2003 350z or a 1996 BMW M3??
02-06-2008, 07:14 AM
#45
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Unless you just got to have a Bimmer the 350z all the way, it out performs and is a later model vehicle then that M3. I couldn't consider a bmw M3 unless it was a 2001-2003 and higher then you are talking close. But a Bmw out of warranty unless you are very handy with a wrench is a money trap, more so then almost any Japanese car.
I'd go 350Z unless you are just into classic Bmws.
I'd go 350Z unless you are just into classic Bmws.
02-06-2008, 07:55 AM
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350z fo sho
but remember, just like all the other "350z or this car" threads
test drive both and see which one you like best
but newer is always better....in some cases ahahah
but remember, just like all the other "350z or this car" threads
test drive both and see which one you like best
but newer is always better....in some cases ahahah
02-06-2008, 01:33 PM
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the only thing that worries me about the 350 is that its an 03 and hasnt had any transmission work yet, at 57k mles there is still time for it to get replaced..but still.... 
02-06-2008, 03:04 PM
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The 96 M3 has a plastic impeller water pump failure. When it breaks your engine overheats and there goes your blown headgasket! The 350z is not a time bomb like that. But does have minor problems.
02-06-2008, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by travis10
the only thing that worries me about the 350 is that its an 03 and hasnt had any transmission work yet, at 57k mles there is still time for it to get replaced..but still....
lol. If the tranny hasn't had probs yet, then it's a good one. No worries. The only tranny replacements were done on SOME cars in their infancy.
02-06-2008, 04:01 PM
#50
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I have an 03 with almost 40K miles on it and I have had no issues whatsoever with my tranny *knocks on wood* I do need to replace my tires though 
02-06-2008, 05:40 PM
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wat kinda forum are u on? go ask that same question on a bimmer forum and see the answers u get. it is totally dependent on the medium in which u ask the question. but seriously, the m3 is 12 years old. E36 M3 is outdated...
02-06-2008, 05:52 PM
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Thats funny...I bought my 1996 m3 with 74,000 miles on it. I loved the car but maintaining it was a nightmare. My modified Z has less issues by far.
02-06-2008, 07:59 PM
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r u ****ing stupid.the car is 12 yrs old, and a piece of **** by now.im not just saying because i own a Z, but seriously, if u cant bake up ur mind about this, you have mad issues.
02-06-2008, 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by travis10
Hi.. as of now I am in a situation where I can get either of these cars..
the m3 is a 96, with 74,000 miles, 2 owners, very good condition, all stock and the 350z is a touring, all stock, 57k miles...
which is the better car?? I used to own a 300zx TT and enjoyed that car...and I have always liked the feel of the 350z, but between the two, and the fact that i really have to decide soon makes me uncertain...
the m3 is a 96, with 74,000 miles, 2 owners, very good condition, all stock and the 350z is a touring, all stock, 57k miles...
which is the better car?? I used to own a 300zx TT and enjoyed that car...and I have always liked the feel of the 350z, but between the two, and the fact that i really have to decide soon makes me uncertain...
If you go BMW? keep in mind the major high cost to up keep it!
What cost $100.00 on a Z will cost $1000.00 on a BMW. Good luck!
02-06-2008, 08:32 PM
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2 reasons this thread is gay.
1. This guy is on a 350z thread debating whether he should buy a bad *** nissan 350z or a old beat up M3.
2. This guy needs eveybody else's opinions on what he should buy.
Dude its your money, don't let others make your choices. Why look up to others expectation???
1. This guy is on a 350z thread debating whether he should buy a bad *** nissan 350z or a old beat up M3.
2. This guy needs eveybody else's opinions on what he should buy.
Dude its your money, don't let others make your choices. Why look up to others expectation???
02-06-2008, 10:51 PM
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Do you need 4 seats or two?
Do you want a sewing-machine smooth in-line six and a very smooth/strong tranny and clutch? (M3)
Do you want to a more raw-feeling (unrefined) sporty car and don't care so much about refinement? Plus a quirky tranny? Early clutches are very on/off (z)
You can search for some of my old posts - I had a 97 m3 and loved that car. Then I bought an 06 350z 6mt. The cars are equal in acceleration. I drove them back-to-back for a few months. Handling went to the M3, but I had H&R springs, Koni Shocks, and Michelin PS2 tires on it.
I was disappointed in the new 300hp z equalling acceleration of a 10-year-old, 200,000 mile 240hp M3. But I think the earlier z's were faster. Z might weigh 150lbs more than the e36 M3.
I put 227,000 miles on the M3 and just before I sold it, the compression was within 6% across all 6 cylinders. No rebuilds. all original. The OEM clutch lasted until 180k miles! It has been the most reliable car I have ever had - and I have owned hondas and nissans in the past.
