[positiveions]

Ok Bimmer-heads, which one would you purchase?

[10"]

as someone who grew up fantasizing about an E30 M3 and eventually started fantasizing about the 1M-----and subsequently buying my ultimate dream car in the 1M my answer would be:

BUY WHICHEVER one satisfies your biggest want. There is no logic or rationale in choosing between these 2. 'investment' or 'future collectability' is not deep enough. Historical and archival anecdotes about either won't cut it. Both of these are iconic in their own way and for their own reasons.

You can't lose with either. Literally the 2 coolest BMWs ever made, IMO.

I made my choice already between the 2 and in 5.5 years in 1M ownership i still lust after the 1M!

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by 10"

as someone who grew up fantasizing about an E30 M3 and eventually started fantasizing about the 1M-----and subsequently buying my ultimate dream car in the 1M my answer would be:

BUY WHICHEVER one satisfies your biggest want. There is no logic or rationale in choosing between these 2. 'investment' or 'future collectability' is not deep enough. Historical and archival anecdotes about either won't cut it. Both of these are iconic in their own way and for their own reasons.

You can't lose with either. Literally the 2 coolest BMWs ever made, IMO.

I made my choice already between the 2 and in 5.5 years in 1M ownership i still lust after the 1M!

Good point.

[roastbeef]

e30 m3 is only going to appreciate. i do like the m2, but there is little to it that is proprietary and its a turbo m car like every other slightly different flavor the brand has been diluted to.

edit- for some reason i read "m2." tough call with the 1m. its one of my favorites.

[DanG]

I would go for the 1M. Orange 6 speed for sure.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by DanG

I would go for the 1M. Orange 6 speed for sure.

And that’s the color I was like looking at.

[fastboatster]

Lol, wish I had to make this kind of decision. I'm not sure if there were more e30 m3s made than 1Ms. Maybe I'd drive them both and see which one you like more. Both of these cars are going to appreciate even more, although I've heard that less people heard about the 1M, so when they do, it might shoot up in value

[Yvette]

Easy choice, tons of m3 series, where 1M is only one.

[Feddersen]

If you want to drive it and drive fast take the 1M. If you want a car where people come and say "oooh" and talk to you about the car take the M3.

If you want performance take a brand new M2 or a M240i if you want to use it as a DD.

Personally I would always take the one which I consider the best driving machine and the M3 is not a fast car anymore.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Feddersen

If you want to drive it and drive fast take the 1M. If you want a car where people come and say "oooh" and talk to you about the car take the M3.

If you want performance take a brand new M2 or a M240i if you want to use it as a DD.

Personally I would always take the one which I consider the best driving machine and the M3 is not a fast car anymore.

The 1M can easily be used as a DD and family car. It's been ours for almost 6 years now. Nothing else I'd rather have...

[3002 tii]

1M for me, the fact it’s a toss up shows you can’t go wrong with either so I’ll take the one that has more usable power for today’s standards and comes with more parts availability for down the road.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

1M for me, the fact it’s a toss up shows you can’t go wrong with either so I’ll take the one that has more usable power for today’s standards and comes with more parts availability for down the road.

You nailed it. E30 M3 parts are becoming scarce. Just to give you an example, I am trying to tackle 5-lug conversion on my E30 325is, finding front and rear calipers from an E30 M3 have become a full time job. I did find them but at at 3 different retailers.

[No Boost]

1M simply because of the low milesge. I think they're both overpriced.

[Darth One]

As an addition to the 'fleet' i already have - i go E30.

As my only/first car, the 1M. Modernity would mean so much more in that scenario

[Redd]

If you're buying to drive, 1M. If you're buying to invest, E30 M3.

[yco]

im no hater of 1M but the fact that it doesnt have an M built engine d make me half smile on the road cause i d know it.. yes it has an M chassis but still..

i d go for low millage (hard) project car E46 M3 and never sell it again.. or go for M2C and not selling it for 4-5 years probably.. sorry i never dreamed of E30 M3 or 1M..

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by yco

im no hater of 1M but the fact that it doesnt have an M built engine d make me half smile on the road cause i d know it.. yes it has an M chassis but still..

i d go for low millage (hard) project car E46 M3 and never sell it again.. or go for M2C and not selling it for 4-5 years probably.. sorry i never dreamed of E30 M3 or 1M..

E46 M3 is good car; nonetheless, it too suffered some chassis weakness. But, it is a good car with good engine.
If I buy either of these cars it will be a keeper.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

1M simply because of the low milesge. I think they're both overpriced.

I agree. Both are overpriced and I’m my opinion, 1M gained more momentum with resale value.

Originally Posted by Darth One

As an addition to the 'fleet' i already have - i go E30.

As my only/first car, the 1M. Modernity would mean so much more in that scenario

I do have a fleet: 1990 E30 325is with original 44k miles, 1998 E36 M3 with 87k miles and 2016 Golf sports wagon.

Originally Posted by Redd

If you're buying to drive, 1M. If you're buying to invest, E30 M3.

I am trying to keep either of these cars as a weekend worrier. Casual long drive would be ideal.

[Gamb1t]

Neither. Z3 M Coupe.

[engine killer]

E30 M3
tried one with rhd conversion some years ago. i can still remember the first few miles - ok, but not too fast and my heavily modded peugeot 205 out pace it on the straight. the last few miles, a smile and then a big grin. due to i couldn't afford another "OLD" car especially maintenance, so i went for a renault r26r.
haven't tried the 1M but it looks loovely to me. enjoying the N54 from my Z4 so i believe the 1M will only be stronger.
prefer the communication from the E30M3 that new cars cannot easily provide, so if i have the spare money - E30M3

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by engine killer

E30 M3
tried one with rhd conversion some years ago. i can still remember the first few miles - ok, but not too fast and my heavily modded peugeot 205 out pace it on the straight. the last few miles, a smile and then a big grin. due to i couldn't afford another "OLD" car especially maintenance, so i went for a renault r26r.
haven't tried the 1M but it looks loovely to me. enjoying the N54 from my Z4 so i believe the 1M will only be stronger.
prefer the communication from the E30M3 that new cars cannot easily provide, so if i have the spare money - E30M3

The crowd is divided: some see the E30 M3 as iconic and legendary; hence, nothing can replace it. Yet, it may not be powerful but the feedback from handling to braking etc. provide a memorable experience.
Or, 1M can chew the ground before the E30 M3: fast, agile and achievable.
On a side note, I used to dream about owning a Renault R5 turbo when I was a kid.

[BayE30]

Having driven both in stock and modified form, my vote goes to the 1M.

The e30 m3 is the best looking car BMW ever made. BUT it does not drive THAT GREAT. In stock form its slow, doesnt handle that great, and is not very comforatable. Add to that the value is appreciating so rapidly, and parts are so rare/expensive, that most owners are scared to even take it for a drive.

The 1M drives like the modern equivalent of the e30 m3. Its decently fast and comfy, and MANY parts are shared with other chassis ensure its serviceable for a long time moving forward.