Nissan 350Z vs BMW M3 running costs
Discussion
Hi guys,
Been looking at 2 door coupes for my next car, requirements being:
RWD with LSD
Be more than comfortable cruising at 80-90
Reasonable running costs
I've got a 350Z in my head after seeing how cheap you can pick them up now, although I'm thinking of stretching myself for a 2007 model with the 'rev up' engine. But then for that money (8-9k ish) you can pick up a decent condition E46 M3 which as far as performance is conerned, should wipe it's arse with the Nissan.
However, I still think the Nissan would probably be cheaper as far as servicing and consumables is concerned. Plus it's a bit more unique and definitely no slouch. But if the Z is no cheaper than an M to run, what's the point..
Been looking at 2 door coupes for my next car, requirements being:
RWD with LSD
Be more than comfortable cruising at 80-90
Reasonable running costs
I've got a 350Z in my head after seeing how cheap you can pick them up now, although I'm thinking of stretching myself for a 2007 model with the 'rev up' engine. But then for that money (8-9k ish) you can pick up a decent condition E46 M3 which as far as performance is conerned, should wipe it's arse with the Nissan.
However, I still think the Nissan would probably be cheaper as far as servicing and consumables is concerned. Plus it's a bit more unique and definitely no slouch. But if the Z is no cheaper than an M to run, what's the point..
I've had both. M3 is much more of a car, the 350z does feel special though.
E46 M3s don't cost the earth to service. If you find one that's just had the big inspection 2 (£500) it's a long time before you get another big service bill.
I'd say you'd get better economy out of the M3 too, tyres are about the same price. 4 seats. No brainer, unless you want a 350z for looks. It's aged better than the M3 IMHO.
E46 M3s don't cost the earth to service. If you find one that's just had the big inspection 2 (£500) it's a long time before you get another big service bill.
I'd say you'd get better economy out of the M3 too, tyres are about the same price. 4 seats. No brainer, unless you want a 350z for looks. It's aged better than the M3 IMHO.
I went through that dilemma, I looked at loads of ads and anything decent in M3 wise was expensive, there was loads of dross around with a bazillion miles and sketchy history, a colleague of mine bought one and had to spend £1500 on Vanos and a couple of other bits and then there is the cracking subframe/bodyshell issue. I wanted a convertible and I don't like 4 seaters so that kind of made it easier (Z4M was way over budget), as did finding a 33,000 mile 2007 model for a really good price, has just needed a new exhaust, common issue and I bid accordingly and replaced it. Not spent anything else.
The M3 is a bit faster, not night and day like some would have you believe, the 350Z is still 300 bhp, and handling wise, on track they seem evenly matched. MPG wise I get 20 at the moment but that can be bettered, remember it needs Super Unleaded, oh and the VED is £490 for post March 2006 registered models, but think the BMW will be similar.
So, depends how much you want to spend, I find its enough car for me, plenty fast enough for now and comparatively rare.
Here is an 350Z having its "arse wiped" by an M3,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4TvLas1TM
The M3 is a bit faster, not night and day like some would have you believe, the 350Z is still 300 bhp, and handling wise, on track they seem evenly matched. MPG wise I get 20 at the moment but that can be bettered, remember it needs Super Unleaded, oh and the VED is £490 for post March 2006 registered models, but think the BMW will be similar.
So, depends how much you want to spend, I find its enough car for me, plenty fast enough for now and comparatively rare.
Here is an 350Z having its "arse wiped" by an M3,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4TvLas1TM
Edited by J4CKO on Tuesday 11th March 18:16
Bad Biddy said:
Hi guys,
Been looking at 2 door coupes for my next car, requirements being:
RWD with LSD
Be more than comfortable cruising at 80-90
Reasonable running costs
How about a Monaro? The LSx V8 is lightly stressed and should be good for intergalactic mileages with minimal expense. Parts are cheap should you need them, servicing costs bugger all, consumables are far better priced than an m3 etc.Been looking at 2 door coupes for my next car, requirements being:
RWD with LSD
Be more than comfortable cruising at 80-90
Reasonable running costs
The car makes a good GT - comfort and refinement at speed are both great, and it can be fun to hustle for something that size. Oh, and the soundtrack ain't too bad either
No comparison really, I owned a 350z, not particularly quick, far too heavy, chocolate brakes, thirsty, noisy ( road noise ), ok on smooth roads, poor damping and wheel control, hopeless on track ( brakes, yes with Brembos ), looking dated now. Good fun on wet roundabouts with tc off though...
I have drove both & I liked both of them, I do prefer the looks & rarity of the 350z & for me both will be good cars to own but getting a nice E46 M3 is getting harder I would imagine...I really fancy ticking the 350z box though.
Owned a E92 M3 & that didn't feel at all special its just a 3 series in a nice dress whereas for me there is something a little more special about the 350z its purpose built to be a sports car not the other way around like the M3.
I also an not keen on the M tax that bmw put on for servicing a M3 when compared to the rest of the range, in truth though I don't think you will be disappointed with either car as both are decent.
