| Author |
Message |
SteveF (Stevef)
Junior Member
Username: Stevef
Post Number: 54
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 6:20 pm: | |
I own a '02 M3 SMG and have to agree with dan. It rides alot stiffer than the normal 3 series and is a rpm car rather than a torque car. for daily driving if you're not revving the car hard or have poor roads, you may find that a 330 fits the bill better. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2254
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 3:21 pm: | |
I used a 1995 M3 as my daily driver for approximately 3 years and put over 80k miles on the car with no serious problems. I now have a 200 M5 as my daily driver and have 56k miles on it. I prefer the M5 over the M3 because I need the additional room and four doors. |
martin j weiner,M.D. (Mw575)
Member
Username: Mw575
Post Number: 911
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:54 pm: | |
Great car.Love mine! |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 4716
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 10:09 pm: | |
I love BMW!
Oh, and please put off topics in Off Topics. |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
Junior Member
Username: Dbr328gtb
Post Number: 161
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 9:59 pm: | |
Erin,
I would second everyones opinion here. I too have an E46 M3 as a daily driver and it is incredible. The engine blowing issue has been solved and is only involving late 2001/early 2002 models. It was due to connecting rod failure.
While I love my M3, I can see why others may not. It is extreme and raw. BMWs famous ride is absent in this car- it is very stiff legged. The engine and trans are loud. The clutch is heavy and it is not easy to shift smoothly unless you are going Fast which is its element. You have to pay attention to this car and people who just want to hop in and not think wouldnt like this car.
Believe it or not my 328 is easier to drive in terms of shifting, steering and is more comfortable and has a better ride (speaks lots about 328s, doesnt it?). At 8/10ths or less the 328 handles better. Of course the M3 is faster.
All of the M3 attributes make this car great for me but it isnt for everyone.
Dan |
Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Member
Username: Boozy
Post Number: 262
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 9:11 pm: | |
I have a 2001 M3 as my daily driver. It is the perfect car for me, as I do have people ride in the back seat. If I had people ride in the back seat all the time, I'd have gotten the M5. Otherwise, I prefer the M3 because it is lighter and faster. If I rarely used the back seat and it was only for kids, I'd consider the Porsche 911 turbo or C2 as the daily driver. I love handling of a good mid or rear-engined car especially since my daily driver is also my track car. |
Dan (Bobafett)
Member
Username: Bobafett
Post Number: 522
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 7:15 pm: | |
If you haven't already, consider an E39 m5. Simply put, you can't ask for a better 'single' car....
--Dan |
Erin Patrick Pierce (Fulmina)
Junior Member
Username: Fulmina
Post Number: 103
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 5:55 pm: | |
Thanks, folks.
I think I am sold.
Erin |
Glen C Winters (Wildwarrior)
New member
Username: Wildwarrior
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 5:35 pm: | |
My brother has an M-3 daily driver, and I just sold my 2000 M5 daily driver they are both sweet cars in all aspects.The M3 is smaller and I think a bit more sports car, the M5 is the best of both worlds if you plan on seating four adults. |
Anka (Mechanka)
New member
Username: Mechanka
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 5:25 pm: | |
Eric,
Get it! Get it! Get it! This is my all time favourite car (well, excluding all the super- exotics). If I were in your predicament, I wouldn�t think twice. As is now, I can't even think about affording it - but some day, I promised myself. Like Bob said "You can't go wrong!" I my opinion this car has all the things you are looking for and more - performance!, reliability/durability, LOOKS, comfort, hi-tech, dynamics, and it holds it's value (relatively speaking). I must give it to the Germans; they definitely have created a streetcar that speaks to the soul of a car lover (at least me).
At the end of the day, it is still your decision but I'll bet the people that own one, will have nothing but praise about this stunning piece of machinery.
Anka
Ps; the only thing that you might consider is whether you want the manual or the �semi-automatic� option. I understand that the latter may not always shift smoothly, you can manually set the clutch engagement times and the settings won�t work perfectly for every shift. Some say it shifts similar to the 355 F1. The only system that will work perfectly is the latest version of the Porsche double clutch transmission.
|
Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member
Username: Artherd
Post Number: 296
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 3:53 pm: | |
hrm, used M5 or M3? Your call, either car is great. E46 had some problems with engines blowing, make SURE you ONLY use BMW's specified oil (nothing else) and you should be fine.
Great cars, nothing sucks about either!
Best!
Ben. |
Mitchell Le (Yelcab1)
Member
Username: Yelcab1
Post Number: 529
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 3:47 pm: | |
I have an E36 M3 as my commuter for 5 years since bought new. 80,000 miles, no oil leaks, no broken parts, no issues, no problems, no hick-ups , no fuss, nada. Change the oil every 4000 miles, change filters, change spark plugs every 40,000 miles, change belts just every 60000 miles, and just drive it. |
Bob Cowart (Bob_cowart)
New member
Username: Bob_cowart
Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 3:44 pm: | |
You can't go wrong! For the money it's the most potent package out there: comfort, practicality, pedigree, performance, reliability etc..I'm on my 3rd M3, and I'm very picky. I prefer SMG and I've owned both.
Bob
|
David R. (Rodsky)
New member
Username: Rodsky
Post Number: 31
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 3:12 pm: | |
I have an E46 M3 that I use as a daily driver. I cant say enough about it. It is very quick and very reliable. If you buy it new, all maintenance is included for 3 years and it is warrantied for 4 years. It's handling is great. I drive about 12,000 miles a year. If you are going to do a lot of stop and go, you may want to consider the SMG gearbox. |
Erin Patrick Pierce (Fulmina)
Junior Member
Username: Fulmina
Post Number: 102
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 2:40 pm: | |
Hello all.
I am considering purchasing a new BMW M3 as a daily driver. I hope that some of you have owned this car and can give me some feedback or advice.
I drive as much as 25,000 miles per year and really would like a fast, reliable car. I don't want to spend over $55,000, so the M3 looked about right. Any comments on performance, resale value, reliability (or whatever) would be great.
THANKS!
Erin |