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

[NikB316]

Well the time is coming to let the beast go. I am driving 3k miles a month with 90% of those miles on the highway. I need a car that is much more comfortable for my 100 mile/day 30 day/month commute. I also need something that is quick and fun to drive. I am not interested in getting a "beater" as life is too short to drive beaters if one can afford not to. MPG isn't very important either. I don't need the space as I am by myself during the commute 99% of the time but most likely any comfy car I choose will be relatively spacious.

I am looking to spend $100k +- 20%. $100k would be nice so I can spend that extra $20k on mods.

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.

I love my DCT and AMGs have aways looked good on paper until driving them with the boring automatic. However, I prefer AWD so it can be a year round beast and I can turn it into a high HP AWD no traction problem beast. The Panamera will hold its value better since I am buying preowned but then again any of these cars in 3 years will have 100k miles on them just from my driving.

I am familiar with Porsche's DCT PDK transmission as I had a C4S. It is very smooth but not as fun as the BMW DCT.

Being able to mod the car easily in terms of performance is very important to me as I would want at least 600whp preferably more.

The Panamera is a little big but has the DCT + AWD I prefer.

! If going the M5 or E63 route I would be most likely looking at a July build and September delivery. If going the Panamera route I am ready to go ASAP.

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated

[1MOREMOD]

In that group I would choose the panamera. Think they are way unique and interior is pretty great.

[Rk-d]

I'd go M5. Can't shake the feeling that the Panamera looks like a station wagon. They do drive nicely though.

[brava09]

Panamera would be my choice. More exclusive than the other two, and probably faster as well.

[gthal]

M5 or E63. Probably the M5 due to DCT.

I think the Panamera is the ugliest Porsche ever made. I think Porsche designs beautiful cars EXCEPT the Panamera.

[GOLFFRR]

out of those choices without trying to be to biased (if possible coming from a BMW dealer) would say the m5. The m5 although to me feels a little on the large side, it does drive like a dream and has plenty of power.

[Hurricane]

I'd wait until you can test drive that AWD E63. The estimated performance numbers look amazing. Any thoughts on an RS7?

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by NikB316

Well the time is coming to let the beast go. I am driving 3k miles a month with 90% of those miles on the highway. I need a car that is much more comfortable for my 100 mile/day 30 day/month commute. I also need something that is quick and fun to drive. I am not interested in getting a "beater" as life is too short to drive beaters if one can afford not to. MPG isn't very important either. I don't need the space as I am by myself during the commute 99% of the time but most likely any comfy car I choose will be relatively spacious.

I am looking to spend $100k +- 20%. $100k would be nice so I can spend that extra $20k on mods.

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.

I love my DCT and AMGs have aways looked good on paper until driving them with the boring automatic. However, I prefer AWD so it can be a year round beast and I can turn it into a high HP AWD no traction problem beast. The Panamera will hold its value better since I am buying preowned but then again any of these cars in 3 years will have 100k miles on them just from my driving.

I am familiar with Porsche's DCT PDK transmission as I had a C4S. It is very smooth but not as fun as the BMW DCT.

Being able to mod the car easily in terms of performance is very important to me as I would want at least 600whp preferably more.

The Panamera is a little big but has the DCT + AWD I prefer.

! If going the M5 or E63 route I would be most likely looking at a July build and September delivery. If going the Panamera route I am ready to go ASAP.

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated

I agree with you life is too short, however, you barely had this car 24 months. Is your lease up or something and you have to return it? That blows. I would keep it.

This car is a great daily driver/commuter. I do it sometimes. Much more comfortable than a Z4 or Z3.

I am not a fan of any of those choices aside from maybe the M5.

Good luck in your search.

[chris s]

M5 or Panamera...

[swanson]

Of that group, I would go with the E63. The panamera is hideous.

[Nordstat]

How many (most?) view the Panamera:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RmeeF9ZtkCA

[Black Gold]

E63 most likely. I drove the m6 and wasn't that impressed.

The e63 can be modded for massive power, and this has yet to be proven for the m5.

Plus, the mct is a big upgrade over the standard old amg autos.

That said, the value pick is the s6 with a tune which makes almost 500whp.

[lsmkr01]

Never thought I'd say this but the 2014 E63 S in white looks the business. Not sure if there is any plans on producing it in coupe form...

