Wreck

Well I was thinking of giving my E55 to my Mom.

Problem I'm not sure what car to get if I do that. Thinking of getting a M3. You think that is a wise move? My budget is 55ish or less.

BoBcanada

m3 is agreat car..... i wanted one too.....but got 745i then it had so much problems that i sold it and ordered a E55! So i'm pretty much dissapointed with BMW now! but m3 surely a great car!

amg55

Make a list of the five things you like most about cars that you've been happy with in the past, and then rank them, e.g.--
great handling/cornering
sheer acceleration capacity
luxurious appointments
appearance
overall driving fun factor
resale capacity
cruising/touring
braking capacity


That should just about answer your question for you.
We all know where the M3 excels and what its weaknesses are.
What else are you considering?

Crankin

M3's are great cars, but strike me as kinda boy racer and very buzzy. Also, how is durability on those motors getting wound so tight alot?

who-rida

Just drove an M3. Good car, fine handling, but will get left behind when going up a hill or on the freeway by an E55. M3 is a good weekend/track car. But once you are in it on an everyday, there will be alot you will miss from the E55

jefrose55

I have both a 01 e55 and an 02m3 cabrio
For driving pleasure, nothing beats the M3. You do however, feel evey bump and road imperfection. In the E55 the sense of speed is effortless...waiting for use. Ahh the best of both worlds

For everyday driving and the ability to blow away almost every car get the e55

jeff
01 e55 (wait list for 04)
02 M3
03 Segway

prg

I know that I have the minority opinion, but I was a little underwhelmed by driving the M3. I wanted to love it, but the interior was a little plain for a $50K vehicle and the engine wasn't remarkably quicker than the Honda S2000 that I was trading in.
(It is also possible that perspective was a bit warped having test drove a z06 and 996tt on the same day.)

E55AMG99

Don't do it! I've driven my friend's M3 cab with SMG and wouldn't trade my '99 E55 for it. The ride is harsh and darty compared to the more direct and predictable E55. Also, I wouldn't give up the extra ponies. They make a big difference in the higher gears.

Rusboy

I used to have a 528 sport b4 and i miss it so much. I decided to go with e60 M5 and made a deposit already. Now i have to wait for about a year or so.

Wreck

Thanks for the replies guys.

I did the unthinkable and gave my Mom the E55 and got myself a G35 Coupe fully packaged. I can't beleive I've got a non german car.

I really enjoy driving this car, but I do miss the E55 alot. The power, and I think it handles better. Not sure, I'm still trying to break in the G35C. Also I can tell the E55 is built better. The door doesn't sound to solid when I close the door on the G, like most german cars.

Anyways all I know is that I saved a grip of money getting this car, instead of getting the M3. I need to buy a house soon.

pentoman

Funny that you should say that.... surely everyone knows..:

http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm


Look down the left panel for the number of blown engines in these.

Shame really, the E36 was fine wasn't it?

jefrose55

Owning an M3 conv. I have been following the engine failure issue. BMW increased my engine warranty to six years and found the problem with production of the engine from 10/01-02/02. Mine was produced 05/02. I've ownded an E36 M3 and now a E46 without incident and would buy another without hesitation.

Jeff
03 M3 conv
02 Honda element
01 E55
03 segway

Pbglas

Any thing more you want to add now that you have had the G35 for some time now.

mikE55

Well, I hate to say this, but your mom got the better end of the deal.

muhri

Couldn't agree more!

alz

And am equally sure he will justify/rationalize why he did it and how the G35 is sooo much better

pentoman

Is the M3 conv., being the rather weighty beast it is, quite a bit slower than the coupe? Slower than the E55?

I wish they did a saloon still - that was always my favourite E36

Batman

Well, I've had numerous problems with my 97 E320 and my 98 C280, but my 95 M3 is still going strong with no problems. Let's not forget that I drive this car full throttle/full breaking most of the time. It's driven hard and it takes it. BMW has fixed the problem with their new engines. Not only that, but they admit that there was a problem and are willing to stand by their product by giving their customers extended warranties, replacing engines and/or parts that do fail, etc. What do I get from my Mercedes dealership? "Oh, well, these cars run high voltage, that's why your bulbs go out so frequently." "Yeah, we have that pulley in stock, they go out all the time. Yeah, same with the window regulator. Yup, steering pump too. Got it right here."

