ES3

Price is the exact same, the M3 is owned by a family member who took great care of it, put 17kmiles on it.

Here's some pictures---1 year left bumper to bumper warranty, 3 years 100k on the engine.

I LOVE the M3, but it wouldn't have the IS3's reliability. Thoughts?

JustinK101

Well, the M3 is much much faster and usually comes with a price tag two times as much as the is300. But, you have to decide for yourself what you like better. The is300 will probably have better reliability and the M3 is very sporty and tends to have some occasional issues. If it were me, I'd probably take the m3 though, just a rocket on wheels.

flipside909

See that's a tough decision. Obviously i'd jump to the M3 first, but if you're looking for longevity and reliability, it will have to go to the IS hands down.

ES3

Good posts, thanks. I'm thinking about just keeping the M3 for another year, while it's in the bumper to bumper coverage. Of course it may be tough to resell after that.

Celsior Master

m3 pretty hard to pass up esp. since u kno who it came from. can't really lose either way !

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if you know the history of the m3 and it's good, i would jump on it. that's a no brainer for the same price

ES3

I guess there is STILL something great about the brand new car smell... Maybe the M3's horsepower could overcome the lack of new car smell?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

to me, yes the m3 is just so much more fun to drive

STIG

i wouldnt even think about twice to get M3. GET M3!!!

i mean IS3 are great car but it dont come close to M3.

G2FAST

Go with the M3 just for the power. Just got my G35 and it has more power than the IS and I love driving that car. BMW I really don't care for there interiors but seem to be good cars, friend just got M5 she loves it.

ES3

DId you get the G35 Coupe or Sedan? HOW's the power compare to the IS overall? Lease/buy?
Thanks.

G2FAST

Never lease always buy! I got the G35c-Pearl-6mt, everything but the navigation. The car is sick, blows the IS away in power, heated seats, duel climate control, brembo brakes. I enjoy driving the IS300 but 215 hp does not compare to 280 hp and its wider than the Lexus so a little more room.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

and that's always my complain on the is3, no power

ES3

Car sounds great, what price did you get? By the way, have you heard about the propsed changes for '05? 300 hpower and some interior updates, wonder if it'll happen.

I wouldn't normally consider leasing either, but I found a company that quoted me a G35Coupe Automatic, with everything PLUS navigation, 18k a year 580 bucks down total, 580 bucks a month for 39 months. Seems pretty amazing.

brendanlim

Get the M3, use it for a while, then sell it -- higher price tag than IS3 of course -- then buy an IS3 and make your first mod forced induction and you'll have the best of both worlds. Tada!