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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

2003 350z or a 1996 BMW M3??

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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 07:56 PM
  #21  
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If you can find an e36 M3 in good condition, I actually think the two are pretty evenly matched, just depends on what you want. It's a shame that the Z isn't that much faster than a 240bhp M3. I think that's due to the lower weight of the M3 and less drivetrain loss.

How much do the '03 Zs go for now? I believe you can find '01 M3s for very low 20s.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Sensi09
If you can find an e36 M3 in good condition, I actually think the two are pretty evenly matched, just depends on what you want. It's a shame that the Z isn't that much faster than a 240bhp M3. I think that's due to the lower weight of the M3 and less drivetrain loss.

How much do the '03 Zs go for now? I believe you can find '01 M3s for very low 20s.

this is exactly what i think, the 2 cars are very close in how similer they are. The e36 is as quick as the 350 becuase it has etter gearing, and is lighter, a decent e46 is around 24k or more in my area...which is 10k more than i can spend... which car do you guys think handles better? an e36 handled worlds better then my 300zx did, but im sure thse cars are wolds apart from the 300zx...
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by travis10
this is exactly what i think, the 2 cars are very close in how similer they are. The e36 is as quick as the 350 becuase it has etter gearing, and is lighter, a decent e46 is around 24k or more in my area...which is 10k more than i can spend... which car do you guys think handles better? an e36 handled worlds better then my 300zx did, but im sure thse cars are wolds apart from the 300zx...
wow, you are getting a Z for 14k? that's cheap as hell. Just make sure you got repair money when it comes to the M. A lot of shops don't even work on them. Parts and service is expensive.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by travis10
i do realize that the 350z will be more reliable, but is the m3 really that bad of a car comapred to the 350..? i mean they are pretty much nearly as fast as one another... but that isn't that much of a priority for me, i think the Z would be pretty unpractical...hmmm
So, why are you posting in this forum if you like the M3 more than the Z? We don't need another retarded member in this forum who obviously does not know which one is a better car . . .
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Sensi09
If you can find an e36 M3 in good condition, I actually think the two are pretty evenly matched, just depends on what you want. It's a shame that the Z isn't that much faster than a 240bhp M3. I think that's due to the lower weight of the M3 and less drivetrain loss.
Are you kidding!? My Z eats M3s for breakfast in autocross . . .
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by z-u-later
So, why are you posting in this forum if you like the M3 more than the Z? We don't need another retarded member in this forum who obviously does not know which one is a better car . . .

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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by z-u-later
Are you kidding!? My Z eats M3s for breakfast in autocross . . .
I was referring to straight line acceleration only. The Z should pull away, but from the vids and runs I've personally seen, the difference is not that great.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by z-u-later
Are you kidding!? My Z eats M3s for breakfast in autocross . . .
also in drags.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by dave079
Buy the M3. It seems like you don't care what our opinions are anyway from your responses. Call us when you spend what you paid for the M3 repairing it.

It isnt that, I like both cars the same, but everyone on here makes it seem as if i am comparing the 350z to a 1993 ford escort or something
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
also in drags.

so will a z handle better than the m3..? Ive been in more m3's.. so i wouldnt really know
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by travis10
so will a z handle better than the m3..? Ive been in more m3's.. so i wouldnt really know
That's a hard one. The only m3 e36 ive driven had aftermarket wheels but still, the handling wasn't bad. So it's hard to tell. I haven't driven a stock e36 m3 hard enough where i can tell if it's better than my car.

I'm just trying to give you the upsides and downsides of both cars. Obviously the m3 holds better value than the z if both of the cars you are buying are 14k. I would just get the M3 then. Seems like you would be happy with one since you are familiar with it. I would never be happy with a 240hp inline 6 N/A car.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
That's a hard one. The only m3 e36 ive driven had aftermarket wheels but still, the handling wasn't bad. So it's hard to tell. I haven't driven a stock e36 m3 hard enough where i can tell if it's better than my car.

I'm just trying to give you the upsides and downsides of both cars. Obviously the m3 holds better value than the z if both of the cars you are buying are 14k. I would just get the M3 then. Seems like you would be happy with one since you are familiar with it. I would never be happy with a 240hp inline 6 N/A car.

in the short time i did drive the 350, i was very happy with it, the steering felt firm like my 300zx... and its newer..hmm, i think im going to have to go and take a look at the Z in question before i make any concrete descisions
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 08:55 PM
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if you are looking cars for cheap, look at the s2k. It has the same hp levels but in a 4 cylinder and has good handling as well. It's faster than the m3 and is light.
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by SuperBlack350z
if you are looking cars for cheap, look at the s2k. It has the same hp levels but in a 4 cylinder and has good handling as well. It's faster than the m3 and is light.

never really considerd the s2k...


brb gotta check craigslist
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 09:32 PM
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m3
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 09:54 PM
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if you can only spend 14k you can't really afford either. If you spend 14k on the M your going to have to put at least 5k worth of maintenance into it, bc the subframe bushings, motor mounts, trans. mounts, rear trailing arm bushings, pretty much every bushing or rubber piece on the car will need replacing bc you can almost guarantee it hasn't been done. Those parts are going to be expensive. And labor will kill you, the subframe and rtabs are 9+ hours of labor alone.

The Z isn't much cheaper. You wont have to do so much replacing as on the M simply bc it's a newer car, but if something goes wrong(chances are if you're buying it for 14k it will be out of warranty...)it will be expensive too.

If you are mechanically inclined, then you will save SOME money on both cars, but maybe you should look at your finances and figure out if either of these would be right for you at this point in your life.

Not trying to be condescending or anything just giving my .02 I have owned both cars and I help my best friend wrench on his M3 REGULARLY(haha that should tell you something right there )
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Old Feb 5, 2008 | 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by boogy886
if you can only spend 14k you can't really afford either. If you spend 14k on the M your going to have to put at least 5k worth of maintenance into it, bc the subframe bushings, motor mounts, trans. mounts, rear trailing arm bushings, pretty much every bushing or rubber piece on the car will need replacing bc you can almost guarantee it hasn't been done. Those parts are going to be expensive. And labor will kill you, the subframe and rtabs are 9+ hours of labor alone.

The Z isn't much cheaper. You wont have to do so much replacing as on the M simply bc it's a newer car, but if something goes wrong(chances are if you're buying it for 14k it will be out of warranty...)it will be expensive too.

If you are mechanically inclined, then you will save SOME money on both cars, but maybe you should look at your finances and figure out if either of these would be right for you at this point in your life.

Not trying to be condescending or anything just giving my .02 I have owned both cars and I help my best friend wrench on his M3 REGULARLY(haha that should tell you something right there )
Well put and good advice. Maybe consider a Honda Civic LX or Fit.
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Old Feb 6, 2008 | 06:17 AM
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Obviously, you have not done enough research on the pros & cons of each car. Don't just look at the purchase & maintenance costs associated with each car. The bigger premium you have to worry about monthly is the insurance cost. If you can't afford the maintenance & insurance costs, then you don't have any sound reason to even consider these cars. Try a cheap domestic car. Or buy a civic.
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Old Feb 6, 2008 | 06:22 AM
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Lets not rush into this.
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