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Old 31 December 2010, 10:19 AM   #1
cht
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If you had to choose, an E46 M3 or a C5?

Hey guys,
I am currently found an ok deal on a 2001 laguna seca blue M3 (my favorite color from BMW) that is mint, with 71K miles.

The cars immaculate condition, clean title, original trim, and COLOR make me want to jump on it.

However, I currently have a C5 Corvette with 112k, runs great, gets 29mpg on the freeway, relatively cheap to repair, and I've had it for over a year and have learned it's quirks. I have been able to do simple repairs on it like replacing the radiator for relatively cheap, that I do not think I could do on the M3.
I do enjoy the heritage of the american sports car, and the removable top is quite nice.

I'd have to sell the vette and pay out about 3k more USD for the M3.

After reading about the VANOS problems with the S54, rod bearings failing, and dealer inspection maintenance costs, I am shying away from it.

I have a honda for most of my driving btw.


So, keep the Vette or go for the M3?

My C5.
:)






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Old 31 December 2010, 10:35 AM   #2
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Has it had the rod bearing recall done ? Being a 2001 it should have, but some never took them in for the upgrade. You can have a dealer look it up by the VIN. No real problems with the Vanos I know of. You'd be suprised how much DIY stuff you can d on the M3. The radiator is a pretty simple job. The 2001's are going pretty cheap these days. Should be able to get a good deal on it.


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Old 31 December 2010, 10:42 AM   #3
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It was time for me to buy a new car this year after having company cars for 34 years and I considered BMW but changed my mind after some of my friends who have them told me that, though they are delightful to drive, they are an expensive nightmare to maintain. A girl I know just spent $3000 on the front suspension on a BMW with not quite 90,000 miles.
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Old 31 December 2010, 10:55 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skypilot View Post
It was time for me to buy a new car this year after having company cars for 34 years and I considered BMW but changed my mind after some of my friends who have them told me that, though they are delightful to drive, they are an expensive nightmare to maintain. A girl I know just spent $3000 on the front suspension on a BMW with not quite 90,000 miles.
If you take it to the Dealership they can be quite pricey as can most cars. There are many independent shops that can do all the same work for much less. Not sure what kind of BMW that girl had, but there's probably not $3k worth of suspension on the front of a modern RWD BMW.


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Old 31 December 2010, 11:45 AM   #5
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I'd drive the 'Vette at least another two years.
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Old 31 December 2010, 11:52 AM   #6
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The Z06 wheels and the lower stance really set off that Vette. Keep it I say.
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Old 31 December 2010, 11:59 AM   #7
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Keep the C5. The M3 is a road car that you can track, but the C5 is a race car you can drive on the street.
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Old 31 December 2010, 01:10 PM   #8
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E46 M3 over C5

E46 M3 is going to be collectable soon
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Old 31 December 2010, 01:23 PM   #9
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I love that color too and she looks real clean. If you're bored of the vette then go for it you only live once.
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Old 31 December 2010, 01:50 PM   #10
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Does the M3 have the SMG transmission? If so, that will be quite expensive to repair if needed.
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Old 31 December 2010, 01:58 PM   #11
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hmmm....///M did you take her out for a spin?
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Old 31 December 2010, 02:21 PM   #12
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Some good points guys, thanks.

And thanks for the compliments. The first thing I did with the help of my friend was lower the ride height and next I ordered the Z06 wheels.
:)

I am going to check the VIN at the dealer tomorrow for service/recall history.
That'll probably be the one of the main factors for my decision.

It is just a 6 speed, no SMG. I drove an SMG awhile back and actually wasn't too fond of it, so I'm happier with the manual.

In saying that, my vette is a 6 speed as well.
I did take the M out for a test drive around town, and disappointingly, I must say though my vette only has a few basic mods, it would walk all over the M as far as power.
:(

I'll give the M more thorough look over and test drive tomorrow.
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Old 2 January 2011, 11:55 AM   #13
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bmw? its german, totally diff feel than Vette. BMW has, i would presume, vastly better built quality and trim (plastics, et cetera).


