| Vancouver Auto Chat 2016 VAC Community Head Moderator: Raid3n |
 | | 
08-29-2009, 09:30 PM
|
#1 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Richmond
Posts: 12,484
Thanked 2,091 Times in 773 Posts
Failed 765 Times in 247 Posts
| IS350 or M3
I'm having a tough choice here.
I'm looking at buying an older car now that I'm going back to school so i'm not burden with making payments.
The two cars I'm looking at are a 2006 IS350 and a 2004 m3 convertible
Both are around the same price (in the states) and produce similiar numbers.
But I know for a damn well fact that the Lexus (being a toyota) must be reliable up the ass. The m3 on the other hand, i've heard horror stories.
Halp.
| 
|  | |
08-29-2009, 09:38 PM
|
#2 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,944
Thanked 13,521 Times in 1,745 Posts
Failed 2,239 Times in 545 Posts
|
If you want a nice car buy the M3
__________________ PHOTOGRAPHY / FLICKR | |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:40 PM
|
#3 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Richmond
Posts: 12,484
Thanked 2,091 Times in 773 Posts
Failed 765 Times in 247 Posts
|
the is350 is not nice?
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:46 PM
|
#4 | | 2013, 2016, 2017 & 2018 NHL Fantasy RS1 Champion
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 7,092
Thanked 1,294 Times in 600 Posts
Failed 65 Times in 37 Posts
|
Do you really need to ask that? wow...
I'd go for the M3 hands-down, but 2004 is out of warranty and it'll get costly(maintenance) but make sure Insp. II has been done and have money saved up in case shit hits the fan...the E46M3 engine is pretty bullet proof..
Reliability: Lexus IS350
Fast and driver-orientated car: M3
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:48 PM
|
#5 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
Why is it a tough choice? Convertible, non convertible.. take your pick..
I am sure when you are as committed enough to be posting on the RS board, you have already factored in and compared all gas, insurance coverage, maintenance budget (engine service, clutch, suspension) between the 2 cars  Not to mention the closest and easiest to deal with dealership to school.
I am not sure which program you are going to, but honestly when I went back to school, I didn't had time to do much other than study.. so I relied on BMW Store's services quite a bit.
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:50 PM
|
#6 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: bc
Posts: 1,405
Thanked 119 Times in 53 Posts
Failed 167 Times in 28 Posts
|
if it's the M3, i heard that you needa adjust the valve very frequently... and that job is a bitch to do or it cost you a bit at the dealership. Otherwise, the car is fun to drive. Lexus just need regular oil change.
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:51 PM
|
#7 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,944
Thanked 13,521 Times in 1,745 Posts
Failed 2,239 Times in 545 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MajinHurricane  the is350 is not nice? | It is, just personally I'd rather go euro.
__________________ PHOTOGRAPHY / FLICKR | |
| | |
08-29-2009, 09:55 PM
|
#8 | | Banned (ABWS)
Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: canada
Posts: 147
Thanked 18 Times in 10 Posts
Failed 60 Times in 15 Posts
|
I've had the liberty of test driving an IS350, and being a BMW owner, i have to say that the handling on the lexus is not nearly as bad as everyone says. It was pretty damn good around corners, and if i had a chance to trade, i would.
Plus the older M3's interior looks like shit compared to the is350
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 10:00 PM
|
#9 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
Oh another thing.. what I am implying is if you are going back to school .. best is to get a CPO Canadian car.. any problems you take it to BMW dealer and you get a courtesy car.. concentrate on your studies.
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 10:47 PM
|
#10 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Richmond
Posts: 12,484
Thanked 2,091 Times in 773 Posts
Failed 765 Times in 247 Posts
|
I can't downsize from my tl.
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 11:00 PM
|
#11 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Richmond
Posts: 12,484
Thanked 2,091 Times in 773 Posts
Failed 765 Times in 247 Posts
|
How un reliable are m3's?
| |
| | |
08-29-2009, 11:35 PM
|
#12 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Van.
Posts: 2,929
Thanked 1,967 Times in 290 Posts
Failed 536 Times in 92 Posts
|
Nice car: IS350
Performance: M3
take your pick.
__________________
RIP JN
UNCE UNCE UNCE! Quote:
Originally Posted by strykn Comparing A&B with deadmau5? Really? I should fucking slap you | 2007 Acura TL 2005 Acura TL....RIP 2003 Honda Accord Coupe V6....RIP | |
| | |
08-29-2009, 11:38 PM
|
#13 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto
Posts: 925
Thanked 275 Times in 54 Posts
Failed 144 Times in 25 Posts
|
if m3 wasn't convertible ... i'd go m3 no competition
but ... ya well you get the point ~ basically everyone is saying the same thing
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:11 AM
|
#14 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
They are reliable as designed, actually they are extremely reliable. As long as you keep up with the servicing.. which means when it is time for the valve check, you pay for the valve check, check for clearance and burns (since I assume you don't own the equipment). Admittedly a lot of it is preventive maintenance, but it will catch up on you. In the end it is still one of the highest hp/L engines out there. The way I think about it is each time I use the 333hp, it is one time closer to a maintenance.. the privilege is about $100.
That's why if you don't have time, buy a CPO M3.. and leave the servicing to BMW Canada for the next 6 years.
I find BMW Store most accommodating to UBC students, book ahead of time, courtesy car ready at 8AM.. pick up the finished car at the showroom before 9PM.
