BMW M3 question

[umairejaz]

The vert adds quite a bit of weight to the car, so if you want straight out performance or track then get the coupe.

The e46 gets around nicely and has more then enough power to have “fun” in, but vetts and modded sti's kick its ass so don’t expect a monster.

The m3 is really an OVERALL great car that comprises slightly in the luxury category and in the go fast category but in return finds a VERY happy medium. Spending spring break in s. beach and with the weather, I’m absolutely loving this thing!!

[speedminded]

lol, well I think you picked the right one. The aftermarket is huge for these cars, but everything is so expensive. It makes parts for my G seem honda cheap....seriously. Im pretty sure they run mid-low 13s stock and can be had for mid 20's with decent milage I think. Maintainence will be expensive im pretty sure. My brake rotors are $600ea. from the stealership. I cant imagine what they are for an M3...

Ever owned or modded a Honda/Acura? BMW aftermarket parts are very comparable to Hondas.

[DieselNuts]

Ever owned or modded a Honda/Acura? BMW aftermarket parts are very comparable to Honda vehicles.

WHAT?

Fixed

[speedminded]

WHAT?

Fixed

The Tein Flex on my Integra was nearly $1,500...you can get comparable coil-overs for the same or less for E36's+ OR you can get COMPLETE race suspension setups for $1,500-2k NEW for BMW's including sway bars from Turner Motorsports.

Fenders, bumpers, cf hoods, all basically the same price.

Turbo's and turbo kits, the same price.

Wheels: A Rota for a Honda is just about the same price as a Rota for a BMW. A Volk or Work for a Honda isn't much differant than a BBS for a BMW.

You want a big brake kit on a Honda, guess what...it's the same price as it is for BMW's.

Motor mounts for swaps, same price.

The M52 that has 190+hp & 207 ft-lbs torque...freshly rebuilt long block for $1,800. You can barely even get a rebuilt GS-R that makes 170/130 for $2k!!!

Clutches and flywheels, all just about the same price.

The list goes on and on. Maintenance wise to aftermarket parts, they're all very similiar between BMW and Honda/Acuras.

[BobbyFresco]

Ever owned or modded a Honda/Acura? BMW aftermarket parts are very comparable to Hondas.

How so?
In terms of price or availability?
What specific BMW auto are you refering to?

[BobbyFresco]

The Tein Flex on my Integra was nearly $1,500...you can get comparable coil-overs for the same or less for E36's+ OR you can get COMPLETE race suspension setups for $1,500-2k NEW for BMW's including sway bars from Turner Motorsports.

Fenders, bumpers, cf hoods, all basically the same price.

Turbo's and turbo kits, the same price.

Wheels: A Rota for a Honda is just about the same price as a Rota for a BMW. A Volk or Work for a Honda isn't much differant than a BBS for a BMW.

You want a big brake kit on a Honda, guess what...it's the same price as it is for BMW's.

Motor mounts for swaps, same price.

The M52 that has 190+hp & 207 ft-lbs torque...freshly rebuilt long block for $1,800. You can barely even get a rebuilt GS-R that makes 170/130 for $2k!!!

Clutches and flywheels, all just about the same price.

The list goes on and on. Maintenance wise to aftermarket parts, they're all very similiar between BMW and Honda/Acuras.

I was 'ed

He's looking at an E46, not a E36.....Quality parts are way more expensive for an E46 than for a E36.

[speedminded]

On to the Bimmer pRoN...

Geordies white E46 convertible:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=793436

[Sammich]

oh god

[speedminded]

I was 'ed

He's looking at an E46, not a E36.....Quality parts are way more expensive for an E46 than for a E36.

Then compare those E46 parts to an S2k. They're gonne be just about the same damn price...from engine sensors to transmissions to brakes to hardtops to LSD's to wheels to seats, oem or aftermarket.

[speedminded]

I was 'ed

He's looking at an E46, not a E36.....Quality parts are way more expensive for an E46 than for a E36.

oh really?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...n%20Motorsport

Can't get much more quality than Moton when it comes to suspension...

2-way Adjust. - $5.997.00 vs $6,304.00
3-way Adjust. - $7,578.00 vs $8,223.00
4-way Adjust. - $10,345.00 vs $10,902.00

[DieselNuts]

you either know of a hook up on BMW parts, or shop at the wrong places for Honda parts

[speedminded]

you either know of a hook up on BMW parts, or shop at the wrong places for Honda parts

My Honda engine was a $9,000 long block when I got it 4 years ago. You can get a brand new ZO6 engine for $12,000!! How much do you think an S54 runs new?!

