I'm sure this hasn't been asked before...I apologize if it has. I'm looking at both of these cars as a possible replacement for my '02 Lexus IS300. I really like the G35 and would opt for the AWD model to handle snow. The M3 IMO looks better but again it's RWD and will prob be terrible in the snow.

Any objective thoughts?

Pros/Cons?

Any other cars I should consider?--Looking to stay under $22k.

I think this is my first post...so just want to say I look forward to many discussions about this awesome car (G35).

 

the m3 is not very reliable if you plan to keep it for a long time, the G is much more reliable, the repairs can get expensive on the m3

 

yes the G will be in the shop a lot less.

 

I'll give the looks and performance to the M3, but since any $22k M3 is going to be in the expensive maintenance zone now. If you could do the maintenance yourself, and have some sort of hookup for parts on the M3, it is justifiable to go with it. $20k bought me a 22k miles G35 Sedan, that is still under warranty, so $22k will leave you with more down payment or money for upgrades.

 

The M3 will handle better just because the suspension is tuned for track use but it's no different than a G in basic design and neither is an M5. So handling potential I would say is a tie.

The M3 revs higher and makes a bit more power.

Interior I would say the M3 is slightly better.

It has about the same curb weight.

Top speed is limited to 155 and it's the same.

The highest wheel horse power I've seen from a turbo one is around 780-800hp. That can be achieved with a G for A LOT less money and more reliability.

In the end nothing from BMW has as much potential for power as a G in my opinion without compromising reliability.

I've been across 2 or 3 E46s so far and I'll say (without getting this post deleted) they pose no significant threat to a manual 2005+ G (sedan) in a straight line from a roll. Neither does an E90 auto 335 coupe. From a dead stop a manual 05+ G sedan has no traction with stock non staggered rims. a coupe does better with the stock 19s and 255s.

In the end though it's really about what you want.

With a 7+ year old platform the G has potential for:

This
http://www.youtube.com/v/s9mdtyQ1x8U&hl=en_US&fs=1&

This
http://www.youtube.com/v/QPys9g4diU0&hl=en_US&fs=1& Stock differential just for the hell of it. E60 M5 blows the diff making stock power.

This
http://www.youtube.com/v/mACZVFZ6wI8&hl=en_US&fs=1&

This
http://www.youtube.com/v/_u5-H5PfyqE&hl=en_US&fs=1&

 

^^^well said

 

+1 although id gladly trade my g sedan for an m3, for the sake of theyre equally as ****ty in the snow lol.

 

The last one is the best.

Sleeper with stock rims

 

I have owned E36, E46 M3's and also 2 G35's.

In my opinion, the M3 (Even my 98' M3) is a drivers car where as the G is a luxury coupe. In the G, you are not as connected to the road as the E36 M3 nor the E46 M3. Infact the E36M3 feels more connected (One of the best cars in my opinion!).

The M3's come at a very high cost. The more preventative maint you do the "cheaper" the car is. The kicker is that the preventative maint on an M3 is not cheap. The Labor is not the only expensive thing on a BMW. The E46 parts are still on the highside even though the car is 7 years old. It's like buying a honda civic and paying the price of Acura TL type S parts. BUT the performance of the E46 justifies the price.

Since I love having a "driver's car" and being "connected to the road", there is no comparison between these cars. If I want a luxrious, solid feel I would buy a 2006 G35. Being 18 I chose selling my 2 M3's and first G35 for financial reasons so I cannot have what I "truely" want. But that's fine because this is life and money keeps life going. So first figure out if you can afford an M3 to purchase than find out what you can afford monthly.

From my experience, do not buy a M3 at a dealer unless a) has a "true" selling price (As my dealers were asking 10k over with rrom to sell at 8k over), b) Offer other incentives (free oil changes, extra warrenty included in the price, free details (If you don't mind them washing your car as I HATE when they touch my car), etc), c) are a reputable dealer. I bought mine off of car enthusiasts with the extended transerrable warrenty.

For what it's worth being 18 I paid per month:
E36 M3: $196 insur, $250 gas, $150 maint
E46 M3: $470 insur, $200 gas, $250 maint
06 G35: $452 insur, $300 gas, $60 maint

This is a general average for me. I am sure the insurance for you will be MUCH lower but those maint figures worked out for me ON AVERAGE. Oh and if you didn't know. The E46 BMW valve adjustments and inspection I and II's are about $1,000 each. So add that with a pair of tires and brakes and a new suspension and your easily at $5,000. If you have any questions PM me.

 

And then there is the cost of modding.

Since I don't know the cost for an E46 I'll use an E60 M5

$90,000 M5
Catback exhaust is $3000.00 - $7000.00. Long tube headers are $4000.00. So about $10,000.00 in exhaust.
Say you want FI and there is a twin supercharged for ++$7000.00 and still only make 700 whp. It's actually $81,855.2 U.S. dollars from G-Power.


You buy an 2005-2006 V6 Datsun from Japan for $15,000.00.
A GTM 4.2L built long block motor ready to drop it for $12,000.00.
A Sound Performance twin turbo kit for $7000.00.
Maybe $5000.00 in other supporting mods like cooling, rear axles and new limited slip.

Assuming you don't buy brakes,wheels or suspension mods and do all work to put those parts together it's about 15k+12k+7k+5k=$39,000.00 and an 8 second 1/4 mile car.

 

being 18... LOL

 

It's assuming he had money. He would lose a lot of coin on a BMW and get little in return. $80,000 for 700whp is absolutely ridiculous. And ONLY 700whp after changing connecting rods and pistons is ridiculous.

And making only 700whp out of a V10 after spending 90k on the car and 80k on mods is Breaking My Wallet.

 

It is more costly to mod an E46 due to the name "BMW". Everyone has to have one so there is a reason to charge more. Now the mods do not cost $10,000 for an E46 M3. Infact it costs significantly less. HOWEVER, it is still more than a G35 since a) the name and b) the quad tips. Brakes run about the same. I personally think that some of the F/I kits for the M3 are more reliable. But again, mods cost money and so does reliability. A G35 can ultimately beat an M3 just as the Ms can beat the G35. The question is, how much money do you have/want to spend? If you answer that then you should know which car to buy (Besides test driving them).

 

And from past experience, try to avoid the 01-03 M3's. They are the most problematic and are a little bit more of a hassle. I am assuming here (Yes I will admit it) but if you listed an 01-03M3 you are pressed for money. Therefore go for the G35, the 05 to save you a few thousand. Put that few thousand away for SERVICING the car, not mods. Trust me when I say this, the M3 will eat you alive until it is running properly and all the needs are addressed. I've been there done that and it sucks.

 

I was using the E60 M5 as an example of the cost associated with modding relative to the estimated cost of modding an E46 M3 vs. a G35.

Anyone can look at Dinan or Hartge to get some idea of the cost involved.