I would say budget $2-3k / year for maintenance (considering you will be daily driving) If you go the non CPO route. Yes you can go to the 3rd parties like CG/Nixon but honestly they charge about 80% (as it is the labour that is intensive) + they usually don't offer courtesy car and out of the way.
I love my 06 ZCP, I don't think I will part with it. But I find turning wrenches, removing heads is relaxing so go figure. Quote:
Originally Posted by MajinHurricane How un reliable are m3's? |
Last edited by godwin; 08-30-2009 at 01:05 AM.
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:13 AM
|
#15 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
Failed 643 Times in 181 Posts
|
IS350 = zzzzzzzz
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:14 AM
|
#16 | | Media Officer / MOD
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: vancouver
Posts: 28,077
Thanked 5,752 Times in 1,725 Posts
Failed 85 Times in 63 Posts
|
m3 = cock
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:20 AM
|
#17 | | I am on the internets
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,991
Thanked 184 Times in 80 Posts
Failed 129 Times in 31 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by aznboi128 m3 = cock | nono, you got your facts wrong. go watch top gear again bro
__________________
"As Sir Francis Bacon once said, 'There is no beauty which hath not some strangeness about its proportions'.
And he's right, who ever he is. I mean, look at Keira Knightley.
She's just an ironing board with a face. And she works." - JC on the Alfa 8C
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:36 AM
|
#18 | | Media Officer / MOD
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: vancouver
Posts: 28,077
Thanked 5,752 Times in 1,725 Posts
Failed 85 Times in 63 Posts
|
^ fine
was, audi is now but still  | |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:38 AM
|
#19 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
Failed 643 Times in 181 Posts
|
Some rules are different in this part of the world though
R8 drivers are cocks, but the current lineup for audi seems like there's less cockage than BMW
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 12:55 AM
|
#20 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 30,205
Thanked 11,994 Times in 4,900 Posts
Failed 461 Times in 297 Posts
|
If you are adamant about a 'vert, get the IS350. Convertibles in this city suck dick. I've owned 3.
__________________ Geriatric Motoring Club Member #2 Quote:
Originally Posted by Badhobz I only get turned on by professional whores where whoring is their profession. Not whores who are professionals. yuck, that means I have to actually listen to the shit that comes out of their mouth. | | |
| | |
08-30-2009, 02:15 AM
|
#21 | | Banned (BBM)
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 16,142
Thanked 627 Times in 368 Posts
Failed 1,106 Times in 390 Posts
|
how the hell can it be a tough choice
do u like convertible? if yes m3, if no IS350 simple as pie
No engine is gonna blow up on u as long as u do ur maintenance
M3 wat worries me is the other electrical and other shit that once it goes wrong? parts and labour are a bitch to keep up
IS350 will definitely be maintenance free other than the regular wear and tear. Breaks, tires, oil change, etc etc
m3 prepare to have deeper pocket
IS350 basically doesnt require much money
performance wise? its pretty damn obvious which one is better
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 02:25 AM
|
#22 | | Diagonally parked in a parallel universe
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,349
Thanked 56 Times in 32 Posts
Failed 49 Times in 16 Posts
|
M3...
__________________
If you don't like me you can blow me. | |
| | |
08-30-2009, 02:37 AM
|
#23 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 30,205
Thanked 11,994 Times in 4,900 Posts
Failed 461 Times in 297 Posts
|
Oh, an as for the M3, not to slag it or anything but for maintenance and especially typical German/BMW bullshit electronic problems, be prepared to throw your money into a pit and never see it again. People who tell you otherwise are retarded and should seek help right away.
I would know. I own one. Ask Alphamale.
__________________ Geriatric Motoring Club Member #2 Quote:
Originally Posted by Badhobz I only get turned on by professional whores where whoring is their profession. Not whores who are professionals. yuck, that means I have to actually listen to the shit that comes out of their mouth. | | |
| | |
08-30-2009, 02:40 AM
|
#24 | | Revscene.net has a homepage?!
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: vancouver
Posts: 1,229
Thanked 156 Times in 53 Posts
Failed 30 Times in 9 Posts
|
find an m3 coupe, if you're into performance ( and not straight line ) the m3 will be a much more fun drive.
| |
| | |
08-30-2009, 02:48 AM
|
#25 | | 2x Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung
Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: N49.2 W122.1
Posts: 6,176
Thanked 1,174 Times in 704 Posts
Failed 67 Times in 51 Posts
|
I would say for BMW, things are easy.. TIS, ETK are available. Reliability for electronics are actually very easy to trouble shoot.. as long as you have the right tools. I mean heck, one of my lock heater doesn't work, the tool even tells me which part to order and send the prerequisite instructions in PDF to the printer if I want to.
Work wise, BMW is much much more open than Lexus, in terms of diagnostic tools, manuals etc. Hence you see way more Euro oriented shops, then say pure Lexus specialists.. because honestly they don't let their manuals out of their hands very often.
For any M3 enthusiast besides the TIS, and ETK you really need this:  Quote:
Originally Posted by Mugen EvOlutioN M3 wat worries me is the other electrical and other shit that once it goes wrong? parts and labour are a bitch to keep up |
Last edited by godwin; 08-30-2009 at 02:54 AM.
| |
| | | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:00 AM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
