Hi,
Just looking for some quick opinions if you would pick a bring new TL or a used m3 (2000 and up). The price is basically the same. I am leaning towards the TL for the following reasons:

1. 4 door = lower insurance cost
2. new car
3. acura reliability
4. lower maintenance fees
5. navi + all the cool features
6. nice interior


why i would pick a M3

1. fast
2. looks awesome
3. it's an M3!

 

I don't like buying used as a rule because of the risk of buying someone else's problems. The big question for you is...do you want 2 doors or 4 doors? Is RWD really important to you? Once you've answered those two questions, your decision should be clear.

Hope this helps a little.

 

You have an interesting choice to make. I used to take my little modified S2000 to the track (both hi speed and autox), and have some experience driving and competing against M3s. They are of course very quick and look great and have the BMW name.

I also considered an M3 and also an Audi S4 and the 530i...mostly for different reasons for each car. My issues with the M3---the ride was way too rough for me. I planned to use it as an everyday car, and would have lost my teeth from chatter after a few months in the M3 on the streets of Houston. I looked at the steptronic and did not like it at all, the 6 speed is much better. but again, i needed the car for everyday driving and did not want the stick shift usage everday. Finally, i had read and heard about several quality issues with the M3, including probs with the transmission and engine.

I purchased the '04 TL yesterday and am glad that I did. Its the automatic, but plenty quick and a nice firm but comfortable ride. In manual mode it can also be fun and quick. Good luck with your choice.

 

you are kidding right ? m3 is the best you can get for <50k. go for it. I wish i could.

e

 

finding a used m3 from year 2000 to 2002 isn't that hard for around 35k.

the exterior of the m3 is amazing, and the interior of the TL has most of the new gizmos i want. the main thing i am worried about is m3 engine reliability which has been a problem for quite a few m3 owners.

 

Tell me where you get this M3 for 35k easily!!

 

Same here, I would love to have a 2002 for $35k!

2000 is the previous gen.

 

M3!!!

if u not living in the snow...

 

I considered a used M3 and a used Audi S4 but decided to go with the TL (though, WOW, did that S4 perform!). Maybe it's my age, but I realized I was more interested in touring comfort than raw performance. Plus, I discovered the M3 was going to cost me about US$700/year more in insurance. Oddly, though, the S4 insurance was roughly on par with the TL.

I grew up in the mindset that BMW truly was the ultimate driving machine, and no self-respecting car nut would ever drive a front-wheel-drive automobile. "Yes sir, when I could afford it I'd buy a BMW" is something I've said to myself for years, and that was my goal when I started looking to buy a car last month. I even joined the BMW CCA because I knew I was going to end up in a BMW.

But honestly, FWD when done right is a perfectly fine configuration for the Real World. I'll never have my car on a track and 99% of the time would never use the extra performance of the M3. Plus, you really do pay a premium for the BMW. It may handle better on a track, but arguably won't perform as well hauling kids to school and back or on those long cross-country trips during the holidays.

The TL became an clear and obvious winner for me. I'll likely still pine for an M3 and perhaps I'll buy one some day when the kids are out of college, but for now I still have to apply at least a modicum of sensibility to my purchasing decision and I couldn't find anything with as much bang for the buck (both performance- and creature-comfort-wise) than the 2004 TL.

 

yeah you are right, it's 2001 and up. I have seen a few m3's for 35k-39k. THe only bad thing is the miles are a little high (around 40k-50k). Just look in autotrader.com, i saw one yesterday for 37k.

 

If you have a practical bone in your body, the 2 doors and miserable ride are an absolute deal killer. If you are really and enthusiast, fwd vs an M3, huh?

 

Actually, 1999 was the last year of the E36 M3. The E46 began in 2001. There was no 2000 M3.

If you live somewhere without a real winter, and can handle a little extra maintenance costs down the road, buy the M3. You probably want to pay low to mid 40s, for a nice example.

Make sure you do your homework, as some M3s are within a range of potential main bearing failure, but have been given a 6yr/100k (unlimited mileage?) warranty by BMW as a result.

I was debating a 540i or E36 M3 for my daily driver, but with an NSX in the garage, I thought it made sense to go for a little more comfort and reliability, even though the monthly payments will be a little bit more (I was considering $22-27k used 1999s).

Thankfully, with the 6spd TL I am not missing that much.

 

I am also currently considering trading in my S2000 for a TL as I need a 4 door sedan for my daily driver. I tested the 6 speed TL and it drove well, except for the steering feel. I felt it was too light especially at speed. Under hard acceleration, esp while cornering, I could feel the twitchiness in the front tires (probably more due to the LSD and not torque steer), so it doesn't feel as planted as a RWD setup.

I'm debating now whether to go with an '00-'01 BMW 540i 6 speed instead of the TL. They are both priced roughly the same. Of course, I would also need to get an extended warranty.The bimmer has much better steering feel and RWD dynamics but has poorer reliability and higher maintenance cost. It also has much more torque but is heavier.

If the TL was RWD and better steering feel, it would have made my choice much easier. I was really leaning towards the TL before I drove both the cars but now I really can't quite decide!

 

I took a few fast sweepers in the TL, but had too many people in the car to really put it through it's paces. The 6spd and the engine sold me on the TL.

Admittedly, if I did not have to drive the car in winter, RWD would get the nod. Indeed, my hope is to continue my car insanity and add an old M car in a few years. Only time will tell if that is just a fantasy.

My current daily driver is an E36 325i, which is decent with the snows (pilot alpin). I find the 540i's power delivery to be rather abrupt, much more so than my 325i or the E39 528s I have driven. I drive enough mileage each year that I would find that aspect of the car to be a bit problematic. I would love to drive an old M5 everyday, but winter and maintenance costs are prohibitive.

That said, the Bimmers do have great steering feel and power.

 

I do agree with your statement. The 540i's 1-2 shift especially feels abrupt, and I found it hard to slip the clutch smoothly with some jerking. I think that's due to the Clutch Delay Valve that's fitted on the 540's to prevent damage from frequent hi-rev clutch drops.

I actually got to take the TL to an empty parking lot and tested its acceleration, hard/panic stops and also gunning it to a hard right turn from a stop. That's when you can feel the LSD kicking in. I think I'll try to test drive the TL again. I wonder if the light steering feel could be somewhat compensated with stickier high performance tires e.g. SO-3 Potenzas?

 

Decent rubber should transform the TL, and it really is very good for such a high powered front driver.

Having just calculated the maintenance and finance costs of my old (and to be fair higher mileage and out of warranty) BMW, I am not so worried about the increased monthly on the TL.

 

Following on your thread, I have a 330i with sways and set up for track fun and a big diesel P/U to make me feel like a man. The TL is the best practical daily business car with the gas mileage, I hope, stereo, four doors and room while still having the power and handling to be close enough in the fun department.

 

Buy the M3 without a doubt. If you can get one for a good price, do it.


You really can't compare the two cars. They are both excellent at what they were designed to do. And they both have different objectives...

Chad

 

A used bmr or a new acura with warranty, I don't understand the question??? You must be richy rich or elase stupid.

 

You may want to check out Certified Pre-Owned BMWs, which come with a 6 year, 100k mile warranty, and that is the real warranty, not some powertrain warranty.