IS250 to ///m3(e46)
04-25-12, 12:25 PM
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
IS250 to ///m3(e46)
So its been a while since I've been thinking of this but i think i might start using my IS250 as a daily and buy a ///M3 vert for those nice days. I know this might be the wrong place to start but I've seen a lot of members on here convert from the M3 to an IS and not the other way around.
I haven't seen much people go from an IS to an M. What are your guys thoughts on this? I feel like i have little to none maintenance on the IS (Tires, oil, spark plugs etc etc. ) but when it comes to the M my best friend will become my AMEX card.
im a 22 year old College student. Nd cars are a hobby of mine. This is what i want to buy!
Would love some unbiased comments/opinions.
I haven't seen much people go from an IS to an M. What are your guys thoughts on this? I feel like i have little to none maintenance on the IS (Tires, oil, spark plugs etc etc. ) but when it comes to the M my best friend will become my AMEX card.
im a 22 year old College student. Nd cars are a hobby of mine. This is what i want to buy!
Would love some unbiased comments/opinions.
Last edited by AmirLexus; 04-25-12 at 12:31 PM.
04-25-12, 01:06 PM
#6
Rookie
Thread Starter
I think the reason I'm pushed more towards the vert is because of all the open space that i don't get from the IS. Sometimes i feel like that IS should be a 2 seater....
04-25-12, 01:20 PM
#7
Have you read the threads on why people go from M3 to IS? You're looking at at least double the maintenance costs. From plastics breaking, replacement bushings, cracking coolant hoses/tanks to valve adjustments (for $1200 with Inspection 2) - you're looking at a lot of money.
You're still a student taking on a lot of debt. Good luck on that.
Links:
Valve Adjustment Pricing: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=627754
Everything else: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=E46+M3+Maintenance+and+reliability
You're still a student taking on a lot of debt. Good luck on that.
Links:
Valve Adjustment Pricing: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=627754
Everything else: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=E46+M3+Maintenance+and+reliability
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04-25-12, 01:21 PM
#8
There's no new news here. You're going to be facing a long road of expensive maintenance and repair bills on the M3. There's really no way around that. Even if you're an experienced mechanic/DIYer you're still going to have to pay high prices for BMW parts.
I'm unclear why you have a 250 if you want an M3. Why don't you have a 350? It's the same car at the 250, has the same low maintenance requirements and exceptional reliability, but with 100 more HP and a 0-60 that's in line with the M3. And you can get a newer, lower mileage IS350 for the same price as a used higher mileage, older M3.
I know there are other factors here - the look, the feel, the brand, etc. I love the look and feel of the M3 as well. But I took a more realistic approach to it - if I'm going to own this car for a long time and incur the costs, do I want an M3 that will provide potentially a "better" driving experience than an IS350 at the cost of higher maintenance and repair bills, having an older and higher mileage car, and dealing with the headaches of it being in and out of the shop? Or do I want the IS350 which will be a newer, better-equipped car with lower miles, have much lower maintenance costs and be much more reliable, and will still be extremely fun to drive?
I'm unclear why you have a 250 if you want an M3. Why don't you have a 350? It's the same car at the 250, has the same low maintenance requirements and exceptional reliability, but with 100 more HP and a 0-60 that's in line with the M3. And you can get a newer, lower mileage IS350 for the same price as a used higher mileage, older M3.
I know there are other factors here - the look, the feel, the brand, etc. I love the look and feel of the M3 as well. But I took a more realistic approach to it - if I'm going to own this car for a long time and incur the costs, do I want an M3 that will provide potentially a "better" driving experience than an IS350 at the cost of higher maintenance and repair bills, having an older and higher mileage car, and dealing with the headaches of it being in and out of the shop? Or do I want the IS350 which will be a newer, better-equipped car with lower miles, have much lower maintenance costs and be much more reliable, and will still be extremely fun to drive?
04-25-12, 01:29 PM
#9
Nice M3, i would have personally sold my IS250 and just bought an IS350 though. Plenty of power in the 350 and no reason to have 2 cars - double insurance payments, double car payments, etc. But everyone has their reasons for doing things...some people just like to have separate cars for daily vs fun drives to keep miles and wear down on the weekend car 
22 year old college student with 2 cars though? Damn i wish i was that lucky when i was in college!
22 year old college student with 2 cars though? Damn i wish i was that lucky when i was in college!
04-25-12, 01:35 PM
#10
Maintenance and repairs will be very high when it comes to a BMW and not a fan of convertible especially if it’s not a hard top.
