[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bargain-alternatives-to-the-bmw-m3\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bargain-alternatives-to-the-bmw-m3\/","headline":"Bargain Alternatives To The BMW M3","name":"Bargain Alternatives To The BMW M3","description":"Some cars that are like the M3, but without the huge price tag If the BMW M3 is your dream car but you wish it costed a bit less, then these M3 alternatives could be perfect for you. They have the very same potential to leave you grinning from ear to ear after every twisty turn but all at a price that won\u2019t break the bank. Whether you\u2019re a fan of the new M3, or a traditionalist who dreams of […]","datePublished":"2018-08-21","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Bargain-Alternatives-To-The-BMW-M3-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Bargain-Alternatives-To-The-BMW-M3-1.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bargain-alternatives-to-the-bmw-m3\/","about":["BMW","LATEST CAR NEWS","OLD SCHOOL CLASSIC","Sports, Performance & Prestige Cars"],"wordCount":742,"keywords":["bmw","mercedes","porsche"],"articleBody":"Some cars that are like the M3, but without the huge price tagIf the BMW M3 is your dream car but you wish it costed a bit less, then these M3 alternatives could be perfect for you. They have the very same potential to leave you grinning from ear to ear after every twisty turn but all at a price that won\u2019t break the bank. Whether you\u2019re a fan of the new M3, or a traditionalist who dreams of having an E30 M3, these bargain alternatives could offer exactly what you\u2019re looking for at a much more affordable price.Porsche CaymanAlthough the Cayman is a completely different car when compared to the M3, it can still be an alternative to consider for some. Not only can it offer the same kind of driving experience, doing 0-60 mph in around 5 seconds and having a top speed of about 170 mph, but they can be great bargains!Unlike the M3, the Porsche Cayman can be found for under \u00a315,000 in bountiful supply. Sure, it only has two seats and virtually no cargo room, but that could just be spun as a positive thing – it makes it feel sportier!Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMGDon\u2019t let this rear-wheel drive beast pass you by, because for as little as \u00a39,000 you could own an AMG that\u2019s incredibly stylish and almost as fast as the current M3. Although it may not be as pretty as the modern range of AMGs, the CLK55 still looks like a force to be reckoned with and offers a similar amount of space and luxury as an M3.For the ridiculously small price of this German classic, what\u2019s not to love?Nissan 200SX (Silvia)If you\u2019re looking for a real bargain, look no further than the 200SX. For those that wish for nothing more than for the E30 M3 to not cost an arm and a leg, the 200SX could be best alternative that you haven\u2019t considered. Known for its bulletproof SR20DET engine and surprisingly fantastic handling, this little tuner is basically made for drifting and spirited driving.If you\u2019re handy at tuning, you really can\u2019t find a better RWD rig to work on for such a low price than this jdm cult classic. Mitsubishi Evo \/ Subaru WRX STIOften an overlooked alternative option, these two AWD Japanese beauties can offer a similar package to the M3 and save you some money at the same time. Both the Evo and the Impreza offer spacious back seats, reasonable boot space and astonishing speed and handling. They may not have the same luxury feel or reputation to them as the BMW, but a brand new WRX STI will only cost you around \u00a335,000 whereas a new M3 will cost you no less than \u00a350,000.If it\u2019s the racecar-performance you\u2019re after and you\u2019re not too bothered about the prestige of a Bimmer badge, then consider an Evo or WRX STI.BMW E92 335iIf none of the above mentioned take your fancy, there\u2019s no need to feel like you\u2019ve run out of alternatives. It all depends on what you\u2019re looking for and what you\u2019re willing to compromise on. If you\u2019re not too bothered about insane speed, you could settle for a standard BMW E92 335i which are great bargains on the used market. You\u2019ll get the same BMW quality you\u2019d expect from the manufacturers of the \u201cultimate driving machines\u201d but have a little less power to play with.In fact, if you\u2019re willing to pay for some modifications to be made, your little 3 series can soon become a real contender for any M3s on the road. Getting a good remap and adding an air intake alone will probably take you halfway there. Even as stock, this cool coupe has almost 300 lb of torque at only 1200rpm so it\u2019s not going to feel slow by anyone\u2019s standards.However, even with all the bargain alternatives in the world, sometimes nothing beats the real thing. If you know what you want and your heart is set on it, there\u2019s just nothing you can do but buy the car you\u2019ve dreamed of. The BMW M3 is a mighty machine that combines luxury, power, style, prestige and practicality all into one and sometimes, it can be impossible to find something that does the same thing for less money."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Bargain Alternatives To The BMW M3","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/bargain-alternatives-to-the-bmw-m3\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]