for months now I've been debating wether or not to keep my R56 or sell it and buy an M3? my coop is paid off 24k and the difference I'd have to pay for an M is only 5k. good deal but no warranty on it and who knows what kind of abuse the M3 has been thru the plus is I work at a BMW dealership now the hard part with the 5k I save by the end of summer I can buy the full JCW package tuning, brakes, aero kit, strut bar, H&R lowering springs, and those team dynamics racing wheels. i have no idea what to do anymore please help

 

Save the Mini... Dont do the JCW kit... Upgrade to better shizz for better results!!!

Can you say 35R

 

5k will get you a lot more in the aftermarket.

The M3 is a great car, but as I'm sure you're aware, the earlier E46's had issues, and they're a pain to take care of once the milage gets up there.

 

The E46 M3 is a bloated luxo-barge.

 

Bloated what? The E 46 M3 is anything but not the luxo whatever you called it. I had the 04' E46 M3 just before my R56 Cooper S and still miss it. You just can't compare E46 to the Mini Cooper. It's totally different car. A lot more power, rear wheel drive, awesome handling and looks great. If I was a BMW mechanic I would've kept my M3 but for the piece of mind had to sell it at 70K miles and got new Mini Cooper.
If you can do your own maintenance on the car then get the M3. The Mini Cooper S or JCW factory car would never match it's performance (except maybe in twisties)

 

Mmm.... E46 M3.....

Keep the Cooper, and save those pennies for an E92 M3!

 

I didn't buy the E46M3 due to the maintenance costs, especially when the mileage gets up there. I owned the previous gen, I knew exactly what I needed to do to keep it running. I didn't have any major problems for 140K miles...I just had to change tires every year...but that was probably due to my driving style and need for sticky rubber.

Like someone said above, they are two different animals. I personally don't think the E46M3 is a car for anyone who can't spend the coin to keep the maintenance up to date. What if you change jobs? There is no doubt the M is one of the best cars to drive and offers a lot of bang for the buck right now. But you have to weigh all the costs before purchasing. If you are committed to spending the coin to keep the M in excellent working order, then go for it. However, in the end the Cooper will always leave a little more $$$ in your pocket. I say keep the Cooper, save more money, and invest it in something more worthwile.

 

Easy choice, M3. RWD>FWD. I still miss my E36 M3 sedan sometimes.

 

Mini Mini Mini... C'mon you know you can't give up your baby!

 

i miss my e46 m3 sometimes too.....but way more expensive to mod/play with/maintain after warranty. been there, done that. it greatly depends on what you're looking for in your ride....honestly, the new m3 felt more luxo-boatish (?) to me....but the sound of that engine is sweeeeeeeet! but i'm probably getting to the grocery store/work just as fast with the mini. i'd tinker with your mini if it was me. you can see my ex in my gallery. good luck! not such a bad delemma to have either way

 

Me too...sigh.

 

Also, in this time of ever more expensive gas, it's nice to be a little insulated from the cost by driving a MINI.

 

Brand new M3.....no decision on that one!

 

Debatable... our E36 M3 would return mileage only marginally worse than the '03 MCS... all the more surprising when you realize the E36 M3 5 spd is a non-overdrive transmission (5th gear is 1:1).

I miss that car at times... the sound of that engine... ...the wonderful Vader seats.... ...the ever-present OBD CEL (usually an Evap-fault) and OBC codes...

 

The OP is comparing an R56 with an E46 M3.
E46 owners can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would estimate a 10+ MPG difference between the two in daily driving.

 

Brand new E92 M3...that one is definitely not for me. I don't like that external overdone design. The E46 will remain classic . The new sedan version of the M3 looks good though...

 

Keep the Cooper and try something novel - INVEST the $$$ and put IT to work for you. At least SAVE it.
2008 MCS
2004 E46 M3 Coupe (gone - 5 weeks BEFORE warrenty expired)
1998 E36 M3 Sedan (long gone - kept 1 year TOOOO long after warranty)

 

Depends on your driving. Since I came off the M3 I can't really drive slow...so I am only getting 26+ mpg. In my M3 I was getting 19-20 mpg. So I'd say it's about 7 miles difference. It'll be a different story with the new E92 V8 M3. The mileage rating for it is 14 city & 19 hwy... so it'll be somewhere in the middle: 16-17.

 

I doubt many would decide based on gas mileage. Even though prices are up gas is still pretty cheap compared to insuring, maintaining a car (esp an M3). They are very different cars. The M3 is heavier and way more powerful. It's a car designed for people who can take advangage of that, and for people who just wanna own a hotlooking high end sporty car. The Mini market is more for people who wanna drive for fun and not pay nearly as much.

 

I agree with your last line which is why I think saving $100/month on gas is important to factor in this decision. If he were deciding between a 25K MINI and a 70K M3, then I would throw out any gas considerations because obviously he can afford it.

I also agree that maintenance is a big issue but that had already been mentioned as a consideration.

 

Maybe the better choice would be a new (or slightly used - if you can find one) BMW 135i.
300 twin turbo hp. Great steering, shifter and handling. Amazing car. I had a 2003 M3 and the 135i is more fun to drive.

 

maitnance and gas I could care less about if you can afford a car with a big price tag then you should be able to pay the repair bill if not then don't buy it that's what I think.... gas same thing if your going to complain about gas prices don't drive! I LOVE THE SOUND OF THAT INLINE 6, the whole reason I got hooked on an M3 and the way I'm thinking of the M is that in 20 years from now it'll be a classic.

 

I currently own a '05 E46 M3 and since the MCS hasn't come in yet, I can only give my half opinion.

However, I can't really add anything new from what was already said.
All I can do is to support it.
Definitely, the E46 M3 and the R56 MCS are apples and oranges in comparison.
Very different indeed.
One has a big engine, different drivetrain, NA, bigger overall, etc...
The other is lighter, forced induction, better MPG, etc...

I bought mine new and I maintain it regularly and it is heavily modified.
I autocross my car too.
Most of my miles are from city driving (90%).
Hasn't given me much problems.
M3 is a car that always begs to be driven. You'll know when that S54 screams to redline.
Even in gas pricey times as this, I still drive the M3 the same way.
If you buy a car like a M3 and drive it like your grandmother to save a bit of gas, then you really have nothing to show for it.
A car like a M3 is supposed to awaken your senses.
If you worry that much about costing too much to fix, maintain, or drive... then it's clearly not the car you should be looking at.

Not saying that the M3 is the end all gotta have it car.
Just saying it's not a car that's supposed to be all that "economical."
I say, go with what your first instincts were telling you though.
Is it the love of the M3 that's making you consider selling your MCS or is it the love of the MCS that's making you reluctant about getting the M3???

 

You mention in your OP that there wouldn't be a warranty and this is a concern for you. Now you say it doesn't matter, assuming you meant to write that you couldn't care less.
You have to save all summer to "afford" the M3, so obviously running costs should be a concern even if you can "afford" the initial cost.
Lastly, you're talking about a 29K used M3, not really a big price tag in the scheme of cars. A loaded Prius will cost you 29K.

 

You can't go wrong with this. I would keep the mini its paid for. Every girl i meet , loves the car. They all want a ride in it. M3 everywhere. You can put tons of miles and save money