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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > E46 M3 or (used) 7 series...?



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      09-10-2008, 11:31 AM   #1
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E46 M3 or (used) 7 series...?

I know, two different cars all together...

I have a 335i now which when the lease is up I will walk away from. I know with the (actual) residuals being so low, its not worth buying out. Plus I'm not keen on turbos past warranty... With a new 335 being over $50K, I'd rather save some cash and buy used.

So, I'm thinking on of the two cars above.

I like the thought of the M3 as it's a sports car and it's fun. I love speed and handling. But I'm worried I'll get one that may have been abused and repairs and maintenance will be needed often.

I like the 7 Series as it's large, comfortable and has all the amenity's. Granted it's not a sports car, but day to day it may be a good choice as it has more trunk and interior room. Less of a harsh ride and such.

Any thoughts? Things good or bad about either?
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      09-10-2008, 12:32 PM   #2
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Depends on which 7 you're talking about.

Are we talkin e65? Pre-facelift e65's are fuuhh-huuuhh-HUGLY. Post-facelift one's are perfectly fine looking, have an improved iDrive, a stronger engine, and improved electronic reliability. Granted, you could easily get a pre-FL e65 for under $35k-40k, which makes them a bargain, but still, they're definitely not as good as the newer ones.

If you're talking about an e38 7er ('94-'01), then just make sure it's in good condition. They're about the same size interior-wise as a current gen 5er.

I'd take the M3 any day to be honest, but that's just because of my age I guess.
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      09-10-2008, 12:34 PM   #3
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add 3 + 7 = 10, divide by 2 = 5. get a 5 series
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      09-10-2008, 01:03 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist View Post
Depends on which 7 you're talking about.

Are we talkin e65? Pre-facelift e65's are fuuhh-huuuhh-HUGLY. Post-facelift one's are perfectly fine looking, have an improved iDrive, a stronger engine, and improved electronic reliability. Granted, you could easily get a pre-FL e65 for under $35k-40k, which makes them a bargain, but still, they're definitely not as good as the newer ones.

If you're talking about an e38 7er ('94-'01), then just make sure it's in good condition. They're about the same size interior-wise as a current gen 5er.

I'd take the M3 any day to be honest, but that's just because of my age I guess.
Probably the newest one (7 Series) I can afford with reasonably low mi. <50K

I like the e38 versions with the sport pkg. I just figure it will cost a lot (repairs/maint.) and low mi ones would be hard to find.

I figure the 7's would be a bargain buy vs the others.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Mantis View Post
add 3 + 7 = 10, divide by 2 = 5. get a 5 series
ha ha, good one! M5 perhaps?
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      09-10-2008, 01:05 PM   #5
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any 5 series... M5, 550, 545. the 5 has both luxurious and pretty damn sporty driving feel to it... might sound silly how i put it, but the 5 series is the only sedan i drive and still feel im driving a sports-oriented car
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      09-10-2008, 01:14 PM   #6
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the 550i looks very nice and aggressive....
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      09-10-2008, 01:15 PM   #7
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I gotta agree with Mantis. If you want the balance of the two cars, get a 5.
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      09-10-2008, 01:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris_1001 View Post
Probably the newest one (7 Series) I can afford with reasonably low mi. <50K

I like the e38 versions with the sport pkg. I just figure it will cost a lot (repairs/maint.) and low mi ones would be hard to find.

I figure the 7's would be a bargain buy vs the others.



ha ha, good one! M5 perhaps?
Yeah man, 5er is the way to go if you're wavering between the two. E39's are still sexy, and if that's not to your taste consider a used 545i or 535i.
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      09-10-2008, 01:18 PM   #9
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although if you're worried about the cost of owning/repairing an M3... don't even think about an M5.
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      09-10-2008, 01:31 PM   #10
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Hmmm... I never gave the 5 much of a look... Kinda thought of it as a big 3.

I'd pass on the M5 though. Cost... I'm trying not to break the bank with my next car. Either upfront or with maint. or repairs.
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      09-10-2008, 01:34 PM   #11
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Z4M??

the thing is i personally would never keep a non-japanese car past warranty man. sounds like a headache to me.

repairs on both M3 and 7 series are very expensive man
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      09-10-2008, 01:43 PM   #12
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go for 5 series!!
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      09-10-2008, 01:43 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///Mantis View Post
Z4M??

the thing is i personally would never keep a non-japanese car past warranty man. sounds like a headache to me.

repairs on both M3 and 7 series are very expensive man
I agree, hence dumping the 335i when it's off lease. When I worked in the car biz years ago, turbos failed often and were considered wear parts...

My old 99' Maxima made it to 150K mi only needing brakes and a coil pack ($350 for the coil pack repair).

I thought of a Z4, but I'm not a convertible guy... And a back seat comes in handy now and then...

I'm weighing in some non BMW options, but I would like to stay in the family...
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      09-10-2008, 01:46 PM   #14
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hahah i'd go to infiniti if i want to own... bmw or german if i want to lease

why not lease something else? another 3 series?
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      09-10-2008, 01:51 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris_1001 View Post
I agree, hence dumping the 335i when it's off lease. When I worked in the car biz years ago, turbos failed often and were considered wear parts...

My old 99' Maxima made it to 150K mi only needing brakes and a coil pack ($350 for the coil pack repair).

I thought of a Z4, but I'm not a convertible guy... And a back seat comes in handy now and then...

I'm weighing in some non BMW options, but I would like to stay in the family...
-G35s sedan (keep an eye out for the upcoming G37s)
-Used M45
-C350
-Used E55/E63

All are worth looking at.
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      09-10-2008, 01:56 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by ///Mantis View Post
hahah i'd go to infiniti if i want to own... bmw or german if i want to lease

why not lease something else? another 3 series?
I passed on an infinity to lease my first 3 (2004 330Ci).

Seems like the time for cheap leases on new (09) BMW's are gone... Some of the other threads are talking about the price increases etc.

I figure I'll let someone else take the deprecation on a car this round. Just trying to save a few. I thought $~47K for my 335 was excessive... $50K+ for the very same car is insane...

Maybe I will look at the 5's to see what they're selling used for.
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      09-10-2008, 01:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris_1001 View Post
With a new 335 being over $50K
only if you get a bunch of retarded option. Base MRSP is only $42. You can easily get them below that.

But I would get an M3, but I wouldnt be cross shopping a 7, either, so im pretty biased.
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      09-10-2008, 01:59 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist View Post
-G35s sedan (keep an eye out for the upcoming G37s)
-Used M45
-C350
-Used E55/E63

All are worth looking at.
I'm not a Benz guy and ... So the G35 and e63 would be top of the list. Not big on the M45.
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      09-10-2008, 03:06 PM   #19
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I would much rather prefer the E46
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      09-10-2008, 04:01 PM   #20
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335i or E46 M3...roll a dice haha the m3 is probably a better performer by a bit but at least in a straight it'll probably be head to head till speed limiter kick in
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      09-10-2008, 04:24 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshuaWong1989 View Post
335i or E46 M3...roll a dice haha the m3 is probably a better performer by a bit but at least in a straight it'll probably be head to head till speed limiter kick in
There's more to driving a car then street light races.
If that's your interest, ditch the BMW and get a Mustang.
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      09-10-2008, 05:07 PM   #22
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There's more to driving a car then street light races.
If that's your interest, ditch the BMW and get a Mustang.
I know this was not directed at me, but NO FORDS!!!!! (OK, maaaaaaybe a 2005 GT)
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