General Dilemma

[advans]

I bought a 550 as a DD beater, def love the M more since I drive it maybe once every week or two.

[Majdnoon]

Originally Posted by Munit

I don't understand people who don't want to daily drive their m3. I feel if that is the case, maybe you could not have really afforded it in the first place. Why would someone want to spend the majority of their day driving in a beater? I love my long commutes in my m3 and then also using it for fun. Miles are miles, big deal. If you are worried about gas mileage for a 20 mile commute than probably this was too much car for you.

Not sure I even get the question as it does not make much sense.

A beater doesn't HAVE to be a piece of junk either ya know. You can get a cushy, comfortable, luxurious "Beater" and have your badass M car as a toy on the weekends. This saves gas and is more practical for keeping the M in a good condition.
My uncle has a gorgeous S class as his "beater" with an AMG CL as his toy. My dad has a Passat which he loves, and takes out his Jag on the weekends. A beater can be something nice too, and not a crap econobox that you feel forced to live with until the weekend rolls around.

[Rshane]

I went the beater route...although I wouldn't exactly all mt TT a beater. I use it for my daily commute, which is only 5km each way. I figured I was doing more harm than good driving the M3 to work since the engine wasn't even warm by the time I got to work.

Also, the TT is AWD which is an advantage when it snows. My M3 is a weekend car that will be making some side trips to the Nurburgring.

[adc]

Originally Posted by AxisMagi

Buy a supercharger and a dog blanket and you won't look back in the
rear view mirror!! You guys make it sound like the extra horses are
a burden, seriously?! It's too much fun and the way ///M should be.
Enjoy every opportunity to drive. I'd rather beat on my M than drive a beater.

+1. BMW makes a "wall to wall" rear seat cover which costs under $100. Supercharge that bad boy and live happily ever after with the dog in the car.

[roastbeef]

supercharging would depend on my state's emissions laws.

california won't allow it, so i can't do it. i don't want to jump though hoops to get it smogged every two years once smog abatement is over.

[BPMSport]

I vote for a beater, especially because of the dog.

Better to be practical most of the time and radical sometime

[m3an]

Originally Posted by Dellirium

Because some wanna keep their cars looking nice and not road rashed to shit..good for you that you daily drive yours...dont hate on those who dont.

OP get a beater..best to use for your crap errands where you dont wanna risk your M3 getting messed with

not hating, just perplexed to spend a lot of $$ on something to sit. And just cause its driven everyday does not at all mean it's "road rashed to shit"... My car is immaculate.

[LarThaL]

Originally Posted by m3an

+1 I will never understand walking to a beater in the morning while a beautiful M just sits there rotting away. Not driving a car is just as bad as beating that crap out of it all day. Cars are meant to be DRIVEN. I have friends who do this and I find it odd. At least I enjoy my car every single day!

What about the notion of driving the M3 when the weather is nice and driving the beater thru all the winter muck and grime? Even in the rain, the M3's performance is seriously compromised so why take it out and get all covered in dirt and grime when you can't fully enjoy it's capabilities. Also, when you do drive it, it feels that much more special.

With regards to the OP's question, I would not get a supercharger unless you have decided that this is your "ultimate car" that you want to keep for like 10 years. No matter what you drive, you tend to get used to the power level to a certain degree so the SC will only satisfy for a short time, after which you will still want more. Look at all the GTR drivers modding their cars for more and more power, as if 0-60 in 2.9 seconds isn't fast enough. Even if you do SC, that leaves you with a car that is even harder to drive in bad weather. My advice is to just save the money. Then you will have more left in a few years when you want to "step up" to the next level of car.

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by Krozi

Beater. You can have so much fun with a beater hahaha

I have a lot of fun in my M3 in the winter. I would have a lot less fun in a beater. And whoever says a supercharged car is harder to drive in the winter obviously has never had one. Just don't put your foot down as far.

I'll agree that you may not be able to use all the power as often, but disagree that the car is uncontrollable simply because it has the potential to make more power than stock. I could drive a supercharged car all day long and never make boost if I wanted to bore myself. I have driven supercharged and turbo M3s without traction control in New Hampshire winters for years.