QUALITY PARTS are all about the same. If you want to look up sleeves and "coil-over" springs on eBay then sure you'll spend 4 times as much for a BMW then a Honda! You buy QUALITY parts: Brembo brakes, high end wheels, H&R coil-overs, etc. then it's all going to be about the same price.

[DieselNuts]

My Honda engine was a $9,000 long block when I got it 4 years ago. You can get a brand new ZO6 engine for $12,000!! How much do you think an S54 runs new?!

Thats the difference between import and domestic. My engine installed by the dealership will run around $16K. Thats why I say Fuk import, Im goin domestic.

QUALITY PARTS are all about the same. If you want to look up sleeves and "coil-over" springs on eBay then sure you'll spend 4 times as much for a BMW then a Honda! You buy QUALITY parts: Brembo brakes, high end wheels, H&R coil-overs, etc. then it's all going to be about the same price.

Now THIS is true. But when it comes time to buy parts like headlights, see how much a nice set of BMW lights cost compared to a nice set of Honda lights...

[BobbyFresco]

Thats the difference between import and domestic. My engine installed by the dealership will run around $16K. Thats why I say Fuk import, Im goin domestic.


Now THIS is true. But when it comes time to buy parts like headlights, see how much a nice set of BMW lights cost compared to a nice set of Honda lights...

Actually if you're comparing say new S2k headlights to M3 headlights, I'd venture to say that they run about the same...

[AnthonyF]

damn you speedminded! i was changing my mind about this car. but fawk......gotta sell my junk box

[tron]

QUALITY PARTS are all about the same. If you want to look up sleeves and "coil-over" springs on eBay then sure you'll spend 4 times as much for a BMW then a Honda! You buy QUALITY parts: Brembo brakes, high end wheels, H&R coil-overs, etc. then it's all going to be about the same price.

I'd have to agree

[DieselNuts]

Actually if you're comparing say new S2k headlights to M3 headlights, I'd venture to say that they run about the same...

well, the thing about that is you are comparing Hondas top of the line to BMWs bottom of the line. If thats the case, then I guess you are right.

[AnthonyF]

I get what your trying to say Diesel. Like a lip for a Prelude can run 120-200 bucks. Where has a lip for a bimmer is around 500-1000.

[DieselNuts]

I get what your trying to say Diesel. Like a lip for a Prelude can run 120-200 bucks. Where has a lip for a bimmer is around 500-1000.

exactly

[BobbyFresco]

I get what your trying to say Diesel. Like a lip for a Prelude can run 120-200 bucks. Where has a lip for a bimmer is around 500-1000.

[BobbyFresco]

The Hamann "body kit" that's on my Z4, which is really a lip kit, cost almost 3k...and the wheels....I would have been better off getting some Iforged or HREs...

[speedminded]

The Hamann "body kit" that's on my Z4, which is really a lip kit, cost almost 3k...and the wheels....I would have been better off getting some Iforged or HREs...

The oem "body kit" that was on my Integra was a $1,200 option but at one time you couldn't get the sideskirts for under $800 alone.

What would say is the japanese equivelent of Hamann? Veilside?

[AnthonyF]

^no Mr. Speedminded....your not like the rest of us. You buy dealer items or REAL OEM items. You dont like knock offs and you never substitute anything for less.

[speedminded]

^no Mr. Speedminded....your not like the rest of us. You buy dealer items or REAL OEM items. You dont like knock offs and you never substitute anything for less.

lol, i just buy what has been proven to work the best, looks the best, and last the longest...while trying to not be like anyone else!

[Sammich]

which means ur rich? lol

[Frög]

Forever On Road Dead..

dont see you in a bimmer.. get a c5 vette.. same price range..

[speedminded]

which means ur rich? lol

LOLOL yeah right! I'm just patient, very few people will ever find a better deal then on all the stuff I pick up....otherwise I won't get it! I simply shop around until my eyes bleed.

[Sammich]

lolz sounds like me...but you wont see me spending no more than $400 on suspension..where as you drop a few thousand lol

[speedminded]

lolz sounds like me...but you wont see me spending no more than $400 on suspension..where as you drop a few thousand lol

Priorities my friend...I'll do suspension way before adding power, new wheels, or making the car look better.

Tires and suspension are the two "number one" things that make a car quicker and safer.