If you can DIY stuff, the M3 would be very nice. Parts are cheap if you know where to buy them. (bimmerparts dot com). For stuff you can't DIY (rear trailing arm bushings, also unfortunately a wear item every 60k miles), go to a race shop and they can change them out in an hour for about $100.
The OEM M3 front rotors (made by brembo) are $65 apiece. While the front rotors for the z brembo package are about $400 - WTF???
Axle-carrier to chassis bushings were only an issue on the non-M e36 cars. I had mine checked regularly anyway and there was never an issue. I did not baby the car either - I drove it like I stole it (once it warmed up). Took the twisty back-roads into town all the time.
Plastic impeller water pump. There were some issues, but it is really easy to change out to a metal impeller. The whole car is super-easy to work on.
I can't speak to the long term reliability of the z, but I have heard the earlier z's had a lot of problems.
IMO, I think the z is much better looking than the M3, although I still like the look of the e36 M3.
Ergonomics are about the same between these cars - I'd go with a 97 M3 over a 96 since it has digital climate controls.
Recently traded my 06 z for an 07 z and absolutely love the 07. definitely a step up in performance from the e36 M3.
good luck...
Do you want a sewing-machine smooth in-line six and a very smooth/strong tranny and clutch? (M3)
Do you want to a more raw-feeling (unrefined) sporty car and don't care so much about refinement? Plus a quirky tranny? Early clutches are very on/off (z)
You can search for some of my old posts - I had a 97 m3 and loved that car. Then I bought an 06 350z 6mt. The cars are equal in acceleration. I drove them back-to-back for a few months. Handling went to the M3, but I had H&R springs, Koni Shocks, and Michelin PS2 tires on it.
I was disappointed in the new 300hp z equalling acceleration of a 10-year-old, 200,000 mile 240hp M3. But I think the earlier z's were faster. Z might weigh 150lbs more than the e36 M3.
I put 227,000 miles on the M3 and just before I sold it, the compression was within 6% across all 6 cylinders. No rebuilds. all original. The OEM clutch lasted until 180k miles! It has been the most reliable car I have ever had - and I have owned hondas and nissans in the past.
If you can DIY stuff, the M3 would be very nice. Parts are cheap if you know where to buy them. (bimmerparts dot com). For stuff you can't DIY (rear trailing arm bushings, also unfortunately a wear item every 60k miles), go to a race shop and they can change them out in an hour for about $100.
The OEM M3 front rotors (made by brembo) are $65 apiece. While the front rotors for the z brembo package are about $400 - WTF???
Axle-carrier to chassis bushings were only an issue on the non-M e36 cars. I had mine checked regularly anyway and there was never an issue. I did not baby the car either - I drove it like I stole it (once it warmed up). Took the twisty back-roads into town all the time.
Plastic impeller water pump. There were some issues, but it is really easy to change out to a metal impeller. The whole car is super-easy to work on.
I can't speak to the long term reliability of the z, but I have heard the earlier z's had a lot of problems.
IMO, I think the z is much better looking than the M3, although I still like the look of the e36 M3.
Ergonomics are about the same between these cars - I'd go with a 97 M3 over a 96 since it has digital climate controls.
Recently traded my 06 z for an 07 z and absolutely love the 07. definitely a step up in performance from the e36 M3.
good luck...
Last edited by hiz-n-herz; 02-06-2008 at 10:54 PM.
02-06-2008, 11:00 PM
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If you can do your own service. Get the M3 if your looking for a backseat. Otherwise, a Z is a much better option with less service.
On second thought..... just get a Z.
On second thought..... just get a Z.
02-07-2008, 12:07 AM
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if u want a e36 m3 its somthing you wouldnt have to think twice about. one of the best cars you can get for the money. of course if u like the 350z more then get it
02-07-2008, 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by hiz-n-herz
Do you need 4 seats or two?
Do you want a sewing-machine smooth in-line six and a very smooth/strong tranny and clutch? (M3)
Do you want to a more raw-feeling (unrefined) sporty car and don't care so much about refinement? Plus a quirky tranny? Early clutches are very on/off (z)
You can search for some of my old posts - I had a 97 m3 and loved that car. Then I bought an 06 350z 6mt. The cars are equal in acceleration. I drove them back-to-back for a few months. Handling went to the M3, but I had H&R springs, Koni Shocks, and Michelin PS2 tires on it.
I was disappointed in the new 300hp z equalling acceleration of a 10-year-old, 200,000 mile 240hp M3. But I think the earlier z's were faster. Z might weigh 150lbs more than the e36 M3.
I put 227,000 miles on the M3 and just before I sold it, the compression was within 6% across all 6 cylinders. No rebuilds. all original. The OEM clutch lasted until 180k miles! It has been the most reliable car I have ever had - and I have owned hondas and nissans in the past.
