this guy??

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/c3/c3108...07c14b98a4.jpg

:roflpuke2::bowrofl:

I've actually met Minsu personally, (does not look like the pictures above :ugh2:) but he's a cool guy

:rofl2:

I'm risk averse when spending money and not the best with heel toe, so for me it would be the new Nismo with srm. That being said, I did test drive a 11 M3 and a 12Z back to back before ordering my Z. I gotta say that the M3 performance was definitely superior and if it wasn't for that damn $28K difference at the time, I'd be in one today. Good luck to you OP :tiphat:

dog house and a z. :shakes head:

Performance aside, visually they are much different. The 370Z looks like a real sports car. The M3 is just another coupe, doesn't really do that much for me.

http://max2.leftlanenews.com/photos/...5-prev_653.jpg

Maaannn .... so tempted to make that nismo body work on my 40th. Imagine that, but with quartz (or wtf ever nissan calls it) paint and 40th rims. Sexy....

Hey OP... buy a used Z and wire the initial savings + maintenance savings vs the bimmer to me.

if its M/T m3 its an all around better car, paint quality, interior, power, and it does last my neighbors dct is at 86 k right now no damage at all.

Get a 2011-2012 Nismo with warranty and save the money for mods, M3s are great cars while on warranty, after 4 years or 50k people dump them due to the high costs of service and repairs. Also, stay away from the Certified BMW Warranty, it's a joke, it covers nothing that actually goes wrong with the car.

I think the 2015 Nismo is a beautiful car, I just think $43k is a lot of money, you will be at $50k with taxes, fees, and misc stuff

I'm thinking the same, i want the nismo tech so bad, but that price tag, i got a price quote on $44,993 which includes fees, dmv, and tax. 20k down payment, 72 months, 440 monthly payment .. is this a good deal ?

$45k all in is much better, if you add mods you will be at $50k

I do think the 2015 Nismos will be collecting dust in another month, I say wait until December to pull the trigger

just found a 2015 nismo tech mt in florida for 42k .. i emailed the dealership, lets see how things workout.

deff want to get it in the winter, prices will be low, spring and summer times, prices jack up.

Would get the M3 any day but its up to you mate, good luck.

Z all the way. Unless you like watching your car on lifts more than seeing them in your garage.

if this deal works out for 42k 2015 nismo tech, I'm all in

Really? As reliable as an old Jaguar? LOOOOOOL.

The V8 M3s have bearing issues, it's pretty prevalent too...


The word "BMW" and "reliable" should not be in the same sentence ever... Unless we're saying "A Toyota is reliable, unlike a BMW, which is prone to break at 50k miles."

I had an e36 m3 for a few years, it was an amazing vehicle WHEN it was running. which has half of the time. Couldnt kill the drive train for the life of me but it was the little things that nick'd and dimed me. Now my 300zx was the other way around - rock solid parts but the drive train kept blowing up on me. Id say just go for what you think will make you happiest man - life is to short to drive boring cars, either way you are winning! get a warranty with the Bmw though if you go that route!

For me I would get the Nismo. And that's because the new M4's are out and I personally won't purchase a vehicle that is not the latest gen. I know there's a huge difference in cost but I would just get something else with similar performance. Oh, and also the high maintenance cost of owning a bimmer.

m3. better performance out of the box, better quality, better ride, more features, better resale, more room, higher performance ceiling....


where do i stop.....

(ready for the fanboys to attack)

Hope it works out for you :tup:

very well said. you (op) should just check out both of them and see which one you like more. don't let other people influence your decision. it is your car.

I had an e46 M3 and I did have to fix quite a bit of small stuffs with less than 50k miles - oil leaks, bushings, belts, battery, but that inline 6 is sweet. i also considered the e92 m3. love the exterior, but hate the interior with that double hums dash.

I did hear that the e92 is more reliable than the e46, but not sure how it compares to the 370z as I only have the z for a very short time.

Get a used GTR. There's some 2010s with decent miles in the $50,000 range.

2012 370z Nismo > 325xi > M3. My boys 325xi is over 400 with bolt ons and a tune and was like 19k... just saying.

Lot of reliability comments from those who...don't own a BMW. Hmmm.

OP you are getting into zee germans who, over the life of the car, statistically will cost more to own then Japanese makes. They also come with a higher price like for like.

The /// is a very well sorted out car with more tech then a Z: its going to be more, so the apples are not quite there in the comparison but I get it. To me the real comparison is against a 987.2 low mile Cayman S. The /// is a fantastic coupe with an engine sound that is unique and can't be replicated in a Z car. It also gets worse MPG then the Z which is not easy to do :)

I own a E90 335d, at 54K now. Not a /// but most of the car is similar in terms of the packages I have. I am waiting around for a carbon cleaning issue that is known and will cost me out of warranty, 1200-1800.

Just like I am waiting for the CSC to fail on my Z for a cost of what...1200 to fix?

Everything has some risk, it just depends how risk averse you are.

IMHO the NISMO looks fantastic if you want the sports car look. If you want to blend in more with traffic, look for a well sorted out /// or even 335is (they are harder to find but will be a tad less expensive and the N54 is sorted out by then)

- b

335d > 335 ;)

Honestly if your concerned about maintenance cost then the M3 is not for you.
Im a BMW fan for the most part one of the best Ive own is a E46 M3.
But the cost to keep it long term is tearing my wallet upside down.