For those who prefer to drive beaters while they preserve their M3s for the next owners, go for it. Many of us like to buy nice used cars from people like you.

[W///]

Originally Posted by m3an

not hating, just perplexed to spend a lot of $$ on something to sit. And just cause its driven everyday does not at all mean it's "road rashed to shit"... My car is immaculate.

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have a lot of fun in my M3 in the winter. I would have a lot less fun in a beater. And whoever says a supercharged car is harder to drive in the winter obviously has never had one. Just don't put your foot down as far.

I'll agree that you may not be able to use all the power as often, but disagree that the car is uncontrollable simply because it has the potential to make more power than stock. I could drive a supercharged car all day long and never make boost if I wanted to bore myself. I have driven supercharged and turbo M3s without traction control in New Hampshire winters for years.

For those who prefer to drive beaters while they preserve their M3s for the next owners, go for it. Many of us like to buy nice used cars from people like you.

Again, I don't think there's anything wrong with having a second car, especially if it's a wagon to split the mileage with the M3. You are of course assuming that I'm going to sell my car, which I don't plan to in a long long time. As I said, you can get yourself a really nice daily for under $7k no problem. I'm looking at wagons (Legacy GT, V70R, E34/E39) because it provides utility that my E92 just doesn't have.

Here are examples where I would take my "beater" over the M3:
1) I'm going to Austin for the F1 race in a couple of weekends. I'd much prefer to leave my beater at the airport for 5 nights than my M3. Have you seen how people park?

2) If I go to the grocery store, which is only a 5 min drive away. Car is not even warm yet by the time I get there. I'm pretty religious about bringing the car up to temp

3) Again, the dog. Especially if you have 2. Mine is a hyperactive lab that wants to jump up on the seats. And he sheds like crazy. Have fun trying to clean all the parcel shelf.

4) Not that this applies to the OP, but my M3 is out of warranty. I had to drive my E30 that was running like absolute crap (needs new cylinder head) while I replaced the throttle valve actuator. Between waiting for parts and figuring out how to DIY, my M3 was out for a good week. What would I have done if I didn't have a beater?

I can go on and on about why having a beater, especially a wagon or SUV is useful. I still plan to bring my M3 out 3 times a week, it's not like I'm bubble wrapping it for the weekend only. But I definitely wouldn't have a problem going to work in a 540iT either.

[Krozi]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have a lot of fun in my M3 in the winter. I would have a lot less fun in a beater.

Wronggg lol. With a beater car you can go offroad and drive over curbs and do 60mph ebrake stands and go tray sliding and light fireworks off inside the car and run over cones and smash into things.

[THE TECH]

Get a truck. Great all purpose vehicle.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Majdnoon

A beater doesn't HAVE to be a piece of junk either ya know. You can get a cushy, comfortable, luxurious "Beater" and have your badass M car as a toy on the weekends. This saves gas and is more practical for keeping the M in a good condition. My uncle has a gorgeous S class as his "beater" with an AMG CL as his toy.

I don't understand that combo at all. I doubt many people would have a 550i DD and an M5/M6 Coupe toy or an E90 335i DD and E92 M3 toy. You'd end up with two cars both in the same broad category, and especially in the 550i + M5/6 case and your uncle's, you have "fun cars" that are designed to be all-purpose cars. If you're going to have an fully luxury car like an S Class as a DD exclusively (or even an M5 if you were cruel enough to ONLY use it as a DD) and wanted something else for a toy, it would make more sense to have a car more focused on being a toy, like a Corvette, 911 TT, or in the Mercedes realm an SLS -- or hell even an M3. Any of those would be cheaper than or about the same $150-200K cost as a CL AMG (assuming new and depending on CL63 or CL65) and would give a far more fun weekend experience and far greater contrast with your uncle's S Class.

[Giggs]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

Get a truck. Great all purpose vehicle.

