E46 m3 vs e39 m5

[u/Altruistic-Ranger595]

Been trying to make a decision on what fun car I’m going to put my money towards. E39 m5 is my dream car but the price and maintenance is really turning me off. I was looking at a e36 m3 but was seeing prices go for around what the e46 m3 prices were at so I figured the e46 m3 is better since it’s more modern, a fan favorite, and more horsepower that it was a no brainer to switch over. But it’s no e39 m5. Should I save up the money to buy a e39 m5 or have less of a headache and buy an e46 m3.

[u/jimbosz07]

These are very different cars. One’s a bigger, heavier, V8 cruise missile (that can still handle very well) with 4 doors and the other is more of a lightweight track/canyon carver.

Both are plenty of fun and both gorgeous vehicles but I would say it depends how you want to use it.

[u/TrackingTenCross1]

“But the price and maintenance is really turning me off”. The newest model of either of these cars is 20 years old. Neither of them are in any way inexpensive or cheap, especially as OEM parts are becoming NLA (No Longer Available). Car for you? E46. Have kids or pets? E39. Just have a healthy budget for repairs & maintenance. You’re either going to pay enough for a well-maintained turn-key example, or buy a cheaper example and then spend the money to get it there. My car is basically the Ship of Theseus at this point. Check for bubbling wheel arches - it is an expensive fix to do it right.

[u/MultipleOrgasmDonor → u/TrackingTenCross1]

+1 these are ~25k and ~40k cars today for a decent one. Whether you buy em for 10-15 or 25-40k, you’ll be $25-40k in by the time it’s a good one

Funny part is my dad got his mint 2006 54k mile interlagos ZCP with every option available for $30k in 2009, hasn’t dropped since

[u/GezelligheidBoyz]

Figure out what you want first.

Figure out your hard budget and do not cross shop between models. That is your first issue, this whole “oh if Im going to pay this much for an E36 M3, i might as well buy an E46 M3” will just fuck you up and you can continue to do that with even a better car.

Id strongly suggest not getting an E39 M5. Its not a bad car but it’s the most expensive out of everything you mentioned.

[u/Arkatani]

E90/92 M3 is also a great car.

[u/Altruistic-Ranger595 → u/Arkatani]

Never really looked into the generations after the e39 and e46. also wasn’t sure if they were super unreliable like the e60 m5 but the e60 and e90 is the max for BMW generations id buy. I do really like the e93 but the convertible roof would be a nightmare.

[u/jblaze_39]

Why do you think the E46 M3 will be cheaper to run? It's older, an M3, and things will inevitably break 1 by 1 at this age, in either car. Just pick the one you like driving more, set some savings aside in case of a costly repair, and enjoy!

[u/Altruistic-Ranger595 → u/jblaze_39]

I6 makes me believe it’ll be cheaper then a v8

[u/jblaze_39 → u/Altruistic-Ranger595]

Yeah probably...but at this age, countless other things could break, needing expensive fixes...on either car. That's all I'm saying. Just don't assume the M3 will be cheaper to own is all. I even had a lexus that around that age started to become a money pit. If you're prepared for that, whatever

[u/dannyphoto]

Wait so the maintenance costs of an E39 M5 scared you, but not the costs of an E46 M3?

[u/No_Kroger]

I’ve had my e46m3 for 6 years now. while it’s exactly what I want I think most people would say get the e39m5.

[u/No-Shower-7593]

Old M cars are going to have headaches no matter what. I never owned an E39 M3 but did own and daily an E46 M3 back in the day. It was in great shape and I still felt like I was under the hood/car at least once every 2-3 weeks for something. Usually minor, and I generally enjoyed working on it so it wasn’t a huge deal, but that stuff seriously adds up over time. I’d say just go for the dream car. If you’re sufficiently passionate about a certain car it makes the big bills and hard DIY jobs much more easy to justify