I have a dilemma: I have always enjoyed the feel of rwd, manual transmission cars but purchased the maxima out of a severe responsibility complex last year. Now, I have the opportunity to trade my 2k2SE on a 98 BMW M3 manual tranny convertible for a nice price. I will take a hit on the trade, but I so want this car! I know I will be trading some reliability, and parts/insurance will be higher. I can afford it. I won't be giving up performance or gas mileage. What would you do?

 

If you REALLY want this car or have always wanted one.. Now's your chance..
There's nothing like german quality

 

Do whatever you think is right... The build quality is much higher in the Bimmer...

 

You want it, go get it. You only live once, enjoy life and if that car will make you happy, by all means buy it!

I'm lucky enough to have both the Max and our 330i to drive.

 

If you want and love the bimmer, definately go that way. It's your preference, and whatever makes you happiest, go for it. Better not to regret. I love bimmers, and if I had a similar oppertunity, I would prob go to the bimmer. Don't get me wrong, Max's are wonderful, but bimmers are just so perfect in almost every way.

I'm jelious

is it steel grey with burgundy interior? if it is I think I couldn't handle myself

 

I wouldn't tahve to think twice about gettin an M3. Those cars are gods.

 

If you wanted to split the responsibility complex you could get a 330i and meet yourself halfway

 

Silver with grey leather, Lux package, just put a set of 225/45/17 Bridgestone S-03 Pole Positions on it too. Car drives amazingly smooth and sticks to the road like glue.

 

The M3 convertibles have excessive cowl shake. You'll be much better off with a coupe or sedan. Less weight and more structural integrity. Just my .02.

 

If you really want it then get it. If you don't then you'll always regret not ever getting the the car you wanted. Besides the fact that it's an M3. It's the car you want. You already said you would've gotten one before but things didn't work out. Well now here's your second chance. Even if I hated the car I would say get it because that is really what you want. Everyone on here can only give their opinions on BMW's and they will always be awesome. But that doesn't matter. Get what you want and you won't go wrong.

 

I always thought BMW was British


Anyways back to subject, get the bimmer man! Nothing like M power.

 

Are you nuts? You should be flogged...

 

It stands for British Motor Works... duh

 

Wow, you guys are the best. Thanks for the input. I've scheduled a test drive for tomorrow, we'll see.

heems27: The cowl shake is something I'm aware of, and I'll have to experience tomorrow. Edmund's did a review and they said it (the cowl shake) was better than their comparo Mustang Cobra convertible, and I've seen some posts on the BMW forums that indicate it is structurally more sound than the convertible 328's of the same year. In any case, the only reason I'm even considering the trade is for the combination of all my dreams: four seats, superb powerplant, and a drop-top. If they made a G35 convertible coupe I'd be all over it.

Thanks again for all the input. I'll keep you posted.

 

BMW = Baverian Motor Works

Baveria is the southern most state in Germany

BMW Corporation is headquartered in Munich which is the capital of Baveria.

As the Germans say - Byrische Motor Werke (Ja voll)


So there's your definition of BMW.

 

Better get use to lots of trips to dealer for the all so typical BMW quirks and reliability issues. They definately treat you nice at a BMW dealer, but they had better seeing all the time you'll spend there. If there is ANY opportunity, GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. BMWs are truely "driving machines", but never be fooled into thinking BMW has set any kind of benchmark in reliability.

Engineering = Excellent
Performance = Benchmark
Fit/Finish = Amazing
Reliability = think again



Dave

 

go for what you want. the bmw will most likely have more reliability problems than your maxima, but then think about everything it excels in.
handling
performance
looks
refinment
and the list goes on.....

if want the M3 get it!
after college im looking to get either a wrx or 330xi, and after seeing the advantages that bmw cars offer, its looking better and better

 

if you can afford the cost of ownership, i would definitely go for an E36 M3

 

Well, after a lengthy test drive I decided to stick with the Maxima. Here's why:

Car had goodyears front/michelins back. First sign of trouble. Also, the convertible top needed to be fixed-it didn't lower.

Interior: Ugly black plastic with all these little buttons. Ergonomics are excellent for driver, not so for anyone else, unlike the maxima. Nice climate control system, though. I didn't like the leather on the seats, but the little colored "///M" badging is nice. Cowl shake was noticeable, but not severe.

Drivetrain: Nice exhaust, smooth engine, great transmission. Not as much torque as the VQ, and the VQ is almost imperceptibly less smooth.

Overall, I could not justify giving up the refinement of the Maxima for the premium of owning the M3. I'm glad I drove it--it made me appreciate the value in the Maxima. Now I'll have the funds for that Alpine supercharger when it comes out. Thanks again for the advice/input.