If added fuel costs, insurance & maintenance costs are no object for you, then go for it.

The E46 M3 is still a mean machine. But it is a costly toy to operate and upkeep.

Me? I prefer the MINI. It gives me as much fun and thrills for a 1/3 of the price of admission of the M3.

Also, if you tend to have a heavy foot, the M3 may quickly get you noticed by the men in blue.

Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a terrific car, but most people seem to let go of them as soon as the warranty is about or has expired.

There are also many ex-M3 owners now driving MINIs and not looking back.

That should tell you something.

NOOOOO!!!! why is it gone. i'm gonna miss seeing that around. have fun with the e46 though!

Valid points. The Mini was not my daily driver (that honor goes to my Rio), and neither is the M3. As for the warranty, I have another 2 years to plan for my next toy, so I will have fun in the mean time.

Interesting comparison. I have found the SMG in it's most aggressive setting shifts far faster than I could manage manually.

At a recent track day there was an E92 M3 and an E46 M3 pitting right next to each other in very similar dark silver colors. I really think they nailed it when they designed the E46 M. SMG or no SMG, that would have been very hard to pass up. Enjoy your new toy!

mb

Yes that is true - the computer > the human. This argument has been hashed out in the bimmer community ad nauseum; it all comes down to how attached you are to using your left foot. Some are, some aren't; nowhere in between shall the two meet. So the only point that matters remains: enjoy your new toy - the only person who has to like it is you.

mb

Not to steal the spotlight, but I just sold my '05 MCS today and will be picking up a 1999 e36 M3 next weekend. The M3 is a garage queen and is mint... only 39k miles and all the Dinan engine mods except the $10k supercharger kit. Per Dinan the car should have about 273hp / 265 ft.lbs. This was an EXTREMELY difficult and even emotional decision to make. But I've been so busy with other aspects of life that constantly planning for the next MINI mod had become a major distraction. With the M3 I get one of my all time favorite cars and with more power than I currently know how to handle. Pics of the MCS are in my gallery...here's some of the M3.

Funny, I want my MCS to look just like yours, well at least exterior wise. What color subzeros were you running?

Royal Steel Gray in 16 x 7

If money is no concern...why not just get the best. Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang all the way.


__I would go with the Mini.

I'd be interested to know how many people who say the SMG system "sucks", have actually owned an e46 with it installed, or have driven one. It always seems to be a polarizing topic. Yet, I see so many SMG cars on the M3 enthusiast forums, verses the paddle shift auto that MINI offers. (yes, I know the systems are different, but the commonality is that they are NOT a 6 spd manual...the usual "enthusiast's" choice) Ditto the F1 Transmission cars from Ferrari. Tons of those as well.

My e46 M3 was a 6spd manual, so I'm not really in a position to properly judge the SMG system, other than a quick drive in one. I never explored its potential when I drove it, as the timing was not right to do so.

BTW, shooler, those pics of the car make it look really nice. Sharp.

I'm not saying the smg "sucks" in anyway at all, it is lightning fast when shifting gears and gives a great alternative to having your left foot all the time. I just would not feel right not using my left foot. I have driven an smg m3(all m3's are awesome by the way) and just prefer manual. To each their own, which is what the whole mini community is about!

I never had a single issue with the SMG in my '03! It f'ing ROCKED! Especially with full bars and the sport mode button on....lightning fast shifts. I was blown away by the responsiveness. Everything felt so good and so aggressive when I opened that car up. If I end up purchasing an '06 sometime, I would definitely purchase it with SMG hands down.

i think, instead of the e46, restore an e30...

Now that would be cool. Good ones are increasing in value now, as well.

Hard to find!

Wow... thanks! So kind.

I know what you mean about black cars. I LOVE them. I already own one MINI in black, and it IS a pain to keep purdy.

I recently fell for white cars again, when I saw a freind's 997 Porsche GT3 in white w/ black wheels. It was HOT. Then I saw Tony Kanaan's Alpine White e46 M3 modded out... and thought for the VERY first time... hmmmm..

I like the Pepper white MINI done certain ways too. I considered my red MINI as a white one (all else the same), but didn't have the stones to make the order a PW one. If Alpine White was available, I might have.

I wasn't a huge fan of Tony's, but am absolutely in LOVE with Daytonaviolet's! Unbelievable job and is the sole reason why I would pick up an Alpine White. In fact if he would ever sell his, I may be willing to pull the trigger on an '04.

oh yeah... I've seen that one...

big

A bit OT:...one other: Minus the sticker...a huge
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=229554


More on topic...for the most part, it seems like the SMG discussion runs about 50/50, for or against.

I have to convince shooler to let me take his for a spin. He let me drive his R53 before (I never said he was smart) so maybe with enough cajoling..

For what it's worth, I'm told the 'shooler R53' will stay local, and was bought by an enthusiast who is in the MINI scene here in Portland. I suspect we'll see it around although perhaps a bit altered to the new owners needs and tastes.

Well, when it looks good, it looks good

And +1 on daytonaviolet

ya know, my friend has an e30 that he doesn't drive anymore (because he bought an e46) and i could look into it if you want (light silver '87 i believe.)

I'm a bit late on this one as I've been too busy to keep up with NAM lately, but I have to comment on the two cars.
We've had 2 M3s and I currently have a 2002 BMW 330 Ci convertible plus my Clubby.
I love the MINI more. The like new 330 garage queen has just about 6,000 miles on it and never was in rain, snow, no smoke, passengers, food, water, etc.
All I want to do is sell it and get a 2009 Cabrio. I love the way the MINI handles and feels compared to any of the BMWs. I had a Z3 before the 330, but I still love the MINI the most.
The BMW is a wonderful car, but the MINI just feels right. It's sad to see the convertible just sit there and not get driven, but hopefully she will find the right owner soon.

[quote=I have to convince shooler to let me take his for a spin. He let me drive his R53 before (I never said he was smart) so maybe with enough cajoling.. [/quote]

Anytime

OMFGGGGG you gotta be kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS AN ELECTRIC BLUE TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

our cars our so rare!! why would you trade an eb MINI s for a common lookin auto m3. damn you. that is by far 1 of the most perfect minis ive ever seen. i think it is perfect. damn. mine shall resemble it one day, mods cost so much. that is too bad man...

Alright, i just had to say, i just saved almost every single picture of your eb mini s from that link. Even though you gave in to an m3 i must say you did an excellent job on that mini and i love it. so good job. it is fn perfect by far.
i have an m3 logo on my winshield because i love them, but def dont love them as much as my mini, so enjoy the m3 !!

Thanks (I think). My Mini was (and still is) a great car. I had reached the point where further modding the car might be to much, so it's time to start over with a new "canvas". If you have any questions about the things I did, or want other pics, let me know.

Also, truth be told, the original intent in selling my Mini was to move toward getting out of debt. Boy did I "F" that up The deal on the M3 was just to good to pass up, and I'm happy with it (for the time being...)