BMW E46 M3 vs. Nissan Skyline R34 GTR V-spec 2.5 Twin-turbo

[no1_jazz]

Hi Guys,

Just need a little actually quite a lot of advice here…. Rite a friend of mine is in two minds with both the above cars. He has driven both of them and loves both of them the only problem is he can't afford both of them at one time he is 26 years old and crazy about both cars lol…

So he's asking all the more experienced drivers and those who have loads of car knowledge which one is a better in your opinion?

1.Which one out the 2 would consume more petrol, in town and long distance?

2.Which one would be cheaper to insure?

3. Which is cheaper to service and maintain?

4. All round Performance i.e. on the track, straight line, 0-60 and top end times?

Guys I know this is a lot I am asking for but all is much appreciated.

Many Thanks
Jazz

[oldroydsr4]

These are all question that a quick google search can answer.

1) both poor on fuel but you don't buy a m3 or skyline for fuel consumption
2) both very expensive but due to the fast and furious image the skyline will no doubt be more.
3) both high
4) my money would be on the skyline for out right track speed, due to the ease of getting more power from the rb26 and electronic wizardry.

[no1_jazz]

Thanks alot oldroydsr4 thats pratically what i said to the guy but now he can here it from someoneelse lol

so the overall better car would be the Nissan Skyline By far ?

the bmw dont have any compatition to the nissan?

Cheers
Jazz

[BMracing]

The M3 would be better on fuelthan the Skyline on the motorway.
Both cars are group 20 insurance but as said the Skyline would generally cost more because of its image, the fact that its an import, and its most likely been modified (unless hes found a stupidly rare british spec car, which will cost a lot more to buy anyway!).
M3 inspection services are very expensive. Parts for Skylines are very expensive.
The M3 is probably not as quick as the Skyline around most tracks, although a standard R34 GTR wouldn't be as quick as the M3 in a straight line.
In terms of the driving experience i'd rather the M3, although it has less traction technical ability, I prefer the fact that its a purer car, and its still by no means raw. Like Mitsi Evos, the Skyline is good at flattering drivers of any skill level though.

[appletree]

The skyline better with the 4wd but alsoceaper and easier to increase the power on if he wants an increase in the future.

wheni say cheaper i mean to go up 100bhp in the skyline would probly be half the cost of getting another 100bhp out the m3.

could your mate afford a CSL?

[maxfield]

IMO, M3 wins hands down.

[ShakeyC]

1.Which one out the 2 would consume more petrol, in town and long distance?
dependant on driving style, drive both carefully 30mpg not impossible but then whats the point buying such cars, if cant afford running at sub 20mpg buy a shopping car.


2.Which one would be cheaper to insure?
get a qoute before you buy, stupid as it sounds 10mins doing an internet qoute will give the exact answer your looking for.

3. Which is cheaper to service and maintain?
Parts are expensive for both, servicing too expect to pay out 1k each time, little things like tyres, bushes, brake pads ect all expensive again this is where a lot of people sell on cannot afford to do proper services, buy one with complete service history!


4. All round Performance i.e. on the track, straight line, 0-60 and top end times?
Skyline everytime

[chu346]

These cars are something you buy with you heart not your head. As said above they are both a bad as each other for economy, insurance etc.

The thing I don't understand is that someone can be crazy about both cars Sounds like someone who has just passed and will take anything. These cars are totally different, one has a bag of electronics and 4wd and the other doesn't. IMO if you can decide between these two your out of your league.

[DieselMeister]

Having driven both a fair bit, I think that the E46 M3 is a better all rounder (and right now better value) but the GTR is more of an event. Despite the less good interior / ride quality the GTR is rarer, meaner and just more fun more of the time. More likely to give you a headache as well I think that if you can get a UK GTR, the insurance will be comparable to the M3.

The M3 is really good car and despite being a fairly common sight it still has a classier image than the Skyline (if only because of the love it / loath it "do you want some?!" styling of the R34). Trust me though, drive an R34 GTR and people will try to race you. All the time. In anything. But the car itself is serious fun - better feel to the gear-change and steering than the M3 imo and will corner faster than anything this side of a full on Evobishi whilst looking (and sounding better). Needs tuning to feel really fast but then the M3 feels like a 325i when you're not snap changing into 4th at 8krpm... then it feels bloody quick.

