hi guys.. i am new here.

in the process of choosing between a 2002 M3 SMGII or a 2002 C32

just sold my 2002 330i

was thinking about moving to the M3...but look over some stats and reviews.. seems like M3 is faster by just a very very small amount but the price on a M3 is much higher

what do u guys think?... i know this is a MB forum but i am sure you guys are all fanatics about performance cars . so honest suggestion .. what would you choose M3 or C32... which one is easier to take care of .. less maintance cost?... to me both has really nice styling .. C32 is more classy.. M3 is more aggresive.. but both sporty... 2 door and 4 door that is not an issue for me at all.....

suggestion and all info are welcome.... thanks

hi, i was kinda in the same boat... i chose to go after a c32 and my girl is now going for a m3... stilll gotta sell my truck so havent gotten one yet.. but should in about a month.. m3 is faster overall around the track.. but i heard plenty of stories of a stock c32 beating m3s off the line.. c32 is def. more comfortable as i drove both cars... its more luxury with a performance twist as opposed to just a straight 100% performance car like the m3.. i would say if you are planning on using this as a year round everyday car than get the c32 because it is much smoother and also less aggressive, which to me is a good thing because you wont have every ******* in a wrx or evo etc.. trying to race you when you just wanna relax and drive..plus im a big fan of benz interior compared to the bmw interior that still hasnt changed that much even when the new models came out..as for maintnance cost.. i think it would be a good idea to get a extended warranty for either car you are about to get...

I would get the M3 w/ 6spd manual. The M3 just has more road presence if you ask me, it completely differentiates itself from the rest of the 3 series line. With the way MB is handling the C class these days, you cant tell a C32 apart from a C230 Sport Sedan apart from the badging. Also, i think the E46 M3 is more of a significant car as far as automotive history goes, i think it will be a classic one day. The 333hp out of a 3.2 i-6 is astounding. However, if you're into tuning i would say get the C32 because it will be easier to mod since its already a forced induction setup. I prefer 2 doors to 4, so i cast my lot with the M3.

with a few exterior upgrades you can differentiate it from a regular c class anyway... besides i seen new 330s with sport package that look exactly like the m3 minus the side vents and exhaust..they even had that little m3 trunklip. i also seen fake m3s that actually had the side vents and similar exhaust... and last but not least i saw a civic with a m3 kit ... so its just a matter of if ur going to personalize the car anyway.. i am planning on personalizing my car greatly... if your not then i guess get the m3.. but i prefer 4 door so....

i am leaning towards the C32 due to cost although its road feel is only on the same level as a 330i sport package...but its good enough for me... where i live road sucks.. and i mean its really bad.......

but anything i should be look out for ?.. what model year i should stay away from?.. does C32 have history of engin problem .. cuz the 2001 M3 had engin failure issues.. anythig like that i should keep my eyes out for?.....

also.... if the car doenst come with projector HID.... how hard is it to upgrade to a projector HID headlight set?...

and yes... C32.. i cant tell the difference is a C240 or C320 with C32 badge on and some AMG mods.....

M3 u can tell the difference right away... wider. bigger fenders.. exahust... from and rear bumper... very obvious .....

i guess you guys can help me out here.. how do i tell a C32 apart from a C-class??

interior, exhaust, wheels, and ENGINE.. is the only way to really tell the difference...i agree the new c classes are almost replicas of the c32 exterior wise.. but its all what u prefer.. i like to chill when i d4rive sometimes.. with a m3 you will have every person with a somewhat fast car trying to race every hour of the day... being that the c32 looks like a c230 or c320 it is kind of a sleeper car where people wont be trying to race you all the time unless they really know what a c32 is...as far as ride... i would prefer to get some nice new springs if that is a issue..

The best answer is you post your question to both MB and BMW forums and count the votes. Simple !

Get a C55! J/K, I assume that is not in your budget at this point...

If you're into a smoother ride because of the roads around you then get the C32. The M3 will be incredibly harsh on bad pavement... I also think the M3 interior is way too cheap and plasticky for a $50k+ car. I actually think the 330 has a way better interior than the M3.

With sucky roads, it's a no-brainer (in favor of the C32). Leave the 17" wheels, as the ride degrades with larger wheels. Usually, the easiest way to distinguish a rebadge C32 is the exhaust tip, the front mesh air intake, and the side badges.

The C32 engine has been very reliable. Even the modded ones have held up well. Good luck with your purchase. IMO, the C32 in the high $20K to low $30K range is one of the better vehicle bargains in today's used vehicle market.

i share your dilemma about 6 months ago.

I literally searched 3 months for a low milage, clean, stock M3, with the color and options I wanted. The prince point was about $4k more than the C32.

The M3 will hold its value a bit better and its looks are more agressive.
However, to mod the M3 will cost you.

My friend has an 05 SMG M3, he has spent so much money on this car, from bigger wheels, complete suspension, aero kit from Dinan, to carbon fiber hoods, complete Dinan Exhaust, changed the CAMS, Dinan ECU chip, ect.. At this point he is about $25k deep in to Mods.

now he is saving to put a AA supercharger kit with intercooler for $16k. Should be 500 hp if he does go through with it. (can you say kleeman c55)

C32: bought for $33k from a doctor 27,000 original miles, under warranty.

