Need Reasons Why Not Trade Is300 For Bmw M3

[is300yank]

Gents (and ladies?):

In the near future I will have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 BMW M3 (SMG) coupe for well below retail from the original owner. It has been well maintained and was never in an accident. However, to make this purchase I would have to sell my beloved 2002 is300 5speed.

I recently drove an M3 and it was very impressive with regard to pickup and handling. However, I'm pretty sure it will become a maintenance nightmare before it reaches 100k miles (currently has around 50K). In addition, the interior fit and finish were not nearly as nice as the Lexus'.

Can I get some other good reasons not to buy?

Thanks for your consideration.

[Fidgits]

erm...

the only reasons I havent traded my IS for a M3 is...

BMW Image (although, its a M3...)

The M power engine does have some reliability concerns

The running costs are akin to a Porsche 911

There is a new one on the horizon, so prices will drop next year

But hey, its a significant car... and theres not much that comes close to the M3 for a real 2+2 performance car..

[6Speed]

All I would say is running costs. As with Lexus most parts are dealer only but some twice the price as Lexus.

M3 is a very nice car though, I suppose it will be down to your personal choice.

[Kazi]

Tough choice I guess as the M3's are impressive N/A cars!! Heard one thrash by me in Tesco's car park! Very nice!

If its reliability then it won't surpass the Lex, depends how long you would intend on keeping it and the sort of milage you normally do.

[Mr Singh]

Gents (and ladies?):

In the near future I will have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 BMW M3 (SMG) coupe for well below retail from the original owner.  It has been well maintained and was never in an accident.  However, to make this purchase I would have to sell my beloved 2002 is300 5speed.

I recently drove an M3 and it was very impressive with regard to pickup and handling.  However, I'm pretty sure it will become a maintenance nightmare before it reaches 100k miles (currently has around 50K).  In addition, the interior fit and finish were not nearly as nice as the Lexus'.

Can I get some other good reasons not to buy?

Thanks for your consideration.

←

I assume you have looked at other europeon cars, like Audis? (RS4, RS6)

I much prefer the build and luxury you get in them over BMWs.

Maybe food for thought.

[Mr Morse]

Standard figures:

M3 = 348 BHP

IS300 = 211 BHP

But.....

The IS300 has the unburstable 2JZ-GE engine which is FI tuneable to 350 BHP without upgrading the internals and thereafter to over 700 BHP

[Ellz]

Standard figures:

M3 = 348 BHP

IS300 = 211 BHP

But.....

The IS300 has the unburstable 2JZ-GE engine which is FI tuneable to 350 BHP without upgrading the internals and thereafter to over 700 BHP

←

I think mikes on to something there. spend some dosh on your lexus and tune up the engine and suspension, then you can keep up with the M3.

Dont be another to sell up, theres been loads going recently

[uncle_rob]

Gents (and ladies?):

In the near future I will have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 BMW M3 (SMG) coupe for well below retail from the original owner.  It has been well maintained and was never in an accident.  However, to make this purchase I would have to sell my beloved 2002 is300 5speed.

I recently drove an M3 and it was very impressive with regard to pickup and handling.  However, I'm pretty sure it will become a maintenance nightmare before it reaches 100k miles (currently has around 50K).  In addition, the interior fit and finish were not nearly as nice as the Lexus'.

Can I get some other good reasons not to buy?

Thanks for your consideration.

←

Right heres a couple of things to think about.

1) The new M3 will be out in a year or 2, so prices will drop

2) There is talk of a 4 door M3, therefore you can still have the space your IS300 gives you.

3) With FSH, no problem till around 100k miles, where you will need to spend £1000 max if properly cared for.

4) There is gonna be a 335!!! So from what i gather, its gonna be even quicker than the M3.

5) 330Ci is plenty quick enough. Look for high mileage and new, or old with low mileage, all E46 though, and there are some true bargains to be had.

Heres the deals i had when mine were bought,

X Reg 330Ci AC Schnitzer - £27k (Sat Nav, TV, everything!!) (<20k miles)

52' 325i Sport - £16k (50k miles)

[Rob]

he is in the US so will have no idea at all about " X Reg or 52 plates"

[Fidgits]

You want to check for VANOS - its a major fault with the E36 M power engine, and will cost £3000 to fix (~$5000).

If it is a used car and hasnt had this repair, walk away - although i have heard of cases of it happening 12 months after being repaired..

[fergy]

You want to check for VANOS - its a major fault with the E36 M power engine, and will cost £3000 to fix (~$5000).

If it is a used car and hasnt had this repair, walk away - although i have heard of cases of it happening 12 months after being repaired..

←

Vanos is not an issue on the E46 M3's... but there was an issue on cars of that age that required it having some work done by BMW under warranty (and then re-run in)...porbably had this done if it's been looked after...check with owner.

In my mind it is an amazing car...simple as that....I almost went for one, including a test drive etc, when I was trading my 330ci but needed more doors as I have a young son. Hate to say this, in my opinion an IS300 is no where near it (waiting for pelters for that comment)...I would not even compare the two.

New M3 is due in approx 2007...and with waiting list building up it will be ages (and a lot more money) to get the new shape. Prices are definitely dropping on present shape m3's but there is certainly a lot of life left in them...plus the E46's are way better looking than the new model.

Also, check if it is still under warranty, £720 a year to keep through BMW on any 3 series (inc M3's)

[Fidgits]

I can point to you a tonne of threads on other forums that state VANOS is a problem SPECIFICALLY on the E46 M3's!

[fergy]

I can point to you a tonne of threads on other forums that state VANOS is a problem SPECIFICALLY on the E46 M3's!

←

Never heard of it when I looked into it (about a year ago).. possibly wrong (again)...

I still think it is an amzing car...but would only ever get any car like that with a manufacturers warranty which should cover the VANOS issue if it happens..

And worth posting on the bm3w.co.uk board..it is full of guys that run them and they should be able to definitely tell you what the running cost should be along with known issues etc.

[Kazi]

Gents (and ladies?):

In the near future I will have the opportunity to purchase a 2002 BMW M3 (SMG) coupe for well below retail from the original owner.  It has been well maintained and was never in an accident.  However, to make this purchase I would have to sell my beloved 2002 is300 5speed.

I recently drove an M3 and it was very impressive with regard to pickup and handling.  However, I'm pretty sure it will become a maintenance nightmare before it reaches 100k miles (currently has around 50K).  In addition, the interior fit and finish were not nearly as nice as the Lexus'.

Can I get some other good reasons not to buy?

Thanks for your consideration.

←

I assume you have looked at other europeon cars, like Audis? (RS4, RS6)

I much prefer the build and luxury you get in them over BMWs.

Maybe food for thought.

←

Wasn't aware Audi's had build quality........... Well, not the ones ive been in anyway

[is300yank]

Many thanks for all of the replies. Regarding the engine on the M3, the bearings were proactively replaced, under warranty, a few years back. In addition, the engine specifically has an extended warranty for 100k miles or 6 years. That would last me about another two years.

Regarding an increase in bhp on the is300 to 350, what would that cost in terms of both $ and reliability?