Ok, the question is this:

A freind called me and asked my opinion on whether I would keep a gorgeous, heavily (but very tastefully) modded, 2005 R53 Cooper S...or buy an absolutely perfect but basically stock e46 M3. Assume the cost of the purchase to be immaterial in the discussion.

I have my own opinions on the subject (having already owned both cars myself) and I shared them with my freind, but wanted to get some well reasoned NAM opinions. I know many NAM'ers to be BMW fans.

The M3 in question is a one owner car, 2006 model, has 15,000 miles and is very well optioned, and in stunningly perfect shape.

Thoughts?

For anyone who reads this and knows me personally that is now wondering, no it's not me that's thinking about buying it.

 

I love my MCS but I would rather have an M3.

 

If cost is truly immaterial.... own both.

Two very different cars... so without knowing what your friend would weight as important, advice is hard to offer...

M3 Pros: powerful, fast, great car, great for the track, likely to attract more attractive members of the opposite (or the same) sex

MCS Pros: MOTD, AMVIV, etc; more "personality"; more fun on this drive:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...06,2.26593&z=9

 

If money is not an object, M3 without a doubt. If it were in so-so conditions it would be closer, but in perfect conditions and low miles, not close for me.

 

Mini. Hands down. The heavy modding is just icing on the cake.

 

M3..for its raw power. Heck, I was thinking of trading my mini for an EVO X.....what more an M3.

 

im kinda in the same boat ive really been considering selling the mini and picking up an m3. my only problem was at least around here there are bmws every where not so many m3s but i never see minis. i think since ive owned my car ive seen 6 diferent minis. and hundreds of bmw 3s

 

So what mods does the MINI have? Any pictures of the cars in question?

 

It takes a lot of work and $ to make an E46 M3 handle like a well setup MINI... BUT, if you do - holy CRAPOLY they're fast. The one we see at autocrosses from time-to-time is very well setup, gutted, runs Hoosiers and is usually near or has FTD (raw time). Stock, I find them a bit numb (although still very quick in a straight line).

If price were immaterial, I would sell the MCS, buy the e46 M3 and take some of the proceeds and upgrade the suspension - snag a set of lightweight rims and some r-comps and dominate the track. RWD rocks. Seriously.

 

This is a good question. I've read many posts over the years from previous E46 M owners who truly enjoy their current R53s. If we're talking most objective terms besides gas mileage and smallness, I'd think the M3 trumps the R53 basically everywhere. If we're talking what you like to get out of the driving experience, well then you have all the information you need since you've already owned an M car.

See, for me, I've never owned an M, so I'd probably go that route knowing that mint, pristine, well-maintained M3s will pretty much always demand a premium price. Will the E46 fall as low as the E36 has? It might, but this sounds like a pretty impressive opportunity if you ask me. Don't know the numbers, but it might be that your chances of moving back into an R53 of similar build would be greater than this M crossing your path again.

Now, if you had a GP, that wouldn't even be a question. I guess I'm saying to go for the M3 even though as I say it I feel like it's the wrong thing to do. Hmm. Good luck! This is an excellent "problem" to have.

mb

 

as much as id love to have a modded r53, i would definately go with the perfect condition e46....15k miles and its an 06? thats awesome....plus...you can get this exhaust and listen to it every single day!!! ahhh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W-faQDsr8s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gLKiHkLQ8Q
eisenmann meistershaft

 

Yes, there are pics available, but I didn't want to focus the discussion on the specific car yet. I'd rather keep the talk a bit abstract regarding the MINI in question, but just assume the car is pretty damn hot, and has much heart and soul, time, sweat and tears put into modding it (inclusive of many aesthetic interior and exterior mods, suspension and powertrain mods and RMW tuning).

One other thing, assume that you would not then mod the M3 to the "$ame extent$". Obviously a highly and tastefully modded M3 is the shiz-nit, but a far more expensive a proposition than the MINI in question.

 

Great points about the valuation and future availability, BTW. I've seen many an M3 beat on.

