M3 Delimma

[ChasesFury]

Been reading everything on here for a couple days now. There was a post similar to this. My delimma is what to get the e46 m3 or e90 m3 or Audi RS4 or cayman s or cayman turbo (if it comes out). I currently own a 2001 audi S4 and live in denver.

Feelings about the e46 m3. Let me first start out by saying that the current m3 is one of the sexiest cars in my opinion,the exterior couldn't be anymore perfect. I absolutely love the interlagos blue color as well. Performance wise its phenomonal. 333hp 0-60 roughly 4.7-4.9 depending on who you talk to and the handling is top notch definalty better than my car. One question that I have is bmw going to use the interlagos blue in the e90 m3? I know they have it for the new m5.

Feelings about the e90 m3. I would want the coupe version as well as a manual. Exterior is what I fear although I had a new 3 ser following me yesterday and it looked sweet. If they had the interlagos blue it would make it that much better. As far as performance wish there was some concrete specifications out there. From what i gather v8 400-430 hp 0-60 4.2-4.5. Is BMW going to release a CSL version for the states?

Feelings about the Audi RS4. Looks pretty good I do have to say, think its better looking than the new BMW 3 series. And the Interior is top notch. Saw some videos on audiworld.com and it sounds awesome. Performance wise on par with the E46 M3 and the RS4 maybe a little quicker in some areas. Biggest negative might be the price though.

Feelings about cayman s. Looks very sexy but to slow for my tastes 0-60 5.1 but at speed quite quick. but if they did a turbo or a RS/CS which probably come out around the new m3 it might be worth looking into. Of course MZ4 is also in mind which might blow all of these cars out of the water.

Just hoping to get some thoughts from this forum.

I know the release date for the new m3 is highly discussed on here but a 2007 release is that the general concensus and should be at autoshows fourth quarter 2006.

I'm really leaning towards a ZCP E46 M3 and then wait a couple years and see if bmw comes out with a CSL E90 M3. Then get it or if they don't just go from there.

[3some]

Get the new M3 for sure!!!

[nrg09]

E46 M3 is a sweet looking ride. But face the facts, as soon as the E90 M3 comes out your going to want that. I have to say "eh" on the RS4, yes it looks good, but let us not forget 2 words that are synonymous with audi, "nose heavy." Handling will not match that of the BMW. Save some money for now and wait for the E90. That's what I would do. my two centavos.

Wait for the new M3.

[Broken1]

Why don't you buy an old M3 now, and get the new M3 when it comes out. You can't honestly be comparing a car now - to a car in 2 yrs time!!!

Personally, I would wait for the new M3

[spitfire6000]

If i were you...i would get an E46 m3 right now...sell it a month or 2 before the e90 m3 comes out...then get the e90 m3.

[MCS]

It's always easy to spend someone else's money.

One point - You'll be screwed in the Denver winters with the M3 - e46 or e90. Do you have a winter beater car?

[violinguy]

Ah, the joys of the 24 month lease...

[ChasesFury]

Yes I plan on keeping my 2001 S4 as my beater/winter car.

[ChasesFury]

If I did go with the RS4 though I'd trade in the S4.

[northerncalguy]

Wait for the new M3, but in 2 years that car will probably hit mid $70k, with all the trimmings.

Besides not being a BMW, whats wrong with your 2001 S4? It's a fine car to drive for another year or two.

[ChasesFury]

I know trust me and plus just got alot of work done at 65K miles so its good to go for another 65K.
Just getting anxcious for something new. Just got the new car bug and can't stop looking at everything out there. In all honesty will be at least a year when I will get something new.

[thd13]

Get the Cayman. That car is sexy!!!!

[noflash]

It was reported in Bimmer Magazine that a BMW Exec recommended leasing an e46 M3 now as the e90 M3 would not be available for 3 years.

Also, what the hell are you talking about? An e46 M3 is great at 4.7-4.9 0-60 times, but a Cayman S is "to" slow at 5.1?

[F32Fleet]

Save a little more $$ for a 911.
E46 M3 is sweet, but remember the bearing problem with the S54 engine (long post in Roadfly about BMWNA refusing to honor the warranty on a recently blown S54 engine which had the bearings replaced). That said, most M3 owners enjoy their cars and have no problems whatsoever.
Fyi...the MZ4 will also have the S54 engine.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by spitfire6000

If i were you...i would get an E46 m3 right now...sell it a month or 2 before the e90 m3 comes out...then get the e90 m3.

i wholeheartedly agree. if your finances are no problem, go for it. enjoy the current car today and upgrade when the time comes.

i certainly would. then again, there is the m6 now to consider again, if the finances permit.

[ChasesFury]

I concur it is very sexy


http://www.caymanclub.net/pic_display.asp?id=489

http://www.caymanclub.net/pic_display.asp?id=494

http://www.caymanclub.net/pic_display.asp?id=558

[ChasesFury]

I guess what I meant to say was I wish they didn't detune the engine on the cayman S 5.1 isn't slow. My S4 does 5.3 and just drove a C55 AMG they other day which straight line wise is about the same to the e46 M3. It was extremely nice and just felt so much faster. So had porsche not detuned the cayman S (mainly because they didn't want it to beat the 911) then it would be right around 4.7 if not faster.

[scottz5]

where you live the RS4 would be your best bet

[ChasesFury]

Guess thats something else I should of added I'm not sure where I'll be in the next 6 months, and that maybe just have to wait and find exactly where I'll be. Then decide on what to get.

[selm]

Originally Posted by ChasesFury

Yes I plan on keeping my 2001 S4 as my beater/winter car.

Now that is a winter beater car I wouldn't mind having, but then again I live in San Diego, and I would probably crash it since I have never driven in snow.

[ChasesFury]

I got little 16 in nokian hakkapeliitta studded tires for the winter hands down the best snow tires. Turns the S4 into a snowmobile.
Then the stock 17 with S03s for the summer