70k to spend; 135i or '03 or '04 M3

[rxp brad]

Im after some advise and hope you guys can help, Im considering an upgrade from my Subi and looking on carsales realize that I can get into a practically new 135i or a range of M3's (with around 50-80k) for around the $70k mark.

I've driven and love both cars but I'm torn, new and fresh or tried and true and a genuine M car? What do you guys think?????

[TimMc]

I suppose we're a bit biased as many of us had the choice & went the 135 way. In the long term though the 2nd hand M3 must be a good proposition.
Cheers.

[BMWDave]

Just a quick tip Brad, and I don't mean to state the obvious, but if you've got $70K to spend, have you factored in stamp duty? You're going to get hit with at least $4.5K stamp duty on a $70K car over here in the wild west. Might mean you "only" have say $66K for the car and the remainder for the stamp duty....b@$tard govt.

This might help your decision as realistically, you're going going to get a 135i on the road for under $80K.

[Yep 135]

A 'no brainer'!! 135.
Not because I'm bias (a bit now though) but I was at similar Xroads a few months ago and then went the 135 way.
Because
- Brand new car, 3 year warranty!!
- turbo motor has more mod-ability
- as quick as a E46 m3 around the track so lots more potential
- damm near as quick as the new m3 but 1/2 the price
- newer body shape and interior.
- the 335 seams to hold its value and sell better 2nd hand than the m3.
- Less devaluation $ per year and easier to sell (an assumtion) based on the 335'sin above reason, K's could be well over the 100k by then so harder to move with the m3
- m3 is still a good modern looking car now, but will it be down the track (with 100k plus on it)?
- Cheaper running cost as it is a new car. Not as much matinance.
These are only my reasons for my decision so please no one crucify me. The m3 is a great car.

[2QIK4U]

Hi rxp brad. Like you we had a WRX. When she was due for an upgrade we bought the 135i as we couldn't stand the look of the new REX.

We considered the M3 but having experienced a very successful modification program with the REX we considered the 135i with similar turbo induction and only 5 kilos heavier would provide an exciting platform for similar development. Ultimately the 135i has the potential to provide greatest bang for buck value. See http://www.southernbm.com.au/
go to Gallery then SBM 16 and SBM 17 to see the current development program.

Mike...

[airhead]

Fun factor? M3 but the 135 is the smarter choice. Hard to find an M3 of that vintage that hasn't been tracked/driven hard.

[MikeVictor]

Hrm, clearly we are biased. I like the financial pain of buying new cars as well.

But seriously, I think the 135i is a bit of a "sleeper" performance car compared to the M3. Very different proposition too.

If you are buying a new 135i you'll probably want to factor in about another $5k in your pocket, or more if you're going for any factory options.

[harpoon]

I went through the same process. I couldn't stand the SMG box though and could not find a new enough manual. Also the 135 is a better compromise between a race car and an about town car and just made more financial sense with warranty etc.

Having said that, I still love the look of the M3 and pine for it at times.

I have personally seen some terrible used M3s though (at the track) that have literally fallen apart - so choose wisely.

[Breville]

I couldn't find a new enough M3 for less than $100k. I prefer the everyday torque of the turbo's. My mate has an E46M3 and reckons my 135 is a better option.

[WAY]

Originally Posted by airhead

Fun factor? M3 but the 135 is the smarter choice. Hard to find an M3 of that vintage that hasn't been tracked/driven hard.

Surprised you haven't recommended the S3 yet dude! :biggrin:

[airhead]

Originally Posted by WAY

Surprised you haven't recommended the S3 yet dude! :biggrin:

Didn't want to turn the thread into 10 pages of abuse aimed at me. Even though the S3 is quicker :biggrin:

[130i]

I was in a similar situation to yours (I also had a libGT :wink: ) but for me it was down to 130i or used E46 M3.
To me the piece of mind that comes with new (or near new) car with faxtory warranty outweights the extra performance of M3 especially when realistically you rarely get to use it. Running cost of a used performance car can potentially be quite high, insurance is 2 or 3 times as much, etc..
Heart says M3:biggrin:, head says - 135i:smile:

[Blacky]

If I may I will throw another hat in the ring?
If you can stretch the budget a little and you don't need back seats why not look at a Z4 M as an alternative.
Some are down to $85K and you might get for less with a little haggle.
Later model's than M3 at the same price, and lower km, same engine!!!
There is another LONG thread on here of pros and cons Z4 M versus 135.
If the budget doesn't stretch I think the new 135 over a very old M3 (@ $70K) will always win.
I like 130i's comment, very true nothing like a new car warranty to save your bacon.

[professor]

apparently "Wheels" magazine would suggest you buy two Renault Clio Sports for that money and put all these cars we drive around in to shame....

on a sidenote Z4Ms are as scarce as a good Aussie spinner these days. Bib has one, though that probably does not help you.

