E46 M3 vert or E63 650i vert ?

[Andre0]

Howsit going guys

What would you choose between the e46 m3 and the e63 650i ?
Both these cars are almost the same price tag, ~250k. The 650i had 95k and the M3 had 119k on the clock. Both are also cabriolet, so in terms of reliability which would be better? The ///M is my first choice, firstly it being an M car and its iconic, might even become higher in price as the years go by but the 650i has a much better interior, is a v8..wonderful music to the ears but getting put off by the 650i petrol consumption. Another option is the e63 M6, those cars have also dropped heavily on the price tag. What do you guys think?

 

[KPM3_30]

Personally I would go for M3 - You summed it up, M car... Plus they are solid cars once you take care of the preventative maintenance. The fact that they won't depreciate as rapidly as any other BMW normal production car, also makes this a smarter choice financially.

I know the early model 650i's didn't have the greatest reliability and parts are quite expensive, with limited options outside of the dealer for parts availability.. The 645i was the one that had the most issues however. This is hearsay from people I know that are familiar with these cars - I will wait for the experts on this engine to share their views.

 

[NtandoN]

///M FTW :cartel:

 

[Rotinaj]

In the long sad history of unreliable M cars the E46 is almost top of the list.

When you buy it unless the vanos and shims have been done you are in for 50k right there and then. if you plan on daily driving it then the better resale value goes bye bye.

650i is a lovely thing so is the E46 but take the rose glases off and ask yourself what do you want.

Cruiser or a stiff sports car without a roof and all the associated costs that go with a sports car.


Frankly a CLK63 cabrio is a far better proposition than both unless you want a m3.

 

[TBP88]

OP they're very different cars - the E46M3 would be a hard driving experience, even with the soft top version. The 650 would be comfy and a long road cruiser.

I don't think consumption in the M3 would be that much better (if at all). The S54 is not light on gas (I daily my Z4M, get in the region of 12-15 depending on conditions l/100km)...

I massively doubt the cabrio E46M3 will be a major collectible - even less if the miles climb. You'd really want a low mile coupe manual facelift (with an appealing interior and colour combination too) if you wanted it to appreciate.

 

[individj]

i will definitely have the //M thanks

 

[VinceM]

Long term desirability would be on the M3 than the 650i, but what the heck, depends on what you want to do with the car.

I would take the M3 for what it is: It's fun car to drive with massive amounts of power and road holding capabilities, extremely diverse small vehicle.

650i is a huge car (you will notice this when seeking parking), and its like a boat, float on the road thus: luxury comes first then driving dynamics.

 

[Rotinaj]

Long term desirability would be on the M3 than the 650i, but what the heck, depends on what you want to do with the car.

I would take the M3 for what it is: It's fun car to drive with massive amounts of power and road holding capabilities, extremely diverse small vehicle.

650i is a huge car (you will notice this when seeking parking), and its like a boat, float on the road thus: luxury comes first then driving dynamics.

I think huge is a exaggeration. It is 30cm longer than a E46, not exactly a what i would call massive, it is about the same size as a Gxx whatever 3 series.

The E60/63/64 were the first and only largish cars i ever drove that actually felt like "shrinks around you" with regards to how nimble it is.

Lived with a E46 M3 as a daily for a a few years(+-50k in two years), got tired of the oldness of it and the associated maintenance nightmare they become. They are fun to drive, but in traffic they blow. Noisy diff clatter, stupid bmw clutch the never ending engine maintenance/problem solving yada yada, the lack of competent workshops around to care for it. I parked it off and drive it on weekends and it is now a lovely ownership experience.

Daily driving not the E46.
Weekend toy the E46.

 

[Eust]

In the long sad history of unreliable M cars the E46 is almost top of the list.

When you buy it unless the vanos and shims have been done you are in for 50k right there and then. if you plan on daily driving it then the better resale value goes bye bye.

650i is a lovely thing so is the E46 but take the rose glases off and ask yourself what do you want.

Cruiser or a stiff sports car without a roof and all the associated costs that go with a sports car.


Frankly a CLK63 cabrio is a far better proposition than both unless you want a m3.

50k for vanos and shims.... :skit: someone ripped you a new one.

All S54 maintenance might run you 40k MAX. Thats big ends, vanos, shims and major service.

You just need to remember the subframe issues on this E46.

 

[Rotinaj]

In the long sad history of unreliable M cars the E46 is almost top of the list.

When you buy it unless the vanos and shims have been done you are in for 50k right there and then. if you plan on daily driving it then the better resale value goes bye bye.

650i is a lovely thing so is the E46 but take the rose glases off and ask yourself what do you want.

Cruiser or a stiff sports car without a roof and all the associated costs that go with a sports car.


Frankly a CLK63 cabrio is a far better proposition than both unless you want a m3.

50k for vanos and shims.... :skit: someone ripped you a new one.

All S54 maintenance might run you 40k MAX. Thats big ends, vanos, shims and major service.

You just need to remember the subframe issues on this E46.

Depends, do you use quality parts, or cheapest possible, do you use a hack or someone that knows what he is doing.

I know of two S54's that sheered vanos tabs, trust me it's expensive to remedy new or used.

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

If it were me, I'll be in the ///M thank you ... once you do the preventative maintenance they are really decent cars...

---

In the long sad history of unreliable M cars the E46 is almost top of the list.

When you buy it unless the vanos and shims have been done you are in for 50k right there and then. if you plan on daily driving it then the better resale value goes bye bye.

650i is a lovely thing so is the E46 but take the rose glases off and ask yourself what do you want.

Cruiser or a stiff sports car without a roof and all the associated costs that go with a sports car.


Frankly a CLK63 cabrio is a far better proposition than both unless you want a m3.

50k for vanos and shims.... :skit: someone ripped you a new one.

All S54 maintenance might run you 40k MAX. Thats big ends, vanos, shims and major service.

You just need to remember the subframe issues on this E46.

Also agree that for 50K, you will attend to more than just Vanos and Shims... 50K should allow for Vanos, Valve Clearances, rod Bearings, and new Fluids and seals... I know mine cost around this much...

and the Convertible M3's have a reinforced rear floor so they dont suffer the cracks as much as the Coupes...

 

[individj]

If it were me, I'll be in the ///M thank you ... once you do the preventative maintenance they are really decent cars...

---

In the long sad history of unreliable M cars the E46 is almost top of the list.

When you buy it unless the vanos and shims have been done you are in for 50k right there and then. if you plan on daily driving it then the better resale value goes bye bye.

650i is a lovely thing so is the E46 but take the rose glases off and ask yourself what do you want.

Cruiser or a stiff sports car without a roof and all the associated costs that go with a sports car.


Frankly a CLK63 cabrio is a far better proposition than both unless you want a m3.

50k for vanos and shims.... :skit: someone ripped you a new one.

All S54 maintenance might run you 40k MAX. Thats big ends, vanos, shims and major service.

You just need to remember the subframe issues on this E46.

Also agree that for 50K, you will attend to more than just Vanos and Shims... 50K should allow for Vanos, Valve Clearances, rod Bearings, and new Fluids and seals... I know mine cost around this much...

and the Convertible M3's have a reinforced rear floor so they dont suffer the cracks as much as the Coupes...

---

thanks for that info :thumbs:

 

[VictorMike]

650i's didn't have the greatest reliability and parts are quite expensive

This. All you need to know.

 

[Andre0]

Thanks guys ! I guess the preventative maintenance is a must on any performance car, after all one wouldn't nurse the car, esp me. I've got a heavy foot. Anyways ///M FTW !