I got my 18" wheels from Ebay 255/rear and 225 fronts, from CLK55. $1025.(done)
Bi-xenon lights installed $1250 (done) from STEVE ML, i just saw him last night here in Huntington Beach CA. he programmed my lights.

resonator removed $25 (best bang for the buck for this car) better throtte response and harder upper rpm pull (done)
Renntech Springs $500 (coming soon)

EVO pulleys and ECU prog. $3000 (coming soon) 400 hp/ 340rwhp / torque about 400lbs


So you see, with $5800 in simple mods, my car will run about low 13's to even high 12's here in So. Cal.

will look better than your average c230 komp and sound better.

turn in better with better springs (not as good as an M3, but decent)
Bi-xenons will keep your car looking fresh and not outdated.

overall, you can't go wrong with this car.

Now the only thing I would go from here is a E55 03+/CLS 55. or a new c55 with the 6.3L AMG engine or maybe BMW M4 (4.0L).

other than that, you won't get the same luxury, style, mod potential, and brand appeal than this car. The car is not a LEXUS, this car is not the best reliable outthere and it has its bugs. But under warranty is okay.

(yes you can mod an SRT4, EVO, STI. ect, but it won't be a MB).

If you can live with the stock performance of an m3, than buy it. If not, you will have to pay alot more than us to keep up.

where the hell did u find bixenons and get them installed for that price??? that will be one of my first mods if i cant find a c32 with xenons.. pleaselet me know.. and how much does it cost for just the bi xenons not including installation because ill just do them myself..??

That kind of an investment in an M3 is just down right ridiculous...

Do both... one after the other of course...
Got a C32 after the M3... waiting to see how the new M3 will turn out to be... once its out... I will defect again... I am not as hardcore on the brand as some of the fellow forumers...

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/117180-2-sets-bi-xenon-headlights-california.html

if you live in So. Cal you would of been in luck. Anyhow, steve will ship them to you for about the same price, but you will have to install them.

this was a 1 time deal only, since he had a 2 pairs left.

I paid $1100 for mine. and installed my self. I just needed the reprogramming using the STARDIAG sysytem, which steve did for $50

C32 AMG you cant go wrong

I had a 2000 328Ci sport and I went with the C32 instead of the M3. The reason was simple: 1. there's no sedan version of the M anymore 2. I felt like changing brand because the M3 would feel like driving the same car again because of the interior.

3 years passed...and I'm glad i chose the C32.

i wouldn't buy a used m3 ... most m3 owners drive there cars hard if not abuse them ... i just switched traded in my 330 for a c32 and no regrets

btw you are from toronto and had a silver 330i right?

It's actually quite simple.

Do you want a sports car with 2 doors, or 4? The M3 is certainly much more common and much more boy racer. The AMG line has much more of a sophisticated subtlety about it.

I had a 2002 M3 with SMG for 2 years. The SMG is a great concept, but really was garbage. My car was in the shop so many times for that stupid thing. And when it breaks, you MUST get it flatbedded as the car wont go out of neutral. At least in a manual, you can limp it home most of the time...

And, yes, M3 is much more expense to mod, I lost my *** selling that car with all the mods.... I have a C55 on order BTW

If you want aggressive driving and aggressive looks get the m3. If you want a practical sedan with classy looks and an engine that will dominate most others get the c32. I think everyone in this forum had the m3 in mind when buying the c32, I know I made the right choice. I see 2 or 3 m3's everyday in so cal and usually driven by some young undeserving punk or an old man who thinks he is cool agian. I think the c32 is a comprimise of work and play, of course its really lame that mercedes decided to snub us by making the c230 look exactly like our car. And they havea nicer interior.

i actually like the c32 interior alot better.. i just got back from the dealership and found the new c230 interior especially the seats and buttons pretty cheap compared to the c32 and older models c...the only thing i like better on the new c230 interior is the gauges.. other than that the steering wheel is kinda cheap lookin with those buttons.. and the front panel controls almost loook like a toyota camry or something..

I know couple ppl that doesn't drive their M3 that much. lol...One bought the car in august 2002 and it has about 5k miles on it. He now works in Singapore and because he lowered it with KW v2, his parents can't drive it. The other guy bought an 2003 and went back to Hong Kong to work an internship and hasn't got back yet. 2k miles on that one.

C32.


Reasons

1) Carbon fiber silver VS. plasic black/silver unchanged BMW interior
2) 2 doors vs. 4 doors (don't have to take time to let people in the back)
3) More comfortable seats. AMG badge on seats
4) Better ride quality and much more suitable for everyday driving
5) "Sleeper" characteristics but can be changed with mods - check Franks btw nice car Frank
6) More room all around especially legroom. Especially if your 5'10"+ like me
7) 333hp i6 VS. 349hp supercharged or c55 367hp V8 --- MB > BMW once again


The only thing the M3 has on the C32 is the option for a 6SP. You can easily spend $3k and get 340whp in your C32, or spend like $15k (how much was dragons??) or so and get a S/C for your C55..

Yeah go with C32. I love my C32 bc I eat M3's daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

just got back from manheim auto auction because my ex wanted me to go with her in her search for an m3.. she got one..a 2002 gray with 27k miles on it in almost mint condition for 35k...pretty damn good deal.. but anyway.. i live in central to north jersey so manheim is about a 3 hour drive.. she didnt get any sleep so what do you know i get to drive the m3 for about 2 hours straight on the pa turnpike and the nj turnpike.. i have to say driving the car for a long time like that was awesome.. it is a great car..little bumpy as new jersey roads suck and the cars so stiff.. but i fell in love with it.. they had 2 c32s there but couldnt get them because my truck is not sold yet... but i cant wait to get a c32 and show her sorry manual skilled *** a few things.. just thought i would share my first long drive experience with a m3... after taking a long look at both cars c32 is still my choice..plus my ex has a m3 which would be gay to both have one being that we might be going back out in teh future..just wish i remembered how the c32 drove..