For car fanatics, we can certainly see the differences between 3 series and the M3.

but I had this experience.

When I was shopping for my G35C, I went with a good friend of mine. He like nice cars, but doesn't have any deep knowledge about cars.

There was two BMW parked one after another at the meter parking, one if 330ci, other one is M3 with no badge on it. So here we are, walked by it. I asked him. which BMW looks better.

To my surprise, he said, he can't see the difference... both are the exactly same car. I asked him to please look closely... then he said the 330ci looks better, of coz I disagreed.

not trying to prove anything. just an experience I had.

M3s are very nice. I don't mind having one too. but for the same price range, I had to get a 01 or 02, with a lot of miles on, heard they have problems too.

but best of luck with your M3

 

thanks for all the good words guys.... the hour is rapidly approaching..... i can't wait, work can't go fast enough!

about the 330ci and the m3 looking the same, to the untrained eye, yes, they do look pretty similar, which isn't really a bad thing, i like the way the 330 looks, if some1 told me it looks the same as a 323 or something then i might get a little upset since those two cars are almost night and day to me

 

BY THE WAY
how much was your M3? mileage? SMG?

 

2003.5, $43,000, fully loaded -nav, ~33k miles, 19" rims, 6MT, Titanium Silver w/black interior

 

Put it that way, if a 330ci and an M3 drove as similar as they look, no one would be paying $15k more for an M3. The car is for my own enjoyment and not to impress anyone, so I couldn't care less if someone thought my car was a 325. That's the type of people who buy a 325 just for the BMW badge anyway... You will hear a lot of opinions from people that have never stepped foot in an M3 and that speaks more than enough about them.

 

Hey Finiti35,


I have a question, since you've owned both the G35 and now the M3. How would you compare the manual transmissions? (as in shifting effort, clutch, notchiness, etc.)

Cuz I know the M3 has a Getrag transmission which is one of the best ones out there...and I don't know what the G35 has.


I drove my friend's 325i 5MT and it shifted so smoothly I almost hated the G's feel. The clutch take was much easier and the shifter was direct and less notchy.

But when I got back to my car, I forgave it because of the exhaust note...lol

 

When my girlfriend saw my M3 for the first time, she said "oooh, is this the sporty one?" Hahaha, girls crack me up.

 

This whole M3 look just like any other 3 series business is bit lost on me, I did not bought it for someone else to look at or try to impress other ppl and I am last one to care about what someone else might think about what I drive , as long as I know the difference? its all good! but it sure is fun to try explain to someone, when they were surprised at how much I paid for it (like my sister)

Teddy, for your information, I'd drove G35 this morning! eventho, I only put on 120 miles on it this month so far ...and are you try to take page out of roninpb's art of replying?

Drew, Got your M3 yet? pic pic pic pic picsss

 

I would say the clutches are more or less the same as far as stiffness is concerned. My G's clutch was a lot higher though, which I hated. I hear a lot of comments from people who bought SMGs because they didn't like the M's clutch, my only guess is that they've never driven a G35.

The G has a direct linkage shifter, so it vibrates a lot. It feels more mechanical and notchier. I personally didn't mind it, but some people do. The M shifter is smoother, but also noticeably longer.

1st to 2nd in the M like I said is less jerky than the G, but it's still no S2000. Overall, the M is a cut above the G, but I would not call it perfect either. I think a clutch stop, short shifter and a removed clutch delay valve would make the M even smoother and more fun to drive.

 

Roninpb has inspired me In all seriousness, I hate all the misconceptions and urban legends people talk about the M3. Had I never believed them myself, I would have never bought a G35 in the first place. So to me it's worth taking a few minutes to burst people's bubbles.

120 miles? Wow, that's a week worth of driving in my book! I take it the M is more fun to drive, or what?

 

i have a 2003 M3 with SMG i love the car to death but the G still has its moments when its a joy to drive. But really both cars are great in my book and i have no complaints about either one except for the damn clutch on the G I swear its impossible to learn to love it.

 

ok guys, so i got the car, but before i get into it about the M, (and Planet Auto Mall for that matter...) let me take about my opinions on the differences between the 2 cars, now that i've officially owned both... (and by the time i got home last night it was nearly 10pm so i don't have any pictures, but i will definitely take some this weekend! )

the clutch on my G seemed like it weighed A TON!! i got used to it quickly but on long city drives or heavy traffic my left leg was tired as h3ll after i got out.
on the M it's a featherweight (especially compared to the G), i'm beginning to get used to it now, but last night (in sport mode) i was peeling out all over new york on the way home

the tranny on the M is LIGHTYEARS ahead of the G , i like the way the gates feel, some people may call them notchy but it's nice to not have to be a weight lifter to shift the car (in the G, dont even think about shifting into 1st on a cold jersey morning! and 2nd isn't much better), but the long throws on the M MUST be addressed *hint hint* but i'm not sure if i can live without the illuminated shift **** (does anybody know a solution to this? can i use the stock shift **** on an aftermarket shifter???)

this car is A BLAST to drive!!! the car is so fast in stock form, i'm almost tempted to just do appearance mods... hopefully the snow holds off this weekend!

Now... about those guys at planet auto mall... let's just say the 2 reasons i came all the way from jersey to buy from them in long island were 1. they were voted #1 in customer service 2. they offered 96 month financing.
well let me just tell you that i received NEITHER! if someone is interested in all the details they can pm me, but let me just say that when i walked in there for the first time saturday morning to shop for cars, the FIRST thing i told them were the monthly payments that i could afford, well the salesperson told me it would be no problem (last night looking through my folder at the dealership that number was circled and highlighted... keep this in mind as you read), so when i go to pick up the car yesterday, the bank guy is talking me through the contract and everything, and then he tells me the payments are going to be an extra $300 a month more than what i told the salesman , so when i explain about the payments i could afford, he tells me... an i quote, "well if i had known that i would have called you to tell you that that was impossible" so i reach into my folder and pull out the paper with my number written on it and show him, well you had to see the look on his face change after that....
so three, yes, three.... with a T... hours later, we manage to work out a payment plan and at the same time they knock $1600 off the price of the car and give me an extra $1000 for mine

a very upsetting experience, but i forget all about it once i push that SPORT button!

sorry so long, just needed to vent.... will have pics up ASAP!

 

So, how much did you end up paying per month and for how long?

 

$670/month, for 72 mos.

 

not too bad at all, i pay 681/mth for my g but its for 60 months.

anyway, how many miles are on it? (abt to read up other posts in case you posted already)