Ok so I currently have a 2003 tl-s and I'm stuck with hard decisions. I recently got a good paying job and I wanted to do the 6mt project on it but it's so freakin hard to decide on if I should do it or not. I had the car since September of 2012 and bought it from the first owner. Ever since, I do the regular maintenance on it as well as putting on premium gas as its always supposed to. So far I have only a short ram intake on it and mid muffler with resonator delete as well as thrush mufflers welded on. I had a lot of parts for the project but I had some ups and downs with the car. It's a stupid hate and love relationship with me and the car. One day I like it and the next day I just don't care anymore. I know how the 6 speed feels like and drives like because I know someone who is local and already did the project. I needed a few more things and I was basically ready to do the project. But what I really hate is that I know people who try to talk me into different cars. I got recently talked into an E46 M3 in manual. It's a nice car and it's fun to drive and then I think about the TL-S. I need help. I still would like an M3 but the problem is what should I do about the TL? Is it worth starting over with getting parts and doing the project? Or should I sell what I have left and get an M3? Or do both? I'm lost

Thanks :/

 

Performance Wise the M3 should walkover the TL-S in Handling and Speed but the M3 Interior looks like Crap and the Exterior needs some love before it starts to make people wet.. Lets not forget that the Mod Scene for M3 is STUPID EXPENSIVE! So its apples to oranges here.


Stick to TL-S if you Love the Looks and Interior and your Wallet.
Stick to M3 if you Love Handling and Power over Interior and Burn Cash.



At the end of the Day even if you Swap a Manual the M3 Should still have a Huge Edge over the TL-S 6MT until you start to really get into the Motor and STILL the M3 is hard to catch even in stock form... So there isn't really a comparison here.


If I were you I would stick to the TL-S just because I know how expensive BMW Maintenance can be (My Wife drives a 328i) and its Expensive, Stupid darn Expensive to Maintain.. Easily 3x more Expensive than my TL-S down the Line.



My 2 Cents.

 

Hmmm, alot depends on how good your job pays and what ya really want.

Can ya afford both cars ? If so, then that's the answer !!! The best of both worlds.
Keep the TL for the boulevard cruising and get the M3 for the country mountain rallying.

 

I mean it all depends on how hard I try and sell since I get paid off commission. I hate love/hate relationships :/ they blow. It's hard for me to make up my mind on cars anymore. I get convinced easily about anything.. which is not fun at all. It's so hard to decide

 

you also have to take in consideration of maintenance.
the acura will be cheaper to maintain.

the only reason why I'm not in a 335i today, is because of maintenance. I simply cannot afford it.

an E46 M3 WILL be expensive just to maintain, not to mention modding it.

 

i work at a bmw dealer ship!
if the M3 is not under warranty then your expected to pay BIG BUCKS!!

the ACURA is a much cheaper car then a M3 in all types of ways.
but if you CAN afford the M3 go for it!!

 

Hey AcraAdi93, congrats on the the job and good luck with it !

Some basic practical advice would be to hold on to the 'ol dependable TL for awhile......until ya see how well your sales opportunity pans out. Ya don't wanna get sold on something over your head right now with expenses, that ya may not be able to afford down the road.

In the meantime, make sure that the TL is well kept in the way of PM stuff. Keep your costs down until ya save up some big bonus commissions.....and then let the good times roll !!!