Sense vs Icon

[njabulosky]

Hi all its been a while since I've been home,lost my E90 325i two years ago. I'm looking to buy either a E46 M3 or 135i coupe Mdct. Heart says I should look for a M3 spend money on it and have the power but common sense says 135i coupe for the year and mileage benefit and possibly motorplan.

What I'd like to know is?
Which is faster
Which is likely to last me longer and cheaper.
At R250k-R290k what am I looking to get.

Thank u.

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[TBP88]

I'd say for 250k you should be able to get a fair condition M3, but you'll need to sink another bunch of dosh into it to maintain it (search the forum for AdiS' post on the car).

I was faced with a similar choice, either a 135i coupe or a Z4 3.0si or a Z4M, ended up in a Z4M.

The 135i will be faster at the reef (and a lot faster with a jb4 and some mods). In a straight line at the very least, stock vs stock and at the coast the M3 should take the 135 quite comfortably in a straight line and really pull away in twisties.

Well maintained these should both last well, but of course the m3 is likely to be 5-10 years older than the 135i...

 

[Ntando]

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=87699


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[njabulosky]

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=87699


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I can't open the thread, if it's about owning the E46 M3 I've seen it. I'm more looking for advice on both compared. Thanks Ntando.

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[telegamer]

Two very different cars, I've had both, the 135 in manual guise is a sleeper and a lovely car stock standard, I'm not a fan of modifying cars, the E46 M3 can be a bit tiring as a daily, but a brilliant weekend car, there isn't really a direct comparison, they have very unique character's , but each awesome as a car, that won't help you one bit

 

[Wes]

Hi all its been a while since I've been home,lost my E90 325i two years ago. I'm looking to buy either a E46 M3 or 135i coupe Mdct. Heart says I should look for a M3 spend money on it and have the power but common sense says 135i coupe for the year and mileage benefit and possibly motorplan.

What I'd like to know is?
Which is faster
Which is likely to last me longer and cheaper.
At R250k-R290k what am I looking to get.

Thank u.

Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

In the end, it's about buying a car that you like. You might look back and say you missed an opportunity to own a legend or on the other hand you might fall in love with the 135.

If it was me, find yourself a clean M. Worst case you don't like it and you can kick it down the road for a 135.

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[njabulosky]

Ohk E46 M3 one I've seen from dealers by eye and feel but äbviously on expert analysis not, it's got 102xxxkms at R290k. Is it overpriced? I'm inlove with SMG from 2003 forward.... I'm not sure to name the dealer but it's EAE motors and it's yellow. I'm sorry if I'm not suppose to name dealers. Anyone looked at the car?

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[TBP88]

Most people would avoid the SMG gearbox E46M3 - if you want an auto and a more relaxing drive then go for the 135, it came with both the conventional auto and the dct.

 

[shauwn]

well like someone said its what u like, always try and get something that u like and will want to drive, i drive my car more then 4 times a week coz i like it (well and bcoz of the grrrunt of the 4 pipes :smilebounce:

i once saw a yellow M3 at inspectacar in joburg (which has closed down now mgwaiting...

these guys actually washed and polished this car till i asked them to idle the car with the aircon on...low and behold after so 15-20 minutes car overheats and some lekke oil on the floor :dunnoanymore:

so be very very :tiptoe:

 

[telegamer]

I had an SMG in 2005 , I loved it, it’s good when you lean to drive it properly,that being said, the car had 3000km on when I got it , I just bought another E46 M, but manual this time, but if you get the SMG, service the necessary bits and enjoy it

 

[yush1]

In terms of power, stock 135i's will make around 190 wkw. E46 M3's will make between 170-180 wkw but the 135 will be quicker and lighter on fuel. Mid range acceleration is no comparison at all since the M3 is N/A. Be weary of the higher maintenance cost of the M3 as well. Go for the the 135 IMO. It will be easier to find a good 135 than a M3.

 

[Woodies]

Drive them both is the only way to tell. 135i will be a better daily without a doubt, but personally, the M3 will be so much more exciting/rewarding when allowed to push it. I might be a bit bias as the e46 M3 is my favorite car. Cant live without a little rasp in my life now. Maintenance wise, the 135i should be cheaper, but if turbos, injectors, water pumps etc give issues, it can really cost too. Pocket rocket or high revving NA racing engine.

 

[NBN]

///M cars come with ///M tax on almost evert part , turbo cars need alot more routine maintanence.

Make up a common parts basket and compare the prices and see what fits into your budget

 

[Eust]

///M cars come with ///M tax on almost evert part , turbo cars need alot more routine maintanence.

Make up a common parts basket and compare the prices and see what fits into your budget

Get a Z4M:fencelook:

Between the two, it's a really about what you want out of the car.
135i has great performance, easy to drive as a daily, couple of know issues like fuel pumps but pretty solid. I had a manual JB4 one and was lovely.
M cars are M cars and the emotive feel you get from them can't be beat, excitement and tiring as a daily, you always need to be switched on but rewarding cars. Do the Bearings, vanos etc and the cars are pretty solid thereafter.

Both cars will need about a 30k fund for the preventative maintenance items.

 

[njabulosky]

Thanks gentlemen for being so patient with me I've finally made a decision, a newer car will be better seing where I'm financially just so I'm covered. A BMW loyal I stay. 135i it is....

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