03-05 E46 M3, a worthy replacement for my S2K?

[Vanishing Boy]

-> I've been thinking replacing an S2K to reduce my monthly payment (USD$555.56/month on more than a year left on payments). Is it worth replacing?

Keep my 2004 Honda AP2 S2000? (yup, this is 'Silvie')


OR

Should I get a 2004-2006 BMW E46 M3? (will be named 'Trina')
This one is in Florida

This one is in Michigan


-> The M3 that I'm looking for must have the following:

• Has to be between 2003-2006
• 6-Speed Manual (no SMG please!)
• Less than USD$20K
• Has to have either Black or Gray interior
• Around 120K miles/193K km or less

^ I also considering on purchasing any extended warranty and maintenance programs to alieviate the fear to German car ownership. I would think even with these additional packages, the M3 will cost less compared to the one I'm paying on my S2K...and I think the M3 is more of a car too.

-> But before I select the right one, I have to do these procedures:

• Do a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI#1 and/or PPI#2) by BMW
• Check for oil leaks
• Double check rear subframe

-> Is the E46 a worthy upgrade? Are the parts costs the same? And I'm keeping it stock, yup no Jersey Shore douchebaggery on this M3. And might not track it.

-> Or should I consider other alternatives? Like the fun GTO 6.0/VZ Monaro or should I go back to Subaru with a '07 STi?

[henk4]

first question. How much space do you need in a car?

[Ferrer]

Are the parts costs the same?

No, they aren't. The running costs of a BMW will be much higher than those of a Honda.

Having said that, I'd rather have the BMW than the Honda if I could afford it. That straight six has to be one of the greatest engines made in the las 15 years. More than wirth it in my opinion.

[RacingManiac]

It'll be quite significantly faster than the S2000 for sure...though I find it surprising going to M3 will make your monthly payment less...

[Vanishing Boy]

ATM -> I'm going to call my bank to see how much is the total payoff on my S2K. At this moment I'm looking at this:

'06 M3 w/ 76.5K mi


Link

^ Inspection #2 was done @ 60K mi.

[NSXType-R]

No, they aren't. The running costs of a BMW will be much higher than those of a Honda.

Having said that, I'd rather have the BMW than the Honda if I could afford it. That straight six has to be one of the greatest engines made in the las 15 years. More than wirth it in my opinion.

You could also say that the 4 cylinder in the S2000 is one of the best inline 4s ever made.

[Ferrer]

Yeah but saying it's one of the best inline fours ever made it's not saying much, is it?

[Vanishing Boy]

-> I'm decided. I'm just going to sell my S and keep the '98 Odyssey. And I'm backing off the ///M3. Sad sad year for me...

[kingofthering]

Have you thought about the Mazda5? It comes with a stick and has some swappable parts with the Mazdaspeed 3.

[Vanishing Boy]

^ I don't need the Mazda 5, I have my moms Odyssey I currently use.

[clutch-monkey]

i will say, the E36 M3 is a pretty hot bargain atm if you can get past the looks ( i quite like them when done right)

[Dino Scuderia]

You could also say that the 4 cylinder in the S2000 is one of the best inline 4s ever made.

Not exactly, several suffered from severe premature problems in #3 and #4 cylinders.

[NSXType-R]

Not exactly, several suffered from severe premature problems in #3 and #4 cylinders.

I didn't know that, but I think it was one of the highest output per liter engines when it was made.

[Vanishing Boy]

FOR SALE -> '04 AP2v1 S2000 Sebring Silver/Black&Red, 106K mi. $12.5K

[jcp123]

I hate BMW's but put of those I would pick the Bimmer. I like the S2k concept, actually think they did well with it, but they lost me with the digital gauges. As for the BMW, that generation of M3 was, for me, the pinnacle of M cars. The straight six sounds glorious, far better than any other BMW I can think of. Too bad it's not a droptop though. That would be a dealbreaker for me.