This is an easy choice for me. First off I love BMW's. I have owned three. One of them is the reason I bought a WRX wagon. That car was a 530i with a ton of Dinan and M series parts . I bought it this way. Lacking any exterior mods it was a total sleeper that I used to dominate all of the GT cars( z cars,rx7's,mustangs,f bdies etc.) of the day. Hence the wagon. While it is no longer a sleeper the old 5 series is what convinced me to go with it. That said I would still go STI.

I get to drive a lot of stuff at work. I am not a valet but the pre owned manager of a Mercedes/Nissan dealership. going on 12 years now. I drive this stuff for days at a time. I find cars like the M series cars and the AMG Mercedes to be great for blasting up and down the highway but too antiseptic for what I like to do.I like to feel the car working and doing it's thing. I enjoy blasting down country roads with broken pavement, dips that bottom out Z cars and the occasional set of railroad tracks that bring most cars down to less than 30 mph while I continue at speed.


While the M3 suffers less from this than the M5 it is still a BMW. A drivers machine but still luxurious. You may not know you are about to break traction until you actually do for instance. The AMG 55 Mercedes is the worst offender but the engine in that car is awesome!! If that is the kind of car you guys want then go for the M series but be forewarned that these cars are very expensive to modify.

Do not assume your dad will want to go the luxury sport route. I am a 44 year old grandfather with a sonic yellow stage 2 wagon sporting yellow stickers on the side skirts

 

I guess its really dependent on your dad's choice in a few categories.

Everyone is going to have their preference in styling, comfort, and performance so I'd just say whip out the old driver's license and test drive a couple of the cars first then weigh out the costs vs. fun and appeal factors.

 

Your 44 and already a grandfather, How old are your kids to already have there own kids?

 

My son is 23 and my grandaughter is 14 months old. I have an older son at twenty five as well. Both college grads. I had three kids by the time I was 23.

I got married at 19. Just like 5000 rpm launches I advise against this course. It can be done succesfully but you got to do it just right.

 

both are good in snow BMW has the best trx control I a have ever seen I had a 2001 330Ci and it was safer in the snow than my WRX I know a guy who is driving his mid 90s 750 in the snow here in Ne with summer tires on it. I will say watch out for all the little trim parts on the BMW the drivetrane is great but trim tends to be a bit crappy and it will add up quick.

 

Maybe in Nebraska where it is flat. Where I live rear wheel drive is a definite disadvantage when there is snow on the ground. Traction control or not your 330ci will be in a world of hurt around here in even a light snow. On a steep grade BMW and MB's traction control systems will simply bring the car to a halt as wheelspin cannot be eliminated. That is why it can be turned off. In my part of the country steep hills are encountered on most every commute. I do not even stock non AWD luxury sedans after August. They are almost sell proof.

 

Best Quote ever!!!

 

STi

 

M3 understeers more and is heavier. Around Sears Point(Infineon Raceway) STI quicker(both stock). In the end one has to pick the car that makes you happiest when walking up to it with the keys in ones hand. Just my 2 cents.

 

i dont know about that one m3 understeering more. ive driven both and i feel much MUCH more understeer from the stock sti. subarus are kind of notorious for understeer.
if the m3 is driven with a descent line w/o late braking it should oversteer slightly, not understeer.
then again it might just be our different driving styles.

 

i have an sti and i would love to have gotten the chance to own a M3 =D

 

Im sorry. You are just not right. I have lived in PA in close distance of Philadelphia (Abington), which gets a fair amount of snow. For the past 5 years I have lived in Stamford, Connecticut, which gets a hell of alot more snow. During my years here I have owned and operated my 323ci. My father, being an M Fanatic, owns three M BMWs and just recently got the new M5, which he was driving out in the sleet just a couple days ago....

some pictures as proof...
From left to right
04 M Roadster, 03 M5, 01 M3 vert (1st in CT)




My 323 in the picture






Some of the new M5....
19s




shaky shot




....Now, all of the cars except the roadster have snow tires put on them every winter. My dad has previously had an 850csi, which is a real lugger and has alot of power in the rear. Snow tires on all of these cars makes a world of difference.

I live in CT up in the freakin woods, so I know hills like everyone else, and I can tell you in confidence that I have no problems navigating these roads without fear of getting stuck. I feel as if you are misinformed, or you have never had the chance to try a RWD car with snow tires. Traction control does hurt you when you are in a rut, but it does do its job to help get up hills; even if it begins to slow you down, you turn it off and can have more control.

There really are no downsides at all, I just wanted to make that clear. There is no urge to have a RWD car in my family (mom drives a 330i RWD not pictured), as the snow tires do their job.

too bad im taking delivery of my 06 aspen in a couple days!! can't wait!

Adam

 

Ballers !

 

even though i dd a bmw... i've driven an e46 m3 and an STI, and i would go for the latter.

 

huge pics are kicking my connections ****...

must


wait


longer...




If you got the $$$ M3 is a hard car to beat. But like the dirt so I'd get an STi...