I'd vote for the M3, but then again, I have never driven one. I just have lusted after them for years and years. The RWD thing, combined with that absolutely amazing engine, equals a really seductive, lust-worthy package.

Yep, the M3 wins.

 

well if you like sliding sideways at 70 when you punch it. go for the M3.
but you already have 2 mini's, so i would sell one and get the 46. also there is like a 4:1 mini s to 46 ratio in portland... so the e46 would be a good way.

 

This say is it all. Please watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCn8PPl8Dj8

;-)

If it's who I think it is who wants to by the M3, the M3 will be the cleanest modded out M3 that will ever roll on this earth.

 

Hey I resemble that remark!

Yeah, BTW you do know the buyer...

 

The M3 in question...

 

now the MINI in question...

 

Definitely a nice car, that's for sure...it looks GREAT for 15K miles (you should see the dirty engine in my 9200-mile-young 2005 MCS!)

I think it boils down to what your friend wants...do they want the MINI, where it is an unusual car that's fun to drive, or a more common car (the M3) that's nice as well but won't turn many heads. (I know that might seem like a tough statement for M3 fans, but in the AM I can show you not one, not two, but THREE M3s like this one in the parking lot where I work... At the same time, there are at least five MINIs, but none as nice as mine...)

I know that doesn't help much, but I'm learning a similar lesson by being in a similar boat... I have a bit of extra "fun money" and want to invest in a "fun" car... do I buy a MINI GP, or do I spend $10K more and get an early 90s Ferrari 348? I love them both, but I am a die-hard MINI fan...what to do? what to do????

Dave

 

rackops51, have you seen the servicing costs on a Ferrari 348? If that doesn't deter you, then go for it.

I'm lurking on this forum because I currently own an E39 M5 and have been thinking about getting a mini. Ironically, I stumbled accross this site as I was thinking about mini's a few months ago, saw some pic's of JCWdrivers red Mini and went out and drove a friends that day (even more ironic, I see he lives in the same town I do).

Anyhow, to get back on point here. My reasoning behind wanting out of my M5 is simply down to how I drive. I can't enjoy it on roads, and its way to big and bulky to track. Its not really fun unless I'm going over 100, everything beneath that is to easy. Mine is heavilly modified with a Dinan Stage III suspension and tons of other goodies. Its not the best M5 out there (girlfriend started driving it this summer and suddenly I need a new rear bumper and hood ) but it still turns heads (black on black), is fast as heck and handles well. But I just never get to hustle it down Skyline the way I want or can on my motorcycle, or in my buddies Mini (which is only a base model, still haven't driven an S or JCW)

So I guess in conclusion, I would ask your friend what kind of driving experience he wants. I agree the M3 is a fantastic package, I almost bought one before I bought my M5 and its probably a happy middle ground. ditch those chrome wheels though. Mod's on a BMW are super expensive, suspension work, an exhaust, intake, programing and other various items on my car was probably close to 10k retail.

Either way, your friend will be driving a great car though.

 

That is a very nice M3...and in all honesty the only reason I did not buy an E46 M3 at the time I bought my Mini (in Jan 08) was because I did not want to have car payments. I have been a HUGE fan of E46 M3's for years, I've always loved them. They are stunning to look at, handle corners very well (though not quite Mini like), and have the power to back everything up.

Yea yea...all this RWD talk, whatever. I came into the Mini from a highly modified S2000. 4.57 rear gears, 2.5L stroker motor, AEM EMS, yada yada yada...E46 M3's didn't stand a chance on a road course, or in a straight line for that matter. But like all things heavily modified I started to run into problems parted everything out and sold the car. I was a DIE HARD RWD guy after that car, I SWORE that I would NEVER buy FWD EVER AGAIN! Hmmm...guess that didn't work out. The Mini is quite a amazing FWD car, and if you do the right things FWD will not be a hinderance any longer. Mainly a good LSD, a stiffer rear sway bar (cheap way) or proper spring/damper rates (expensive way) to keep more weight on the front, and you really don't notice the inherent FWD plow any longer, and you don't have to worry about over rotating the car on corner exit. Granted, the Mini is probably one of the only FWD cars I feel this way about, most of the others are pigs. My only experiences prior with FWD were the said pigs.

Now if I was being given this option, I'd probably opt out. Black cars are beautiful...but only for a day, I had one, and it was love/hate...too much of a pain. If I was getting an M3 it either has to be Alpine or Laguna. Now if a perfect AW or LSB E46 M3 came along for me...and money no longer mattered, yes I would sell my Mini for one. Its not the same experience at all, but it is an experience I would be very happy in. I'm nearly very happy with the Mini...a few more "minor" mods and I'll be good once I reach that stage, it would take either a much bigger paycheck or some really spectacular car to get me out.

edit* btw JCW Driver...I LOVE your Red Mini, it makes me want an Aerokit NOW :D, it also makes me want a red roof.

 

M3. I wonder what will the M3 or even E46 crowd say about the Mini.