[Blacky]

I saw a new Clio the other day and I have to say looks nice for a little hatch!
If I was in the market for a small car this would be top of the list.
Yeh I had notice most of the cheap Z4 M's have gone but there are still a few around either private or dealer.
Still trying to convince the GF to buy one, but she wont part with her baby (Mini Cooper S)

[WAY]

I love Z4M, and was intending to buy one to replace my Boxster S at the time. Then I decided to stick to Porsche when I test drove the Cayman S. But I ended up getting a 911 instead. Even so, I still love the Z4M (and Z3M). I think it looks shiiit hot!

[Wraith]

Tough one...both great cars, more so the E46 M3 but a used one dosn't have the same appeal as what it did when new and if it has started to develop any problems, without warranty, you need deep pockets to keep the thing running - remember to always take these things into consideration when purchasing any type of S/H car with some years or mileage behind it :wink:

If it must be between either a new 135i or used E46 M3 which you can score for '70k', I'd go with the new or near new 135i ! or as someone else has mentioned, have you looked at what else you can get for similar money...

The E46 M3 was and is still quite a machine, but for 70k your going to end up with a very well used one, speaking for myself, I wouldn't want to touch one that already has the better part of 100,000km's on the odometer - in fact I would feel uncomfortable spending 70k on anything S/H or used unless it was 'near new' or only less than 5 or 10,000km's on it...

As for the 135i, you'll need more than 70k for one of those, unless your looking at an ex-demo or near new S/H ???

Best of luck with it all :smile:

[andrew@southernBM]

I have a M3 E46 conv with 60kms on it carbon black, in today for sale, i drove it and the modded 135i's would say buy buy to it, so if you want a performance car a little tuning on a 135i will keep you happy. I had a 500hp Super charged E46 M3 in today to get ready for the next round of modifications and thats quick, but hey he paid for it....and i have another car coming inNov for a Super Charger as well. I have done many stock M3 E46's and they just don't cut it compared to a tuned 135i. Maintenance on an M3 will be way higher, we factor in $6-8k per year for an M3. For example 4k for brakes that are standard, tyres last approx 20,000kms, trailing arm bushes at 50,000kms, list goes on. All in all, great car, but if you buy and M, have a pocket to maintain an M3.......If 70k is the max budget buy somehting like Ronnie's 125i and maintain it well.

My 2c

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by andrew@southernBM

I have a M3 E46 conv with 60kms on it carbon black, in today for sale, i drove it and the modded 135i's would say buy buy to it, so if you want a performance car a little tuning on a 135i will keep you happy. I had a 500hp Super charged E46 M3 in today to get ready for the next round of modifications and thats quick, but hey he paid for it....and i have another car coming inNov for a Super Charger as well. I have done many stock M3 E46's and they just don't cut it compared to a tuned 135i. Maintenance on an M3 will be way higher, we factor in $6-8k per year for an M3. For example 4k for brakes that are standard, tyres last approx 20,000kms, trailing arm bushes at 50,000kms, list goes on. All in all, great car, but if you buy and M, have a pocket to maintain an M3.......If 70k is the max budget buy somehting like Ronnie's 125i and maintain it well.

My 2c

I'm with Andrew.

I think nearly all of us, those who don't mind a bit of spirited driving would have had the same issue to deliberate over.

In saying that, if you are like me, and you have always wanted an M then buy one. Don't compromise, a 1 will NEVER have the street cred of an M, nor the sound, sorry I will surely offend some but......... as they say build a bridge :biggrin:

[Wraith]

Originally Posted by AlpineM3E92

I'm with Andrew.

I think nearly all of us, those who don't mind a bit of spirited driving would have had the same issue to deliberate over.

In saying that, if you are like me, and you have always wanted an M then buy one. Don't compromise, a 1 will NEVER have the street cred of an M, nor the sound, sorry I will surely offend some but......... as they say build a bridge :biggrin:

Completely agree about the sound, no IL6 or any other configuration/no. of cylinders sounds better than a V8...although I'm sure some will dispute that for a V12 or the Veyron' W16 :biggrin:

But in this case, the M3 in question is the E46 also an IL6...not the E92.

As for street cred, are we talking about performance credentials/capabilities/perceptions ???

If so and if street cred was all important and you had the money to spend in this price range, I know it's not one of the 2 Beemers mentioned above, but you couldn't do better than an R35 GT-R :wink: but true an M3 would always stand out over any other 3 or 1er...

Speaking for myself regarding the 2 Beemers mentioned above, I'd take the 135i do some tuning, pocket the massive difference and then still be able to enjoy pretty much near E92 M3 performance :smile:

[rxp brad]

Thanks to you all for your responses, as much as I love the M3 I know that its not the sensible choice is the new 1 with a warranty. I'll leave the M3's alone and seek out a neat pre-owned 135i.

[Kris]

Sounds like a wise choice rxp brad..