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by NikB316

Well the time is coming to let the beast go. I am driving 3k miles a month with 90% of those miles on the highway. I need a car that is much more comfortable for my 100 mile/day 30 day/month commute. I also need something that is quick and fun to drive. I am not interested in getting a "beater" as life is too short to drive beaters if one can afford not to. MPG isn't very important either. I don't need the space as I am by myself during the commute 99% of the time but most likely any comfy car I choose will be relatively spacious.

I am looking to spend $100k +- 20%. $100k would be nice so I can spend that extra $20k on mods.

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.

I love my DCT and AMGs have aways looked good on paper until driving them with the boring automatic. However, I prefer AWD so it can be a year round beast and I can turn it into a high HP AWD no traction problem beast. The Panamera will hold its value better since I am buying preowned but then again any of these cars in 3 years will have 100k miles on them just from my driving.

I am familiar with Porsche's DCT PDK transmission as I had a C4S. It is very smooth but not as fun as the BMW DCT.

Being able to mod the car easily in terms of performance is very important to me as I would want at least 600whp preferably more.

The Panamera is a little big but has the DCT + AWD I prefer.

! If going the M5 or E63 route I would be most likely looking at a July build and September delivery. If going the Panamera route I am ready to go ASAP.

Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated

None of the above.

M5 is too powerful not to have AWD, and is too big to really make use of RWD dynamics.

E63 is not the nicest looking thing IMO

Panamera is nice, but then you are looking used so you might not get exactly what you want.

My vote goes to the Audi RS7. Killer car all the way around. Will also be rare and exclusive. Performance-wise, I think it will destroy everything in the class. It will be at top of your price range, but it will need no mods whatsoever.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by LarThaL

My vote goes to the Audi RS7. Killer car all the way around. Will also be rare and exclusive. Performance-wise, I think it will destroy everything in the class. It will be at top of your price range, but it will need no mods whatsoever.

Every car needs mods!

[F1Venom]

2014 Mercedes CLS63 AMG 4Matic. I've driven the 2013 CLS63 plenty of times to tell you that the AMG's are the way to go. They're extremely comfortable, super fast, sound like a beast roaring and get around 21 MPG with heavy highway driving.

[TunedM2C]

I'd get a S7 and start off with an APR chip. I believe on 93 octane you gain another 100hp at the crank.

[NikB316]

Thanks for the input!

RS7 - will consider it but Audi not going with the DCT really put me off.

CLS63 - considered it as well but it wasn't that comfortable. Maybe I need to revisit it as I love the looks of it!

S6/S7 - doesn't really do it for me. If its an Audi would need to be an RS.


I've driven the MCT and well it still felt like an auto. It kind if felt like the transmission in the X5M X6M which was in between DCT and Auto. The negative part of all the E63 reviews seem to be the transmission :/

Keep the suggestions and comments coming. Very useful! Thanks again.

[chris3g]

Sorry I don't really have any input for you but I'm calling dibs on your defiv brace once you make the change

[NikB316]

Endless,
I actually have only had this car since September. Bought it with 12k miles and now am over 29k. The M3 is one of the best daily drivers, period. When I was driving 1k-1500 miles a month I wouldn't even think about going with anything else. In fact, I came back to the M3 after having a couple higher end cars. The M3 feels special and maybe I'll come back to one when looking for a second car some day.


My "history" of cars starting from back in 2004:
- '04 G35 Coupe
- '07 335xi
- '08 m3
- '08 Bentley GT
- '10 Carrera C4S Cab
- '11 s/c M3

Before people chime in with the "did your parents buy those?". Just took care of the G coupe as I was in high school.

Anyway, I have had a good amount of BMWs and maybe a change would be nice. My commute has changed a lot and although I love the DCT, it is definitely less important now a days with my highway driving. My commute will only grow so comfort is a big factor. I would love massaging seats & 600whp lol. I think I'll have to just wait until I can drive the new E63 and get a better drive in the F10 M5. M cars just have a special feeling to them. AWD is a plus as I work 365 days a year and I wouldn't have to get a winter car.

[AlteredBe4st]

I say go for the E63 mainly for the AWD that ya gonna need for the snow, plus it puts the power down better than the RWD M5, especially with the added mods your planning. Good luck and keep us posted. Sad to see a good build go away so fast, are you planning on parting out the car or selling it as is?

[05Mdriver]

I say go M6 Gran Coupe, this thing is just gorgeous.