I second this. My "beater" is a toyota tacoma amd sometime i drive it just so i dont have to worry about what curbs i may scrape on with the M. Screw it, in the tacoma i just go over curbs

[Majdnoon]

Originally Posted by jphughan

I don't understand that combo at all. I doubt many people would have a 550i DD and an M5/M6 Coupe toy or an E90 335i DD and E92 M3 toy. You'd end up with two cars both in the same broad category, and especially in the 550i + M5/6 case and your uncle's, you have "fun cars" that are designed to be all-purpose cars. If you're going to have an fully luxury car like an S Class as a DD exclusively (or even an M5 if you were cruel enough to ONLY use it as a DD) and wanted something else for a toy, it would make more sense to have a car more focused on being a toy, like a Corvette, 911 TT, or in the Mercedes realm an SLS -- or hell even an M3. Any of those would be cheaper than or about the same $150-200K cost as a CL AMG (assuming new and depending on CL63 or CL65) and would give a far more fun weekend experience and far greater contrast with your uncle's S Class.

He's actually looking to replace the CL with a more "toy like" car. He's looking into stuff like a used SLS, used Gallardo, etc. But my point is your DD can be a great car, it doesn't have to be a crappy Prius or something of the sort. Sometimes your "Beater" can be more expensive than your toy! My other uncle has a 750 as his "beater," with a Camaro SS as a toy. Hell, even my plan is to get an F10 5 series as my DD, and use an E46 or E36 as a weekender and a track car.

My entire point though is that you can thoroughly enjoy the beater, and it can be the car that you wouldn't mind beating up while keeping your toy pristine for, say, a track or what have you. It doesn't HAVE to be crap. Not to mention, you've got the added security of having another car in case you get into an accident, or your car is stuck in the dealer for a couple weeks on maintenance.

OP, you should do what you think is right for YOU, though. If you don't mind beating up your M3, don't waste money on a beater. If you wanna keep it pristine (which is what it sounds like what with the dogs and everything) buy yourself something nice, roomy, comfortable as a beater. Something like a 3/5 Series Touring, Caddilac CTS Wagon, maybe an SUV like a Toureg or X5, anything you'd not mind living with everyday.

[John Tanglewood]

JEEZ... A LOT of constructive replies -- I'll respond to the ones I can relate to most..

Originally Posted by W///

There's a good reason to have a beater.
1) He mentions he has a dog. I've got a Labrador that sheds like crazy. He doesn't ride along that often, but when I do, I hate that he's in my mint interior. I have trained him to sit on the floorboard though
2) Right now, my E30 is out of commission while I work on it. If I drove my M3 downtown and had to leave it overnight, it'd be lying if I told you I wouldn't worry about my car.

Sure it's "only" a car, but it's a car that I plan on keeping for double digit years if I can. Nothing wrong with splitting the mileage with another car if you can afford it. Besides, when I think beater car, it doesn't necessarily mean it has be a beat up Honda Civic.

True on multiple accounts. And +1 on the floorboard training LOL. I didn't buy the car to bitch about gas mileage so that's the least of my worries. I also didn't buy it to worry about keeping it immaculate 100% of the time. I bought it to enjoy when I want, and I do not always enjoy taking it to the grocery store....

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have no interest in beater cars so I would supercharge the M3. If you enjoy driving beater cars, sell your M3 and drive beater cars. My dog goes in the back. My tools go in the trunk. Snow tires go on in the winter. It gets parked outside. It is just a car, although a nice one. If I did not drive it, I would not want it.

My sentiment exactly, only with a slight variation. I have a coupe so I'd prefer not to chuck the dog in the back seat, it's just a little different. I've driven it in snow every year and don't mind the muck. Indeed it is just a car, but that's such a general comment. How a car should be treated is entirely subjective.

