05 coupe or used M3?
#17
09-01-2004 | 08:16 PM
NY G-Squad G Race Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
Hey go to www.M3forum.com there are some cool people and an older crowd over there that will probably answer better ?'s, whenever im ont here someone always has a problem but no more thaan prob's people have here, there's also www.e46fanatics.com you will get some usefull info on there, they even had who has the nicest g35 pic's thread =) Turbomaxima ont his forum and me were over there postin pics. Martin
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
#18
09-01-2004 | 09:18 PM
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
BMW offered a free extended warranty to all affected vehicles for all affected parts. Instead of 4 yrs, it is 6 yrs.
BTW, all newer (2003 models & up) BMWs come w/ 4 yrs free maintenance. It's not only scheduled maintenance, but also includes wear & tear items.
Each scheduled maintenance service is more comprehensive (& costs more than each Infiniti service) but BMW has longer intervals (15 K miles). The net effect is scheduled maintenance costs between the 2 are relatively equal post-warranty (during warranty, BMW is free & therefore cheaper than Infiniti).
Therefore, BMW maintenance only costs more post-warranty for repairs, not scheduled service. Considering the savings during warranty for the free maintenance, I'd say BMWs aren't much more to maintain than Infiniti. I used to drive a BMW, & find their labour rates comparable to my local Infiniti dealer's rates.
BTW, all newer (2003 models & up) BMWs come w/ 4 yrs free maintenance. It's not only scheduled maintenance, but also includes wear & tear items.
Each scheduled maintenance service is more comprehensive (& costs more than each Infiniti service) but BMW has longer intervals (15 K miles). The net effect is scheduled maintenance costs between the 2 are relatively equal post-warranty (during warranty, BMW is free & therefore cheaper than Infiniti).
Therefore, BMW maintenance only costs more post-warranty for repairs, not scheduled service. Considering the savings during warranty for the free maintenance, I'd say BMWs aren't much more to maintain than Infiniti. I used to drive a BMW, & find their labour rates comparable to my local Infiniti dealer's rates.
#19
09-01-2004 | 09:24 PM
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
The new 19" wheels look fugly, I prefer the current 18" wheels.
I still think the M3 is going to be much faster, considering their current difference (on avg, the M3 is over 1 second faster in the 1/4 mile from mag times). Also notice how they don't mention any torque increase, so the extra 18 hp might not make that big a difference. The M3 also handles better. Lastly, it's also a rarer or more exclusive car than the G35c.
I still think the M3 is going to be much faster, considering their current difference (on avg, the M3 is over 1 second faster in the 1/4 mile from mag times). Also notice how they don't mention any torque increase, so the extra 18 hp might not make that big a difference. The M3 also handles better. Lastly, it's also a rarer or more exclusive car than the G35c.
#20
09-02-2004 | 12:27 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
Drive a couple M3s before you make your decision. I will definitely say this, the extra money is just for the engine. They don't have better brakes and they don't handle as well stock as a G35 Coupe. E46 M3s don't handle like E36 M3s. E36 M3s have great turn-in and are beautifully neutral. Both the E46 M3s I drove(an 03' and an 04') have horribly slow turn in and push badly on low speed corners.
If you look at an M3, go with the 18"s. I have driven them with both and they suck with the 19"s. On faster corners the car balances out with 18"s. With 19"s all it would ever do is push. With the 18"s the ride felt just like the G35. With the 19"s it was extremely rough. It was the worst riding car I have driven since I sold my 89' Saleen 4 years ago. I was really surprised at how it juttered around and didn't track over bumps. I drove the one with the 19"s first and gave me the first impression that they are just horrible. I then drove the one on the 18"s an it gave me some respect back for them.
Driving the M3, I didn't find the seats anymore comfortable despite their additional adjustaments and the steering position better despite the telescopic wheel that was on only 1 of the cars I drove. The only good thing was the engine, which was a lot better than I thought it was. Sure it revs smoothly, but what is really surprising is how much torque you can feel when you shift up to the next gear. Immediately after the gear change there is a nice rush of power that is extremely noticeable.
