keep is250 or get e46 m3?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: ca
keep is250 or get e46 m3?
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
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
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: ga
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
Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
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 
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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.
Rookie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 95
Likes: 3
From: South Carolina
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.
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.