Can't decide on what car to get

[indelible]

Hi, I currently have a '92 Lexus SC300, I was planning to do a 2JZGTE swap but my parents said no because the chassis is so old. They told me to buy a newer car instead of doing a swap. So my choices are and what I have found so far are: 04-05 STi, 04-05 G35, 98 E36 M3, and an '00 E39 M5. I'll just go into detail about the BMWs that I have found, I haven't seen either of these cars, I'm just putting out the information the owners have given.

M3= 1998 Sedan, 5 speed, 71k miles, $21000 OBO. KBB value is $18500.
Dinan intake, fully loaded, almost mint.
The owner says he is the second owner, first owner was a BMW dealer and has been driven conservatively by his wife.

M5= 2000, 6 speed, 70,500 miles. $32000 (will negotiate). KBB value is $37800.
Stock, fully loaded, BMW CPO certified to 100,000 miles or 12/23/2005, all scheduled service up-to-date.

I've searched around and read that the M5's have problems with the VANOs, MAFS, and carbon build up, so I'm more leaning toward the M3. I haven't been able to find reliability problems with the M3, are there any? What do you guys say? You guys will probably say M3 over the STi or G35 but I'm thinking about the long run, would the M3 last just as long as the other 2 with proper maintenance? Thanks

[steves325i]

Hi, I currently have a '92 Lexus SC300, I was planning to do a 2JZGTE swap but my parents said no because the chassis is so old. They told me to buy a newer car instead of doing a swap. So my choices are and what I have found so far are: 04-05 STi, 04-05 G35, 98 E36 M3, and an '00 E39 M5. I'll just go into detail about the BMWs that I have found, I haven't seen either of these cars, I'm just putting out the information the owners have given.

M3= 1998 Sedan, 5 speed, 71k miles, $21000 OBO. KBB value is $18500.
Dinan intake, fully loaded, almost mint.
The owner says he is the second owner, first owner was a BMW dealer and has been driven conservatively by his wife.

M5= 2000, 6 speed, 70,500 miles. $32000 (will negotiate). KBB value is $37800.
Stock, fully loaded, BMW CPO certified to 100,000 miles or 12/23/2005, all scheduled service up-to-date.

I've searched around and read that the M5's have problems with the VANOs, MAFS, and carbon build up, so I'm more leaning toward the M3. I haven't been able to find reliability problems with the M3, are there any? What do you guys say? You guys will probably say M3 over the STi or G35 but I'm thinking about the long run, would the M3 last just as long as the other 2 with proper maintenance? Thanks
if i was lucky enough to be able to choose from these cars, i would probably take the STi. the awd and 300 hp, plus the fact that it is new would be too much to resist.
:devillook

[Kaiv]

:lol

[NakNak]

M5 hands down.

[indelible]

I drove my friend's 340whp STi and it was AMAZING. But I'm getting older and if I'm going to keep the car for the next 6-10 years (hopefully), will the STi seem, how do I say, not as classy as the others?

[BimmerFreak]

I think the M3 will be a better transition than the M5.

You are going from a 2 seat GT (i dont really view the SC as a "sports car") so you may not like the extra size and doors of the E39.

[verdugo135]

Depends on what you're looking for. Maybe its just me but that M3 looks kind of on the expensive side. Personally I would get the M5 but it all depends on what you're looking for. Good luck choosing.

[cmasrfr15]

deffinately either the m3 or m5. they will abssolutely last longer than either the sti or g35. in my opinion, those cars both seem kind of cheap compared to bmw's. with 100,000 miles, a bmw will still be bulletproof. those other cars will feel like rattle buckets of crap.

[Future M]

I vote M3 or M5. The M3 is priced a little high though. Just for comparison I bought mine three months ago with 47,000 miles in mint condition and I payed just under $20,000.
With the M5 make sure the maint. has been done on it or it could cost you an arm and a leg right after you get it. If it has been done then you should be fine.

[EOSphoto]

M5, M3 has it's own problems too (rear shocks mounts, water pump, rtabs etc) plus the M5 is just so much faster. STi's are cool but a little less classy

[arthropraxis]

Are these your only options? If you can afford the M5 you could look at the early model E46 M3. I don't know your situation, just a suggestion.

