BRZ vs 2004 BMW m3?
 

I'm looking at either of these for my next car. I will be driving both to and from school everyday but my school is only about 4 miles away.

I've specialized in E46 M3 for the last 8 years, but in the last 3 years I've been involved in the BRZ/FRS market. I could tell you the inside and outs about the E46 M3, but there are a few rules with the M3 if that's what you want to buy. If you don't have extra $$ for maintenance, then go with the BRZ. E46 M3 is a great car but it is more difficult to maintain compared to the BRZ. There are very notable problems with the M3 as well, like subframe failures, motor failures in which there was a recall already (from 2001-2003). If you want an M3, then I would get 2003.5 and UP ONLY which were the cars not involved in the recall, I'd get a manual ONLY which is extremely difficult to find because it's very well noted that the SMG transmission is finicky which is run by hydraulics. M3 is a more powerful car for sure, but if you don't have extra cash for maintenance and all that, it could be a nightmare, or it could be the best car you've ever owned.

M3, especially if u aren't gonna drive it that much. + u are student, u can always ask family for help if something goes wrong with the car.

I vote BRZ. Its better on gas and you get a warranty if something breaks. Insurance would be probably about the same for either one.

Only 4 miles away? How about a bicycle or scooter instead? ;) :D

You need to take into account the cost of maintenance/ownership with the BMW, especially since you are looking at one that is 10 years old. You are going to spend thousands of dollars with some of the normal repairs, and you won't do that with an FR-S/BRZ. As a student, whom I am assuming does not have unlimited funds, I would get the newer more dependable car.

Four miles? Bicycle and a track miata.

Brilliant! /thread. :clap: :bellyroll:

Maybe BMW cuz women like it

You're right, what's not to like about a wiener, sorry, I meant bimmer. :lol: ;)

Buying a brand new/slightly used car versus buying a car that is 10 years old with known high maintenance costs.


No brainer in my eyes. If you're looking for more power, you there are plenty of options in the price range of a brz that are still new with less Maintenence costs.

I sold my e46 M3 shortly after I received my BRZ.

The M3 is an absolute great value for performance. Especially if you like a little curb appeal and nice interior. It's noting over the top but classic BMW. The M3 has great power, a great chassis, sound brakes, and loads of lateral grip (I had 275s in the rear). My only knock is it's 3350-3400 lbs. So you feel the mass through turns. It's not as fun throwing around in turns as the BRZ was.

The other thing is maintenance. It will be more expensive. BMW parts carry a premium. The biggest thing is finding one that has been well maintained. They will run for a long time as long as they are maintained well. The VANOS system needs to be adjusted pretty frequently and is an expensive job. Otherwise, the M3 is great but I was happy with the BRZ. Although I ended up supercharging the BRZ because I missed the power.

Given that he's a student with limited funds, I'd go with a suggestion above and get a scooter or if that's too slow a 250, 300 or 500cc bike.


Or failing that (or having a requirement for weather, etc for a car) I'd go buy a 3-4k civic, integra, etc. Reliable, good fuel economy and cheap to repair.


A 20-30k car for a student just doesn't make any financial sense.

My GF likes the BRZ more than my M3. Not that it matters, the BRZ is still sitting in the garage with a dead battery and I still drive the M3 everywhere.


OP, if you decide used BRZ let me know.. :)