Just a reminder... this is not me that's considering this. I already decided to sell my M3 2 years ago to order a late build 2006 R53 Works Car (the red one in my sig).

 

Will he adulterate the M3 with mods?....If so leave the M3 to someone that will respect the car for what it is and KEEP it in that fine condition.

 

M3 will always change its looks. 20 years from now, an M3 today would be non-destinguishable. While a MINI will always be a MINI. Question is, how long do you want to keep your car? Do people nowadays change cars because they 'have to' or they just 'want to'? I believe a MINI is keeper. If your friend can have them both, why not.

 

Personally, it would depend on if the M3 were a convertible or a coupe. I would much prefer a coupe over the convertible, and would kill for RWD again...

Hope to see pictures....

-Chase

 

Every fricken rich a hole drives a m3, sure there are alot more minis cruising the streets and they arent as rare BUT they still are more "different, funner/cooler what have you" than an m3.

(I have an m logo on my winshield and love the cars but would never have one instead of a mini s) Especially a modded mini s. now that is a nice car to drive every day.

Id have a MINI S 100% HANDS DOWN over a bimmer m3 (even though i love m3s)

 

They're different animals. Personally I'd have the M3 simply because it's RWD. I mean, I don't want to hate the MCS on a MINI forum... But when it all boils down to it it is still FWD.

If your friend has someone willing to buy the modded MINI (they can be tough to sell if heavily modified from what I've heard), then he might want to go for the M3. The opportunity to sell the MCS for a good price might actually be the better part of the deal, especially if he likes the M3.

 

This is a really hard question for me. I currently have an '06 MCS and I previously owned a 2003 M3. The crowd is competely different....I would much MUCH rather hang out with the Mini crowd. The M3 does not need to be modified in my opinion because everything about it is just awesome. It's an incredible machine with a piece of art for an engine. The Mini has been a lot more fun to me, though. Both are pretty rough rides for a daily driver. M3 maintenance costs if not covered by a warranty are brutal.

Those are some random thoughts. If I had to decide now, I find myself looking at E46s on the M3 forum or on eBay almost on a daily basis. I think I'd have to pick the M3. Something about Imola Red on Imola Red is simply stunning and quite the head turner!

 

This is pretty similar to my take on the subject. I owned the M3 (Imola Red over black interior) because it was a fantastic car. I was fascinated with the S54 engine, and the VANOS system. It had nothing to do with trying to be 'different' or to have a propeller logo on my car, as M3s are readily available cars and there are far more 'rare' marques than the BMW. Something about the car jsut got to me though.

However, the reason I sold the car, was that I was more committed to the local MINI club, and felt at home there, so I didn't get the use out of my M3 that it deserved. I was too busy with the MINI club, having fun, doing tours and socializing. So I sold it and added the second MINI. I often wonder how things would've gone if I would've not done so. But, I suppose it's a grass is greener mentality having its effect on me.

 

Coupe.

Carbon Black over black leather interior, actually. With the 19" double spoke M wheels in hyperblack.

I'll see what I can do about pics.

 

I would suspect tastefully done appearance mods, but the engine would remain largely stock (perhaps a CAI or something). I think the cost of really going to town on the car (the way he did on the MINI) would be prohibitive.

 

Agreed. The M3 crowd around here is pretty much made up of stuck-up rich folks that only own them because its the car to be seen in. They have the car for the same reason they live in the town they do, wear the watch they do, eat at the restaurants they do ...they are incapable of deciding anything for themselves.

My buddy owns an '04 M3 and hates the crowd. But he also races an old RX-7 and an older 911 ...he enjoys those crowds.

Having driven my buddies M3, I certainly see the attraction but its not my cup of tea. Its a go-cart verses a sedan that goes fast.

If you have the means, own them both. Otherwise, its a decision only you can make.

Best of luck !

 

Just another Beemer. Hey, I appreciate even the M6 but would not drive one by choice. The M8... hmmm.

MINI. Unique. Tons o' fun. Small. Economic.

 

I'm here for the pics