Let's talk about driving these cars. Handling. In my Mercedes going on an off/onramp, I feel like I'm going to end up in the grass at any second going around the curve. The car is extremely tilted (even when brand new), maybe body roll is a feature on these cars (yeah right). My friend had a C43 AMG. We both agreed he had to get stiffer springs if he wanted that car to handle close to the way his M3 handled. Even after he did that, the handling was better, but not even close to the M3. Someone said you can feel the bumps in the road. I'd rather feel the bumps in the road than end up in the grass somewhere cause my car couldn't handle. It's not that bumpy anyway. It's not a Cadillac or a recliner, it's a car.

Driving in the mountains downhill on my way to Wash. DC. in my C280, I felt like the car was going to take off flying, not in a good way either. During the same drive in my M3, the car was stuck to the ground. Could I feel the bumps in the ground? Yes, and at the time, I was happy to feel the bumps on the ground and not just air.

So, for my M3, yes, I had to change my waterpump because that's a common problem. That's it though.

My E320?? Well, let's just say I wish I could give it back to them and get a 5 series BMW instead.

My C280?? I'd rather have a 3 series BMW instead.

Mercedes quality is not what it used to be. At least that's my opinion. Everyone has a right to their own opinion though.

If you like your Mercedes, great. Good for you, I'm glad there's someone that's happy with their Mercedes. If not, well, join the club. I know plenty of people that have had too many problems with these cars.
Just look at the number of people on this board that have had ML Lemons. For a car that is known for being prestigous and having great quality, I'm extremely disappointed. They don't make them like they did before.

Wreck

K... My E55 still had year to go with payments. I figure I could get a less expensive car, to meet my ultimate goal for this year. To get a house. It is time to move out of my condo. Keep in mind I didn't really give my mom my car. She paid me some money, $25,000. Yes I know I could have gotten at least $40K or less if I traded it in. But the fact is my mom needed a car and she wanted my car.

With that money, my payments on the G is real low. Now I can afford a home (single income), hopefully. Still looking in the Los Angeles area. Homes are not cheap, and I'm just an average Joe. I don't make sick money like other people who import and export stuff or whatever.

Oh the G35 does not come close to the E55. I really miss my E . From time to time I would go home and drive the E really fast. The only thing I can say about the G, it is still fun to drive, it gets me from point A to B, and the navigation system beats Mercedes Nav.

One more thing. What I hate about the G is all these Honda's etc, would rev on me and want to race me. Now why the hell they didn't do that when I drove my E55 :p

djamer

Wreck,

Unlike others who may have disagreed w/ your choice, you are a wise guy. You got money from your mom, plus you have a solid, reliable and sporty car. So what if you gave up the e55. You will have a house (practically the best investment one can make). Good luck w/ the house..later

djamer

Dr Chill

quote by Wreck .[My E55 still had year to go with payments. I figure I could get a less expensive car, to meet my ultimate goal for this year. To get a house. It is time to move out of my condo. Keep in mind I didn't really give my mom my car. She paid me some money, $25,000. Yes I know I could have gotten at least $40K or less if I traded it in. But the fact is my mom needed a car and she wanted my car.


The only thing I question in your decision-making is whether or not the E55 will be driven by your mom the way it should be-FAST AND HARD. The last two E55's I've blown by were being driven by 65+ yr old women going about 60 mph on the highway. If not, then you should have kept it or sold it to a more worthy owner

Batman

Can't argue with Djamer, a house is a much better investment.

Wreck

Yah I notice that too, when I see another E55, there is a high chance they are older mature women.

I don't regret giving my mom the E55. She need a car right away and wanted mine. It's time for me to give back to my family. They have taken good care of me when I was younger.

Thanks for the comments in getting house. It is pretty difficult process (i'm a first time buyer).

Nighttrain

I have 2 words for you
CHRIS BANGLE

The sole killer of Bimmer designs

That's the reason NOT to get any bimmers

ALSO the m3s have had a history of blown engines lately.

3 people in my area have had their engines replaced under warranty.

NOT a good sign

Batman

Nighttrain, ok, I agree with you on the Chris Bangle deal, BUT, if you read my earlier post, you would have read that BMW fixed the issue with their engine (which IS a good sign) and stands behind their product (by replacing engines/parts that do fail and providing an extended warranty), which is A LOT more than I can say for Mercedes. So, by all means, GET a bimmer instead.