Originally Posted by muccels

wants or need? practical or impractical? Well I don't drive my car everyday as many use it as a daily driver and to each their own. My M is a weekend car at best and not even that! If you only have the "M' I would say get a beater! Having at least 2 cars affords you some flexibility. Sure a SC would be fun we would all love to have one of those but what’s best for your needs?? I have a Tahoe which I throw my dog in all the time and don't care where I park or drive it! It sucks in gas mileage but it’s also not my commuter! I will have my "M" for awhile so not putting a bunch of miles on it will definitely help on the resale of it one day. Always weigh the pros and cons of any decisions! I'm somewhat biased as I have a few cars too many plus a motorcycle! Plus having something like a Subaru that is 4wd and you can throw you dog into is priceless..

After reading this I realize that this is more along my lines of thinking, although I do not wish to preserve miles as much as I want to enjoy the car.

Originally Posted by m3an

after reading through your "wants" and "needs" in a car, it seems like you should sell the M altogher and buy a Toyota or a Subaru!

Originally Posted by m3an

+1 I will never understand walking to a beater in the morning while a beautiful M just sits there rotting away. Not driving a car is just as bad as beating that crap out of it all day. Cars are meant to be DRIVEN. I have friends who do this and I find it odd. At least I enjoy my car every single day!

I'm actually glad you are reading this thread as I'm sure it has given you more insight into why people do purchase a beater. I spend lots of time in the city. My commute is that where my car never fully warms up. I have friends who live in sketchy areas. I sometimes need to park my car somewhere overnight that isn't my driveway. I have a dog - a bulldog - and he drools.

Mind you -- NONE of these things has prevented me from using my M3 for the past 3 years, but I have come to a point in my life where I can shake things up and take on an additional car if it makes sense.

Originally Posted by Munit

I don't understand people who don't want to daily drive their m3. I feel if that is the case, maybe you could not have really afforded it in the first place. Why would someone want to spend the majority of their day driving in a beater? I love my long commutes in my m3 and then also using it for fun. Miles are miles, big deal. If you are worried about gas mileage for a 20 mile commute than probably this was too much car for you.

Not sure I even get the question as it does not make much sense.

Really not worried about gas, just felt compelled to mention it. And who said majority of the day? Situational basis only. I can certainly afford it, I don't enjoy trolling message boards for the hell of it.

Originally Posted by adc

+1. BMW makes a "wall to wall" rear seat cover which costs under $100. Supercharge that bad boy and live happily ever after with the dog in the car.

I've seen that thing. Have you? Well....maybe it would beat the multi-colored towels I am currently using.

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have a lot of fun in my M3 in the winter. I would have a lot less fun in a beater. And whoever says a supercharged car is harder to drive in the winter obviously has never had one. Just don't put your foot down as far.

I'll agree that you may not be able to use all the power as often, but disagree that the car is uncontrollable simply because it has the potential to make more power than stock. I could drive a supercharged car all day long and never make boost if I wanted to bore myself. I have driven supercharged and turbo M3s without traction control in New Hampshire winters for years.

For those who prefer to drive beaters while they preserve their M3s for the next owners, go for it. Many of us like to buy nice used cars from people like you.

I like you, and I like your comments. I've been driving RWD in snow for as many years as I've been able to drive. The notion that you need 4WD in snow (a statement I hear frequently living in CT) never ceases to crack me up.

That being said I love driving my M3 in the snow. But I also had a Stage 2 Subaru before my M3 and I can say without blinking that it was twice as fun.

It's not really about preservation for you. It's not about you at all actually. It's about me, and the peace of mind that I feel by keeping my M3 devoid of the things I already mentioned. I do see where you're coming from though!

Originally Posted by W///

Again, I don't think there's anything wrong with having a second car, especially if it's a wagon to split the mileage with the M3. You are of course assuming that I'm going to sell my car, which I don't plan to in a long long time. As I said, you can get yourself a really nice daily for under $7k no problem. I'm looking at wagons (Legacy GT, V70R, E34/E39) because it provides utility that my E92 just doesn't have.

Here are examples where I would take my "beater" over the M3:
1) I'm going to Austin for the F1 race in a couple of weekends. I'd much prefer to leave my beater at the airport for 5 nights than my M3. Have you seen how people park?

