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01-05-2010, 09:47 PM | #1 |
Big K...
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F10-550 or M3 Individual -2011 - Thoughts..??
Hello Bimmer Fans,
Next Thursday I have a meeting with my rep at BMW to setup a Euro Delivery order for a 2011 model. I am about to sell the M5 due to a lack luster SMG experience and want to go back to the good old days of stick (530i plus current great 135i). Anyhow I am looking for some serious input because I am torn between two models- M3 sedan (6speed-Individual) or F10-550 6spd loaded. My thought process is that this my be the last NA engine BMW ever makes and I should atleast experience it for a while - never owned an M3 The F10 is a brand new model and there will be plenty of time to get it in the future. While I might miss some of the luxury and space of the E60 platform I want something practical that I can throw around and the M3 individual euro delivery might be perfect. The other side of the story is my gadget fetish and the new F10 comes with tons of them. Thanks for listening and commenting. Joe
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01-05-2010, 09:53 PM | #2 | |
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M3 sedan all the way.
- Much lighter (3600 lbs vs 4500 lbs) - Much more agile - Much more exciting N/A engine with similar characteristics of your M5 Quote:
Which is why stick shift will never be extinct.
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01-05-2010, 10:04 PM | #3 |
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+1. Naturally aspirated, agile and manual is the way to go. And I'm over 60!
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01-06-2010, 01:28 AM | #4 |
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I owned a 2002 e39 540iA prior to getting a 2007 e90 335i 6MT. It was definitely a different feel going to a smaller car. Of course my experience is not apples-to-apples since I had an older 5, but still relevant.
The e90 felt much smaller until I got used to it...closer to windshield, closer to passengers. The e90 was not as luxurious (5-series had carpeted door pockets, heavy doors, solid feel on everything you touched, etc). My 5-Series was a fantastic highway car...very smooth, powerful, etc. Definitely more luxury with the 5. I really enjoyed the car. I also had a Porsche Boxster manual tranny at the same time as the 540i. I wanted to go to a single car due to two young kids, so I sold both to get the more "practical" 335i. The 335i was definitely a step down in luxury, but the lighter weight, smaller car with 6MT was a blast to drive. Not as fun around corners as Boxster or as torquey (no debates please) as the 540i, the 335i was a perfect car at the time. I just turned in my 335i for a 2010 e90 M3 6MT. Again, the M3 is not as luxurious as the 5, but the fun factor is much (much) greater. I imagine the new 550i is very responsive and will treat the passengers to a very smooth ride. The F10 will have a lot of gadgets to keep your attention. I recently drove the e60 550i and it felt too heavy. My e39 was too heavy also. While some will say the M3 is heavy (definitely compared to Boxster), it handles the weight well. The M3 is more of a drivers car. As others have stated, the M3 is much lighter which helps with the fun. I plan to track my M3 like I tracked the 335i. I doubt I would ever track a 5-series (e39, e60, f10) as they are too heavy. They are not as fun on the back roads (which I have many around me) and are not as much fun to toss around. In summary: M3 if you want a drivers car...more nimble, tossable, and trackable 550i if you want a larger, heavier, luxury, powerful, smooth highway car They are definitely different types of cars. Once you understand the M3 is not a 5-series (size and luxury), then you will love the M3 more....at least it was my experience. Good luck. oh yeah...Euro Delivery was fantastic. Make sure you take advantage of driving in Germany for a while . The roads are fantastic....and IMO don't be so rigid when following the break-in procedures. 150MPH will not hurt the car. |
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01-06-2010, 03:44 AM | #5 |
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If the big engined BMWs hold reasonable money secondhand in the US then I would say hang off until you get to drive the F10 550i. The new ZF 8sp is a cracking gearbox to use and now that it's got proper paddles it will work similar to the DCT and you nor I will notice the difference in shifts. The others are right that it the M3 will be more focused and agile than the new 550i but is that really what you are looking from your next car.
I say try both before making that decision. |
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01-06-2010, 03:56 AM | #6 |
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+1.
wait and drive the new 550i and then decide. moreover, it's a twin turbo, so a simple tune will give it around 500 bhp.
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01-06-2010, 06:56 AM | #7 |
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Go for the M3, it will be more exciting and since you are familiar with the M product it will be a easier transition!
P.S. Check your inbox |
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01-06-2010, 07:03 AM | #8 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
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01-06-2010, 07:40 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
http://www.autotrader.ca/used_cars_C...ributes=photos,,
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01-06-2010, 07:59 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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01-06-2010, 08:46 AM | #12 |
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100% it is in all versions in North America and limited versions the rest of the world.
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01-06-2010, 09:21 AM | #13 | |
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01-06-2010, 09:22 AM | #14 | |
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P.S. Don't rule out the ZF 8sp, it's bloody good. |
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01-06-2010, 10:13 AM | #16 |
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01-06-2010, 01:53 PM | #18 | |
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01-06-2010, 02:06 PM | #19 | |
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In Canada we do not have all of the individual options available to us on 3-Series cars but we do get to choose from a limited number of the Individual options. |
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01-06-2010, 02:12 PM | #20 |
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01-06-2010, 04:04 PM | #21 | |
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I think once you appreciate the M3 for what it is you will begin to love it more and more.
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