| WELCOME TO THE FORUMS! Actually, the coupe M3 and M5 go 0-60 in the same speed, but the M5's massive V8 puts out much more hp to the the M3's i6 (which is not lacking power whatsoever either)
From the sounds of it, the small boys maybe need a bigger "family" oriented car, which I would say is the M5, because it has a full backseat and 4 doors. That is the only difference is that the e46 M3 is available in SMG if you dont want a true manual trans. But the SMG is a manual tranny, but has an automatically controlled clutch. Much better if you like to multitask while driving, but it seems like you are going to go with the true manual either way. There is one more slight difference, handling. The m5 is a beast dont get me wrong, but there is a reason it needs those extra horses to get make is go as fast as the M3, the weight. So you loose a little bit in cornering but dont let that make your decision, unless you plan to Autox.
So in conclusion, from the sounds of your family currently I would go with the M5.
Good luck and make sure you post pictures when you get it
Chad
pic of my dads m3 vert.
__________________ Dinan Stg 2 Phoenix Yellow M3  | 
