Dapster

For about the same money I can get either an E36 M3 Evo Coupe (dealer warranty included) or a newer and lower milage S3 which, while not offering anywhere near the same thrill is less likely to bankrupt me in running costs.

Can anyone out there give me some idea of the costs of maintaining a 40k mile M3 used every day - ie servicing, tyres, exhaust, shocks etc? I just need to be convinced into getting one.

Also - will I look like a drug dealer? The S3's are so discreet by comparison.

Bobby Peru

Cetrtainly won't look like a drug dealer in an e36 M3 (e46 M3 cab maybe), S3's quite cheap to own, better off getting an MTM upgrade with exhaust to 270bhp and 300lbs/ft as I used to have, believe me it shifted.

turboman786

I own an e36 m3 evo. Its a very nice car.

Pros:
Very strong straight line performance/lot of torque
Superb interior/excellent leather seats/
Looks good despite age
Reasonable economy (22mpg town, 30mpg on a run)

Cons:
Handling not fantastic given the power, RWD drive takes a lot of getting used to
Dangerous in the wet
Too many lookalikes around, devalues image

S3 is a much newer car but is not really in the same league as the m3..its more of a hot hatch wheras the m3 is a musclebound cruiser.....drive both....

CarpetCleaner

M3 M3 M3

Just be sure to check the vanos unit's not about to go pop

M3 is a serious car, when tuned up and running sweet it mullers the ricers in their ****ty scoobs and CTR's

just joking people

Dark Blue Mark

Whats this Vanos thing?

MB

CarpetCleaner

I think it's like a version of Honda's VTEC?. alters the profiles of the cams

makes the car go like **** though

tiggers

Yeah,

Difference is Honda's doesn't go wrong - still that's what you'd expect on the cheaper car

tiggers.

turboman786

Tiggers....prob is the Honda doesnt 'go' at all!

Veracocha

Difficult to say really. Both have their good points but if you intend on keeping them both standard the M3 will be significantly faster than the S3 but if you chip the S3 it will close the gap somewhat.

M3 sounds much better and has sharper handling, S3 more economic with great traction in bad conditions and still very stylish car with lush interior. Also 1.8T engine is tough as nails and will take virtually unlimited beatings even chipped.

As you can see from previous posts you get a lot of immature idiots on the forum so you are best off test driving both and making your own mind up!

Tiggs

i looked at an E36 for all of 30secs until i saw an E46 325 parked next to it...even the lowly 325 made the M3 look very dated.

T

scoobysnacks

I think you'll find the NSX with it's ultra reliable VTEC engine goes quite well...
On a different note, how about getting an Audi S4 or a C43 AMG Merc? Both are high powered alternatives to the M3.

[Edited by scoobysnacks - 7/23/2003 9:31:12 PM]