If you can DIY stuff, the M3 would be very nice. Parts are cheap if you know where to buy them. (bimmerparts dot com). For stuff you can't DIY (rear trailing arm bushings, also unfortunately a wear item every 60k miles), go to a race shop and they can change them out in an hour for about $100.
The OEM M3 front rotors (made by brembo) are $65 apiece. While the front rotors for the z brembo package are about $400 - WTF???
Axle-carrier to chassis bushings were only an issue on the non-M e36 cars. I had mine checked regularly anyway and there was never an issue. I did not baby the car either - I drove it like I stole it (once it warmed up). Took the twisty back-roads into town all the time.
Plastic impeller water pump. There were some issues, but it is really easy to change out to a metal impeller. The whole car is super-easy to work on.
I can't speak to the long term reliability of the z, but I have heard the earlier z's had a lot of problems.
IMO, I think the z is much better looking than the M3, although I still like the look of the e36 M3.
Ergonomics are about the same between these cars - I'd go with a 97 M3 over a 96 since it has digital climate controls.
Recently traded my 06 z for an 07 z and absolutely love the 07. definitely a step up in performance from the e36 M3.
good luck...
Do you want a sewing-machine smooth in-line six and a very smooth/strong tranny and clutch? (M3)
Do you want to a more raw-feeling (unrefined) sporty car and don't care so much about refinement? Plus a quirky tranny? Early clutches are very on/off (z)
You can search for some of my old posts - I had a 97 m3 and loved that car. Then I bought an 06 350z 6mt. The cars are equal in acceleration. I drove them back-to-back for a few months. Handling went to the M3, but I had H&R springs, Koni Shocks, and Michelin PS2 tires on it.
I was disappointed in the new 300hp z equalling acceleration of a 10-year-old, 200,000 mile 240hp M3. But I think the earlier z's were faster. Z might weigh 150lbs more than the e36 M3.
I put 227,000 miles on the M3 and just before I sold it, the compression was within 6% across all 6 cylinders. No rebuilds. all original. The OEM clutch lasted until 180k miles! It has been the most reliable car I have ever had - and I have owned hondas and nissans in the past.
If you can DIY stuff, the M3 would be very nice. Parts are cheap if you know where to buy them. (bimmerparts dot com). For stuff you can't DIY (rear trailing arm bushings, also unfortunately a wear item every 60k miles), go to a race shop and they can change them out in an hour for about $100.
The OEM M3 front rotors (made by brembo) are $65 apiece. While the front rotors for the z brembo package are about $400 - WTF???
Axle-carrier to chassis bushings were only an issue on the non-M e36 cars. I had mine checked regularly anyway and there was never an issue. I did not baby the car either - I drove it like I stole it (once it warmed up). Took the twisty back-roads into town all the time.
Plastic impeller water pump. There were some issues, but it is really easy to change out to a metal impeller. The whole car is super-easy to work on.
I can't speak to the long term reliability of the z, but I have heard the earlier z's had a lot of problems.
IMO, I think the z is much better looking than the M3, although I still like the look of the e36 M3.
Ergonomics are about the same between these cars - I'd go with a 97 M3 over a 96 since it has digital climate controls.
Recently traded my 06 z for an 07 z and absolutely love the 07. definitely a step up in performance from the e36 M3.
good luck...
thank you!! this is a very honest post, yesi can understand that this is a 350 board, but you guys act as if the m3 is utter crap, when it is still a fine car. as far as going for a 97, they actually switched to the full OBC in 96, so this car does come with that. as far as the 350 goes, the guy who as going to sell it to me wont do it anymore.. he found out i am in college and says i need to focus on my education..
so if anyone has a 350z for 14k.. id love to see it
02-07-2008, 07:20 AM
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Let me say this from experience: I wished I focused on my education before cars. I think my addiction to cars, working on them, and paying for them slowed down my educational goals by a number of years.
I think getting as education is more important than the car too.
After you get a degree you can get a NEW M3 / 350Z as a reward. Unfortunately, I learned about rewarding myself about 20 years later. Not too late even for me. But, like they say ..... if I knew what I know now, then .....
It looks to me like you need to get a good sound car that you don't have to worry about modding through college. If you get a Z or M3 most likely you'll have expenses you didn't expect.
Good luck with your decision.
I think getting as education is more important than the car too.
After you get a degree you can get a NEW M3 / 350Z as a reward. Unfortunately, I learned about rewarding myself about 20 years later. Not too late even for me. But, like they say ..... if I knew what I know now, then .....
It looks to me like you need to get a good sound car that you don't have to worry about modding through college. If you get a Z or M3 most likely you'll have expenses you didn't expect.
Good luck with your decision.
Last edited by Z_Driver; 02-07-2008 at 07:24 AM.