 

The csl wheels are beautiful, but I couldnt deal with that smg. I need a manual transmission!

 

If the M3 was a manual transmission, I'd go with it; but since it doesn't, MINI it is. SMG might be lacking in the fun factor that the MINI has. I've known a few people who buy SMG M3's that later regret it and bite the bullet to trade in for the manual version of the same car.

 

I cant believe how many people voted for the m3.
psshh.
mini for the win!

 

BLASPHEMY

 

I knew he coudn't stay out of a new car very long.

 

Having been a MINI owner for the past 5 years, and worked on numerous E46 M3's--I gotta say, everytime I got inside one, and drove it inside the shop and out--it just felt GREAT. The interior fit and finish and electronics are wonderfully put together. I don't think I'd toss an M3 around like I do with my MINI, but it's very refined and quite a bit different level of enjoyment.

Turning this '05 from this



To this



Would I choose this over my MINI? That'd be pretty tough, but I sure would love to have both!

 

SMG FTL. It really sucks IMO. I simply wouldn't buy one, so for me there is no question here. If it were a manual transmision and I liked the color/options, then I think it comes down to how you want to use the car. The M3 is like a GT which is very good at a lot of things and the Mini is, well it's a Mini and you all know what it is. Different cars, both great, so it comes down to the type of driving experience the owner wants.

As for rarity, I see e46 M3s and Minis every day, all day, too many to count. They are both fairly high-production autos compared to say an STi (around 5k produced a year and the only number I had on the top of my head). That is a wash to me.

For clubs/other owners, who cares. If you like the car you then you like it. And consequently you must have something in common with all those other people who like it since you do too. Although the M3 is sort of a car that appeals to a wide range of people where the Mini is a more focused group, not considering the crowd that wants good gas milleage that is.

Ferrari 348 vs. GP, I say GP, although your value will most likely stay in the 348, but will be offset by maintanence costs. If it were a 355, then I would take a 355 costs be damned. I love that car.

A lot has been said about modding costs on an M3. The M3 is seen as a prestigous car and the mod prices reflect that, but you can buy 01/02s for 20-25k. That puts the lower model years of the car at a much different price point and I don't think 2k exhausts on 30k cars makes sense. You can buy well sorted e46 M3s with blowers or other mods for 30-35k. Too me that makes sense. The market for e46 M3s has tanked and there are so many on the market, even 06s with <20k miles. e36 market is pretty dismal too, but the e30 market is finding good ground with nice e30 M3s costing more than e36s. Point being that buying an e46 and hoping it will retain good value is probably not the most acurate assumption. If it were me I would find a nice 05, maybe with the competition pacakge and balance price vs. age/condition. It doesn't seem to me to make sense to pay a premium for an 06 (not saying there is here however, but on other's I've seen)

Also, I thought another poster made a great point about selling the heavily modded Mini. If you have a buyer at a good price and you are interested in selling then that may be the best part of the deal.

Those are my random thoughts. Enjoy.

/zp

 

Well, now seeing that it is an SMG, I would not go with it. Manual or nothing.

-Chase

 

OK, after talking with the person who actually did this, after the deal was done, we decided that since I started the thread, I should post the pics of both cars. NAM'er 'shooler' has made the switch over to the M3. He started with a completely stock EB/EB MINI, and now has a blank canvas to work with in it.

Here are the car pics:

The sold MINI pics are here (scroll) and DON'T do the car justice at all:
http://www.inventory.gpimports.com/d...s-3285752.html

The bought BMW pics are here as well (scroll):
http://www.inventory.gpimports.com/d...e-2982199.html

Now, 'shooler' is a good freind of mine, and knowing what he did with the MINI in the 3 years he had it, I'm sure the m3 will be a work of art, a few years down the road too.

 

Wait wait wait wait WAIT! I didn't know the E46 in question was an SMG! I'd stick with the Mini.

mb

 

i would have to say the m3. I love my Mini, and it depends on your goals when it comes to a car, but the m3 offers a great package and in stock form is still fantastic. I have only been a passenger in an m3, but wow, what a great car.

oops, i would not have gone to smg either,six speed or bust, but i hope he is stoked!

 

Yes, I made the switch. It was a hard decision, but one I am happy with. The 2006 M3 I bought is nearly flawless, and to good of a deal to pass up. I can also say that the SMG transmission is growing on me. I wasn't to sure at first, but now that I have spent some time with the car, I'm glad it has it.
I'll miss the MINI and the community, but also look forward to making this car "my own".

Previous "obsession"

Current "obsession"

 

An M3 with an SMG is like Sarah Palin... You get all hot and bothered about what its looks like, but when you see what it really has...

 

I wish I had a million dollars for each time I tried to convince myself that any automatic transmission whether it is an SMG or tiptronic or whatever.. would satisfy my need for a true manual.

I would seriously be rich..


Good Luck!

 

Congratulations! Your Mini is a beautiful car, but so is the M3! Mod it out and have fun with it!