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Thread: 98 m3/4/5 vs 330i sedan...opinions needed!!

  1. #1
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    98 m3/4/5 vs 330i sedan...opinions needed!!

    Hey guys I m having a little dilemma, I own an E46 coupe that is boosted and an E36 M3 sedan 5 speed (individual). The E46 is my baby and now garage queen. The car is too much for daily driving so I wanted to buy a sedan to use around town. Something reliable and I wouldn't mod it too much and of course look good. As I was looking for a car, I stumbled upon the 1998 M3 that's in a mint mechanical condition and all service been kept up to date, so I had to have it.

    Its been about ~6 months now with the M3 and I still love it BUT its getting me in trouble, more trouble then the e46 ever have. Also owning the M3 makes me want to mod it bad, (coilovers, wheels, eitiher boost it or do some NA setup)

    I can't decide what's the right decesion, sell the M and get an e46 sedan 330i facelift or keep the M, or maybe even trade for E36 M3 coupe.


    Pictures of both


    Last edited by sheefo2k; 04-06-2010 at 12:16 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost


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  2. #2
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    We can't tell you your own personal preference buddy. You own both body styles; they are very different in all aspects. You have to pick
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    Quote Originally Posted by danespann View Post
    Every E34 needs the same things in the end.

  3. #3
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    More info about the M? It looks awesome, I'll buy it from you!
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  4. #4
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    on my 3rd M3 -- should have never sold my 99 or 02 now I'm back in a 98 sedan -- my personal rule -- never sell the M3 unless you need food or shelter :-) I'll sell my 03 540i 6 speed before I sell my M3 and drive a Honda Fit before I sell the M3

  5. #5
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    I'd buy nothing and hire a professional garage organizer

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by libravcs View Post
    I'd buy nothing and hire a professional garage organizer
    Totally what I was thinking. That would drive me insane

  7. #7
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    How is it getting you into trouble?

    The problem with a 330i is they are about as easy to find as a clean E36 M3. The ZHP's are starting to come down in price, but they have all the same maintenance issues as the E36, so 95% of them are going to need a few thousand bucks and some weekends to replace worn suspension, cooling systems, etc.

    Plus they are slower than an E36 M3....

    I love the E46 interiors, IMO they are the only reason to buy a 330i over an M3/4
    Last edited by alanilil; 04-06-2010 at 02:46 PM.

  8. #8
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    You just wanted to show off, right?
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  9. #9
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    sell the e46 and use the money to turbo the m3.
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  10. #10
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    I have both as well. my M3/2/5 is my baby, garaged and everything, however my e46 (323i) is my daily. It does have a nice interior, rides a little softer, the 4 doors gets people in and out easier.

    your choice. It's cheaper to mod the e36, but that's my opinion
    '98 M3 5spd - '03 540it 6spd M-Sport

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Balthazarr View Post
    You just wanted to show off, right?
    lol...this is what crossed my mind...


  12. #12
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    As a four door I would buy the e46. It's way nicer inside than the e36 which makes it a more comfortable DD. But I prefer the e36 coupe because it's stiffer and sportier. Although I really enjoy driving my brother's e46 sedan every once in a while.

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    Thanks guys for the responses. I know that its my personal choice in the end but it doesn't hurt to ask you guys since I m sure a lot of you owned both or still do.

    I think I would be happier with an M3 coupe over the sedan. The funny thing is that I wanted a sedan because the e46 is a coupe and I thought it would be easier to get people in and out but I realized that I barely have anyone ride in the back anyways.

    I think the reason I would like an e46 sedan would be because of the interior, I love my 98 interior but the e46 interior is just more modern and sexy.

    tough position oh and I m not showing off, I leave that to the showroom ;-)
    Last edited by sheefo2k; 04-06-2010 at 11:23 PM.


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  14. #14
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    I had a similar dilemma when BUYING my car. It was between a ZHP e46 and the M3 I currently own. Both were within 2k of eachother. Ultimately, the E46 had a nicer looking interior, but the E36 was a million times more fun to drive. I feel the same about E46 M3 vs E36 M3 comparisons. E30>E36>E46>E90 IMO.

    The E36 is just has a more direct feel to it that I like better.

    That and both cars are old enough that similar maintenance items will need to be addressed. The E36 is cheaper in this regard.

    You just have to decide what you like better. Raw or a little more numb.

  15. #15
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    More info/pics of the E36!!!! What color is it?

    If you want a nice car to drive around town and take girls out in....your E46.
    If you want a street car that you can take to the track/autox.....E36 M3.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sammyzuko View Post
    More info/pics of the E36!!!! What color is it?

    If you want a nice car to drive around town and take girls out in....your E46.
    If you want a street car that you can take to the track/autox.....E36 M3.

    I agree 100% with that statement.
    The M3 has 123k on the clock and it is Montreal blue on Mulberry interior. I think I want to put in a black carpet and some Mulberry vaders. I installed a Dice and I have a pretty much brand new 3 spoke wheel waiting to be installed along with a CD43 then the interior will be perfect IMO

    The exterior has a little bit of surface rust by the bottom of the driver door that will be taken care of this summer. Mechanically the car is perfect. Took it to Chicago and back to Minnesota and averaged about 24mpg.

    I will either keep it just because of the rarity of a m3/4/5 and especially that color combo or trade for a coupe M3 in similar condition. I don't think I want 2 e46s lol
    Last edited by sheefo2k; 04-08-2010 at 03:26 PM.


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  17. #17
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    Why are you garaging the E46? You have a nice car there and you probably should enjoy driving it. To trade your 4Dr for a 2Dr would kind of be duplicating the E46 that you already have.

    I was concerned with putting miles on my first M3. In retrospect, I feel it really did not matter. I fully enjoy my current M3 (boosted) on a daily basis without any concern to the miles. If it's $1000 less valuable compared to a lower-mile car when I sell it some day, it's totally worth it for the daily pleasure now of driving it. No second car costs and no other reason I can think of to preserve the M3 even as great as I think it is.

  18. #18
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    Why are you even considering another E46 when you have a turbo'd one? Unless that huge FMIC is just for show this shouldn't even be a real discussion

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  19. #19
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    What did you end up doing? I'm in the opposite situation of you. I have an e46 for the daily driver and an e36 for the fun car/track car. Thinking about selling the e46 and getting something non-bmw for once (Truck for Tow rig).

  20. #20
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    having owned both e46 and e36 m3/4/5 i vote for keeping the e36. nothing can compare to an e36 sedan especially and e36 m sedan. if u must have another DD get a 99-00 323i stick for cheap but never get rid of the m3/4/5.

    better yet forget the e46 and buy an e38.

    e38 and e36 FTMFW

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