Which BMW should I buy? Any Suggestions

[Ray-1]

Hello all,

I'd appreciate any input as to which BMW I should look to purchase this winter.
I'm looking for something that will blow the doors off of my 1984 Porsche 911.
I'm not looking for a new BMW, something used with great handling and power.
What kind of price range am I looking at to buy this vehicle? I have driven two BMW's
in the past and they were comfortable vehicles. Thanks for any help. Ray

[Manolito]

A BMW and a 911 are very different machines. If you like 911s, you probably won't like BMWs, and vice-versa. 911 drivers seem to feel that a car that goes precisely where you point it takes a lot of the adventure out of the driving experience.

The late e36 M3s (97-99) were highly desirable vehicles, but finding one now that has not been thrashed completely would be a challenge. M3 owners, as a rule, are tougher on their cars than Porsche owners.

e46 M3s are also a good choice, though you probably want to avoid the first couple of years. They tend to tear the rear subframe loose from the body, though that can be fixed.

There was an e46 330i with zhp performance package that is highly prized but there are very few of them around. That should handle a 25-year old Porsche without the maintenance woes of an M3. Although, if you are used to maintaining a 911, an M3 would not intimidate you.

The e46 M3 or 330 with sport suspension is a fairly rough ride, as BMWs go, but again, coming from a 911, you won't mind it.

My dream car is the 2007 M Coupe. There was a beauty at the local BMW dealer a few months ago. My wife took one look at it and was willing to sell internal organs to buy it (my internal organs). The guys on Top Gear agree with me. They raved over that car when they drove it.

As for price range, spend some time on eBay Autos, AutoTrader, Cars.com to see what they are going for and refine your choices. Be patient. I wanted a white 3 or 5 series wagon with 6 cyl and stick shift. I looked for a year before two popped up at the same time, one in Seattle and one in LA.

[hrscrk]

i'm going thru the same machinations.........also selling an 84 carrera....

looks to me like an 04 - 06 M3 might be a good alternative based on what the mechanic who services 911's tells me.......and the $$ is about a push...

good luck

[Ray-1]

Manolito,

Thanks for the information and input. Do you know much about the M5 BMW. The M5
seems to be a car that would blow the doors off my Porsche 911. What do you think?
The price range doesn't seem too high as well.

[hrscrk]

m 3 for me will be a coupe w/6 cyl

m 5 is 8 cyl

mechanic tells me either one will run circles around our old 911's. and handle better.

[Manolito]

One of my co-workers (actually his wife) has an M5 and they both love it. I think it is about a 2005 or 2006.

However, they live in Oklahoma on two six-figure salaries.

M5s are awsome, but when they need service, you do not want to be on the check-writing side of that business transaction. In that regard, an M5 is similar to a turbo Carrerra.

Then there is the M6...............

[Ray-1]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the information. I guess the M3 sounds like a better option to be able to work on it and afford it on my income. I read some nice things about the M5 and the price of those cars seemed reasonable. But I want to be able to work on it and not be the guy writing the check to have things done on it.
I'll do some more research and when I find this car I'll be sure to post some pics.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!

[Sonic dB]

I just bought a 330i ZHP Cab and brought it home tonight. It is a very nice car inside and out. Beautiful lines, nimble and quick. I also test drove e46 M3s and chose the ZHP over the M3. (in fact the ZHP kicks the M3s ass in quite a few ways)

Why? Because while it lacks in straight ahead power, the ZHP was a much much more spirited drive, exhilirating actually and the handling is much better than the M3. The ZHP is a lighter car and you feel like a magician in totally command of your audience while driving it. It totally reminds me of my 86 Carrera, but handles better, shifts way better.... but the connection to the road are the same and the ZHP is a bit quicker.... the high rev feel reminds me of my 97 993...but the 993 had more torque down low. The ZHP is just a free revin, quick machine.

It also has nice features inside, upgraded M suspension, 10 more HP than the normal 330i, M body stylings (some call this the most balanced and beautiful 3 series model ever) mine has Nav to...overall very pleased with this car, which is my first BMW.

[Ray-1]

Very Nice Sonic DB. What year is the car and what price range would a person expect to
be in to afford such a car? Any pics of it? I'd love to see it.

[Manolito]

I said that they were rare because when I was shopping for my wife's 330i several years ago there were no zhps for sale anywhere. Right now, however, there are about a dozen on Autotrader. Some look very nice.

BTW - the wife's 2004 330 has 100k miles on it now and so far has been the most trouble-free car I have ever owned. That is saying something because I am 60 years old and have driven several cars past a quarter-million miles. The second most trouble-free car was my '97 328 5-sp that my younger daughter still drives with 280k miles on it. Both those cars have HK sound which I am no fan of, but pretty much everything else is great.

[Sonic dB]

Low 20s Art for one that is in minty shape, as mine is (48K miles but extremely well maintained).

Manolito is correct that there are some ZHPs out there right now on autotrader, cars.com etc. some in the 75K mile range are priced in $15K and below and are fantastic, reliable cars and great daily drivers. IMO this is one of the best bargins in used car right now because you get 3 series reliability but with M styling and tweaked performance...in a very affordable package. Coupes tend to be priced 4-5K$ cheaper than cabs.

What brand new convertibiles are out there now in the low $20s that can compete with this :

[Sonic dB]

There are special materials on the steering wheel and shifter boot. It is a short throw shifter, & is butter. The clutch is very light and responsive. The engine on the ZPH is perfectly mated to the transmission and the gearing ratios are well thought out and very suitable for spirited daily driving. Its a classic.

[Ray-1]

That is a great car. I love the look and the cab is a great way to go. I think I want the cab as well. Tough for me to find one here in Idaho. Maybe I need to come down to California to find one. I'll check the internet for one. It's difficult to buy on line because you really don't know what you're buying until you've traveled thousands of miles to see the actual car. If you happen to see one similar to yours in the same price range, please let me know. Is there a chip available for your car to enhance performance? Thanks Ray

[aleerpsoftware]

it's a nice car..

[Ray-1]

Sonic db did you ever consider the M3 over the ZHP you bought? I some with a BMW mechanic
yesterday and he told me the M3 would completely blow away the 330's with the added performance package ZHP. What do you think? Is it a matter of not being able to work on the M3 compared to being able to work on the car you bought?

[Sonic dB]

Yes. I did a great deal of research on this ZHP before I bought it, and I drove a couple of comparable year M3s (and Ive driven other M3s over the years). I dont regret the ZHP one bit. It is a free handling, high revving car that work great...

the M3 is heavier feeling, MUCH faster straight line (4.9 to 60 vs. 5.5 to 60 for a ZHP) but they require much more maintanance... cost much more to maintain... require special oil etc. high maintainance for what....? a bit faster straight ahead and the honor of driving an M3? not worth it, especially when it breaks down....

The ZHP is a fast, fun, free wheeling car that is not as heavy feeling as an M3...

If straight power is what you want, go M3, but if you want a real world car that is uber fun to drive...with far less maintanance....check out the ZHP...

Id suggest that you drive both models and make your choice... for LA daily traffic, the ZHP is a much better choice for me...

your mechanic needs to know that there is a huge difference between normal 330 and ZHP models...


Im not alone in choosing the ZHP over the M3....see this thread for more:

Handling: 330Ci ZHP vs. M3 - Page 3 - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3)

that said, the M3 is amazing car...just not a better daily driver than the ZHP. It is plenty quick enough, rides with feel and the steering and brakes are amazing.

[latroz]

Revived for a related question:

What 3 Series will make the best daily driver? I want an automatic trans. also.