So what do you think? I can get a used M3 for around 17K. Straight line performance probably will be equal with a slight edge for the 370Z. The M3 will be cheaper initially but will cost more in the long run in term of maintenance.

 

In many of these discussions, I would say M3, but classic as it is you're looking at a 7 year old car. I'd go with the 370Z.

Not sure what options you're looking at on the 370Z, but I'd consider a '05-06 cayman S over a 370Z.

 

how about buy the car you like and that you can afford

 

It doesnt even make sense to compare the two.

 

if you want to look like a wannabe baller with an old model used m3 with high mileage, go ahead and purchase the m3.

 

i voted for the M3 just for the fact that it will out perform and looks better than the 370 with some simple modifications.

 

+1

 

That is your opinion on the looks, and what simple mods will make that far and away better then a STOCK 370?

I say 370 but I am partial, I ordered mine recently. You can either get a car with a factory warranty with 14 miles on it . Or get a car 7 years old with hopefully under 60,000 miles on it and PRAY nothing breaks. BMW parts, aftermarket and factory are expensive as hell...
My Dad has had 4 M3's...great cars, but he always gets rid of them once the warranty is gone.

 

This is tough, i prefer the classic look of the E46 m3 over the 370z. IOno never been a fan of the 370 i guess.

 

^^ same here but warranty and brand new car would probably make me go with the 370 over m3. I hate the looks of the outside of the 370 though. Buy an 05 or 06Z for 16 or 17 then put 12 in the car and have 450-500whp? taht would be my choice looks better then 370 and then it would perform a **** ton better.

 

I already have a daily driving car. This is more of something to have fun so reliability may not be very critical. I could try to get the price down to 15K on the M3. A brand new 370Z is another 20K more. Sure if I can afford the Z, I probably will go for it. Besides a year from now if I want to get rid of the M3, I won't loose much money. The performance of both car will be very similar with a slight edge to the Z. In term of look, I prefer the M3.

 

Then there you go you just answered your own question. Good job!

 

Do you need 2 seats or four? Do you want touring comfort or tossable sport car?
Both are good and M3 very reliable.

 

The price of a '05-'06 M3 is very much inline with a new 370Z. That would be much better comparison IMO

 

M3s are expensive as hell to mod.

 

7 years old or new... i'll take the new.

 

+1, if you already have a Daily Driver and just looking for a fun weekend car i suggest you get a Used 03/04 350z and mod the crap out of it. But it seems like your set on the m3 which is the car ill be driving if i haven't gotten the Z

 

...and fix when (not if) they break.

-subframe ripping/tearing (all E46 coupes, including M3, all years) Sometimes covered by BMWNA fully or partially even with car out of warranty, but you dont want this.

-vanos unit (M3 specific, all years): about $2,000 if you're out of warranty. Not super common but has been seen enough.

-exhaust catalyists (M3 specific, all years): covered by a separate emissions warranty...like 70 or 80k miles, but if you out of time or miles on that warranty and they go bad you're hosed for another couple thou easy. (BMW in all it's infinite wisdom decided to make the headers and cats into one single peice on US spec M3's.)

-rod bearing recall (M3 specific...mostly '02 cars, fixed on 03.5+ cars): there should still be recourse for owners of affected cars if nothing has been done about it yet, but you dont want to deal with this.

-SMG pump failure (M3 specific, all years except 6mt cars): another $2g's when this goes dixie. Don't buy an SMG car IMO.

Basically anytime something breaks on an E46M it's big bucks to fix. They're awsome cars...I've test driven one for a good amount of time and it was great, but they used so much bleeding edge technology on that car when it was designed that had not been proven reliable, it shouldn't suprise anyone that they turned out to be high maintenence ****** in the used car realm. Only if you've plenty of money to fix crap and really just want a toy should you bother with one. if you just want a reliable DD that wont cost you an arm and a leg in maintencen and repair just get the Nissan.

New+warranty+japanese relilability= win.

 

Ask this question on a BMW forum and see what they say
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Join Date: Sep 2007

You have been playing “What should I get?” for 19 months. What are you 16 years old?