undertow

If you're like me, the title to this thread sounds funny or idiotic.. but hear me out! :P

My M3 is a 2002 with 42,000 Miles, I just accepted a job that is about 40 miles from my house, so 80 miles each way just to go to and from work. I would be putting about 22,000 miles a year on the car -only- driving to and from work. As you can see by my 02 having only 42,000 miles. I don't drive it that much... about 8k a year or so. Anyways, forgetting everything else... my ///M is worth about $35k. I could get a new 07 (or 06 for a great deal) for considerably less. Or I could be smart and purchase an 04-05 in the $20k range and save even more money. And own a car that I think rivals the M3 in looks and I wouldn't mind putting miles on the car. Am I wrong in thinking a 100k Mile 350Z is more "acceptable" than a 100k Mile M3?

I've been going over this dilema and whether or not I should get out of my M before I am forced to drive it so much that I de-value it considerably and just hop into something that I'm not so **** about but still absolutely love (the 350Z). I almost bought a 350Z about 2 years ago, when I ended up getting the M instead. I've owned 4 M3s (3 E46 and 1 E36) and an STi.. but I keep drooling over a 350Z when I see them on the streets.
Financially, and for all arguments sake I shouldn't really be driving an M3 anyways, as I make a shade under $40k a year... even with this new job. I have extended myself on my loan to 6 years, and pay $484 a month for my M3 and would hope/love to be able to get into a 350Z for around $300-$350ish with a 6 year loan. Absolutely nothing wrong with my M3, I just don't want it to de-value that much.. I feel like I'd be doing the car a great injustice by purposely driving it 80miles+ each and every single day. Am I too hard up for the M3 and treat it with kit gloves, more than I should? I am posting on this site, in hopes of a few mature comments (and some not so mature) as well as a biased view towards my M3 and my obsession with it.

Please chime in!

Thanks
Kevin

Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

it'll be a tough choice bewteen (if you can afford it) the 'new' m versus the 07 z. bimmer, imo, are not good long-runners. as you already would know, when the warranty end on your bimmer, it'll cost you a pretty penny. Z can be your work horse and it'll last you a lot longer and a much better as a daily. Z is relatively cheap and can be a good daily beater.

undertow

thanks for the quick reply, and no truth be told I cannot afford the new M so not really an option for me. I can barely afford the close to $500 payment the M is now, but when you add insurance and gas, it's around $800 a month. Then like you said, add on top of that any unforseen costs (thankfully none so far). My car is CPO and has warranty until July 2008 or 100k, plus the infamous engine 100k warranty already. I'm leaning towards a 350z and think an 04-05 would be the smartest thing for me.

A few questions, and I'll search (and have) but I can't remember off the top of my head if the 04-05s were the ones that had body issues or window problems? I remember a few years back reading about a window issues, tread wear (obviously a non-issue if whatever car I get has new/different tires) but also remember seeing a picture of a Z that had a buldge in the body, at the top near the roof or hatch... I can't really recall. Anyways, anything I need to be concerned about when getting an 04 or an 05.. is either one better than the other? Aside from the 35th Aniv. being introduced in 05.

Thanks
Kevin

350zspeedman

iTrader: (3)

go for the used Z it will be cheaper plus save u on gas...plus ur 35k for ur m3 will turn into jack shii once the new m3 pulls out in about a yr// so get rid of it while u have the high value..

undertow

lol thanks for the reply sppedman.

btw, might have an 02 M3 for sale if anyone is interested

Cannysage

iTrader: (29)

I have a 05 and a 04.. (yes I'm a z freak). my 05 is a touring while 04 being the enthusiast.. if you can, at all, afford it, I'd recommend the touring. I'm pretty spoiled by miniscule stuff like heated mirrors, heated/power seats and so forth

Armitage

iTrader: (15)

Don't the M3's have a ridiculous maintenance scheduled? Valvle adjustments every 15k miles or so. You'd be getting two done a year almost and I heard they cost over $1k each time. Not to mention BMW oil changes costs several hundred dollars and you'd probably be getting those more often.

From a financial/mechanical standpoint, I think your better off dropping the M and getting, or maybe even something a little more economical.

tytalian

iTrader: (5)

If you want something that will be good for a 80 mile commute the z is not for you.

roast

iTrader: (2)

40 miles each way.... how could anyone live through that in a Z?

DROPPEDIT2WCE

iTrader: (3)

I would rather make that commute in an M3 IMHO!! The Z will save you a few bucks though...

Sean_350z

If you're going to be putting heaving miles on in your commute I'd go for an '07. Start fresh w/ no mileage and a fresh warranty.

I had an '02 330i. I think you'll enjoy the Z.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

If you drive a BMW M3, you are not concerned about saving money. People who are concerned about transportation and money drive a 1984 Toyota.

SilverII

get rid of the M3 and get a used civic. You dont have to worry about depreciation

DIGItonium

iTrader: (1)

M3=>Z you probably wouldn't save as much on monthly payments... I guess every little bit helps. It's a toughy. I'm paying $480/mo as well. If I had a choice in the beginning, I would've been driving a 2001 Accord all along.

DJMatrix1067

i dont know if he was kidding or not but in all seriousness i would do that.

get a beater for a daily drive, but get something reliable.

Sell off your m3. its too expensive and you said yourself the z is better looking. Find a Z that you like (i dont recommend older than an 04). if you buy a used Z, you would be able to have maybe 5-7k dollars left over.

find a well maintained honda civic or similar little car that gets great gas mileage and has low maintenace and up front cost. drive that daily to work. when you come home you will have a beautiful 350Z with next to no miles on it at home, and still be able to drive and afford both.

cturnbull802

i drive 25 miles one way and at the end of the day i look forward to my drive home. 03 G35

itburns

You are right to do the trade based on depreciation and your mileage for commuting, before you lose all that equity in the M3. I started a job commuting a couple thousand miles per month (yes, I get paid mileage). But how do you trade down from a Z??? I pondered trading it for a commuter car w/ better mileage but just couldn't bring myself to it. So I'm gonna eat the depreciation. ,

davids

iTrader: (7)

I am hearing good things about the M's being boosted. They are very efficeint engines.

slowZee

i just sold my M last week. man i miss that car already. its not an e46 but it was an e36 and i put my heart an soul into that car. i got good money for it so i had thought of a z or s2k but s2k lacks tq. so far i like the z. and i agree the z is not practical for everyday use but i have an accord for that.

98sr20ve

You need to decide if you can afford the M3 over the long haul. If you can getting rid of it because driving it causes it to loose value is kinda silly. Buying it caused it to loose value the minute you drove it off the lot. Any car is going to loose value and you already toke the big hit on your M3. From this point forward it's not as bad. Buy a new 350Z and you will loose value fast as well. So thats not the reason to do the switch. The reason to me is the cost of going past the maintence (that I thought BMW provided free) on the M3. After that (as you know) the M3 requires expensive oil and other consumables. It's not really that bad but you should check with your dealer and get the prices to run the car to 100K. Then at least you know the truth. Buying a car (to save money) by taking a hit on what you already own is seldom a smart thing. Smart thing is to drive the car past the point of owning it and having no debt. Question is can the BMW M3 not bleed you dry in the process of reaching that point. Good luck with your decision.