Is that even a question???

 

Sentimental value for either one. Keeping for a long time; Vette will be much easier and cheaper to maintain over the long haul. I wouldn't plan to own a BMW that was out of warranty.

 

Like the other said, if you're attached to one, pick that one. If you're not gonna keep one, pick the M3 and sell it while the market is up.

 

The M3 will continue the rise in value, it’s the one to keep. A base c6 convertible is a common car.

 

The E92 M3 wasn't exactly rare, they sold a buttload of them. In South FL, you couldn't turn around without bumping into like 3 of them. While I'll give you that a 13 M3 is more rare than an 07 base Vette, that's largely because by 13 the e92 was woefully outdated. That and the economy has tanked by the time 13s were out vs 07s. You can see that se result in C6s.

The M3 might go up more if it's low miles, stays low miles, and has a manual. Otherwise, it's just a rod bearing replacement waiting to happen. Either way, if he's got no attachment to it, I'd sell it and let someone else eat up all the repair costs. Put the money into something else, or wait for the market to crash and pick up something even nicer.

 

it’s more so that specific model M3 that he has as it’s not just a standard M3. It’s a special car that someone would only purchase new having specifically wanting the competition model. To put it in corvette related terms, it would be sort of like having a c6 427 convertible.

 

Condolences on your father.

I'm gonna be contrary to everyone and say M3. Only because you said it had the competition package. That's a bad *** car. Full stop.

 

I'm well aware of what it is..it's the Grand Sport of M3s. Certainly cooler than a normal m3, but again, it's a reliability nightmare, and unless you're into those cars or have an attachment to it... Who cares? Sell it, take the money and put it into something you are into, let some euro sweebus enjoy it.

 

I don’t think you’re very familiar with it, it’s not the equivalent of a grand sport as I own one and a grand sport is not that special either. As far as reliability goes you aren’t familiar with the s65, the rod bearing job is equal to doing a harmonic balancer on an LS cost wise. Of all the various cars I’ve owned including BMW M products, the vette has by far been the most needy car I’ve ever owned and costs more than any of our BMW’s have to maintain and mines a perfectly maintained by the book c6, but the low quality parts used by GM don’t last.

 

Rod bearings are a 1k job? Parts and labor? I call BS, my friends with BMWs can't even get new brake.pads at the dealer for that. On the other hand, my buddy had his HB replaced for 700 labor, 300 parts. And the HB doesn't affect all vettes, whereas the rod bearings are regular maintenance item according to W, not a horrible design flaw.

But you're right, it's not equal to a GS. It's less, more like a z51. The comp pack was lowering, and a few computer revisions. No power, no wide body upgrades, but you did get different wheels. It's not as special as you seem to think., unless you're just into BMWs. I would go so far as to say the Lime Rock Edition is more special than the Comp pack, or even the 335is being more special over the comp pack.

 

Sorry you have this decision to make. This choice reminds me of deciding between a M3 in 2008 and a Z06. I never drove the M3, (or the Z06 before I bought it) but went with the z06 and got it with museum pick-up. My dad and I drove his '65 vert down to get it. It was a memorable event! It rained so damn hard on us.. Not even a well restored '65 could keep the water out, and his isn't!. We had c-clamps on the windshield trying to stay dry! And I almost wrecked the z06 near Shell Lake WI passing with snow on the center line. What a memory! Thanks for that. He has promised me that car when he takes the checkered flag....

So glad I got the Z06. Can't imagine tracking costs of the M3... Only real trouble I've had has been track related with my car. It's been very reliable despite my abuse. I have a E90 328xi as well from 2008, that's showing its age, although it was a daily driver its whole life in snow and salt. I like working on it though. I will teach my kids how to drive manual on it so I have to keep it going. Those are excellent era BMW's, maybe the best they ever made. My 328 really had no issues at all until the valve cover leaked this year. I honestly think BMW is done making driver's cars. We have a 530e and it is really nice, but man that car is not for car lovers. I'm afraid it seems no new cars are anymore, or I'm just old, or both. BMW is just a different maker now. So I do think that M3 might age well. It's hard to predict.. In 20 years all these cars might be considered slow and deadly! The only car I'd ever choose to "collect" is an already collectable car, if that makes sense. I know my vette isn't yet. And anything with electronics might not be running in 50 years.

Honestly, we might trade the 530e for a newer bmw without hybrid if they change their pig snout design.

Family and cars go together if you ask me. Cheers, you will choose correctly.

 

My condolences...
Obviously this is a corvette forum, but I just got my Corvette 2 weeks ago and was also looking at M3s, M6s, and 911s...
Other than maintenance costs, what steered me away from the BMWs from that era is the technology.... that era is a black hole for car tech.
In my 08 'Vette I swapped out the radio and got Car Play for relatively cheap. The BMWs in that era were built with "super high tech" built in.... as in it's all integrated, it all does 10 different functions through a ridiculous little ****/dial, and good luck replacing it if something happens or if you want to listen to music through your phone or something.

 

I decided to take the Corvette. Actually, two Corvettes - I'm taking their '77 as well. My dad bought this car new for my mom when I was 10. Mom didn't like driving it because she's 4'11" and she couldn't see over the steering wheel. I drove it a bit in high school and college and my dad and I took it on a couple of road trips. It now has 20,000 miles on the odometer, has been garaged its entire life and has never been driven in the rain. If I decide I want an M3, I'll just buy one.

 

There were no bad choices!