E46 M3 - "Too Much Car for Me"?

[3soon2B5]

So, my 530i lease ends this fall and I'm trying to figure out my next purchase. I've toyed with the idea of leasing a 335i, but lately I'm thinking that I'd be better off buying a pre-owned BMW. I'm looking to spend up to $30K. I live/work in the city and only drive on nights/weekends. I always admired the M3, but never thought about buying one (perhaps b/c the new ones were out of my price range). Well, I read the recent Car & Driver piece discussing the most fun cars you could buy for $25K and they had a glowing review of the E46 M3. Now I can't stop thinking about how awesome it would be to have one.

When I told my buddies about this, a few of them said that "it was too much car" for me! What does that mean? This would be my 4th BMW, but my first M. I'm a responsible guy in my early 30s - not a racing enthusiast but a definite car enthusiast. Granted, none of my other BMWs have even had the sport package - flame away -but that can't be held against me forever! I want a fun, fast, car that's a little bit more special than your average 3. I'm planning on test driving one this weekend. In the meantime ------

Questions:

1. Will I be able to enjoy the M3's capabilities in day-to-day driving around a major metropolitan area (Philadelphia, back roads in the suburbs, trips to AC, etc.) - or will I find it grating?

2. What do you guys think - going from a 530i/X5/E46 330i to an M3 - is the M3 overkill?

3. Would I be better off with a 2006 330i/2007 328i for the same money? Or a 2004 S4?

Thanks.

[Ryan M]

I would say you'd be fine. The e46 m3 is a nice package. It handles well, has good acceleration, and honestly, the ride is pretty comfortable. The only complaint I have about that car is that it lacks torque. But I think you'll like it very much.

[Helios]

Get the M3! You'll probably love it...and if you don't, it's easy enough to find a buyer who will.
Otherwise, you'll always wonder what you missed.
Life is short!

[Ice350]

Those guys who said the negative crap just don't want you to have a car as good or better than their's. People are just like that. Screw em....get what you want. It's your money.

[E90TT]

It all depend on how much driving you do everyday. I love my M3 but I enjoy the comfort and smoothness of driving my wife's 335i. If this car will be your daily driver and you're not going to put kids in the back seat on a daily basis- Go with the //M, you'd love it..

[///MMM]

Questions:

1. Will I be able to enjoy the M3's capabilities in day-to-day driving around a major metropolitan area (Philadelphia, back roads in the suburbs, trips to AC, etc.) - or will I find it grating?

the M3 is a well mannered car for city and open roads alike...I DD mine and have no prrobleems

2. What do you guys think - going from a 530i/X5/E46 330i to an M3 - is the M3 overkill?

NO

3. Would I be better off with a 2006 330i/2007 328i for the same money? Or a 2004 S4?

remember two things..it is only a car [sell anytime] and you are a long time dead...get the M while you can and enjoy it! :thumbup:

[Ricotubs]

I've had an E46 M3 SMG and now have a E93 335....i love the 335 but i miss the badass feel of the M. Go with the M

[cjwheeling]

One of my favorites, if not my favorite car of all time and I go through a bunch. You can't go wrong with an M3, just make sure that the engine is tight and that the recalls have been completed.

[Excitmnt94]

go for it...

:)

[3soon2B5]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm still in the game - would love a 2003.5 or 2004 if I could find one CPOd (or a 2004 still under original warranty) at the right price.

Here's my color preference list:

1. Carbon black/cinnamon
2. Silver/black
3. Silver grey/black

I've got a few more months of shopping - if I found the right car though, I'd go for it!

Quick question: Was the ipod integration available on the 2003.5 forward?

[beeotch]

your friends dont want u to buy it because it will make them look bad lol DO IT

[kktvr4]

The M3 is a great car, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy it. I'm not sure what your friend means either, the M3 is a beast, the power might be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll tame it. I guess depending on where you live and the road conditions. An S4 wouldn't be a bad choice either, it would be great in the snow. Good luck with your purchase, hope you make the right decision.

[antoniopaolo]

I throughly enjoy my 2004 M3 smgII vert. Carbon Black with Cinnamon interior are a fantastic color combo. My experience with the E46 M3 (20K miles) has been outstanding.
As someone already mentioned it can be a well mannered vehicle should you choose to drive it as such. Best of luck. :thumbup:

antoniopaolo

[phong]

to me you are more "qualified" to drive an M car than a good number of M3 drivers out there: 16 year olds, non-car enthusiasts who fill their car up with 87 octane, etc.

[Seven11]

i'd buy an m3, so i say go for it

[09krolt]

Do it man, do it

[Dave 330i]

Those guys who said the negative crap just don't want you to have a car as good or better than their's. People are just like that. Screw em....get what you want. It's your money.

He's asking for opinions. They go both ways, positives and negatives. I suspect the OP already has in mine the E46 M3. He just want more encouragement to go for it.

Don't let others tell you it's too much car for you. What do they know? The M3 has 4 wheels and a motor like all other cars. I say go satisfy your dream. If it's not what you were looking for, I don't think you will lose too much money reselling it.

[trism3]

I agree with Dave 330I, "go satisfy your dream". If you don't do it, you will and still crave for it. Go for it and be happy!

[NYankee]

I dont think there is such thing as too much car for anyone in any production model out there. look at celebs driving ferrari's with thumbs shoved up their... well they are shoved, you get the point. I think you should go for it and I know you will not be disappointed!

[ImolaMMM]

If you have to ask if its too much of a car, then the answer is yes.

[3soon2B5]

Thanks for all of your insights - very helpful. I drove a friend's 2004 M3 SMG and loved it. I'm still searching for the right car - and I've still got a few months to find it.

To answer my own question - it was not too much car for me at all. There are very few cars out there that offer similar performance without forsaking my favorite part about the M3 - "stealthiness"! Make mine Carbon Black/Cinn - stealthy on the outside, wild on the inside. :thumbup:

[Dan93063]

Since everyone has already sang the praises of the M3, I'll suggest that you take a drive in the S4 also. I had an 06 in Chicago and it was great in the weather. You can't go wrong either way.

[straightnochase]

The power and edginess of the M3 is very addictive. It's one hell of a car to drive. However, I do recommend spending good 20-30 minutes behind the wheel in various driving conditions if possible. You'll quickly find the car to be a bit punishing and tiring on bumpy roads, especially if you're used to non-M bimmers w/o the sport package. That's a small price to pay though for such a fabulous everyday sports car.

I have driven the S4 a few times. It's a nice little package, more smooth and civilized than the M3, but it just doesn't do it for me as much as the M3. I do agree that the 335i has a powerful turbo engine with nice low-end torque, but it's not as exhilarating as the M3 when driven hard. The M3 revs so freely and pulls so fast and endlessly all the way to the red line--f-ing A.

The M3 is it. Go for it.

[lochness]

OP I see you mention Philly...test drive an M3 down Lincoln Drive, Kelly Drive, and then back up West River Drive. Sounds like you already concluded the M3 is not too much for you but if you run those roads you'll appreciate it even more. Ask me how I know!

I use mine as a daily driver and have no issues with it.