It defintely needs a couple immediate upgrades to be more driveable. I would immediately put a larger rear swap bar or swap to H&R springs. H&R spring rates are dramatically different from the factory and are supposed to set the car a lot more neutral. The other is that coming out of a G35 the shifter in the M3 feels like a truck by comparison with very long throws.
As far as the blown engines go, I would stick to a late 2002 (after 2/02 build date) or later car. The majority of the blown engines were on early 2002 cars. There was a huge oiling system problem that they corrected mid year. There were problems with the pumps and passages where they would starve for oil at high rpms and freeze. You will find the new cars are free of these problems. The oiling issue has a TSB issued, so if you buy one and it blows the engine in warranty, then you should be covered. Other than that, never miss a shift! The engines are known to come apart if the engine goes over 8500 rpms and the computer does record this.
04' G35 Coupe 6-sp
Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
If you look at an M3, go with the 18"s. I have driven them with both and they suck with the 19"s. On faster corners the car balances out with 18"s. With 19"s all it would ever do is push. With the 18"s the ride felt just like the G35. With the 19"s it was extremely rough. It was the worst riding car I have driven since I sold my 89' Saleen 4 years ago. I was really surprised at how it juttered around and didn't track over bumps. I drove the one with the 19"s first and gave me the first impression that they are just horrible. I then drove the one on the 18"s an it gave me some respect back for them.
Driving the M3, I didn't find the seats anymore comfortable despite their additional adjustaments and the steering position better despite the telescopic wheel that was on only 1 of the cars I drove. The only good thing was the engine, which was a lot better than I thought it was. Sure it revs smoothly, but what is really surprising is how much torque you can feel when you shift up to the next gear. Immediately after the gear change there is a nice rush of power that is extremely noticeable.
It defintely needs a couple immediate upgrades to be more driveable. I would immediately put a larger rear swap bar or swap to H&R springs. H&R spring rates are dramatically different from the factory and are supposed to set the car a lot more neutral. The other is that coming out of a G35 the shifter in the M3 feels like a truck by comparison with very long throws.
As far as the blown engines go, I would stick to a late 2002 (after 2/02 build date) or later car. The majority of the blown engines were on early 2002 cars. There was a huge oiling system problem that they corrected mid year. There were problems with the pumps and passages where they would starve for oil at high rpms and freeze. You will find the new cars are free of these problems. The oiling issue has a TSB issued, so if you buy one and it blows the engine in warranty, then you should be covered. Other than that, never miss a shift! The engines are known to come apart if the engine goes over 8500 rpms and the computer does record this.
04' G35 Coupe 6-sp
Diamond Graphite/Willow w/Premium
#21
09-02-2004 | 09:36 AM
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Honest opinion
If you want the ///M, make sure you got extended warranty. If bought used, make sure you got CPO from dealer.
I went with ///M after driving it with G35c back to back. But I must say, I have been to dealer for warranty fix more than I prefer. I am not talking about fixing some a_nal rattling problems.
All BMW comes with 4 yr 50k bumper to bumper warranty and ///M comes with 6 yr/100k for powertrain due to connecting rob bearings service action 2 years ago. And guess what they are recalling that again for all cars since production till may/2003 production.
I still love my ///M, but I hate my dealer(stealer). As for the free warranty, it does not cover much since the service indicator is reset at 15500 interval or based on ~660 gal of gas used. So when you hit 50k, you probably got 2 oil services (alternate with insp1 and insp2) and Inspection 1 (more extensive then oil service) included most likely. After that you are on your own. Brake/Rotor is included if you wear them down before 50k which if you drive hard, you should be able to get it replaced for free.
As long as I still have my warranty, ///M is a no brainer for me.. good luck..
I went with ///M after driving it with G35c back to back. But I must say, I have been to dealer for warranty fix more than I prefer. I am not talking about fixing some a_nal rattling problems.
