"GeorgeyBoy" (georgeyboy)
04/18/2014 at 22:10 • Filed to: None
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"GeorgeyBoy" (georgeyboy)
04/18/2014 at 22:10 • Filed to: None | 0
| 17 |
Much like. Except the SMG, very strange to me. I'm still on the fence, I would like to test drive a 335i as well. This whole BMW scene is overwhelming to me.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> GeorgeyBoy
04/18/2014 at 22:33 |
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Drive one with a manual and I'm guessing it will all become clear.
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GeorgeyBoy
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
04/18/2014 at 22:36 |
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I plan on it, they are a lot harder to come by around me.
PardonMyFlemish16
> GeorgeyBoy
04/18/2014 at 22:42 |
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I haven't driven an E46 M3, but I have driven a 335i. In stock form they are not that great, IMO.
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GeorgeyBoy
> PardonMyFlemish16
04/18/2014 at 22:49 |
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That bums me out. I could save a lot more $$$.
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PardonMyFlemish16
> GeorgeyBoy
04/18/2014 at 22:53 |
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It will be money well spent.
claramag, Mustaco Master
> GeorgeyBoy
04/18/2014 at 23:02 |
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E46 M3...oh god what a car. Never owned one, but worked at a dealership that had one come in for upkeep. Upkeep kept coming to me, and the owner and I became amicable enough for him to toss me the keys once and say "you're driving this time"
Me and the M3, what a whirlwind, summertime romance that was. No last names, no phone numbers, no drama; just pure bliss through each apex as the straight 6 howled behind me, top down and wind blowing as the silky smooth stick became an extension of my hand. If you find it and can afford it, buy one. She only asks for a little TLC, and for what she gives, it's all worth it.
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Redlined335i
> GeorgeyBoy
04/18/2014 at 23:22 |
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A 335i with sport suspension is very well balenced. You will spend a fortune doing maintaince on a m3, that along with fuel economy was the big reason I bought a 335i over an e46 M3 just my two cents. Take the run flats off the 335i, put a nice set of summer tires on it and it will run with a e46 M3. Don't get me wrong the e46 M3 is amazing my first car was a 01 330ci, I've lusted after the M3 for years but it's not worth the extra money in the long haul unless all you care about is the M badge, at that point what makes you different from all the poser frat guys.
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GeorgeyBoy
> Redlined335i
04/18/2014 at 23:30 |
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Exactly my thinking. Especially insurance wise.
MachtSchnell
> GeorgeyBoy
04/19/2014 at 01:22 |
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I've driven both and I wouldn't hesitate to go with the E46. The interior is simpler and more intimate, the S54 has such character, and the chassis feels much more athletic. Just my $.02. Also, the quote for insurance I got was only like $150/year more for an 09 335i than an 05 M3, YMMV.
E92M3
> GeorgeyBoy
04/19/2014 at 11:20 |
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It's not that bad on insurance. I pay $140 a month for 3 cars (1 being and E46 M3). Thats full coverage for 2, and liability on a truck. I'm over 25 with a clean record which could make all the difference. Maintenance does cost more than a 335i. $100 for an oil change doing it yourself. They use a special castrol formulated oil 10W60 thats $14 a quart.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Redlined335i
04/19/2014 at 14:04 |
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I agree that anyone who buys an M car for the badge is doing it wrong, but the premium one pays to own and maintain an M is definitely worth it in my book. It's not just a trim level; it's almost an entirely different car.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> GeorgeyBoy
04/19/2014 at 14:04 |
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It will be worth the effort.
_Mécanicien
> GeorgeyBoy
04/19/2014 at 16:07 |
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Owned one for 2 years. Didn't really like. Sold it 2 months ago.
willconltd
> Redlined335i
04/20/2014 at 12:41 |
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That's just blatantly wrong. If you can take the time to do the basic maintenace on the S54 it won't cost very much to maintain. No turbos to burn out, nothing too complicated at all to work on to be honest as long as you don't get that bloody SMG. Those pumps are expensive, trust me. So a Manual E46 M3 is a super cheap car to maintain. Oil filter is up front and center, so changing oil takes 10 minutes. Belts have hydraulic tensioners, so that's a 5 minute job. Even the water pump is absurdly easy to change since its right in front of the motor (but they last 150k miles or something stupid on the S54). The only expensive thing would be shimming the valves, which is tedious, should cost you fifteen dollars in actual parts (new shims), plus a valve cover gasket, and take half a day to do yourself with feeler gauges.
The only time the E46 should be expensive to maintain is when you take it to the stealership or a shop and pay some guy $100 an hour to do this stuff for you. Then they charge you the BMW owners fee for having a BMW logo on the hood and charge you 3x what the genuine factory parts actually cost. (Dealerships usually mark the parts up 2-3x what the parts book says.) Hell, even the parts are pretty damned cheap if you buy them online.
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Redlined335i
> willconltd
04/20/2014 at 13:03 |
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parts are tighter and will wear out on a m3 little things add up, 335i isn't as tight and is cheaper to maintain. Turbos are hit or miss given the previous owner. For the extra money in maintaince on the m3 you can tune the 335i upgrade the suspension and demolish it on a track.
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willconltd
> Redlined335i
04/20/2014 at 21:07 |
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Well, sure, you can buy a 335 and upgrade the turbos, and the software, and the suspension, and throw as much money as you want at it to achieve the same or better lap times as an M3. Whats your point? I can throw large sums of money at almost any car and make it faster. Parts on the E46 M3 aren't tighter, whatever the hell that means. Parts are parts, and they are no more expensive for the M3 than they are for any other BMW. Also, they don't wear out any faster on the M3 than a 330 driven the same way. If you beat on a car, parts wear out faster. So you clearly don't understand how these things work. Besides, its pretty much the exact same car with a different motor, so most parts are the same anyway.
Just don't buy the SMG transmission. That IS expensive to maintain. ;)
HoosierHorses
> GeorgeyBoy
04/22/2014 at 10:55 |
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I owned an E60 M5 with the SMG. That is a...finicky...transmission. The SMG Pump, as mentioned, is expensive...but that's not the only thing that can go wrong. My M5 would throw "mystery codes" more often than not.
This isn't meant as a bash on BMW, it's just that when you get a race car transmission, you get race car problems. That thing will absolutely bang through gears when it's running well, and it provides nice feel.
My 2 cents - if you're going to get the SMG make sure you get a warranty. My 3 cents? Get the stick.