View Poll Results: 2006 IS350 or E46 M3
IS350
13
26.00%
E46 M3
37
74.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll
IS350 vs E46 M3
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: GA
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To drive 250 miles a day on highway, I would go M3, it will make you enjoy the ride and be excited to drive home/to work.
However, I caution that used BMW's can be headaches, so only do so if you have CPO!
However, I caution that used BMW's can be headaches, so only do so if you have CPO!
#19
Lexus is shady with their services. They straight up lied to me about what had been done to my car. I was told they rotated my tires on my old IS350 on my 10k mile service. They were also going to measure the brake pads and "change the fluids?" That last one was good. As if they did a coolant flush or something. At least my BMW has the service items hidden in the cost of the car.
#22
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
So reliablity seems to be an issue everyone is bringing up with the M. Anyone have any experience with a used M? Care to elaborate?
I'm shooting for an M3 with less than 60k on it.
I'm shooting for an M3 with less than 60k on it.
#23
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Lets revisit this topic. IS350 is out, as I've decided I still want to drive a manual car.
New cars in the mix.....
E60 545 6spd
E39 M5
E46 M3 is still in the run. Out of those three, which would you choose?
New cars in the mix.....
E60 545 6spd
E39 M5
E46 M3 is still in the run. Out of those three, which would you choose?
#24
most likely the e46 m3 will be newer with fewer miles, otherwise, that e39 is extremely appealing
my vote is still the e46 m3
yes, the time attack is lame, but it sure looks nice
my vote is still the e46 m3
yes, the time attack is lame, but it sure looks nice
#26
Dont come to a Lexus board and ask about BMW reliability... haha That's like going to a BMW board and asking about Lexus handling/feel there is little chance of getting a useful reply.
With that said, I've been looking for an E46 M3 for a long time, even posted a thread here about it a while back. Like you, I want to get into something fun with a manual transmission. My GF owns an IS350 so I drive it fairly regularly and have driven a few M3 and the IS is really a bore IMO (sorry); the E46 is much much much more engaging and fun.
Rod bearing recall affected mostly '02s with a build date starting 10/01 (find the MadRussian site for info); the extended warranties started from the "in service" date and therefore will have very little, if any, warranty left. Other big issues with the car seem to be subframe tearing/cracking, and Vanos failure (seem to affect more late models though; though I cant 100% confirm that).
I also started to consider a 6MT E60 545i but havent found any in my area. Also, if you read the E60 boards, while the cars seem to be fairly reliable, most owners say they would NOT own the car without a warranty. If you choose to go this route and can find what you're looking for, try to buy CPO; I know I would.
Since my search for the "right" E46 M3 has been frustrating I've also started to consider the E90 330i 6MT, though not nearly as fast as either car mentioned, it just has that BMW feel. This would also be a good choice IMO since you can find CPO ones with low mileage.
Anyway, this helps a little...
Oh, BTW I voted for the E46 M3
With that said, I've been looking for an E46 M3 for a long time, even posted a thread here about it a while back. Like you, I want to get into something fun with a manual transmission. My GF owns an IS350 so I drive it fairly regularly and have driven a few M3 and the IS is really a bore IMO (sorry); the E46 is much much much more engaging and fun.
Rod bearing recall affected mostly '02s with a build date starting 10/01 (find the MadRussian site for info); the extended warranties started from the "in service" date and therefore will have very little, if any, warranty left. Other big issues with the car seem to be subframe tearing/cracking, and Vanos failure (seem to affect more late models though; though I cant 100% confirm that).
I also started to consider a 6MT E60 545i but havent found any in my area. Also, if you read the E60 boards, while the cars seem to be fairly reliable, most owners say they would NOT own the car without a warranty. If you choose to go this route and can find what you're looking for, try to buy CPO; I know I would.
Since my search for the "right" E46 M3 has been frustrating I've also started to consider the E90 330i 6MT, though not nearly as fast as either car mentioned, it just has that BMW feel. This would also be a good choice IMO since you can find CPO ones with low mileage.
Anyway, this helps a little...
Oh, BTW I voted for the E46 M3