[Sammich]

true indeed..true indeed. i was at least 2yrs from deciding to get ANY kind of speed...so thats why i never spent that much in it..i'm glad too..cuz when my car got stolen they covered nothing but the car...BS

[speedminded]

true indeed..true indeed. i was at least 2yrs from deciding to get ANY kind of speed...so thats why i never spent that much in it..i'm glad too..cuz when my car got stolen they covered nothing but the car...BS

Keep all receipts and State Farm will cover it...other companies i'd file a civil suit against unless you signed and agreed to saying they won't cover it under any circumstances.

[Sammich]

statefarm is full of it. i provided numerous receipts. springs, radiator, wheel quote since the guy had the wheels for so long..they only cover if ur car has been vandalized, not stolen. state farm is for suckers

[BobbyFresco]

The oem "body kit" that was on my Integra was a $1,200 option but at one time you couldn't get the sideskirts for under $800 alone.

What would say is the japanese equivelent of Hamann? Veilside?

I would say Veilside or Doluck or something like that...

[Paree4g63]

all this talk about beamers... i really want one now. BEAMERS are probably the final step after street racing. LUXURY!!! If i had a beamer, i'm done for LIFE! The most i'd prob add is just suspension, wheels and exhaust. THE END Other then that, insurance is a B***, payments are a MootherF**..

M3's are thee LEGEND! They've been featured in so many magazines and are always talked about. They always maintain their position in the low numbers...either #1 or #2

one day.... ill get one

[DinanM3atl]

You can take it to a REAL track, one with turns

It is a great car. I would recommend an e36 M3 with low miles and a turbo or supercharger over the e46 m3. Just my opinion.

Either would be great!

[ATK_Designs]

E46 M3s are really nice. But if you're going to drop $35K on a used M3, might as well get the new 135 series.

They're good cars, light (compare to the other series) as well as TT from factory. My friend has a 335i Convertible, weighed at 4000lbs (without him) and ran 12.7. His car is chipped (couple hundred ECU chip that's easily remove and reversible) + minor exhaust bolt ons. Imagine what you can do in the 135i Coupe that weights less than 3400lbs (3370 I think).

It also has Big Brake Kit on there, 6 Pistons front, 2 Pistons rear. That's another plus.

So overall, you're paying mid 30s for a NEW car, More Powerful, Better handling, braking, with BMW Full maintenance service. IMO, there's nothing else you want to ask for. And I'm sure the tuner market can make that car just as nice and classy as the E46 M3.

Don't get me wrong, I absolute LOVE the E46 M3, but at this age and date, unless you got some serious cash, the 135 is a better contender. I call it, the Baby M.

[AnthonyF]

Forever On Road Dead..

dont see you in a bimmer.. get a c5 vette.. same price range..

i wouldnt be caught dead in a vette. sorry homie.

I really want to keep my car but once i get it running I am sticking it for sale and really gonna try getting an EVO X

[DinanM3atl]

How do you know the 135 handles and stops better than an e46 m3? And who the **** cares what is does in the 1/4 mile?

[sogood]

E46 M3s are really nice. But if you're going to drop $35K on a used M3, might as well get the new 135 series.

They're good cars, light (compare to the other series) as well as TT from factory. My friend has a 335i Convertible, weighed at 4000lbs (without him) and ran 12.7. His car is chipped (couple hundred ECU chip that's easily remove and reversible) + minor exhaust bolt ons. Imagine what you can do in the 135i Coupe that weights less than 3400lbs (3370 I think).

It also has Big Brake Kit on there, 6 Pistons front, 2 Pistons rear. That's another plus.

So overall, you're paying mid 30s for a NEW car, More Powerful, Better handling, braking, with BMW Full maintenance service. IMO, there's nothing else you want to ask for. And I'm sure the tuner market can make that car just as nice and classy as the E46 M3.

Don't get me wrong, I absolute LOVE the E46 M3, but at this age and date, unless you got some serious cash, the 135 is a better contender. I call it, the Baby M.

Pricing on a 135i coupe STARTS at $35k, by the time you price out a well optioned one, you're talking atleast $40k, if not closer to $45k or more. Absolutely rediculous for a bottom of the line BMW that, IMO, looks terrible anyways.

I'd take an E46 M3 or 335i coupe over the 135i anyday.

[DinanM3atl]

I would take an e36 M3 over both or all 3 of them

I would drive a 335i though just to drive it.