Owned a E92 M3 & that didn't feel at all special its just a 3 series in a nice dress whereas for me there is something a little more special about the 350z its purpose built to be a sports car not the other way around like the M3.
I also an not keen on the M tax that bmw put on for servicing a M3 when compared to the rest of the range, in truth though I don't think you will be disappointed with either car as both are decent.
hondansx said:
Really like the look and sound of the 350z, but it really isn't a quick car. The M3 is a very good all-rounder, just don't buy a shed. If you can't buy one that has been looked after well, then don't get one at all.
I've got a 370z which is not too much different performance wise than the later 350z. They are neck and neck with z4ms, my pals old z3m roadster and noticably quicker than my pals e36 m3.Really don't get the "really isn't a quick car" when it's being compared to an m3 as opposed to a Veyron.
Bad Biddy said:
Fun video.
But thanks for the good post, I wouldn't be too worried about Vanos personally but I know it's something to consider. Did you get the convertible Z? How long have you owned it?
Yes, a cab, bought it in Sept to replace a lovely, but needy 944 cab.But thanks for the good post, I wouldn't be too worried about Vanos personally but I know it's something to consider. Did you get the convertible Z? How long have you owned it?
It is fairly quick, not s
t the bed quick, the power delivery is deceptive as there is no step in it, it is noticeably quicker than the 944 S2 but not nearly 100 bhp worth of quicker, depends where you are coming from, I decided to go for an all round package, that included reliability and so far its been spot on, its a 2007 but still feels pretty new to me (after the 944 that is quite easy). Going to run and enjoy it, went to work and back in it today with the roof down, the exhaust making a racket, pretty agreeable, tin tops don't hit the spot the same now and a couple of seconds to 100 mph isn't worth chasing unless I have more money to avoid buying another unique fixer upper opportunity, just wanted to have it start, not give me any agro and am sure the BMW would be reliable but an 8 grand M3 would have had three times the mileage and owners and be three or four years older, it was, after all a lot dearer new.It feels a bit like a modern(ish) Japanese take on a Big Healey to me.
I will keep it in good condition and fully expect to get most, if not all my money back and my next one will be a Z4M convertible, but no rush.
Hooch747 said:
No comparison really, I owned a 350z, not particularly quick, far too heavy, chocolate brakes, thirsty, noisy ( road noise ), ok on smooth roads, poor damping and wheel control, hopeless on track ( brakes, yes with Brembos ), looking dated now. Good fun on wet roundabouts with tc off though...
They are a bit noisy for long journeys, cab is actually a bit better in that respect as it doesn't have the void in the back that causes most of it.I have found the brakes to be nothing short of brilliant and am impressed with the handling, they are pretty heavy but so is the M3, big six cylinder cars are, especially when they are as well built as the 350Z, an Elise it isn't and if it were made form more exotic materials it would have been a lot more expensive.
The one in the video didn't look hopeless but to be fair, it isn't a track car, a few mods are usually required for road cars to not feel out of their depth.
Try a few hard brakes, they soon wilt. Managed 2 laps on track before they were finished - and that was with high temp fluid and Pagids. Luckily Id had a friend drive my Caterham down. Handling ? on smooth roads OK, but a 968 CS or Sport for example is just so much better, despite being 10 years older.
I've got a 370Z and I've had an E46 M3 in the past. They're both brilliant cars and I wouldn't begrudge anybody who picked one over the other.
That said, I think it'll be harder to find a looked-after M3 than a 350Z, the former unfortunately seem to be commonly bought by the types who can't afford to run it. The Z, while more susceptible to modifications, tends to be owned by a more caring owner (IME).
Performance-wise, you can argue all day long but for me, the Nissan has more useable power (the M3's got longer gears that make it harder to blast through them legally), but the Nissan's also heavy-handed on traction control (i.e. you'll have to turn it off to have a bit of fun, which doesn't put you in a good light if you do accidentally bin it and get found to have turned TC off; the M3 allows you to have a bit of fun). Servicing-wise, the Nissan's probably cheaper but offsets it with high road tax.
I couldn't pick between the two. It's a lovely dilemma to be in so I would recommend going with your heart and picking a good example of what you want. You'll miss the other car, of course, but trying to decide between the two is like trying to decide which ear you prefer.
That said, I think it'll be harder to find a looked-after M3 than a 350Z, the former unfortunately seem to be commonly bought by the types who can't afford to run it. The Z, while more susceptible to modifications, tends to be owned by a more caring owner (IME).
Performance-wise, you can argue all day long but for me, the Nissan has more useable power (the M3's got longer gears that make it harder to blast through them legally), but the Nissan's also heavy-handed on traction control (i.e. you'll have to turn it off to have a bit of fun, which doesn't put you in a good light if you do accidentally bin it and get found to have turned TC off; the M3 allows you to have a bit of fun). Servicing-wise, the Nissan's probably cheaper but offsets it with high road tax.
I couldn't pick between the two. It's a lovely dilemma to be in so I would recommend going with your heart and picking a good example of what you want. You'll miss the other car, of course, but trying to decide between the two is like trying to decide which ear you prefer.
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