I always said if I got Rid of my modified IS it would be AMG, M class or S class, but good luck on whatever decision u make.
I have 2 IS myself guess I should have gotten that M3 and a 2Is.
I always said if I got Rid of my modified IS it would be AMG, M class or S class, but good luck on whatever decision u make.
I have 2 IS myself guess I should have gotten that M3 and a 2Is.
04-25-12, 01:50 PM
#14
Well im not hating on bmw since i owned one before and still miss it. I had the E46 M3 was a great car to drive. The four years i owned it i never had a real problem with it at 55k when traded in. All i did was brakes,oil, tires and valve adjustments. Other than that i didnt have to put anymore money into it. Traded in cause i wanted a four door. But im not a fan of the vert.
04-25-12, 02:00 PM
#15
Rookie
Thread Starter
Nice M3, i would have personally sold my IS250 and just bought an IS350 though. Plenty of power in the 350 and no reason to have 2 cars - double insurance payments, double car payments, etc. But everyone has their reasons for doing things...some people just like to have separate cars for daily vs fun drives to keep miles and wear down on the weekend car
22 year old college student with 2 cars though? Damn i wish i was that lucky when i was in college!
22 year old college student with 2 cars though? Damn i wish i was that lucky when i was in college!
There's no new news here. You're going to be facing a long road of expensive maintenance and repair bills on the M3. There's really no way around that. Even if you're an experienced mechanic/DIYer you're still going to have to pay high prices for BMW parts.
I'm unclear why you have a 250 if you want an M3. Why don't you have a 350? It's the same car at the 250, has the same low maintenance requirements and exceptional reliability, but with 100 more HP and a 0-60 that's in line with the M3. And you can get a newer, lower mileage IS350 for the same price as a used higher mileage, older M3.
I know there are other factors here - the look, the feel, the brand, etc. I love the look and feel of the M3 as well. But I took a more realistic approach to it - if I'm going to own this car for a long time and incur the costs, do I want an M3 that will provide potentially a "better" driving experience than an IS350 at the cost of higher maintenance and repair bills, having an older and higher mileage car, and dealing with the headaches of it being in and out of the shop? Or do I want the IS350 which will be a newer, better-equipped car with lower miles, have much lower maintenance costs and be much more reliable, and will still be extremely fun to drive?
I'm unclear why you have a 250 if you want an M3. Why don't you have a 350? It's the same car at the 250, has the same low maintenance requirements and exceptional reliability, but with 100 more HP and a 0-60 that's in line with the M3. And you can get a newer, lower mileage IS350 for the same price as a used higher mileage, older M3.
I know there are other factors here - the look, the feel, the brand, etc. I love the look and feel of the M3 as well. But I took a more realistic approach to it - if I'm going to own this car for a long time and incur the costs, do I want an M3 that will provide potentially a "better" driving experience than an IS350 at the cost of higher maintenance and repair bills, having an older and higher mileage car, and dealing with the headaches of it being in and out of the shop? Or do I want the IS350 which will be a newer, better-equipped car with lower miles, have much lower maintenance costs and be much more reliable, and will still be extremely fun to drive?
Have you read the threads on why people go from M3 to IS? You're looking at at least double the maintenance costs. From plastics breaking, replacement bushings, cracking coolant hoses/tanks to valve adjustments (for $1200 with Inspection 2) - you're looking at a lot of money.
You're still a student taking on a lot of debt. Good luck on that.
Links:
Valve Adjustment Pricing: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=627754
Everything else: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=E46+M3+Maintenance+and+reliability
You're still a student taking on a lot of debt. Good luck on that.
Links:
Valve Adjustment Pricing: http://www.e46fanatics.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=627754
Everything else: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=E46+M3+Maintenance+and+reliability
Maintenance and repairs will be very high when it comes to a BMW and not a fan of convertible especially if it’s not a hard top.
I always said if I got Rid of my modified IS it would be AMG, M class or S class, but good luck on whatever decision u make.
I have 2 IS myself guess I should have gotten that M3 and a 2Is.
I always said if I got Rid of my modified IS it would be AMG, M class or S class, but good luck on whatever decision u make.
I have 2 IS myself guess I should have gotten that M3 and a 2Is.
NO WAY. I have no idea why but i think lexus completely messed up with the design of the vert. IMHO
This car was actually from hawaii. This is the one of the cars I'm (thinking) about purchasing in the near future.
Last edited by AmirLexus; 04-25-12 at 02:06 PM.