My wife, & this time it's not me leading the charge, has the hots for the new M3. I've found a good price on an '08 and then there are the '09s. I took her to drive a 328, but that led to the 335 which led to the M.
It appears the only difference is the iDrive system.
Other than price what are the downfalls of the new M?
What kind of discounts off MSRP should I expect?
I can get .09% financing on the '09.
E30 M3 is cheaper and doesn't have any iDrive issues.
She doesn't want an early model, she wants the V8.
The new iDrive is quite easy to use. I didn't even try the iDrive on the '08. That might be the deciding factor.
I'm just worried that there are issues I know nothing about because I haven't paid too much attention to Bimmers.
It was funny, last night we watched the Top Gear episode where they pitted the M3 against the IS-F. When we drove up to the dealers they had an M3 parked out front and my wife said "Isn't that the same car we saw last night on Top Gear?"
It seems the part she remembered about the show was the smokin' rear tires as they powerslid the car. SOLD!
E30 M3 FTW
I really like the new M3, in either coupe or sedan configuration. It's a top-shelf performer, but still comfortable and classy.
In the words of Ferris Bueller, "If you have the means, I highly recommend it."
This is a sedan cause the wife likes the idea of making this her DD. It even has a moon roof.
I'd have picked the 2 door w/o the moonroof, but I'm just tickled she wants one.
Now does anyone know of any gotchas?
How much can I negotiate? I've never bought a Bimmer
The 335i has all the potential and then some if you don't mind turning up the wick on the turbo (and torching the warranty). I'd still go for the M3 though, something about that badging that means something.
The M3 in this economy ought to have some price movement available. Check sites like bimmerforums to find out real invoice pricing and negotiate from there. You may also want to look into European Delivery or at least Performance Center Delivery. I'll have to pull out the last few issues of Roundel to see if they have any intel on problems with the current M3.
The 335 doesn't have the little extras and some of the features of the M, plus resale would be much better with the M.
And then if you were the type to turn the wick up on the 335 you'd also be the kind to turn up the wick on the M.
I'd like to think there's some negotiating room
The M3's aren't selling well, you should be able to get a good deal. I like the sedans, much more versatile and they're actually cheaper than the coupe.
carguy123 wrote: The 335 doesn't have the little extras and some of the features of the M, plus resale would be much better with the M.
I think you've got that backward. Dollar for dollar, the resale price on M cars falls faster than lesser models because of the higher initial purchase price. Take a look at the numbers:
On the dealer lot today, a typical '99 M3 would sell for about $60,000 including options and destination charges and a typical 335i might sell for $44,000. Four years from now, that M3 is likely to be worth one third of its sale price, or $20K. The 335 is likely to be worth one quarter of its sale price, or $11K. Even though the M3 has retained a higher percentage of its initial value, it still loses over 20% more cash value in depreciation over the four years ($40K depreciation loss vs $33K).
Hmm... nder... where might I find one of these 4 year old M3's for $20K? I just did a search on autotrader... yeah... there are a few (searched the entire country), but of two pages of ads, half are scams... and the other half have a butt-load of miles...
My g/f sold her '97 M3 (78K miles, but it was in cherry, unmolested condition) back in the fall of '04 (7+ years old) for a hair less than half it's original MSRP (about $40K) at $17K. I'd say M3's hold their value pretty well.
If your lady wants an M3... and you can afford an M3... then I think you should smile to yourself and buy her the damn M3... 
The new M3 is magnificent. It may be the best car all around car I've ever driven.
I was lucky enough to be part of the M3 comparison that appeared in the Oct. 08 issue of GRM. (that was my E36 M3) The new car was incredibly fun to drive on track, and very well mannered on the street. It masks it's considerable weight very well, and feels much more engaging and "alive" than the very nice 335i. The only drawback besides price is the fuel economy is much worse than previous M3s.
They even toned down the driver/ computer interface to a tolerable level.
If I had the means I'd buy one today.
It weighs about 3700 lbs so it's not a lightweight, but it's not all that heavy either.
The suspension is way better than the 328 or 335 so it feels like a completely different car and feels much lighter than it is.
A friend is lobbying for me to buy a CTS-V. Not only is it more money, but that's not the car that my wife's eyes lit up when she saw.
A couple of years ago I drove the CTS and wasn't impressed. He says they've changed.
I just spent about a quarter of a tank of gas in the M doing nothing but cloverleafs onto the service road of a freeway. I'd do one, hit the service road and then head back up the other side. I tried them in 2nd gear and I tried them in 3rd gear. I'd jump on the throttle and off the throttle and I couldn't upset the car. I am not officially in LUST!
just buy the M3 and tell your wife you love her!
any man who's wife wants and M3 is a lucky guy.
lucky for me, my girlfriend wants M5
1) The M3 is like Mary Poppins: Pracitically perfect in every way. You'll have a hard time finding anyone saying anything but very good things about them. They're fantastic cars.
2) Your wife really wants one. Her eyes lit up. That's good stuff.
If you've got the buy-in, make the wife happy, buy the fantastic car. It's a no-brainer.
carguy123 wrote: A friend is lobbying for me to buy a CTS-V. Not only is it more money, but that's not the car that my wife's eyes lit up when she saw. A couple of years ago I drove the CTS and wasn't impressed. He says they've changed.
Just to clarify, the new CTS-V is drastically different than it was two years ago. While the older CTS-V had 400 hp, the new one is rated at 555 hp...a pretty serious jump! There are plenty of other changes, and as a result the car is smokin' fast and much nicer. The new interior and exterior is really slick, the entire car in general is a big improvement from the last one. It's a bit piggy compared to the M3, I think it's got a few hundred pounds on the M3.
The CTS-V has a 100k mile powertrain warranty and it's a fully transferrable, which should help the resale situation if you're the type to upgrade to something else after just a few years. Pretty awesome warranty for such a mean machine, IMO. Might be worth checking out the new CTS-V if you're in that price point...meanwhile I'll stay on this side of the internet and be jealous.
Bryce
The V8 M3 is an amazing automobile. The engine is a phenomenal, intoxicating, high-revving delight. As long as she lets you drive it sometimes, you'll both be happy campers. Go for it.
Nashco wrote:carguy123 wrote: A friend is lobbying for me to buy a CTS-V. Not only is it more money, but that's not the car that my wife's eyes lit up when she saw. A couple of years ago I drove the CTS and wasn't impressed. He says they've changed.Just to clarify, the new CTS-V is drastically different than it was two years ago. While the older CTS-V had 400 hp, the new one is rated at 555 hp...a pretty serious jump! There are plenty of other changes, and as a result the car is smokin' fast and much nicer. The new interior and exterior is really slick, the entire car in general is a big improvement from the last one. It's a bit piggy compared to the M3, I think it's got a few hundred pounds on the M3. The CTS-V has a 100k mile powertrain warranty and it's a fully transferrable, which should help the resale situation if you're the type to upgrade to something else after just a few years. Pretty awesome warranty for such a mean machine, IMO. Might be worth checking out the new CTS-V if you're in that price point...meanwhile I'll stay on this side of the internet and be jealous. Bryce
For some reason a lot of people group the CTS with the 3 series when it's more in the 5 series range in terms of size and performance. It's like 5 series size for 3 series money. Cadillac is working on a smaller rwd platform for a 3 series competitor, it just needs the green light which might be hard to get now.
i think if angels rooted for football teams, they'd sound like the new M3. holy hell is that an amazing sound. i'd buy one just so i could hear it every day.
i was also next to a mint black E30 M3 the other afternoon. yum.
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