Argh.. which car to get.. 528i or M3?

[flood]

I'm having a lot of trouble deciding which car to get...
I have a 91 735i right now. I'm selling it to get something sportier and newer.
I've always wanted a M3, and can finally afford one. While shopping for one, I found a nice 97 528i for about the same price.
I drove my cousin's 528i and was very impressed with it.

The 528i would be a much better car to own in the long run... lower ownership costs and better reliability. It still has a sporty drive and is much more usable with the 4 doors and all.

Insurance on the M3 is 2100/yr with comprehensive. The 528i is about $500 less.
They both weigh in at ~65k miles on the clock.

I'm afraid that if I get the 528i, I'll still want a sportier car.
At the same time, I think that having the 528i would be a much better option.

It's not as if I drive all that fast/agressively. I don't have a fixation with straight line power... I perfer a car that well balanced and is very responsive. In that respect the 528i would do just fine... but the M3 is the car that I've always wanted.

I'm torn between the two!
Any advice??
(By the way, I'm 21 w/2 tickets)

EDIT:
the 540i is an option, but I *really* like straigt 6's. I'm a bit afraid of the maintainance on a v8.

 

[guapo337]

M3. it's what you want. buy it.

 

[bUnMaNGo]

I'd get the M3 and a Valentine One I have friends with E36 M3s who take their cars to the track. Fun stuff.

 

[N8Magic]

You've always wanted an M3, so go for it.

You'll end up second-guessing yourself if you go for the 528. They're not even the same category of car IMHO. Which vintage M3? E46?

 

[mrCide]

drove a 528i around for a couple days, and while its a very nice car, if you're looking for sporty, stick with the m3

 

[flood]

E36.
I want a 95 M3 because of the ODB1.
What I want is the M3... but I think it might be better for me to get the 528i.
If i got the M3, I'd be tempted to buy lots of upgrades... the dinan supercharger is $5k. I was already thinking about saving up for it :Q

I wish i could get both!

 

[Marshallj]

I'd go with the M3. If you're looking for sportyness, the 528i is just going to seem like a passenger car to you after a while, the the M3 will leave no doubt that it has performance in mind.

 

[biffbacon]

absolutely no question. if you want sporty get the M3. The 528 doesnt really have much power for a sport sedan. I might even choose a high end regular 3 series over the 528 if you want sportiness. b imho, if you have the cash, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind, get the M3. you wont regret it. there are too many plain jane 528's on the street, but an m3 will make you happy, and will make people notice your car.

-the most electrifying man in the midwest

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: flood
(By the way, I'm 21 w/2 tickets)

How about an Escort?

Just kidding. If you've saved the money for it and can afford that unbelievable insurance, go for it!

 

[Zim Hosein]

If you can afford the 540i, go for it, I have yet to read a negative review on it, either way whatever you choose, don't forget the :camera:'s

 

[SnapIT]

Eh, is this supposed to be a question? the RS6 is what you want! J/K... if i were you i would get the M3... it's a lot nicer than the 528 IMO...

 

[flood]

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Eh, is this supposed to be a question? the RS6 is what you want! J/K... if i were you i would get the M3... it's a lot nicer than the 528 IMO...

I was originally looking to get an A4 1.8t and modding it to ~300hp, but I was warned that the reliability isnt nearly close to what bmw offers.

If you've saved the money for it and can afford that unbelievable insurance, go for it!

Is the insurance really that unbelievable? I think its pretty reasonable for a M3. I expected it to be a lot higher.... 2100/yr is with a $500 deductible.
I know some of my friends pay almost that much for their econoboxes.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

If you don't get the M3 you will regret it later!

 

[Imported]

M3. You'll be happier with it.

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: flood

If you've saved the money for it and can afford that unbelievable insurance, go for it!

Is the insurance really that unbelievable? I think its pretty reasonable for a M3. I expected it to be a lot higher.... 2100/yr is with a $500 deductible.
I know some of my friends pay almost that much for their econoboxes.

Well, I guess if you are in Michigan and have no fault insurance, then maybe it's not too unreasonable. I pay $600 per year for my truck. I can't see spending more.

 

[PigPig]

go with M3~~

or else, you may regret.....

 

[RgrPark]

This is what you want

 

[DanTMWTMP]

u want the m3...even though the other is maybe a better car..but you won't get the charm and stares as an m3 would...

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: flood

Originally posted by: SnapIT
Eh, is this supposed to be a question? the RS6 is what you want! J/K... if i were you i would get the M3... it's a lot nicer than the 528 IMO...

I was originally looking to get an A4 1.8t and modding it to ~300hp, but I was warned that the reliability isnt nearly close to what bmw offers.

If you've saved the money for it and can afford that unbelievable insurance, go for it!

Is the insurance really that unbelievable? I think its pretty reasonable for a M3. I expected it to be a lot higher.... 2100/yr is with a $500 deductible.
I know some of my friends pay almost that much for their econoboxes.

eh, nah, if you mod an 1.8 to 300hp it will not be reliable... but the RS4 is kinda cool if you're looking at Audis... (had an original quattro once, heh, almost killed me)

Just don't kill yourself with your M3, it's a lot of car...

 

[glen]

M3 is too small.

 

[GTaudiophile]

The E36 M3 was voted "Best Handling Car in the World" at one point. I would give my left nut for one.

 

[damonpip]

Well if you'd consider any other cars, I'd vote for a new BMW 3 series or Saab 9-3.

 

[her209]

M3 if you have ballz. 528i if you're nutz.

 

[Phuz]

Insurance on the M3 is 2100/yr with comprehensive. The 528i is about $500 less.

How depressing. I pay 3000/yr with a clean driving record on a '91 Accord EX-R.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: Phuz

Insurance on the M3 is 2100/yr with comprehensive. The 528i is about $500 less.

How depressing. I pay 3000/yr with a clean driving record on a '91 Accord EX-R.

How old are you? How long have you been driving? Have looked into switching insurance companies?