[rmani]

32000 will buy a a used e46 M3. I actually saw one with slightly higher mileage selling for around 28k in the classifieds section.

A lot depends on what you want to use the car for. Obviously I really like e36 M3s a lot also, but if I could afford one I'd also like to own an e46 M3 or e39 M5.

[indelible]

Thanks for the input guys, keep'em coming!


Are these your only options? If you can afford the M5 you could look at the early model E46 M3. I don't know your situation, just a suggestion.

I can't find any E46's for less than $30,000 =/. I don't know if this happens with all E46 M3s but my friend's passenger side weather stripping keeps falling off, he took it to the dealer at least 3 times and they said it's the best they could do. And right after he bought his extended warranty, one of the cats failed, luckily he had that warranty.


M5, M3 has it's own problems too (rear shocks mounts, water pump, rtabs etc) plus the M5 is just so much faster. STi's are cool but a little less classy

Are the M3's problems cheaper to fix though? The VANOs are something like $2000+ to fix.

[rmani]

[QUOTE=indelible]



I can't find any E46's for less than $30,000 =/. I don't know if this happens with all E46 M3s but my friend's passenger side weather stripping keeps falling off, he took it to the dealer at least 3 times and they said it's the best they could do. And right after he bought his extended warranty, one of the cats failed, luckily he had that warranty.



QUOTE]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432722

29k and it's even CPO. Looks like a good deal to me.

[jimmy59]

m3

[Bimmer325]

STi...sorry guys.

[balis///M]

Like the other dude stated M5 hands down only if you can find a lower mileage one. That 98 M3 is about 5 grand too much. Im not a fan of subaru having owned one due to the plain interior and many mechanical issues

[balis///M]

deffinately either the m3 or m5. they will abssolutely last longer than either the sti or g35. in my opinion, those cars both seem kind of cheap compared to bmw's. with 100,000 miles, a bmw will still be bulletproof. those other cars will feel like rattle buckets of crap.

+1 true statement

[Lawrence1]

I drove my friend's 340whp STi and it was AMAZING. But I'm getting older and if I'm going to keep the car for the next 6-10 years (hopefully), will the STi seem, how do I say, not as classy as the others?


^^ most of you are missing this important part ... the E36 M3 will not last that long without major work/money. the e36s are already starting to show their age in terms of maintenance and reliability and considering that the one you're looking at is a '98(which means it will be 8 years old in 2 mos.) you'd be much better off with something newer. the g35 sounds really good to me ... and so does the STI.

these cars will without a doubt outlast any of the BMWs youre looking at and will cost you much less in the long run. You will be giving up some luxury by going with the subby but you'll get balls to the wall performance and huge potential for upgradeability in return. the g35 is more civil, has a much better interior, rides smoother but is also somewhat slower.

the early e46 m3s are also in your price range but i would stay away since those cars will have fairly high mileage and maintenance will cost you alot more than the others.

go drive all of them and see which fits you best. good luck.

[LarryL]

STi's sound like a UPS truck, and look almost as attractive as one.

[bimmerdriver99]

Hmmm I would say if you are somewhat young go with the STI w/o a doubt. like said above though, if you are looking for something more classy but still with decent power, i would personally go with M5 or G35. Like me right now im 20 and have my 99 M3 which i love. But my next sports car will most likely be something with a bit more class to it. Not taking anything away from my M3 but in 3-4 years I could not see myself buying an STI or an evo, just for the fact that I probably would not be apealing to me.

[Pistol Pete]

If we're talking Japanese, why not go for a 350z or RX-8? Reliable, reasonably sporty...Not quite as youthful as a WRX or an Evo and pretty classy in my opinion. But I say M5.

[Juicy Double]

m5, no doubt. STi's won't be able to match that highway speed, and it's faster than the e36 m3 and g35 by a substantial margin. And mods have shown great gains.

[Vanos01]

I would do the M5 then the M3 in the order if it was me.

Have you looked at insurance though? How old you?

[TinmanF1]

I say go for the STi. They two M's are pretty high on milage, expensive for being so, and the M3 isn't CPO.

Get a new car.


L8