I never had any breakdown with my BMW just had it for regular maintenance up keep. The price of parts and labor at the dealership is outrageous.

The same reason why most premium brands like this car are only good for Lease.

Since the M3 is already at 30k miles by 40 to 50k miles you will be changing a lot of fluids and filters, brake pads. Etc.

If you can afford an extended warranty up to 75 or 100k miles which Im not sure if they offer such here in the US.

By all means the M3 is the best choice. It depends on what lifestyle you want to project. If you are working in any corporate job that involves sales or marketing/real state.
The BMW fits your outfit. Makes you close more deals.

My 2 cents.

You might consider me now as a fan boy of the Z.
But who ever attack a BMW for whatever reason is a spoiled kid who cant afford to buy one and daddy wont like to buy him one! Ranting while sucking his thumb I would say.
Lol.

Buy the car you want to drive. Period.

Drive the M3. Is it the car you want given the maintenance etc etc?? Again asking us only goes so far. You only live once so live. Decide what matters to you and move out. I could care less what anyone thinks here of my ride.

I say neither one, do your research on whatever car you actually want regardless of our opinions... Some cars you really have to want to own considering the pros and cons that come with them. If you want practicality for your money get the ℤ but if you want a sports car with a back seat and luxurious amenities get the m3 just know what to expect. The ℤ is not a good daily, mine is a daily but it's what I wanted.

:D

Yeah well you get better fuel then we do even if it is almost 2x the cost. US cars are extremely loved by the enthusiast owners but CBU seems to be more of a reality.

I have dreams of out of warranty, EGR/DPF removal and 500+ ft-lbs at 40 MPG. You EU folks get that out of the box :P

I don't regret the purchase and am fortunate that my job reimburses me for mileage so the cost of repairs don't hurt as much. Its about the perfect cruising/commuting car out there for me. I just wish CBU would go away :)

That's why for most folks, the gas 335 is the better option in the states.

And to circle back to the OP, the sound of the /// is really almost worth the price of admission if you are into tickling the ear pussy.

- b

I too think that the e46 M3 is the best one. The e92 is a bit too soft. However, the e46 M3 is expensive to keep. I have to replace bunch of stuffs with less than 50k miles and most repair was $500+. Probably one of the best inline 6, but the vano is problematic. Much like the IMS problems with the Porsche 997.1 and 996, it can grenade the engine.

In term of lifestyle, it is so subjective that you can't put a price tag on it.

As for the OP, I think just check out both and buy the one the make you happy.

I've had the pleasure of having a 09 335xi... it's not fun with the repairs.

I will credit the driving experience as hella-fun but the repairs and headaches caused were hella-annoying.

I would never buy a used turbo BMW.... in fact if I ever wanted a German car with my limited income I would lease so I can get rid of it after 3-4 years hassle free... kinda...

Yeah, well. I live here stateside now so no "D" loving for me. Most the cops back in UK drive the 535d. 335d is a fantastic machine.

Brand New vs Used should really be the topic on this. M3's are bad *** cars, no question there, but would you really take a used M3 which is not the current model over a New untouched, current model Nismo that some haven't even seen on the streets yet? The choice is yours, you win win either way, but the choice should be pretty clear from this prospective.

Depends on whether you want to attract women who think you have money or women who like sports cars. There's definitely less in that second group, but we all know that the ladies who are into the 370Z are the coolest chicks on the planet (doubly-so for those who drive one).

if a woman is attracted to the car, i wouldn't want her but for one night.

My buddy just had his 2011 M3 bought back from BMW nuff said

I used to work a mechanic and I would never buy a used german car

I've owned a BMW for the past 12 years and currently drive one and would agree, don't get the bimmer if you cannot get an extended warranty. I've had my share of "unreliable" bimmer's but then again I've also had very reliable ones. My current 335is has only had two issues in the past 4 years, one was the lifters in the trunk squeaking and was a two minute fix and the other was vibrations in the car which turned out to be a lose oil cooler hose that came free of the guide mount (not spilling mind you) and was touching the chassis causing vibrations. Again, an easy fix. Aside from that it's been rock solid and still going strong.

Another thing about bimmers that most may not know. BMW takes care of you, literally. During the first 4yrs/50k they will do anything and everything to upkeep the car from free oil changes, to new wipers every year to even topping off your washer fluid. And, if your car is ever in the shop they will give you a brand new loaner until they fix it. Here's the best part, even if you're past the warranty they will still fix any major problems for at least one full year under "good will". This is of course if you purchased the car new and are the original owner.

BMW's are not the most reliable but neither are many of the JDM vehicles as of late. They have their fair share of issues and recalls. My brothers Acura which is only a few years old had to have it's entire transmission replaced due to a defect.

As far as maintaining the car outside of warranty, you can get parts online for less and find a good indy shop to do the work but as others have said you will pay more than on say a Z. After all, it's still German "luxury" car. Get what you like and can afford, but most importantly be smart about your purchase. Good luck.