Help - I'm starting to think I should have bought an M3
02-27-2006, 02:30 PM
#22
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My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
Originally Posted by 700700' post='246912' date='Feb 27 2006, 05:55 PM
m3 is another class.... but what do i know 
02-27-2006, 02:35 PM
#24
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My Ride: 2006 550i Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood Trim, Cold Weather Package, Premium Sound Package, Sport Package, Steptronic, Navigation, Electric Rear Sunshades, Heated Rear Seats, Sirius Radio
Originally Posted by BetterMakeWay' post='246836' date='Feb 27 2006, 05:05 PM
Sorry for being a bit offtopic but can u tell me (and try to be objective on this) how's the ride now that u moved to 19's nrf from 18s rf?
02-28-2006, 12:37 AM
#26
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the e46 m3 is getting outdated. If you want an m3 wait for the new ones to come out. If it looks like the e90's now, well... you'll be very very happy with your e60. Personally I hate the "mosquito eyed" back of the e90.
02-28-2006, 02:15 AM
#27
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Originally Posted by oyster' post='246797' date='Feb 27 2006, 09:17 PM
So, need for speed,
with a name like that, you?re only thinking about getting an m3 vs. a 530D ? You should have!
Honestly, what are You trying to sell? That You?re a hardcore sports driver, forced into buying a family car?
M3(coupe) and any E60 are two different sides of the cantina, serving completely different needs (and age groups). Hello everybody, looking at it from many angles, the E60 is a very good car, but its no sports car!
By the way, I actually did own a M3(E36) (I was 33 then)
with a name like that, you?re only thinking about getting an m3 vs. a 530D ? You should have!
Honestly, what are You trying to sell? That You?re a hardcore sports driver, forced into buying a family car?
M3(coupe) and any E60 are two different sides of the cantina, serving completely different needs (and age groups). Hello everybody, looking at it from many angles, the E60 is a very good car, but its no sports car!
By the way, I actually did own a M3(E36) (I was 33 then)
In the real world I live in speed camera infested UK, where anyone who would like to keep their license keeps it below 95mph (or if you HAVE to go to Wales 75mph).
I'm no demon driver and have only driven on a track one one occasion (I drove a stock Porsche 911 carrera, a track race set up VW Golf GTI, a rally set up mitsubushi evo and a completely 'mental' track racing Vauxhall corsa).
Although , I have a 'thing' for fast cars I have always had to balance this with practicallities:
1. I have a young family and need space for car seats, load carrying ability ... yawn.
2. I have to drive long distances for work
3. I have had to consider company car tax (which is a b*st*rd in the UK) (until this car).
BMW have always been ideal for this balance:
1. Most powerful engines in class AND most economical AND tax efficient
2. Fantastic ride for long journeys
3. VERY engaging dynamics
My favourite cars (and my last) were e46 coupes. I got the 530d because:
1. It's a genuinely quick car
2. I should still average 35mpg
3. It has good residuals and will still have some value with 100K miles plus
4. It (should) have a reasonable degree of reliability
In practice the e60 feels much less lively and responsive than my old e46, although it is more powerful and quicker. However, i am getting used to the weight of the car, am cornering harder and am finding that it does do MUCH better than seems likely given it's size.
I don't think the auto gearbox is helping, which I chose mainly to help residuals.
I think I'll keep it for a year (until the warranty is history) then either re-map the bugger or..... try to pick up a good deal on a used e46 m3 (which should be a bargain after the e90 m3 is launched).
02-28-2006, 02:40 AM
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If you really want a m3, just trade in the car for what you want. Unless you lose a great deal of money in the trade, I say do it. If you get an e46 m3 right now, you still have at least 2 years before the e90 m3 comes out.
I drive both cars on a regular basis and though the e60 may have a more luxurious ride, I don't find the e46 m3 to be objectionable at all. I just took a road trip out to vegas a week or so ago and really have no complaints about the ride quality. Even though the e60 offers a smoother ride, I actually find the m3 to be more comfortable in long trips. In the e60, I have the sports seats without lumbar and the m3 seats are simply more comfortable.
I drive both cars on a regular basis and though the e60 may have a more luxurious ride, I don't find the e46 m3 to be objectionable at all. I just took a road trip out to vegas a week or so ago and really have no complaints about the ride quality. Even though the e60 offers a smoother ride, I actually find the m3 to be more comfortable in long trips. In the e60, I have the sports seats without lumbar and the m3 seats are simply more comfortable.
02-28-2006, 02:45 AM
#29
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Here's a post I made comparing the two cars
Originally Posted by heezyo2o
Haven't driven an e60 m5, but have had an e60 545 for two years that I can offer for comparison. Have yet to take either car to the track, but have driven both cars fairly hard through some local canyons, namely the malibu canyons and angeles crest.
The 545 with sports package does handle well for it's size, but there's no getting around its 4000lbs when comparing it to the m3. The 5er corners fairly flat with it's anti roll stabilization, but when comparing it to the m3, it takes much longer recover from transitions through tight corners and bumps.
The deficiencies of the e60 will be more felt on the track, but on the street I think the difference will come down to the driver. I've had the chance to follow the same e36 and e46 m3s with both the m3 and 545 at about 8/10ths. While the e60 can definitely keep up, it cannot do so with the ease of the M3.
The 545 with sports package does handle well for it's size, but there's no getting around its 4000lbs when comparing it to the m3. The 5er corners fairly flat with it's anti roll stabilization, but when comparing it to the m3, it takes much longer recover from transitions through tight corners and bumps.
The deficiencies of the e60 will be more felt on the track, but on the street I think the difference will come down to the driver. I've had the chance to follow the same e36 and e46 m3s with both the m3 and 545 at about 8/10ths. While the e60 can definitely keep up, it cannot do so with the ease of the M3.
02-28-2006, 02:54 AM
#30
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Originally Posted by heezy545i' post='247177' date='Feb 28 2006, 11:45 AM
Here's a post I made comparing the two cars
I think I'm gonna have to test drive an 'm' and look at some numbers just to get this out of my system - not such a bad way to spend a couple of hours (but my wife will go nuclear if I change the car back to a coupe
)