Originally Posted by nis350

No comparison....

That M3 has so many big dollar problems - subframe, smg, cam bolts, rcab/fcab, rod bearings, alternator, ps hose leak, rear differential leaks, cpv leaks, timing chain tensioners, starter etc...

Not sure the mileage and condition of your M3, but I personally wouldn't own any with more than 60k miles even with excellent maint records. Unfortunately, most of these M3's are driven very hard.

Performance wise, z and e46 m3 is very close, but the z is much easier on our pocket. the m3 inline 6 is a wonderful motor and it is a wonderful car if it wasn't for all those problems.

Originally Posted by Jhill

I was a tech and started in the German field then went to Asian and last before leaving the field last year was USA. Never was a BMW or Nissan tech but in general the stereotype of Japanese cars is 100% true. I would never ever own German, BMW seems to be the better of the bunch but still, conn rod bearing issues, vanos issues, power steering line issues just more and more and more followed up with pricing that would make you think the parts should last right? But oh no we just jack the price because our techy clientele that need that status symbol will continue to pay. USA isn't better but their pricing is more in line.

Did a lot of research before buying my z and father had three vq35de cars with no issues on any of them and he travels a lot (western regional rep) so puts some time on the cars. Sound electronics too and no issues in that area either.

The thing you will see with Japanese is they aren't actually the first to market with crazy advanced electronics (which is why I like working on German because I like that stuff) but they rely on proven simple systems and will continue to test the new tech and refine it before they go to market. A simple example would be the door switch on the z is still a simple door switch (I believe I didn't look in the manual to verify) it isn't using one integrated into the latch that is also tied into the CAN system and is actually another module like you would see on a MB all the way back to early 2000's. The US is somewhere in between but then they cheap out on the connectors and have tons of connection issues over time.

That's my opinion so yes I would recommend the z. My friend has a track spec e46 m3 and he is quick and his has been reliable aside from the power steering hose and he hasn't hit that magic number to start having vanos issues but on an overall % the z will be more reliable im sure.