BMW E36 M3 vs. Lexus IS300 - SRT Forums

SinceNine19 · 11-01-2005, 05:44 PM

Girlfriend is looking for a car...she craves the IS300, I crave her to get a E36 M3 or I wish an E46, but more than likely we'll stray from that for now.

Let's say in general, without regards to price of vehicle itself, any year really, 95-99 M3 and 01-05 IS.

Any input from any BMW/Lexus buffs on which would be better suited for her? I'll probably endup modding it...which would be a stronger or more reliable performer? Which would your g/f rather own hah!

Help me convince myself and her which is better overall in the longrun!

rockit05 · 11-01-2005, 05:57 PM

I am with her. I would probably be tempted to get the IS300 over an M3, if money is of any concern. I am pretty sure the maint/repair bills on the lexus will be cheaper too

stowaway · 11-01-2005, 06:51 PM

m3, better all around

MaNGiNa24 · 11-01-2005, 07:06 PM

Except reliability.

I'd stick with the IS300, it's more of a "girl" car and is much more visually appealing to the majority than the E36. If it were the IS or the e46, thatd be another story but I've personally seen too many e36 junk out on friends before 50k (water pumps, random pulleys that end up affecting timing belts).

SNE2040 · 11-01-2005, 11:58 PM

But doesn't the IS300 have a lot of capability because of it's 2JZ (Supra TT) motor?

xmdfmk7x · 11-02-2005, 12:14 AM

I feel I should chime in since I nearly bought an E36 M3, except it sold the day before I went to buy it, and I also work at a Lexus dealership.

If it were my choice, I'd get the IS300. The E36 M3's are starting to show their age, afterall the first E36 M3 is 10 years old now. You'd be better suited with a newer IS300. They're both great cars and both have potential for modding, but the IS300 is just a newer car that's got a pretty good aftermarket and a decently reliable motor. Only complaint I have with a 5 speed IS300 is that the tranny is really "clunky." The clutch feels real smooth, but the tranny just feels a little awkward to me and most of the people that I work with.

XxRedDevilxX · 11-02-2005, 12:27 AM

my brother has a 2002 IS300 and i love it i never heard of a problem no clunking nothing except what the dealer has caused. But i like the power the IS300 has. its really nice for a G/F. My girl like my car too but she would be happier with the IS thats my gurl though

Nipz · 11-02-2005, 12:42 AM

IS300...totally bad ass car..specially for a chick.

only because i know a chick with a black one that can do pretzels with her body ...o yeah you know it.

also...if it was my gf..i wouldnt really want her behind the wheel of a M3 for power reasons...i know thats sexist or whatever...some girls can drive fast powerful cars...just not all of them. something to think about.

smokin srt · 11-02-2005, 01:20 AM

being a former e36 owner (98 328i) i would definately say the lexus. toyota reliability is alot better than bmw. and when shit does go wrong, toyota is alot cheaper than bmw to fix. the e36 body is extremely outdated, it is 2 generations ago, the lexus can still be bought at lexus.

SinceNine19 · 11-02-2005, 08:30 AM

Thanks for the info so far guys, some good logical infomration to thin k about here being posted up, I appreciate all the comments!

SouthShoreSRT · 11-02-2005, 11:14 AM

The M3 is fun, but it's better as a "want it" car than a "need it" car. There are some reliability issues - go to Barnes & Noble and find a book called the BMW Buyer's Guide. It will give you some serious stuff to think about. Also, I tried to find a nice used BMW before I bought my SRT-4. Nice ones are very rare. Be prepared to look at a lot of 100,000+ mile smoker cars, or spend as much as you would on the much newer IS300. IMO, an older M3 is best left as a toy. In that respect though, they're a blast.

boost_SRT4 · 11-02-2005, 12:47 PM

the older generation m3's were slow. I believe they only put a little over 200 the the wheels. As most are saying too, the styling is dated. The IS is a fun car, my friend has one and he lets me take it out and rag on it some, haha. Good pull on the highway, sweet sounding engine, and yes as someone said it is the base supra engine. The suspension feels very tight on those cars as well, and makes for some nice powerslides with t/c off.

thehemi · 11-02-2005, 01:34 PM

I'd kill for a blue 4-door E36 M3 in my driveway!

SNE2040 · 11-02-2005, 02:38 PM

Hell, with the IS300, you can make it into a sleeper mini supra

hemidakota · 11-02-2005, 02:47 PM

The latest M3 is performance built vice pathetic IS300 from the showroom. If you are looking into strictly performance and modding only go elsewhere from selecting both.