BMW can be a bear to repair, but, speaking as someone who has owned several, I can tell you that they tend to be mechanically very straight-fwd. (if the German cars will use a lever and a bolt to get a task done, Jap car will use same but put it where only a Hobbit or an octopus could reach it, Americans would put a Cray in the same spot; English and Italians wouldn't even think to do it)

Buy Haynes manual. And maintance on "M" anything is going to be x2 what a normal BMW is. BMW M's tend to lead a harsh(er) life. I would get one with a well-doc'd history, pref an adult-owned, never tracked example from local BMW club.


Yea, the Vette is going to hold strong resale because of Vette fans. Vette is a sexy beast, but I would wonder about fit/finish as years go on, if that is a concern of yours.


bottom line? buy what makes ya happy.

I would go BMW over Vette, but that's just me. I like the c5 convertible alot. Yours looks great. That Targa-roof is a big plus.
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Old 2 January 2011, 12:22 PM   #14
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Well said tx
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Old 2 January 2011, 03:36 PM   #15
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Did you think about moving to a C6? they offer some nice improvements on the C5(as nice a car they are) and there are some good deals out there. Heres mine.
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Old 2 January 2011, 11:11 PM   #16
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BMW M3 for me!!! A little rocket ship that handles so well!!
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Old 3 January 2011, 12:58 AM   #17
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I had a 01 M3 and never had any issues except o2 sensors at 65k miles. The rod issue is limited to cars built from November of 01 to march of 02 so check the door jamb for a production date.

I've always been a BMW guy and the choice would be clear for me, but remember that you'll be losing a lot of torque especially in the lower rpm range...
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Old 3 January 2011, 10:41 AM   #18
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The m3 if it's a standard. The auto m3 (same model) I drove was a little dodgy in the shifting dept.
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Old 3 January 2011, 01:50 PM   #19
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E46 M3 for me!!
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Old 3 January 2011, 10:20 PM   #20
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E46 M3 the legend. don't go to the dealership and use after market parts. this will definitely keep the cost down of maintenance and the quality of some aftermarket parts are way better (more of leaps and bounds) compared to oem parts. knowing a trustworthy mechanic is key and there are lots of them out there.
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Old 4 January 2011, 12:57 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coupe View Post
The Z06 wheels and the lower stance really set off that Vette. Keep it I say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kartracer22 View Post
Keep the C5. The M3 is a road car that you can track, but the C5 is a race car you can drive on the street.
Gotta agree with these two. A new car is always tempting and on the mind, but the one you have is very hard to beat.
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Old 6 January 2011, 11:03 PM   #22
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BMW, go test drive one, you wont want the vette, however if vette is paid off you might keep it, looks nice
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Old 7 January 2011, 02:23 AM   #23
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I own both. Having to make a choice, Corvette hands down would be the keeper for me. No comparison between a sports coupe and a dedicated sports car. IMO.
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Old 7 January 2011, 02:33 AM   #24
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you will know which one you should have kept the first time you need to buy anything for the BMW.
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Old 7 January 2011, 02:43 AM   #25
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My little bro has a 2k C5, he's put a pro-charger on it, full Z06 exhaust, suspension, etc etc etc. It's putting down 623hp to the pavement....I say keep the sports car and put that 3k into upgrades. That thing in 6th gear does 65mph literally at idle.
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Old 7 January 2011, 05:57 PM   #26
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deffinately the M3...so much fun on the road and the BMW build quality, just fantastic car.
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Old 7 January 2011, 06:04 PM   #27
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M3 for me anyday as well....
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Old 8 January 2011, 01:34 AM   #28
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M3

M3 is just so classy and sexy. You see corvettes everywhere, although they are beefy and nice. I think M3 is just a better quality car, no offense, I drive a piece of garbage.
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Old 8 January 2011, 01:59 AM   #29
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I'd base my decision on more practical considerations.

A sports sedan vs. a sports car.

A 2 seater vs. a 4 seater.

A real trunk vs. no real trunk.

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