ok been thinking of getting a e46 m3 but would have to sell my is250. would you guys get rid of your IS for a m3(it's luxury and performance)? i like the IS but miss the power and driving a manual car (coming from 3 sti's and 1 evo). or should i just save and get another car to get my fix with?

some pros and cons

is250 pros: push button start(lol), newer, less maint, looks,MPG
cons: performance, automatic

e46 m3 pros: performance, 6speed
cons: maint(clutch if needed), MPG, older model

 

why dont you just get the 350 instead...you get to keep the pro and take care of the cons, except still automatic..imo

 

If you could afford the maintenance on the m3 I would get it.

 

Keep the is250 or get a is350. I bought my wife a e46 BMW and it was the biggest piece of crap. It wasn't a m3 but I can tell you this I will never buy a BMW ever again. It was a nice car but it had ton of problems. I bought a is350 a couple weeks ago and this car is amazing.

 

If you miss the power and driving a manual, i'd definitely take a E46 M3 if you are comfortable with the repairs, insurance cost, dip in gas mileage, etc. IS350 would be a good option if you want speed, but seems like you want a manual transmission too. I've always loved the E46 M3's, great power, still luxury and there's a lot of good mods out there to do. Always wanted one, but I know service costs and the insurance spike for me would hurt me too much lol

 

E46 M3 was on my shortlist before buying my is350 (coming from a 02 BMW 330ci) however i wouldn't go near that if you want something reliable. i've driven my friend's 02 M3 and it a wonderful car but after reading about maintenance costs and my friend's experience with the car decided to not go with it. performance wise i say its pretty much the same as IS350 but handling/driving experience is much better than the IS 250/350. gas mileage is definitely worse too. also, its not as luxurious and smooth as the IS. M3 is definitely more fun to drive especially with that high revving inline 6. If you want something fast, manual, and luxury get the 335i that is under warranty and i'm pretty sure you'll be happy with it till the warranty ends .

 

I would get the M3. But make sure you get a warranty

 

I've seen warranty prices on a used E46 M3 before.

I thought it was the downpayment on the car
Its like they factor in a motor replacement automatically lol

 

E46 M3 maintanance is not cheap. Aside from that, id take the M3 over the IS all day. You can work wonders modding the E46.

 

E46 M3 i had one loved the ride. I still sometime wished i kept it.

 

selling a newer car and buy a older headache?

 

E90 m3 .......

 

M3s will work wonders on you wallet also =P... On the flipside I'll have to agree with everyone else get an IS350 or ISF if you want raw power and can live with the auto tranny. My uncle sold his E46 for the ISF no regrets its been 3 years for him.

 

I would keep the IS, unless your getting the new M3.

 

I agree completely. Looks and performance versus $$$ maintenance. True high performance cars are always more expensive and finicky.

I have an IS350 and although it is awesome, it is NOT a comparable high performance car to the M3. That said, the IS350 is a much better value with the trade off being looks and performance.