e36 m3 or e46 330i

[smaples]

so if you guys had the choice between a well maintained 98-99 e36 m3 or a 2002 and up 330i, what would you choose? both would be manual and both around 90k miles

[bimmershark]

the e46 for me love the e36 but not as much as the other but i prefer e30,e34,e32 and older so what do i know

[MinSup88]

Whatever tickles your fancy.

[Nosphoros]

so if you guys had the choice between a well maintained 98-99 e36 m3 or a 2002 and up 330i, what would you choose? both would be manual and both around 90k miles

I went through the same dilemma with my 330i. But my choices weren't so cut and paste. I had the choice of a 100k E36 M3 or a 49k E46 330i. M3 was a tad under 9k and the E46 a little under 11k. When it came down to it, the E46 had a lot to give me with the mileage but I think even if the mileage was similar I would have picked the 330i. The E46 platform just seems like such a world of difference to me and there is a lot of upgrade potential on the E46 330i to be better than the M3. But then there's always the diehard purists--which I will agree with, the E36 M3 was the last of the M3s to be largely "bmw sport" with anything after it having a little more luxury than sport. Also, the M3 lives up to its name and the styling is really aggressive vs. the more luxury styling of the 330i.

In the end, it's all you want. Look up what you can do with each car (upgrade, mods, et cetera) and what you plan to do and decide accordingly. The 330i would make a fine daily driver and good place to start for a more modern vehicle in upgrades (I love the integrated kindey grille look--no more nosepiece), plus it has big brake rotors. The M3 on the other hand, is an M3. No other BMW can be an M, unless it is an M. :shifty

[dawgeatdawg]

If you can find a really clean e36 m3 with all records, no question marks, I would go for that

[slompwr]

if 330 is zhp i take e46

[pbonsalb]

Today, I would probably buy the newer car, but I went for the E36M3 when I bought in 2005. Not sure when the 6 speeds came out, but that would be a benefit. Suspensions can be modified, engines can be modified, a little weight can be dropped -- on either car.

I do like the feel of the E36M3, though. Test drive both and if you are happy with the E46 or at least can see its potential, buy it. If you want to feel more connected to the road and don't mind the more dated package, go for the E36.

[JT3]

Why are you considering a 330 when you drive an 03 M3?

[smaples]

i sold the m. i know dumb. but i have some investment opportunities, plus i made money off selling my m.

[brandonmatthew]

I would go for the e36 m3 but thats must me

[Tangent]

For a daily driver I'd choose the 330i, as a second car the M3.

[///Mitch3]

No M no thanks.