Ok, opinion time.

I'm selling my 98 cobra and planning on purchasing a 2003 Cobra to go along with my 2001 Lightning. All was on track (no pun intended) until my buddy picked up his new 2003 M3. Now I'm throwing around the idea of not buying the Cobra and selling the Lightning to get an M3.

Pros for Cobra:

More HP
Cheaper, can keep the Lightning and have 2 vehicles.

Cons for Cobra:
Annoying plastic interior that creaks and rattles
Numberous possible issues (The tick, vibe, stalling)

Pros for M3:
Decent performance, runs 13.3's
Outhandles Cobra
100mi/6yr powertrain warranty
Quality build, interior and exterior

Cons for M3:
Cost, would have to give up both truck and cobra


I absolutely love the Lightning, but the 98 doesn't impress me anymore... I keep thinking if I buy a 2003 Cobra, I'll end up with the same cheap car, just have more HP.

Feedback? (and yes, I expect it to be biased here )

thanks.

 

Screw the M2, get the Cobra, keep the lightning!

 

i debated over the M3 and the Lightning. In the End i went with the L b/c for some reason i have always liked it and the L comunity is not as snobbish as the M3 one.
Yes the M3 is a nicer car and crazy fast but also twice the price.

If you get the M3 dont plan on modding the engine. The DME boxes alow BMW to see just about anything that has been tamperd with pertaining to the engine(if you want that warrenty that is)

 

I love the L and I just got done driving the Cobra. 2 great vehicles that have even more potential or one very nice vehicle.

Its your decision.

Personally , I like going outside thinking WHICH BADAZZ SUPERCHARGED VEHICLE AM I GOING TO DRIVE TODAY ? .

But that just me

 

What a philosophy

 

I wouldn't give up the Lightning and the Cobra for an E46, but I would *maybe* pick the M3 over the 03 Cobra if I were just buying it as a second car.

I like the E46 M3 better than the 03 Cobra, but would probably pick the Cobra because mods are a LOT cheaper, and like Vinnie said, there's just nothing quite like the feeling of waking up and having to decide which blown 11/12 second SVT you're going to drive today.

In a perfect world, I would mod the 03 Cobra for serious performance and keep the L as a "more tame" daily driver....

 

In my wifes recient hunt for a new car I got to drive a M3, the first thing that comes to mind for me is "solid" the car is amazing and a blast to drive and in my opinion would be a top contender for anything in the 50k-60k price range. The cobra is a lot less money but is a fantastic car as for the L vs. M3, they both have there place, but build quality and overall engineering the M3 hands down, not a squeek, rattle or ill fitting anything anywhere the car is just beautiful, and while there no blower whine the car sounds fantastic at mid to high RPM. Good luck either way, Todd

 

SCREAMING KB and EATON is a must!
Know the wife and I are wondering if we should trade the HD in for a COBRA?
Then I'll really kill myself.

 

I've driven the cobra, my lightning and my buddys 03 m3 with the paddle shift package whatever its called and hands down I would take the m3 over the cobra anyday of the week. Mabye its just me but it is a bad *** car. It handles incredible and is fast enough for me. But thats just my opinion..

 

I hear the SMG II package takes a while to master but is loads of fun once you do. It's a hefty-priced option though....

 

Well I have a 03 m3 and I just purchased a 01 Lightning. The m3 is a blast to drive but its not as solid on the interior as you may think. After you put about 2-3k miles you will need to go the dealer for a few things that are comon.

A few things about the m3 you need to know. First off, as of now there aren't any mods worth putting on to help performance. Dinan is still working on a chip and there ain't really an exhaust system that helps. In fact most exhaust systems have hurt performance. Thing is Bmw has done a great job on that engine and has squeezed about every hp they can out of that engine. I mean inline 6cylinder with 333hp, not bad at all. The car is running mid 13's. On top of that the car handles better than anything I have driven to date. I have had subaru's think they can loose me around corners hauling a#s but no luck. The car wasn't really meant for 1/4 mile runs. Its a track car in my opinion cause it just handles great.

I love the car alot but wanted something else for a daily driver so I bought the L and love it. I love taking the m3 out at night and going out in it.

Meatbag, the m3 community is actually pretty cool. All the guys I talk to on another board respect other cars/trucks and don't think there the sh$t just cause they have a m3.

If you got anymore questions or details let me know or email me.

 

I recently got rid of my 01 jet black e46 M3 and traded into a 03 black L. The M3 is a blast to drive and handles incredible as others have said but they don't come with out their problems (spun bearings but new ones have been fixed). The engine is amazing and they do offer the nice 4/50,000 warranty plus maintenance .

But, if you are truly into wrenching on your own car then think twice about the M3 unless you have deep pockets. Exhaust = $1200. Coil over suspension = $1500. Hell, an unscheduled oil change costs about $120 at BMW ( the oil is 10W-60 and only available at BMW for about $12 a quart so ~ $80 to do your self). The build quality of the M3 is excellent but they do have their problems inside (rattlles here and there) and out.

Since I've traded to the L, I haven't missed the M once. It's only a car and I enjoy the blower whine better than the raspy metallic exhaust note any day of the week.

Chris

 

Well, Not sure which Subaru's your talking about, certainly not an STI. But give me a fraction of the cost of the M3 and let me spend it on the Subaru and you would do well just to see the car on the track for few seconds as it goes by. But again we are talking about a '03 Cobra lightenting and M3.

I just decided to get a Cobra after getting my *** handed to me by my buddy's 03 cobra. He's spent maybe $1500 on the car and just dyno'd it to 475HP at the wheels and over 500TQ to the wheels. Then you get to ride in it, totally awesome fun. If you get an M3 you will like it for about, what 6 months, then you will be saying to your self, "I just got beat by a kid in a Cobra" There's no worse feeling then that.

The Cobra motor is on par with some of the best technolgy ford has ever put out. The motor is so well preped that people are getting into the 9's with an otherwise stock motor. You will never ever under any circumstance get to do that in a BMW. The 03 handles well, It was very well balanced in IMO. For a big car it handles with ease, and despite the interior the seats still feel incredibly comfortable. Unlike most other leather interiors the 03's have the nice soft suede like leather in the center.

And then the sound of that motor is incredibly frighening, I have stories just on that alone that would make you laugh, won't go there.

There just isn't that many cars that you can get reliable power out of. One thing I found out, that once you have power and then try to leave it behind, it's just a exercise in futility.

I would pick the '03 Cobra, then Suabru STI, FX45, L, AMG E55 (if money wasn't an issue)

I just got through selling all the parts on my 02 WRX so I could get rid of it and make room for the Cobra. I've driven most of the other cars, none of them leave me with the feeling that the Cobra does. I have yet to drive another car that does 143 in fourth gear on a six speed.

 

if you've got a need for speed COBRA AND LIGHTNING

for 50k GET A ****** Z06! m3.. pfffffffffffft

 

But for 50K get a '03 cobra. W/ everything on the market, take the extra money and by some slicks and take your wife on a vacation.