IS350 or M3
 

I'm having a tough choice here.

I'm looking at buying an older car now that I'm going back to school so i'm not burden with making payments.

The two cars I'm looking at are a 2006 IS350 and a 2004 m3 convertible

Both are around the same price (in the states) and produce similiar numbers.

But I know for a damn well fact that the Lexus (being a toyota) must be reliable up the ass. The m3 on the other hand, i've heard horror stories.

Halp.

If you want a nice car buy the M3

the is350 is not nice?

Do you really need to ask that? wow...

I'd go for the M3 hands-down, but 2004 is out of warranty and it'll get costly(maintenance) but make sure Insp. II has been done and have money saved up in case shit hits the fan...the E46M3 engine is pretty bullet proof..

Reliability: Lexus IS350
Fast and driver-orientated car: M3

Why is it a tough choice? Convertible, non convertible.. take your pick..

I am sure when you are as committed enough to be posting on the RS board, you have already factored in and compared all gas, insurance coverage, maintenance budget (engine service, clutch, suspension) between the 2 cars;) Not to mention the closest and easiest to deal with dealership to school.

I am not sure which program you are going to, but honestly when I went back to school, I didn't had time to do much other than study.. so I relied on BMW Store's services quite a bit.

if it's the M3, i heard that you needa adjust the valve very frequently... and that job is a bitch to do or it cost you a bit at the dealership. Otherwise, the car is fun to drive. Lexus just need regular oil change.

It is, just personally I'd rather go euro.

I've had the liberty of test driving an IS350, and being a BMW owner, i have to say that the handling on the lexus is not nearly as bad as everyone says. It was pretty damn good around corners, and if i had a chance to trade, i would.

Plus the older M3's interior looks like shit compared to the is350

Oh another thing.. what I am implying is if you are going back to school .. best is to get a CPO Canadian car.. any problems you take it to BMW dealer and you get a courtesy car.. concentrate on your studies.

I can't downsize from my tl.

How un reliable are m3's?

Nice car: IS350
Performance: M3

take your pick.

if m3 wasn't convertible ... i'd go m3 no competition
but ... ya well you get the point ~ basically everyone is saying the same thing

They are reliable as designed, actually they are extremely reliable. As long as you keep up with the servicing.. which means when it is time for the valve check, you pay for the valve check, check for clearance and burns (since I assume you don't own the equipment). Admittedly a lot of it is preventive maintenance, but it will catch up on you. In the end it is still one of the highest hp/L engines out there. The way I think about it is each time I use the 333hp, it is one time closer to a maintenance.. the privilege is about $100.

That's why if you don't have time, buy a CPO M3.. and leave the servicing to BMW Canada for the next 6 years.

I find BMW Store most accommodating to UBC students, book ahead of time, courtesy car ready at 8AM.. pick up the finished car at the showroom before 9PM.

I would say budget $2-3k / year for maintenance (considering you will be daily driving) If you go the non CPO route. Yes you can go to the 3rd parties like CG/Nixon but honestly they charge about 80% (as it is the labour that is intensive) + they usually don't offer courtesy car and out of the way.

I love my 06 ZCP, I don't think I will part with it. But I find turning wrenches, removing heads is relaxing so go figure.

IS350 = zzzzzzzz

m3 = cock

nono, you got your facts wrong. go watch top gear again bro

^ fine

was, audi is now but still :p

Some rules are different in this part of the world though
R8 drivers are cocks, but the current lineup for audi seems like there's less cockage than BMW

If you are adamant about a 'vert, get the IS350. Convertibles in this city suck dick. I've owned 3.

how the hell can it be a tough choice


do u like convertible? if yes m3, if no IS350 simple as pie



No engine is gonna blow up on u as long as u do ur maintenance


M3 wat worries me is the other electrical and other shit that once it goes wrong? parts and labour are a bitch to keep up


IS350 will definitely be maintenance free other than the regular wear and tear. Breaks, tires, oil change, etc etc

m3 prepare to have deeper pocket


IS350 basically doesnt require much money


performance wise? its pretty damn obvious which one is better

M3...

Oh, an as for the M3, not to slag it or anything but for maintenance and especially typical German/BMW bullshit electronic problems, be prepared to throw your money into a pit and never see it again. People who tell you otherwise are retarded and should seek help right away.

I would know. I own one. Ask Alphamale.

find an m3 coupe, if you're into performance ( and not straight line ) the m3 will be a much more fun drive.

I would say for BMW, things are easy.. TIS, ETK are available. Reliability for electronics are actually very easy to trouble shoot.. as long as you have the right tools. I mean heck, one of my lock heater doesn't work, the tool even tells me which part to order and send the prerequisite instructions in PDF to the printer if I want to.

Work wise, BMW is much much more open than Lexus, in terms of diagnostic tools, manuals etc. Hence you see way more Euro oriented shops, then say pure Lexus specialists.. because honestly they don't let their manuals out of their hands very often.

For any M3 enthusiast besides the TIS, and ETK you really need this:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/ima...rs/cv_b305.jpg