DIY, if you can't DIY then the M3 will eat you in maintenance costs. Book is too high for most things that go bad on the car. Worst part is, the car is cake to work on. I've taken every panel but the dash out of the interior, taken the front belt drive asembly off, all the lights off, stripped the trunk, wired through the firewall, added exhaust, installed coilovers, etc. etc. on an M3 and I don't even own one. Its cake to work on a Bimmer. You have to take the entire body apart to do anything on the Z. The only reason Z maintenance is cheaper is because its under warranty and newer.

 

interesting mines a pain in the *** i don even wanna try to DIM im scared of breaking something and it costing a fortune id rather work on a car im going to love. But if youve done it and its easy then by all means

 

Just want to mention I hate when people say Z's are $20K cars (NEW). Just cuz most of ther people buy base models doesnt mean they are cheap cars. Touring, Track, GT with NAV are very high 30's and even into the $40K range (an 03' TRACK was 34K + 2K for NAV add in little options and you basically have yourself a $40K car. I would say 1/2 of Z owners who chose these vehicles fully loaded could have gone to the E46 M3 but chose not to...

 

I can't believe you guys are comparing a 2+2 luxury GT car to a sports car.

 

sure seems to me that your pro's and cons already have a decision...good luck with the repair bills!

 

I think your not looking at the real world clown. That's if you want a sports car. It not all about straight line or always being in the lamb light as most BMW owners like to be. It's about what car your like. That's reality dude.

Well, we can afford a M3 and my wife and I decided on the Z. Looks better and performs better in our opinions for everyday driving. I mean really who's gonna rev up to 8200rpms on the street legally? On the track, the Z is quite close and with a couple parts will beat a M3 for a lot less money.

The Z has a cooler / better looking interior to us. It's fresher in every way to us.

 

My point as well.

 

That's what I'm talking about ^^^^ Thx, Alberto .... You've been around a long time and you hit this one on the head of the nail.

 

I made this comment as well... it's like making fun of the Ferrari 612 for being more expensive and overall slower (track-wise) than the F430. It's a 2+2 GT car, good for different things, such has being more practical and having a little more class in terms of styling/interior quality.

 

While what you posted is essentially true, it doesn't take away the fact the Z IS a cheap car when compared to the M3. Especially in the used car market. An 03' Z can be had very easily for around $18k, but try pricing an 02' M3 with 53k miles. It's hard to get one for under 27k.

The M3 is in a different price class and car class.

I'm a proud Z owner but I prefer the M3 than the Z, because I tend to like high redlines better, I like the interior of the M3 better and the handling/ride balance is way better. The road feel, steering and shifter are also superior in the M3. The only place the 350z wins imo is weight and reliability.

Frankly, I did not get an E46 M3 because simply I could not afford one at the time. But I doubt I'm the only one who feels that way.

The Z is a great car for the price, but it is not in the same league as the E46 M3. Come on now guys. That's why Z owners get a bad name. You've got to be more objective than that.

 

.

 

So you're saying a car worth 20-30k more than the Z is only worth 9k more when selling used. I don't know what your point is?

Price class, yes. Car class, it's a little bit better than the Z. However, with only new tires, the Z handles on par with the M3.

Higher redline is good.

I disagree with everything except the shifter.

It is in the same league. The Bimmer comes a bit better from the showroom, but the Z can easily match it with a few small upgrades, like better tires than stock. I really don't get how you guys are saying it's so much better of a car? It's a little bit better... but heavier and less reliable. You are paying the extra money for the BMW name. People here are being plenty objective... mostly the people who could afford either, and chose the Z. For me, if you're looking at performance stats, a Lotus Exige S, for the same money as an M3 will trounce the BMW and is waaayyyy more fun to drive.

I don't like throwing money away for a name and a shoddy product.

 

I guess thats why people laugh at Z owners, they always have to justify as to why the Z is comparable or better than superior cars. I like my Z, and to me it is no M3. A few extra parts will make a Z hang with an M3 but it will always need extra help to hang with the M3. To each his own but I wish I could of afforded an M3 when I bought my Z. I want to see the comparison thread when the new M3 comes out.

 

i used to have an Altima SE-R also...honestly it was an awesome car..if it was RWD i wouldnt have a 350Z today...thats pretty much the bottom line...but i promise u will love the Z and the way it handles...but i cant even lie the M3 is sex! At the end of the day its all up to you

 

I'd like you to tell me what you think makes the M3 superior then. Please.

We're being as objective as possible, and listed the advantages and disadvantages of both. The M3 is a bit faster from 0-60 (but not much faster) and can hold a corner a little bit better than a Z. However, the Z's stock tires are narrow and not very sticky. Adding good tires alone will make it hang with an M3.

The new M3 will be far better but still not as good as the Audi RS4. And I've also heard there is NO steering feel now.

 

Good point.

 

Um, it's pretty clear. As you just said, the M3 is better in all performance categories AND it has a large, luxurious, and comfy interior complete with a back seat and large trunk. The Z is a self-proclaimed sports car that weighs almost as much as a car that is technically classified as a sedan (based on interior volume). Practicality AND performance, people...those are the M3's trump cards.

And I hate to say it, but you have to drive a BMW to understand it. The feel of them...the feedback (throttle response, suspension predictability, steering communication)...the visibility. It's just damn near perfect.

 

[QUOTE=Tubbs]So you're saying a car worth 20-30k more than the Z is only worth 9k more when selling used. I don't know what your point is?



Price class, yes. Car class, it's a little bit better than the Z. However, with only new tires, the Z handles on par with the M3.



Higher redline is good.



I disagree with everything except the shifter.



It is in the same league. The Bimmer comes a bit better from the showroom, but the Z can easily match it with a few small upgrades, like better tires than stock. I really don't get how you guys are saying it's so much better of a car? It's a little bit better... but heavier and less reliable. You are paying the extra money for the BMW name. People here are being plenty objective... mostly the people who could afford either, and chose the Z. For me, if you're looking at performance stats, a Lotus Exige S, for the same money as an M3 will trounce the BMW and is waaayyyy more fun to drive.

also much better looking, ill take a regular Lotus than the m3. Sports sedans coupes down excite me and I don't care how much faster it is looks are top priority.

 

It is a bit better in all categories and only weighs 400 lbs more, or so. I was very close to getting one. But then, I had the opportunity to drive a friends M3 for a week. And I really didn't like it that much. I know it's a great car, but I didn't like the feel of it. And nobody even turned to look at the car. Interior is very bland, and it's a bigger car.

Great car, no doubt. But I don't want to spend extra for a brand name.

 

The regular old lotus will school the M3 in everything except for acceleration above 100 mph. And interior room