I know there must have been three million threads just like this (i actually searched and didnt find any) but i am seriously considering selling the Z for an M3. Its actually a very hard decision for me! I love my Z so very much that i dont know what to do. Everytime i drive my Z its bliss and i love the way it looks and i smile everytime i look at it. The m3 is an amazing car, its a beautiful car with amazing performance and the interior is more luxurious (a little to luxurious for a "Sports car"). So what would you guys do? If you had money for an m3 or a fully loaded touring like myn, what would you take and why? I never thought i would think so hard about this but it would be damn hard to let my baby z go.

 

I think the Z better compliments your upcoming M5.

 

The M3 is a superior car. Period. But, if you wanted to, you could spend the difference between the price of a M3 and a Z and make the Z superior to the M3 in terms of performance. Regardless, you likely wont get the same quality interior.

Apples and oranges. Me, I'll take the Z over a M3. If you have to think about it, you're better off with the M3. I don't have to think about it. I already know, I'll take the Z over the M3 even if they were priced the same.

 

completely personal...$80 oil changes and a bimmer attitude come with the deal. but i live in nebraska where the z club has 10 350s and that is it...in a city of a mil

 

The Z Is A Better Buy, But If You Can Afford The M3, Repairs, Service, I Say Get It. I Traded An M3 For 05 Z. I Don't Miss It, And The Extra Money In My Pocket Is Sweet!!!!!!

 

C'mon Reggi,

As much as I love the E46, that Z makes you smile. You need to throw a few more mods at it.

You really want to buy an M3 now when the new ones are around the corner?
Besides you already have a posh Beamer to cruise in, you gotta keep an affordable sports car around.

 

M3 gonna look pretty dated, new model coming out. The next M3 is gonna be a monster compared to the one now.

 

Wait, you are waiting for your new M5, and trying to buy a E46 M3? IMO, I'd love to have an M3, (It would be the one I'd bought instead of Z if I had more budget at that time.) but now it's getting a little old, and new 3 series (don't know the model code) is coming out, so I'd rather wait for new M3 or M4 (coupe, supposedly). Meanwhile, I'd enjoy Z as a weekend toy since you will have 500hp beast as a daily driver. There are several M5's in Korea and heard that it's one hell of a car. (even faster than E55 in 1/4miles and beyond, based on many street drag stories.)

 

tekneq,

I totally agreed with you. It seems like all bmw owners have the same attitude. In fact, my brother, friends, and co-workers all fall under this category (owners of 3 series).

Btw, the 3 series is not much more than any sub 30k cars, so whats the attitude?

Tony

 

i dont know....tony lately all these dudes an their 330ci two doors with a wife and kids trying to race me..im like wtf...they are nice dont get me wrong but it fits in the whole midlife crisis category..they want a bimmer but cant afford a 5 series or **** a 6 series...which are bad as hell...kinda like buying a benz and buying the 230kompr....slow as ****

 

I say M3. (Period)

 

Z. I dont like bimmers. wouldnt buy an M3 even if its selling for 10k. Just my personal opinion tho.

also hate the bimmer attitude. I would shoot myself before I'm looked at that way.

 

+1

 

I've always thought (and stated on these boards before) that I'd eventually trade up for an M3, but I think a new M3 would have to be an additional vehicle for me now. If you're still going with the M5, I'd say don't get the M3... if the M5 is no longer in your sights... well, you've got some soul searching to do

 

ditto......if you can afford the additional $25k-$30k that an M3 costs over a Z then $80 oil changes aren't a problem for you.....as for anything else it'll be under warranty from BWM so no worries. If I could afford an M3 I'd have it over the Z any day.....it's an amazing car.....but at an amazing price!

 

The Z is a spectacular car and I left 8 years of Z ownership. The M3 will be the first non-Nissan that I have ever owned. The only thing I miss are the seats and the bolt-like short-shift throw. The shift-throws are easy on the M, but they are very vague-feeling.

The thing that I noticed is that the Z has consistently good quality overall, while the M is superior in some things and severly lacking in others. Nissan uses the latest tried'n'true technology on the Z, while BMW uses bleeding edge technology on the M; I expect the Z to be overall more reliable over the M.

Anything you do, just don't test drive an M3. I did on Tuesday and ended up w/ one on Thursday.

Michael.

 

I have test drove a 350Z, I have only set in a Z4, but the Z4 seemed so much more conftorable. I was seriously thinging about a Z4 with about 20 to 30 thousand miles, What the deal with $80 oil changes. Why would a BMW be any more than any other car. (talking about a oil change place) not at the dealership. I would think the BMW whould have a fair service record. Dont mean to hijack this thread, just looked like a good place to ask instead of a new post.

 

I think that even if money were no object, this is still an apple and oranges comparison. When I bought my ZR I went to see the M3 convertible. $67K vs. $38K. I always wanted an M3. But as I sat in it and test drove it and looked at it some more, its just DIFFERENT. Put aside the dollars and the luxury and the BMW service crap - the Z is a true sports car. The lines and shape of the Z are just sleeker and more aggressive. Its a matter of taste. My ZR is getting right up there to $60K with all the mods, and I wouldn't trade for an M3 ever. An M5, well, that another story. I'd trade it if I didn't have to pay the difference....

 

on my 745 the services and oil changes (and brakes!!!) are included, i dont pay a penny. Even if that does not apply to the m3, me dealer will give it to me. I drove a lot of m3's and liked them but i need to drive one again to make a final decision.

 

I agree.