v8huntr

these are two different cars. m3 is good track car and sc is better touring car. i think built quality of m3 is just as good as lexus. lexus looks better when it's new but i think german cars hold up better after 5 years.

Legends6spd

but i think german cars hold up better after 5 years.

That statement couldn't be further from the truth

machinegt

i'll keep my '98 SC400. and go race carts on the weekends.

Randy456

I had the M3, keep the SC if you do not want to spend a lot of time and money at the shop.

I have owned BMW 325i, M3, and 750iL. There is no comparision in the realiablilty. 325i was not to bad but about breaking, M3 and 750iL were total nightmares.

Gang$tarr

I would definately take the M3.... the E36 M3 handles incredibly, even better than the current model. Car and Driver said it handles as well as a Ferrari F355.

pongydoo

The most overpriced aftermarket parts for BMW is Dinan and they give so little, no or even less horsepower!!!!!! And if you want to put Dinan badge on your car...you have to qualify (by buying a lot)

They must have dyno test their car on ice or spray their intake with ice or something!!!

Maybe it's just me!!

SCV8

There's this guy I see during my morning commute in his M3;hates me,flashes his lights.
I'd get the 328 anyways,if I had to have that brand.

Legends6spd

I would definately take the M3.... the E36 M3 handles incredibly, even better than the current model. Car and Driver said it handles as well as a Ferrari F355.

C&D may have said that but I don't ever remember them coming out and state that the E36 M3 outhandles the E46 M3.

Yes, E36 weighs less than the E46 but the suspension and overall handling on the E46 is much superior. Have you driven both? My experience is that while E36 handles very well, you don't have the right perspective unless you've driven the E46 right away. The new model simply has so much more power and the suspension handles it perfectly. Because the E36 lacked power, it was never going too fast to begin with and therefore seems to the driver like the suspension is alot better than it actually is. Also, alot of the E36 owners that claim better handling actually got aftermarket wheels, lowered, and spring/shox.

Hermosa

That's when you hope the guy's engine blows. If it is a 2001 M3 then there is a fair chance his engine will blow since a good percentage have had this failure(well over 100 M3s blown)

SC4Hundred

SC4 vs. M3

pretty even lol, would like to have both...but like someone here mentioned, 328is isn't bad, it is lacking power a little bit but it is real smooth, I drove that car b4 sure it handles better than SC4 and it is more sensitive to pedaling.

Hermosa

Pretty decent power and yes the throttle on the SCs lag. Actually the suspension on the SCs are great. Problem is that many do not replace the shocks as soon as they buy the car. There is a huge difference as the stock shocks were most likely the originals. I am willing to bet that if you try a stock SC4 with new shocks that you will think it feels great. Thing is that unless you try someone else's you might never know since you would probably get an upgrade from stock.

SC4Hundred

Hermosa,

How many miles do u usually recommend to replace the shocks?

Hermosa

That's hard to tell. It depends on the prior usage/abuse. At 60k though I would suspect that something may be weak. The moment I bought my SC300 I looked at suspension to change. The reason is that my SC400 handled so much tighter. The SC400 is older but the suspension had to have been changed out unless the Sc300 had really beat up shocks. Regardless the SC300 got an overhaul and actually is still in one. I am still playing around with settings and might get coilovers. If over 90k I would change them regardless.

LexFather

They did make an auto M3 for the E36 version. The 2 cars are diff beasts.M3 is so much smaller and more nimble. THe SC is larger and luxo. You can add some wood to the M3, but you can add sways, springs, shocks, exhaust etc for a more sporting SC.

A 98+ SC is as swift as a M3 auto, though the M3 kills it in the twisties. 2 diff beasts IMO.

asuka

well my daily drive is a 5spd '98 m3 and i love it, has 120k miles and no problems (worst repair bill was $200 for bushings) its all on how they are taken care of, dumb rich ceo who don't normally drive sports car has a mid-life crisis and buys m3 & has no idea what OVER-REV is, just kills m3. sadly at 75mph the shifter can slide into 1st gear, but don't let off the clutch or else!! SCARY NO? actually VERY SCARRRRYYYY!

as m3 owner i know dinan is a nice word for overpriced
and if automatic m3 might as well stay sc400
and e46 is awsome! but actually to powerful much wheel spin!

motto on my m3 is "why upgrade when its already great!" only mod is a stage 2 racing clutch and lightweight flywheel ($950), 13.75 at 117mph on 1/4 mile

i do like my mom's sc400, but its not the best choice for racing street/track/autocross. but for every lux thing on it my m3 also has, but show wise SC400 all the way!

m3 handling is so great is b/c the weight distribution 50/50