Torn between 3 Cars, Thoughts or Opinions?

IssOK · 08-16-2009, 11:33 AM

Hey guys,

I am looking to buy a car, but I am torn between three cars. Which car do you think is the best option?

1. 2002 BMW M3 Convertible (Laguna Seca Blue/Gray Nappa Leather) - 20k Miles (Manual & Navigation)
2. 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe (Alpine White/Cream Beige Leather) - 26k Miles (Automatic & No Navigation)
3. 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe (Alpine White/Black Leather) - 46k Miles (Manual & Navigation)

The prices are basically the same for all three of these cars.
I like the design of the new coupe especially with MT and Navigation, but the car already has 46k miles on the clock.
The e46 M3, though it is 7 year old car, only has 20k miles and looks brand new. Not to mention, it is a M and has 333 HP. The only problem is LSB is a very bold color and look somewhat dated(?).

Anyways, share your thoughts or experiences. It would help me tremendously.

jibaholic101 · 08-16-2009, 11:50 AM

get the m3. the e46 m3 is a blast. it is much faster than #2 and #3 and much more fun

BForbes · 08-16-2009, 12:15 PM

I would also go with the M3. Be prepared for maintenance costs that get higher and higher with the mileage. I would own it for a couple of years and find another safer bet BMW. It is definitely a car one should get the experience of owning.

nmulax · 08-16-2009, 01:52 PM

Is it your only car, and how do you use your car? Daily driver, weekends, track days?
Just kinda strange to compare the M3 vert (RWD, 330hp) to the 328xi coupe (AWD, 230hp).

1. Any M car is going to be costly to operate and repair, as long as you're prepared for this, there's no BMW like an M car. On the plus side, with only 20k on a 7 year old car it was likely well cared for. Verify the 1,200 mile break-in service was done. Everyone should own an M car at some point.

2. AWD, slushbox, beige interior. This car sounds bland.

3. 23k/year is high, but not absurd. I put 56k miles on my E90 330i in the 25 months I owned it. This is the safe bet of the group. Fun, but practical.

bigslick82 · 08-16-2009, 01:57 PM

For fun: 1>>>>>>3>2

For daily use: 3>2>1 (since you live in NY and the winters get bad)

Ca$hOnly · 08-16-2009, 03:10 PM

Get #2.

A 2002 M3, although sexier, is just asking for trouble.

ptack · 08-16-2009, 07:33 PM

A 2002 with only 20,000 miles? That's pretty low. Did they have nav systems back then? If they did, then this car is equipped with one of the early, dreaded, I-drive systems which earned BMW a lot of well deserved ridicule. You should personally test that out. It is not anywhere near as useful as the current systems so don't assume.

EpicE90 · 08-16-2009, 10:11 PM

M3. I have a brand new 328i Msport no less, and i wish everyday i would have gone for an m3. Believe me getting a 328i when an M3 is an option, will be a big regret you dont want to learn. Trust me on that

touareg · 08-16-2009, 10:16 PM

M3 FTMFW!

nmulax · 08-16-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

A 2002 with only 20,000 miles? That's pretty low. Did they have nav systems back then? If they did, then this car is equipped with one of the early, dreaded, I-drive systems which earned BMW a lot of well deserved ridicule. You should personally test that out. It is not anywhere near as useful as the current systems so don't assume.

No it's not. It's the old nav system before i-Drive.
It's basic, but it works and it's simple to use.

Addicted2Boost · 08-16-2009, 10:52 PM

id go for the m3!

Rick Hunter · 08-16-2009, 11:22 PM

No brainer... M3! LSB is still current in my books.

Just make sure the convertible top is in working order. They're pretty $$ if it needs any sort of repair.

E82tt6 · 08-17-2009, 12:29 PM

Mmmmm. Have a good private bimmer mech check it.

vividracing · 08-17-2009, 12:55 PM

E46 M3, LSB, 6spd, low mileage = FTMFW

Hula-Hula · 08-17-2009, 12:59 PM

Get the M3, that sounds AWESOME!

________
Vehicle insurance dicussion
________
PrettySonya

mtla4 · 08-18-2009, 02:58 PM

M3 or I'd look elsewhere. Does it have to be a Bmw? Your comparing apples and oranges. If you want something fun-fast RWD there are other alternatives..I'd get a G37 over a 328I-XI any day of the week. Even a Genesis 2.0T over the 328.
I should have bought an E46 M3 and saved the money instead of buying my spanking new 135I.
Sorry the 328I won't do much for thrill seekers...at least the M3 has the wonderful S54(8000 rpm redline is a delight) and the RASP...I love it.

