If the two cars are that close in your current thinking, then I think the only way to be sure is to drive them both as suggested in a prior post.

 

http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm

You have made mention to this in your thread.

Go Back and re-read this ..........

Look at it for 3-4 days on your computer.........

It sure looks scarey!!!!!!!!!!
I would have to have beat-down a few service managers if they treated me this way.

But then again I guess that every car has problems of some sort, not all cars in a catergory, some dont have trouble some do. This looks like it happens all the time.
But before the internet people had really no way of grouping together their problems at once.
Im on #2 1/2 engine on my 99 f150, 5.4 same as the Lightning, and other people has no issues with it all?

Just hope for the best with what ever you get.

 

Transmission has very very little to do with the engine problems experienced in Fall 01'. The problem is when you spin an engine bearing and it causes the engine to grenade, has nothing to do with the transmissions with the exception of a daignosis.

Basically, a few BMW dealers tried to say the drivers overrevved their engines which caused the damage, however that can only happen if it is a 6speed manual where the SMG will not allow you to get to redline so they are absolved of that possibility.

Again, as long as you are not buying a 9/01-11/01 M3 you will not have this problem.

Also, the best advice would be to test drive the cars and see which you like better, but I know the answer to that since I have driven both

 

Thanks again everyone, I just got back from test driving a bimmer (the 330Ci because they didn't have a M3).

First you all were right there is a gas guzziler tax ($1000) also that will add a few hundred dollars a year due to extra premium gas. I'm not sure what kind of milage I will get with either car, but starting out with worse millage is a bad beginning.

Also luxury tax (maybe $400).

Then I got to thinking even though I can live without power seats I decided throw that in with leather, xenon, metalic paint, destination, and gas tax. Comes to $51,765. This is as close to stripped as possible in this car. Now add tax/tags/doc fees bringing it to $55K. My track out the door was $37300. So we're talking $17,700. (I'll subract $700 because they give free maintanence for 4/50K on the 2003 models).

So there you have it $17K more for the M3. That's half way to a S2000 for my wife.


Well I can't draw any real conclusions about the M3 because this was a 330Ci, but the 5 speed was no great shakes. The ride and handling were great, the fit and finish were great also. But bottom line my socks are still on (if you know what I mean).

Also there is a 3 month wait for an M3 so that puts me in december. If I am not getting it till Dec, I would just as soon wait till the spring.

So here it is: I will stick out the 350Z take it for a drive. If I LOVE it (I think I will), than that's that. If I have issues with it such as orange peel paint, or such than I will revisit the M3.