I think the R34 GTRs are still more expensive than M3s at the moment (esp. the official UK ones). A CSL would be comparable to a good R34 (around £30k). GTR has more potential in terms of speed / track ability but M3 are damn fine and the E46 is the best one since the E30 (not tried the E92!).

Get your mate to drive both and decide. Make sure you're shotgun as well

[chu346]

Get your mate to drive both and decide. Make sure you're shotgun as well

He said his mate has driven both.

[DieselMeister]

Hence the qualification "ride shotgun (and influence his decision!)"

[michealewk]

i have a soft spot for the r34 gtr[its 2.6 twin turbo hence the engine code RB26] tell your mate to buy both and put the skyline engine in the bmw lol

[BMracing]

i have a soft spot for the r34 gtr[its 2.6 twin turbo hence the engine code RB26] tell your mate to buy both and put the skyline engine in the bmw lol

Thats an interesting thought, I think it would feel wrong to rip out the big, throttle bodied, high revving, angry straight six! The RB26 is obviously a great engine with huge potential but the M3 has a great character, and will be more responsive.
If he must have more power/forced induction, there's plenty of scope for playing with the S54, although he will need plenty of £Â£Ã‚£

[jaistanley]

Troubl with the Skyline is.... Can you seriously be arsed talking to every chav in petrol stations about your 'phat mota'????

Boy racer image rules them out IMO.. Shame. Awesome piece of machinery.

[DieselMeister]

Troubl with the Skyline is.... Can you seriously be arsed talking to every chav in petrol stations about your 'phat mota'????

Boy racer image rules them out IMO.. Shame. Awesome piece of machinery.

The Chief (my old man) couldn't, which is why he got an M5 instead

If you want speed with discretion get an E30 and swap a donk or add some FI

[gBenM]

I'd have a skyline any day, much more special.

[hammoj28]

By the time you have finished saying the skylines name the M3 will be miles away.

Defo M3 any day. Im really not interested in Jap cars tho.

[jaistanley]

I'm engineeringey at heart.. All those computers, 4wd, turbos and electronics get me wet...

Men in burbery caps however, dont.

Audi RS4 anyone? M5 perhaps?

[motorsport786]

skylineeeeeeeee

[fuzzy]

i think id have the skyline as well tbh.

[DieselMeister]

i think id have the skyline as well tbh.

+1. Although I'm not sure I could stretch to an R34!

[Morat]

Its not all chavs. I know a guy who lives in a castle and has a metallic purple skyline with gold wheels. He parks it between his vintage aston and his Merc S Class.... He goes hunting subarus when grouse are out of season

edit: no, he inherited the castle - no lottery winnings...

[M5pilot]

Skyline's are awesome machines with massive amounts of grip and huge performance capabilites.

E46 M3's are great cars too but against even a lightly modified R34 they are simply no match whatso ever.

Both VERY high maintenance though!

[gadjit]

E46 M3 All Day

Would personally opt for the SMG, Fantastic all round car, M3 E46 are great so long as you havn't got kids or take passengers regularly as there isn't great room in the back, E92 M3 are even worse due to the lower roof, 4 wheel drive rules, but you don,t (personally speaking) get the feel of the car,,

BMW has more of the wow factor,, Nissan skyline,s remind me of an expensive taxi,,, ( My opinion sorry ) In saying that what a fantistic Power Plant....

BMW,,, THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE,,,,

Gadjit

[fowler]

well all i know bu a good E30 put a V8 in it and some FI and sorry they are both over price tat that you will leave behind.
alot better cras out there for the money.
Has he though about a supercharged Monaro on LPG would be a tool !!!

[no1_jazz]

Sorry for late reply.... but Appreciate all the help and advice guys

many thanks

Jazz

[MickyDojoh]

skyline would be cheaper to run pottering around of boost but kicking the arse off the 2 of them there wouldnt be much of a difference.
insurance on the skyline might be more due to the fact its an import but they are both group 20
as said skyline is easier to tune, stage 1 would be under a grand and would give a a huge increase in power

[HairyScreech]

boosted M3.

[georob]

boosted M3.

Yeah, that'll be cheap

[no1_jazz]

lol cheers guys i guess that wont be cheap at all lol