2) If I go to the grocery store, which is only a 5 min drive away. Car is not even warm yet by the time I get there. I'm pretty religious about bringing the car up to temp

3) Again, the dog. Especially if you have 2. Mine is a hyperactive lab that wants to jump up on the seats. And he sheds like crazy. Have fun trying to clean all the parcel shelf.

4) Not that this applies to the OP, but my M3 is out of warranty. I had to drive my E30 that was running like absolute crap (needs new cylinder head) while I replaced the throttle valve actuator. Between waiting for parts and figuring out how to DIY, my M3 was out for a good week. What would I have done if I didn't have a beater?

I can go on and on about why having a beater, especially a wagon or SUV is useful. I still plan to bring my M3 out 3 times a week, it's not like I'm bubble wrapping it for the weekend only. But I definitely wouldn't have a problem going to work in a 540iT either.

I think you illustrated the needs and justification perfectly, especially #'s 1,2 & 3.

Originally Posted by Krozi

Wronggg lol. With a beater car you can go offroad and drive over curbs and do 60mph ebrake stands and go tray sliding and light fireworks off inside the car and run over cones and smash into things.

Typical Friday night for you, eh?! I only do those things in rental cars

[Dellirium]

Originally Posted by Krozi

Wronggg lol. With a beater car you can go offroad and drive over curbs and do 60mph ebrake stands and go tray sliding and light fireworks off inside the car and run over cones and smash into things.

Although I dont think I would treat my beater as demolition derby car.. having a beater is worry free driving..I can just relax and not worry about scraping this or dinging that and most importantly parking it any where and not stressing about it. This even more true in bad weather.

[pbonsalb]

I guess my 08M3 is my beater, since I don't stress about it driving it at any time of year. If I could afford a nicer beater, I would get an AWD Porsche 996 or 997 Turbo and put snow tires on it. If having a certain car was stressful, I would get a different car. It should be fun, not stressful. I would be stressed out if I had to drive a beater. That would be depressing to me.

[MKE_M3]

One thing no one has pointed out is that a beater car usually holds it's value pretty well, what's the differance between a car with 110k miles and one with 150k miles. May only be a few thousand. Compare that to the depreciation/loss of owning a super charger.

That being said, I personally think when a car like the M3 exists, why own two (unless you have utility needs like plowing/off roading/hauling). If you want something sportier, but don't want to sacrifice daily driving much, you can lightly mod. If you want something more comfortable, get a 335i w/o sport suspension, or a 535. No need to own two cars IMHO.

[Mr. Liu]

I too don't understand why people say the car is meant to be driven, why did you buy it if you don't drive it blah blah, you probably can't afford it if you don't drive it

I do drive the car, and just because I want to take care of it and put less miles on it if I can doesn't mean I am babying it. I take it out on the weekends and smash it to 8400 rpm going to get milk. People should take into account also the areas where you might go on a daily basis for work. I commute into downtown LA everyday and that is somewhere I do not want to leave ANY car, let alone my M3.

I have a lifted FJ as a beater and it's awesome just running over fat dips or literally going over curbs for the hell of it!

[W///]

Originally Posted by Mr. Liu

I too don't understand why people say the car is meant to be driven, why did you buy it if you don't drive it blah blah, you probably can't afford it if you don't drive it

I do drive the car, and just because I want to take care of it and put less miles on it if I can doesn't mean I am babying it. I take it out on the weekends and smash it to 8400 rpm going to get milk. People should take into account also the areas where you might go on a daily basis for work. I commute into downtown LA everyday and that is somewhere I do not want to leave ANY car, let alone my M3.

I have a lifted FJ as a beater and it's awesome just running over fat dips or literally going over curbs for the hell of it!

So you have a beater FJ, but then ask why people get beaters in the first place? The OP and I explained at least 4 reasons why it's nice to have a DD. He driven it through the winter before, so it's pretty obvious the M3 is not a garage queen.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Team Plutonium

Dude, I think you misread his post... he was agreeing with you.

Woops, sorry. It's still early in the morning