Would you trade your SC400 for a 98 m3 coupe? I have considered this many times...But I decided to stick with my SC4 because I feel that it performs and looks better than a m3..Still ponder about this question once and awhile...

m3 has a better aftermarket support and its manual.
SC4 is automatic and almost no aftermarket support.

I think m3 has a better potential in speed..however sc400 is more luxurious..

just a thought...

what do you guys think?

 

yes... unless the eaton supercharger kit comes out.

even if it does... i have a hard time driving auto.

if the trade gets you into more debt, then no.

if you have that much money, keep the sc4 and get the m3.

 

depend on what you need it for. Both car are great but if you like to track and autocross, I would choose M3 anyday. From my experience, I have been autocross for sometime with my Porsche 944 (non-turbo) and am in the same group as M3s. Those cars have a lot of potential on the track as well as tight corner like at the autocross........they usually get better time than me....!!!!

SC400 is a good cruiser and as it is reliable. Don't get any M3 with over 100k as you know most of the owners drive it hard!

So consider what you need it for I would go for M3 anyday whether it is E30, E36 or E46 M3. They are great car.

 

First, it depends on the condition and mileage of the M3.

Second, I can't agree with your statement:
...But I decided to stick with my SC4 because I feel that it performs and looks better than a m3..

SC4 may look better than the E36 but I don't think it performs better than the M3. Sorry but that's just the truth

 

Ehh, E36 M3s have better aftermarket? Other than the turbo kit, all they have is suspension pieces, overpriced carbon fiber intakes, overpriced farty mufflers, overpriced computer chips, shift *****, steering wheels, and a host of butt ugly euro tail lights. The SC has much more aftermarket, it's just locked up in the Japanese domestic market, but it's out there. With two turbo kits, and two blower kits on the way, the SC400 will soon have more power upgrades than the M3 too. The 1UZ-FE is a much more potent motor than the S50, which is known to blow with upwards of 500hp. Then there's reliability, no contest... you're talking about the two opposite extremes of the luxury auto industry: Lexus the most reliable, and BMW the most poorly assembled. Also consider this: E36 M3s are literally a dime a dozen (in my area at least). They're up there in commonality with V8 Camaros and the styling is very uninspiring as opposed to the SC. And my final note, I already made this choice! When I was shopping for a car two summers ago, it was between my 1995 SC400, a 1993 SC300 5-speed, a 1994 Z28, and a 1999 M3... I didn't know a thing about the SC300 5-speed's capability so I overlooked it, but otherwise I made the wise decision in picking my SC400. The Maro was out of the question due to insurance, but was actually my first choice at the time. Oh and BTW, the silver 1999 M3 hardtop was cheaper for me than the 1995 SC400.

 

dag, how much did you pay for your SC, Lex400sc? two summers ago, a '99 M3 would've fetched at least mid $30k's.

The SC4 was a $55-60k top of the class car whereas the M3 was a tuned 3 series (entry luxury class - base BMW).

Reliability is night and day of course. Luxury, fit & finish, ergonomics, smoothness, refinement all points towards the Lex Coupe. BMW's got the performance (stock vs stock), maybe more of a fun factor (especially w/ a manual), and the badge (which can be both good or bad thing depend on how u look at it).

It all depend on what you want man... they seems like two different beasts to me.

 

hmmm therefore the E36 Does have a better aftermarket


One HoT SC400 - I think you answered your own question

m3 -manual
SC4 automatic (blah!)


lex400sc "Lexus the most reliable, and BMW the most poorly assembled"

that's debatable ... and where do you get your information

 

Could have gotten the M3 for $11k, and got the SC400 for $13.5k

SDSC300, how is Lexus' build superiority over BMW even remotely debatable? I could probably provide more information and accounts than you're willing to read on the matter, including dtmpower, bmwplanet.com, bmwworld.com, bmwforums.com, bimmerforums.com, bimmer.org, Roadfly, various Euro car magazines, JD Powers, and even a handful of BMW-owners turned Lexus-CL members. Oh BTW, in case you missed the point of my last post, BMW aftermarket is overpriced and underperforming!

 

Reliability is the key for me in picking SC4

 

 

You could've bought a '99 M3 for $11k 2 summers ago????! Was something wrong with the car?


Could have gotten the M3 for $11k, and got the SC400 for $13.5k

 

Nice comeback!

 

Wow.. i'm surprise at the pole results.. never thought the bmw would win out on a lexus forum... but that's a good thing i guess. Shows that people on this forum arent closed minded about other cars and bias. i voted for the M3. not really sure why but it's a fun car to drive but as far as daily driver i'd take my SC4. I hear all kinds of people having problems w/ there bmws but then i sit down and think about it and i have all kinds of problems w/ my SC too and i'm not the type to go out and abuse my car either... guess both cars have issues.

Khang

 

I don't like BMW, and I heard BMW break down more than Toyota (yes Lexus is a high price Toyota). I haven't seen any BMW that I like beside the Z8 and their big sedan, and I am not about to spend that kind of money on any car yet...
I have my fair share of Lexus problems between my two 93 SC400s. Meaning Lexus is not that great to rave about either.

I don't consider these car are high performance car either

High Performance Cars: Corvette, Viper, Porsche, BMW Z8...

 

ok one foot wonder