Genuine Question :) 1997/1998 540i or 1998 M3

[thereds]

Well I am extremely interested in purchasing a used 540i but the one that I went to look today for the one that the dealership had listed, it had just been sold. Anyway, the dealer guy showed me a 1998 M3 in positive black. It looked pretty decent, but had a lot of swirls on it. Notable specs - rear spoiler, cd changer [bmw], 240 HP, and inline 6 cyl engine. They were selling it for 28K. It also had 41k miles on it. With a good detail this car would look absolutely gorgeous. I took for a test drive with the sales guy and I gunned it on the highway and the sucker reached 100 in no time. The car has solid grip on the road and very tight as well [handling wise].

The 1997/1998 540i I want has an 8 cyl engine with 282 hp. A '97 retails for around $30k and a 98 for about $35k. I like the new body shape and the car looks like a beast which is simply stunning, how much ever hard that is to believe. I am sure its a monster on the road...I can only speculate because I haven't test driven one.

What do you guys think?

 

[thereds]

errrr...?

 

[Soulflare]

I'd take the M3... however if you could find a nice 540i with the 6-speed...
talk about a "no-lose" situation you lucky bastard.

 

[Shaftatplanetquake]

LOL

Drove 100 with the used car salesman in there?

LOL

 

[BMdoobieW]

I'd take the M3. Less money - more fun - from what I've read in like every car magazine.

 

[Ns1]

i've driven both

i'd take the m3

 

[glen]

540 if it is an Alucil rather than a nikacil

 

[thereds]

<< LOL

Drove 100 with the used car salesman in there?

LOL >>



Man, he told me....'go ahead gun it after you take the on ramp'

I was like oh hell yeah.

 

[thereds]

anyone else?

 

[CraigRT]

<< Drove 100 with the used car salesman in there? >>



when i took out the Nissan Sentra SE-R spec-V for a test drive i took it down a local road which is known for high speeds.. the woman who was with me (from the dealership) was kick ass and she said do whatever... i redlined it off the line, first, 2nd, 3rd, and then halfway through 4th.. i definitely hit close to 100mph, i love test drives..

Id get the M3 myself, more sporty = winner.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Don't buy a used Beemer.

 

[phatcow]

its not if you can afford the purchase cost. its if you can afford the matainance costs.

 

[geno]

28k for a 98 M3? Blah, that gen is weak, though I'm sure they handle. If you HAVE to choose between the two, go for the 540. Although for that price you could get something along the lines of an IS300 (brand new)

 

[UNCjigga]

Dude...that M3 HAS to have MORE than just 240hp...sheesh that's my Volvo T5R or an '02 Altima right there...

SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR A BRAND-NEW NISSAN 350Z!

 

[thereds]

i gots to get a beemer.

no japanese for me although the 350z looks tight.

 

[toant103]

M3

 

[geno]

<< SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR A BRAND-NEW NISSAN 350Z! >>


Oh god yes, couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[freebee]

You can't go wrong with either one, provided they have both received regular maintenance. The swirly marks are a pain to get rid of, especially on dark colors. (If you detail it, they are going to be taking off paint.) The wash and wax process must be done with clean towels in a linear fashion, also the choice of products makes a difference.

As for an objective choice, the M3 may have been driven harder, simply given the demographics that purchase it. The 540 is no slouch performance-wise (its just as fast as the M3 with the manual), its also the larger, more luxurious vehicle. Go with the 540 unless you have reason not to.

 

[SuperGroove]

<< 28k for a 98 M3? Blah, that gen is weak, though I'm sure they handle. If you HAVE to choose between the two, go for the 540. Although for that price you could get something along the lines of an IS300 (brand new) >>



240HP is weak?
0-60 in mid 5s is weak?
1/4 mile in low 14s is weak?


I'd like to know what you drive that is as able in STOCK form as the E36 M3. I'm 99% sure that your car, or any other stock automobile on the road today, wouldn't be able match the superb dynamics and handling capabilities, not to mention the excellent compromise between roadgrip and ride, of the E36 M3.

Back to the original question. 28K for a M3? Mmm...I'd wait, man. EVO VII is coming out, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say tat a rally inspired car that is as ugly as all get out won't appeal to you, no matter how well it handles. The WRX STI is also coming out, but it's nearly as ugly as the EVO VII. Mazda is introducing their gorgeous RX-8, as is Nissan with their Z car.

For $28,000, you could find your way into a 2.5L Boxster. Not as fast as either of the cars you mentioned, but in many minds, a more fun automobile. Also for $28,000, you could maybe swing a 2000-2001 Audi S4. Still not good enough? Well then you're just picky.

If I had $28,000 I'd buy a Porsche 968. If you can't wait though, the 540i will have a lower resale value than the 1998 M3. M motorsports cars usually have better resale values. The M3 is completely different than the 540i in their intentions. Go for the 540i if you're looking for a daily driver, and the M3 if you're a true automotive enthusiast.

It really shouldn't be *coughM3cough* that hard.

 

[thereds]

hehe, I see where most you guys are getting at.