QUESTION - do you think it's worth the price to get the 06 track over the 06 enthusiast? Would the money be better spent in the after-market? As far as I know the additional features are:

VDC - Can you turn this off? (whilst on the track)
Brembo calipers and larger disks
"Lightweight: forged wheels by Rays 18" front, 19" rear (not sure what they actually weigh or if the 19" in the rear will slow me down)
Wider tires: 245's up front and 265's in the rear.
...All for like $5 or $6k

I wish I could get navigation with the track model. I really don't need the power seats or leather of the GT, but navigation is AWESOME on road trips.

I have faded the brakes on my M3 before on twisty back roads and the occasional autocross, so I definitely have the propensity to use the brakes generously. How much fade-resistance do the brembos add?

We picked up a ss 06 enthusiast for my wife a couple of months ago. It sure is fun!

I have a 97 m3 now, but with 220k+ miles! It is starting to show its age. I used to own a heavily modded 91 CRS si. The Z is great. It seems like a cross between a CRX and M3. It has the 2-seat, small, fun feel of the CRX with the b@lls of an e36 M3!

I was always set on a replacing my 97 M3 with a used 2001+ M3, but after driving my wife's Z a bit, I am not sure. I Just love the look of the new Z and it is really fun to drive. LOVE that short-throw shifter!!! The M3's shifter is like rowing a boat. The e46 M3 is hella fast though. But then aftermarket parts for the M3 are $$$$$$! I may have to drive the e46M3 again to prove to myself that I like the Z better.

I don't need four seats, but since my wife now has a 2-seater, it'd be nice to have a car with four seats, but then it's been a LONG time since anyone has sat in the back seat of my M3. Probably years!

Any help is appreciated...

 

I loved my z, i just recently sold it. I'm saving for a 2002+ e46 M3 right now. If u can find a nice m with not a lot of miles on it i would get it. The aftermarket is expensive for the M but when u start adding more power to the the Z u'll find its no cheap car to mod. Its really what u like i suppose, if your wife has a m u should just get the z and switch once in a while.

 

I have a 97 M3 and we just got her the z. I am in the market for a new car and not sure if I should get a z of my own or an e46M3.

If I remember correctly, there was an article a while ago where the 350z was able to hang with an e46M3 on the track. Says a lot for the z's handling since the e46m3 has better acceleration. But off the track, I think the e46m3 might handle better. My wife's z handles pretty well, but if you hit rough pavement or a bump in the z during a corner, it seems to hunt for traction; it's kind of a nerveous feeling. The M3's seem to grip well regardless of pavement conditions.

I just have to figure out what I want... The z is damn fun to drive. But the M3 is fun in its own way.

 

I think a 350z AND a E46 is a sweet combination if you ask me.... Go for the latest m3 as you've been a m3 driver before.
Then if you want to drive a real fun car, swap it with your wife

 

yea there was a video done by best motoring with the m3, 350z, and g35 on tsukuba circuit. the race was very close, but eventually the m3 came out to be the winner because of the straight away toward the end of the track.

the 350z and g35 both close in on the m3 in the turns, but the m3 just out accelerates the z and g by a lot on a straight line race.

if u dont need the backseat, i'd go for a brand new z over a used m3. but if u could afford both, m3 hands down.

good luck

 

There was also that video with the s2k, porshe boxter, 350z and M3 and they had a skyline as the camera car pretty sweet vid as well. Think tittle was 350 v s2k v m3 v boxter or along those lines. 350z won that a well

 

Im looking for an 06 Z also, but i would take an m3 over it if i could afford it.

 

in that one Tsuchiya aka "drift king" did not take the race serioulsy until the last lap, which was too late to catch up to the Z. if it weren't for that straight away though the Z should be pretty even with the M3 in the turns and corners

 

I was in your boat too when i sold my S4. Looked at the e46 m3 and loved the ride/handling/looks. All the 01 & 02 I could find had quite some miles (60,000+) and didn't have the bearing recall done yet so i decided to pass an grab a left over 05 350z. Once the e90 M3 comes out the prices of the 04-05 M3 should come down a bit so ill start looking again. By the way i have a e36 m3 still and love that car..too bad i never get to drive it w/ my new Z in the driveway.

 

i was looking for same issue..
03 M3 or 06 350Z.. and i came to 350Z
only reason...
new M3 is gonna come out.. period...