Need Car Advice

So I've recently been looking for a new car, and coming to quite the tough decision.

So the rundown, I began looking for an E46 chassis 3 series with the ZHP package, and an M3 kind of fell into my lap in that price range. Now I 100% plan on buying that if my questions are answered properly. Unfortunately, I wanted to do the deal this weekend if I could talk to the owner's mechanic early this week which is slowly turning into later this week. I have already driven this car and if the mechanic answers my questions/concerns, I'd be stupid not to buy it at this price.

Now today, I thought hey, why not maybe check out a Mini, and financially this makes more sense, as the insurance is HALF and I am not just exaggerating, the insurance costs 50% of the M3's quote, not to mention I can get a better rate and have a smaller initial payment. My main concern is will I be extremely disappointed with a Mini on the track compared to the ZHP version of a BMW and if any larger gentleman have experience with Mini's please chime in as well, I am 6'1" ~250 and am slightly worried about that as well.

So with money aside, would it be unintelligent to overlook the other BMW's in lieu of a Mini?

In three years, what are you gonna kick yourself for more; driving a Mini instead of the car you really wanted, or paying so gosh-darn much every month for insurance?

The "intelligent" choice is to buy a gently used Toyota Corolla, and not to spend more money than you need to on silly things like cars, but I don't think I'm speaking only for myself when I say we don't put much stock in "intelligence" round these parts.

Seriously, as long as the M3s in good shape mechanically, and you can afford the extra expenses, it should really just come down to what you'd enjoy driving more.

Well I think I am going to test drive Mini tonight, but the thing is, this is more whether the Mini would compare to a ZHP 330. Since the M3 is basically this car or bust, as no others are really in my price range. The car is good mechanically and its no contest for the M3, but if the M3 falls through, I am back to looking for ZHP versions or a Mini.

I had an instuctor who drove a Mini S and I would say he and I both were both close to your height and weight limits. He is 6 or 6'1 and over 200, I am 5'10 and over 200 as well. we fit snuggly but comfortabely going around the track. Admitting his was modified it was shaming many a Corvette and Porsche out there so they have the potencial. That being said an M3 is any M3 and very little truly compares.

The Mini will also be cheaper on tires, fuel, oil changes, maybe brakes . . .

On the other hand, it will always be a fwd chassis

Yeah, still working on the M3 deal, but if it falls through, how does the Mini compare to the basic sport package or ZHP packaged 330i/Ci's?

That is the real question I am asking...

What are your plans for it? Track days and autox? Autox only? DD?

Minis are pretty quick at autox, more so than any non-M stock 3 series I've seen run. On track? I don't know -- I haven't seen too many Minis at the days I've been to.

Do you like torque? 4 seats and a trunk? Maybe 4 doors? Those are questions to ask yourself.

If I find the right sedan, then great, however, most of the BMW's I have been finding are coupes. I definitely have plans to join the BMWCCA and do some HPDE's/Auto-X's.

As far as back seat, I don't sit there, and don't plan on being the one to chaffeur friends around, so no issues with the Mini there, and it's not like the BMW Coupes have a great back seat either.

Why couldn't BMW have just made the Mini's RWD. This would be a much easier decision...

flountown wrote: Why couldn't BMW have just made the Mini's RWD.

As always, the answer lies within oneself . . .

Sounds like you know what you want.

You forgot to factor in the cost of depreciation. That M3 will hold its value a lot better than a Mini.

If you're gonna join BMWCCA, you should get the M3. Otherwise you'll always just find yourself turning around to look over at them and....

Sounds like comparing an apple to a grapefruit. If the M3 is really what you want, the MINI (regardless of how good it is in it's own class) won't do the trick. I'd actually reccommend that if the M3 deal doesn't come through, get yourself a lower trim level E46, and buy some upgrades that'll let you get a little closer to M3 performance level with the money you'll save on the insurance.

Well the only way I'd buy a base model E46 is if it has the ZHP package which gives you the 6 Spd M3 transmission, shifter, steering wheel, suspension, and some exterior parts.

But now on to another question, I found another M3 in my price range, but it has a theft recovery title from about a year ago, how does this affect car value? Is it as bad in terms of title issues as say a salvage or flood issue?

All I needed to hear, thanks.

I would buy the M3. Especially considering thats what you REALLY want!

flountown wrote: Well the only way I'd buy a base model E46 is if it has the ZHP package which gives you the 6 Spd M3 transmission, shifter, steering wheel, suspension, and some exterior parts. But now on to another question, I found another M3 in my price range, but it has a theft recovery title from about a year ago, how does this affect car value? Is it as bad in terms of title issues as say a salvage or flood issue?

Are you planning to ever sell it again? Or is it cheap enough to keep, even when you need to move onto something esle? If it's cheap, and resale isn 't a pressing concern, then go for it.