350z VS. M3
08-19-2006 | 06:54 AM
#41
As someone who has raced BMW's in the past, currently race's a 350Z and works at a BMW dealer, I think I can give you some fair insite.
First both cars are excellent cars, I call my 350Z the poor man's M3 as the performance (with minor mods) is equal.
Second, the M3 is a fantastic car, however it has a few drawbacks. It is overweight by about 350lbs. The stock brakes overheat if you drive it at the track. Last but not least maintenace cost. The M3 is going to cost you 75% more to maintain. The parts are very expensive figure about 50-75% more than the same part on a Z. Aprox every 20-30k miles it will need a major service to the tune of about $1800-1900. There is only one oil you can put in the M3, Castrol R 10-60w which can only be purchased through a dealer and cost about $10 per quart, so every oil change is going to cost you (with labor and filter) about $120. Finally, the engines have a bad habit of occasionally spinning rod bearings if driven hard (ie: you are buying a new engine at $15k)
If you can afford to keep the car maintaned properly I say buy one if you want it, but just be aware of its weaknesses. The 350Z is a bargain for what you get, a lot more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
First both cars are excellent cars, I call my 350Z the poor man's M3 as the performance (with minor mods) is equal.
Second, the M3 is a fantastic car, however it has a few drawbacks. It is overweight by about 350lbs. The stock brakes overheat if you drive it at the track. Last but not least maintenace cost. The M3 is going to cost you 75% more to maintain. The parts are very expensive figure about 50-75% more than the same part on a Z. Aprox every 20-30k miles it will need a major service to the tune of about $1800-1900. There is only one oil you can put in the M3, Castrol R 10-60w which can only be purchased through a dealer and cost about $10 per quart, so every oil change is going to cost you (with labor and filter) about $120. Finally, the engines have a bad habit of occasionally spinning rod bearings if driven hard (ie: you are buying a new engine at $15k)
If you can afford to keep the car maintaned properly I say buy one if you want it, but just be aware of its weaknesses. The 350Z is a bargain for what you get, a lot more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
08-19-2006 | 07:21 AM
#42
Originally Posted by ALong
As someone who has raced BMW's in the past, currently race's a 350Z and works at a BMW dealer, I think I can give you some fair insite.
First both cars are excellent cars, I call my 350Z the poor man's M3 as the performance (with minor mods) is equal.
Second, the M3 is a fantastic car, however it has a few drawbacks. It is overweight by about 350lbs. The stock brakes overheat if you drive it at the track. Last but not least maintenace cost. The M3 is going to cost you 75% more to maintain. The parts are very expensive figure about 50-75% more than the same part on a Z. Aprox every 20-30k miles it will need a major service to the tune of about $1800-1900. There is only one oil you can put in the M3, Castrol R 10-60w which can only be purchased through a dealer and cost about $10 per quart, so every oil change is going to cost you (with labor and filter) about $120. Finally, the engines have a bad habit of occasionally spinning rod bearings if driven hard (ie: you are buying a new engine at $15k)
If you can afford to keep the car maintaned properly I say buy one if you want it, but just be aware of its weaknesses. The 350Z is a bargain for what you get, a lot more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
First both cars are excellent cars, I call my 350Z the poor man's M3 as the performance (with minor mods) is equal.
Second, the M3 is a fantastic car, however it has a few drawbacks. It is overweight by about 350lbs. The stock brakes overheat if you drive it at the track. Last but not least maintenace cost. The M3 is going to cost you 75% more to maintain. The parts are very expensive figure about 50-75% more than the same part on a Z. Aprox every 20-30k miles it will need a major service to the tune of about $1800-1900. There is only one oil you can put in the M3, Castrol R 10-60w which can only be purchased through a dealer and cost about $10 per quart, so every oil change is going to cost you (with labor and filter) about $120. Finally, the engines have a bad habit of occasionally spinning rod bearings if driven hard (ie: you are buying a new engine at $15k)
If you can afford to keep the car maintaned properly I say buy one if you want it, but just be aware of its weaknesses. The 350Z is a bargain for what you get, a lot more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
08-19-2006 | 01:50 PM
#44
wait for the new G which has 300+ hp and a nicer interior/do some mods, and you can appreciate the extra 2 seats, and go new!
Originally Posted by invisible-z
I have been thinking about this forever! Please give me some insight.
Currently I own a track 350z. I have had it for a little more than a year now and I am thinking of either selling it and getting an M3 or keeping it and slapping a S/C or Turbo on the Z.
I hate the interior of the Z and I want something that looks and feels nicer like the M3. But I don't know if its worth to spend about 20K in getting a second hand M3 that only has about 20hp more than my Z (I modded my Z a little).
What should I do?
Superchargers cost about 3000+ and gains about 100 hp
Turbos are generally 5000+ and gains about 150+ hp
I can spend a little more to change the seats and upgrade the stereo a little... but hey.. its still a Nissan
M3 is about 20,000+ (less 27,000 when I sell my Z) and gain about 20 hp + 2 more seats and a nicer interior and sound system... and the new M3 is just around the corner and I am worried about the depreciation...
Can someone PLEASE give me some of your opinion???
Currently I own a track 350z. I have had it for a little more than a year now and I am thinking of either selling it and getting an M3 or keeping it and slapping a S/C or Turbo on the Z.
I hate the interior of the Z and I want something that looks and feels nicer like the M3. But I don't know if its worth to spend about 20K in getting a second hand M3 that only has about 20hp more than my Z (I modded my Z a little).
What should I do?
Superchargers cost about 3000+ and gains about 100 hp
Turbos are generally 5000+ and gains about 150+ hp
I can spend a little more to change the seats and upgrade the stereo a little... but hey.. its still a Nissan
M3 is about 20,000+ (less 27,000 when I sell my Z) and gain about 20 hp + 2 more seats and a nicer interior and sound system... and the new M3 is just around the corner and I am worried about the depreciation...
Can someone PLEASE give me some of your opinion???
08-19-2006 | 03:22 PM
#45
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: DC
I remember about 13 yrs ago southern american ppl started anti-japanese campaign and they destroyed every foreign cars they saw... and I was visiting my aunt in MD and my 1st car I ever owned was toyota corolla. They broke all windows, took out battery, sliced all 4 tires and etc.. I called 911 and no1 came and cared... If american buys a japanese car, its american car. Same for german cars. American owns it, then its american. WHo cares where its made.... anyway.. buy M3. Its cool!
08-20-2006 | 04:59 AM
#46
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: SinCity, NV
Originally Posted by pinoyZ
But doesnt BMW have a 4year free maintance oil change?
To the OP
Imo bmw questions should have been asked at a BMW board (e92m3.com or e90post.com etc..) as they would know more about true costs,problems and what not. The same would hold true for Z questions here. Plus less biased opinions would be had at each cars home boards. Add the 2 up and you'd get more or less an overall picture, to help you decide.
Good luck on whatever you choose.
Last edited by zipgun; 08-20-2006 at 05:03 AM.
08-20-2006 | 07:44 AM
#47
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: NJ
BMW M3's are kind of expensive to maintain and there is no way you are finding an E46 for 20k. I dented a metal plate unerneath my car it was 6 inches by 4inches and the bill came out to 1,200. it was on the car with 4 bolts so imagine if it was something worse. Your insurance will also go up and the M3 gets 16 mpg local and 20mpg on highway when you drive it like a granny. I've gotten the M3 down to 12mpg-13mpg on track days, so you have to take all these factors into consideration.
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