Replacing the M3 with a fast, comfy DD ~$100k

[bga23]

This is your car so get what YOU want, not what a bunch of people like most, the majority of whom have probably even never driven the cars they suggest. Take em all for a test drive and pick the one you enjoy driving the best/fits your needs.

[mdosu]

How important is performance to you vs comfort? If you care a lot about comfort, you need to seriously consider the S8, especially if you're considering the S7. The S7 is NOT ergonomically designed well for backseat passengers. So also, not sure whether you care about backseat passengers, since likely you will not be sitting there...

[SYZ]

Definitely the E63. I love my Mercedes as my daily.. very comfortable. Beastly motors. Easy to wring more power out of them as well.

[ONEOF40 FS M3]

F10 M5 6mt

[HoodR$CH]

AMG Nik, don't worry about the haters, lol.

[signes]

Originally Posted by mdosu

How important is performance to you vs comfort? If you care a lot about comfort, you need to seriously consider the S8, especially if you're considering the S7. The S7 is NOT ergonomically designed well for backseat passengers. So also, not sure whether you care about backseat passengers, since likely you will not be sitting there...

Totally agree with this, an absolute rocket. So plush inside, blows away everything but a Bentley/Roller. Motor also seems seriously underrated, just bloody fast especially for a huge car. I took one for a spin during an Audi test drive event and was most impressed by the S8 (others driven included Rs5, S6, S7 and R8 V10 cab.)

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by signes

Totally agree with this, an absolute rocket. So plush inside, blows away everything but a Bentley/Roller. Motor also seems seriously underrated, just bloody fast especially for a huge car. I took one for a spin during an Audi test drive event and was most impressed by the S8 (others driven included Rs5, S6, S7 and R8 V10 cab.)

damnit! how the hell do I get on those lists? They did it here in my area...

fine Audi, see if I buy another one of your cars in the future...

[m3dude]

Don't know if this would be an option or not, but thought I'd throw it out there. How about a used Aston v8 vantage. Not as fast as the other cars but I'm sure the 100 mile drive would be fantastic. That exhaust note would definitely help compensate for the lack of power.

[skins333]

I really like the panamera 4s (or gts) vs singapore gray m5

[F1Venom]

Yeah, Panamera GTS is pretty amazing too.

[Ezio]

the Panamera is not a bad car, but IMO doesnt touch the looks of a 911.

[NikB316]

Still pondering on what to do. I was pretty set on getting one of the cars mentioned but I also realize I would probably be stuck with it for some time as selling one of these cars after say 3 years with 100k miles won't be pretty. It may actually be in my benefit to lease one and after 3 years I can weigh out if it makes more sense to buy it out or have them take the car back and pay probably a bit over $7k in milage fees.

Been really paying attention to my drive this past weeks and its really just cruising on the highway at around 90ish. Too much congestion on my daily route to really open it up. I also have 10pts on my license and I can't afford to lose it.

So the other and much more sensible option is to get a preowned S class, 7 series A8 for say $40k. I wouldn't care if I put 100k miles on that car over the next few years. If I do this I'm thinking to enjoy the M3 for the summer, get one of the luxury cars and in spring I can get something really fun. Maybe to back to a Carrera but a nice Turbo or Turbo S this time. I think if I kept the M3 I wouldn't drive the luxury car much but if I had something that was much more uncomfortable like a Carrera then I could see it working.

[funcar62]

I would consider a 2014 maserati quattroporte s q4 that is about to launch. beautiful italian style and lots of character in that ferrari built engine and exhaust note. guarantee a bit of exclusivity too....

[///Michael]

M6

[s4play]

Panamera GTS: it's basically a GT3 that seats 4 and has all wheel drive to boot!

I love the car and would sell my m3 in a heartbeat but its a bit too pricey for me right now with other life priorities right now.

m5 would be my second choice.

Nothing else in your group of cars can match the Panerama driving experience.

[DrakeKemper]

2012 Cls63 Amg

[JWE90]

Originally Posted by NikB316

The three main choices I have narrowed it down to are:

2014 F10 M5 LCI update which starts production in July.
DCT. RWD

2014 E63 AMG 4Matic which is supposed to come out in the summer.
Auto. AWD.

2011-2012 Panamera Turbo.
DCT. AWD.

The obvious missing choice is the Tesla Model S Performance. It has a longer range per (tank/charge), than any of the above cars. Given the above list I am guessing you will not be spending much time on the track so no loss there. AS an added bonus, you only see a few Teslas every day unlike the other cars which are dime a dozen.

[muskamatt]

Originally Posted by NikB316

Still pondering on what to do. I was pretty set on getting one of the cars mentioned but I also realize I would probably be stuck with it for some time as selling one of these cars after say 3 years with 100k miles won't be pretty. It may actually be in my benefit to lease one and after 3 years I can weigh out if it makes more sense to buy it out or have them take the car back and pay probably a bit over $7k in milage fees.

Been really paying attention to my drive this past weeks and its really just cruising on the highway at around 90ish. Too much congestion on my daily route to really open it up. I also have 10pts on my license and I can't afford to lose it.

So the other and much more sensible option is to get a preowned S class, 7 series A8 for say $40k. I wouldn't care if I put 100k miles on that car over the next few years. If I do this I'm thinking to enjoy the M3 for the summer, get one of the luxury cars and in spring I can get something really fun. Maybe to back to a Carrera but a nice Turbo or Turbo S this time. I think if I kept the M3 I wouldn't drive the luxury car much but if I had something that was much more uncomfortable like a Carrera then I could see it working.

You should get a Vespa.

[s4play]

So did you make a decision?

Life is good when you are picking in a car of this caliber....my friend just bought the TESLA and let me drive it to lunch (we live 15 minutes from their factory here in CA). Anyways the car is really exotic not because of the sound but moreso the lack of it. There just isn't much noise besides the audio system and our conversation, very uncanny first time you experience it. With the tax credits this car is starting to look more appealing to me in the future.

My wife compared the Tesla to her CT during our test drive and said it was like they put a Ferrari motor in her CT...haha

I updated my list and yes I've driven all of these cars at length before

1) Panamera GTS
2) S8
3) TESLA
4) M5
5 AMG (if you must get AMG, get it used and save like 20-30k easy)

[signes]

Just saw an M6 GC and it looks incredible. Would be my choice among your list.

[bluekn8286]

M5 with the Competition Package

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by bluekn8286

M5 with the Competition Package

I would also upgrade the subwoofers in the M5 to help the engine sound better.