts Drives: GT3RS & Speciale No BMWs now Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ///Iowa iTrader: (13)	I've owned most (other than the M6) of these BMWs. The E90 will be your best choice and allow you to buy something with low miles. The only M5 you'll be able to afford will be older and/or with high miles, neither of which are reliable options. The M5's are notoriously expensive to maintain and repair and you will average 12mpg. With that said, there is nothing (short of a Ferrari) that sound as good as the V10. However you will regret buying the M5/6 the first time you get a $3-5k repair bill. Even though they are now $40-60k cars, they were all originally $90-100k car and repair costs are commensurate with such a high tech machine.
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