All BMW comes with 4 yr 50k bumper to bumper warranty and ///M comes with 6 yr/100k for powertrain due to connecting rob bearings service action 2 years ago. And guess what they are recalling that again for all cars since production till may/2003 production.
I still love my ///M, but I hate my dealer(stealer). As for the free warranty, it does not cover much since the service indicator is reset at 15500 interval or based on ~660 gal of gas used. So when you hit 50k, you probably got 2 oil services (alternate with insp1 and insp2) and Inspection 1 (more extensive then oil service) included most likely. After that you are on your own. Brake/Rotor is included if you wear them down before 50k which if you drive hard, you should be able to get it replaced for free.
As long as I still have my warranty, ///M is a no brainer for me.. good luck..
#23
09-02-2004 | 02:17 PM
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
<quote>"Used M3's styling will be dated and tired soon IMO"</quote>
YUP i agree.. the 95-98 m3s used to look good, now they look like boxes.
the 93 supras and rx-7's looked hot back then and it still looks hot today IMO.
I'd rather not get a car's styling that gets dated real quick
---------------------------------------------------------
RIP
1994 accord coupe ex
269whp / 281wtq @ 14psi
now....
a happy driver of a TB 6mt w/ navi
YUP i agree.. the 95-98 m3s used to look good, now they look like boxes.
the 93 supras and rx-7's looked hot back then and it still looks hot today IMO.
I'd rather not get a car's styling that gets dated real quick
---------------------------------------------------------
RIP
1994 accord coupe ex
269whp / 281wtq @ 14psi
now....
a happy driver of a TB 6mt w/ navi
#24
09-02-2004 | 03:00 PM
NY G-Squad G Race Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
"Used M3's styling will be dated and tired soon IMO"
I disagree, that means every new car after 3 years would be dated and look nasty compared to newer models, its all peoples opinions and taste but i love the M3 and i think with the new one coming out old and new M3 owners are gonna wish they kept the E46 body style same with the 5 series out now. I love it and still like the older E36's also, same with supras,rx7's and other cars also.
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
I disagree, that means every new car after 3 years would be dated and look nasty compared to newer models, its all peoples opinions and taste but i love the M3 and i think with the new one coming out old and new M3 owners are gonna wish they kept the E46 body style same with the 5 series out now. I love it and still like the older E36's also, same with supras,rx7's and other cars also.
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
#25
09-02-2004 | 04:11 PM
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. i agree with illg35 -- i don't think the current 2000's M3 styling will be outdated. for example, most ppl i know still love the older 5-series styling far more than the current "wacky" styling. yes, the new 5-series styling is more current, aerodynamic, and bold. but many ppl still prefer the classic, sports look. but to each their own, of course : )
#26
09-02-2004 | 08:36 PM
NY G-Squad G Race Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: NYC
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
Yea the new BMW's are getting to round, buldgy and fat looking. yes the new M5 will be very powerfull with 500 hp but it has lack fo torque for that heavy of a car also, only 300 something! And it doesnt look like it could hanlde liek the current E39 which is a BEAST of a car ont he drag and track.
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
Martin
2003.5 BS G35
Nismo Aero/Sport Package
0-60 5.4 - 1/4 Mile 14.16 *GTech* and on 19's!!
#30
09-03-2004 | 08:03 AM
Re: 05 coupe or used M3?
If its not perfomance and value you are after then try a kama sutra class. Then you can stop wasting money on something that cost more and underperforms and whose value is directly related to the buyers personal insecurity while actually giving the gold diggin B!@@@^ch something to scream about.
If someone needs an M3 to get laid then they're probably willing to spend the money I'd suppose.
2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner
If someone needs an M3 to get laid then they're probably willing to spend the money I'd suppose.
2003.5 DP 5AT Sedan
14.2 @ 97.18
Z-Tube
K&N Drop In & Airbox Mod
10 Wire Hyper-Ground
Crawford Plenum (V4)
UR Crank Pulley
Hotchkis Sways (M/M)
Polk EX-3500 Tweeters/Shock Sensor/H-Liner