08-16-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
IssOK New Member 8 Rep 13 Posts Drives: BMW E92 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (1)	Torn between 3 Cars, Thoughts or Opinions? Hey guys, I am looking to buy a car, but I am torn between three cars. Which car do you think is the best option? 1. 2002 BMW M3 Convertible (Laguna Seca Blue/Gray Nappa Leather) - 20k Miles (Manual & Navigation) 2. 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe (Alpine White/Cream Beige Leather) - 26k Miles (Automatic & No Navigation) 3. 2007 BMW 328xi Coupe (Alpine White/Black Leather) - 46k Miles (Manual & Navigation) The prices are basically the same for all three of these cars. I like the design of the new coupe especially with MT and Navigation, but the car already has 46k miles on the clock. The e46 M3, though it is 7 year old car, only has 20k miles and looks brand new. Not to mention, it is a M and has 333 HP. The only problem is LSB is a very bold color and look somewhat dated(?). Anyways, share your thoughts or experiences. It would help me tremendously.
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08-16-2009, 11:50 AM	#2
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 159 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	get the m3. the e46 m3 is a blast. it is much faster than #2 and #3 and much more fun __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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08-16-2009, 12:15 PM	#3
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I would also go with the M3. Be prepared for maintenance costs that get higher and higher with the mileage. I would own it for a couple of years and find another safer bet BMW. It is definitely a car one should get the experience of owning. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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08-16-2009, 01:52 PM	#4
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Is it your only car, and how do you use your car? Daily driver, weekends, track days? Just kinda strange to compare the M3 vert (RWD, 330hp) to the 328xi coupe (AWD, 230hp). 1. Any M car is going to be costly to operate and repair, as long as you're prepared for this, there's no BMW like an M car. On the plus side, with only 20k on a 7 year old car it was likely well cared for. Verify the 1,200 mile break-in service was done. Everyone should own an M car at some point. 2. AWD, slushbox, beige interior. This car sounds bland. 3. 23k/year is high, but not absurd. I put 56k miles on my E90 330i in the 25 months I owned it. This is the safe bet of the group. Fun, but practical. __________________
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08-16-2009, 01:57 PM	#5
bigslick82 Second Lieutenant 64 Rep 209 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: - iTrader: (0)	For fun: 1>>>>>>3>2 For daily use: 3>2>1 (since you live in NY and the winters get bad)
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08-16-2009, 03:10 PM	#6
Ca$hOnly Major 47 Rep 1,077 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: In ur fridge, eatin ur foodz iTrader: (5)	Get #2. A 2002 M3, although sexier, is just asking for trouble. __________________
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08-16-2009, 07:33 PM	#7
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	A 2002 with only 20,000 miles? That's pretty low. Did they have nav systems back then? If they did, then this car is equipped with one of the early, dreaded, I-drive systems which earned BMW a lot of well deserved ridicule. You should personally test that out. It is not anywhere near as useful as the current systems so don't assume. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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08-16-2009, 10:11 PM	#8
EpicE90 First Lieutenant 98 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2011 f150 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	M3. I have a brand new 328i Msport no less, and i wish everyday i would have gone for an m3. Believe me getting a 328i when an M3 is an option, will be a big regret you dont want to learn. Trust me on that
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08-16-2009, 10:16 PM	#9
touareg Second Lieutenant 30 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	M3 FTMFW! __________________ Currently: 2017 M2 MT LBB In a previous life: 2011 Z4 sDrive35i MT \| 2011 Mk6 GTI MT \| 2008 EX35 \| 2008 Cooper S MT \| 2009 135i MT \| 2002 A4 1.8T
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08-16-2009, 10:52 PM	#11
Addicted2Boost FBO 59 Rep 2,504 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	id go for the m3! __________________
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08-16-2009, 11:22 PM	#12
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 304 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	No brainer... M3! LSB is still current in my books. Just make sure the convertible top is in working order. They're pretty $$ if it needs any sort of repair. __________________
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08-17-2009, 12:29 PM	#13
E82tt6 Colonel 103 Rep 2,626 Posts Drives: '08 Black Saphire Z4 MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Mmmmm. Have a good private bimmer mech check it. __________________ '08 Black Saphire/Black Z4 M Coupe RIP Gretta: Blue Water/Lemon 135i. Died to save me. -ChuckV
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08-17-2009, 12:55 PM	#14
vividracing 685 Rep 6,854 Posts Drives: E90 M3, F30 335i, F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona iTrader: (14)	E46 M3, LSB, 6spd, low mileage = FTMFW __________________ Travis Williams Shop ALL BMW G80 \| G82 Parts Here! 480.966.3040 ext 318 Travisw@vividracing.com PM, Email, or Call Directly for aggressive BMW Member Pricing
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08-17-2009, 12:59 PM	#15
Hula-Hula Lieutenant Colonel 91 Rep 1,964 Posts Drives: ♥ Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nürburgring iTrader: (0)	Get the M3, that sounds AWESOME! ________ Vehicle insurance dicussion ________ PrettySonya Last edited by Hula-Hula; 08-27-2011 at 08:47 AM..
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