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01-23-2009, 10:09 PM | #67 | |
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01-23-2009, 10:57 PM | #68 |
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100 feels like nothing in an M3.. 120 feels like nothing.. What are you talking about?
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01-24-2009, 12:35 AM | #69 |
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LOL guys as stated, I had 10 minutes in this car. 90-100mph was experienced for like 30 seconds while merging onto the highway and I wasn't in 6th gear so that probably is what shaped my view of it. These were just my initial impressions from a very brief ride so some of them could be way off. I wanted to run my thoughts by M3 owners to see if I was off base, and I appreciate the feedback. Your comments inspired me to give the car a 2nd look, and I'm renting an M3 on Sunday for 24 hours of driving before making a buying decision.
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01-25-2009, 01:51 AM | #70 | |
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01-25-2009, 01:52 AM | #71 |
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I don't have to justify my final purchase to anyone. I'll choose the car that fits me best and make no excuses for it.
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01-25-2009, 02:49 AM | #72 |
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OT - I really like your videos man... nice job. Love the sound - that's stock right? I think stock sounds fine, good enough for me! (great, you're going to tell me it's aftermarket...haha).
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01-25-2009, 03:17 AM | #73 |
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Thanks man, the car is bone stock. I'm looking into aftermarket exhausts though, I want to share this sound with people a 1/4 mile away.
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01-25-2009, 10:44 AM | #74 | |
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PLEASE don't buy an M3! |
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01-25-2009, 07:34 PM | #75 |
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LOL, I hear ya (and if I'm ever a 1/4 mile away from you, I literally will...)
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01-25-2009, 08:02 PM | #76 | |
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no offense as my girl is..she says I like the 335 but why pay so much when I can get a VW for cheaper..... HAHAHA anyways, hyundai will always be hyundai. kinda like the Z06, it will always be a chevy. |
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01-25-2009, 08:06 PM | #77 | |
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I don't think he was stating that a Hyundai is a BMW, he was merely stating that he has 2 Hyundai's. And btw, the Z06 analogy was really off in terms of making your point. How'd you do on your SAT's? Cat is to mouse as... car is to..? Haha.
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01-25-2009, 08:42 PM | #78 | |
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I have an M3 and an X3. My GF has a Santa Fe. To compare anything about the Santa Fe with the X3 is ludicrous. NOTHING about the Santa Fe compares. The interior is the cheapest plastic made, the seats heaters warm up eventually, the steering is weighted poorly, the brakes eventually stop, and the acceleration is strained. Then there is the location of controls, and the quality of every other item in the Santa Fe. |
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01-25-2009, 08:44 PM | #79 | |
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Last edited by matt beard; 01-26-2009 at 08:38 PM.. |
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01-25-2009, 08:52 PM | #80 |
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01-25-2009, 08:52 PM | #81 |
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Well said!
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01-25-2009, 08:54 PM | #82 |
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Totally inapproriate and uncalled for.
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01-25-2009, 09:09 PM | #83 | |
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To the OP: 2 things that you mentioned that held water with me. Gas mileage is on the crappy side, compared to some of the competition. Also, being a tall guy, the bulge really popped out at me the first few days of driving the car. Not that I didn't like it, I actually really like it, but I was surprised at how noticeable it was from behind the steering wheel as opposed to just looking at the car from the outside. Everything else you mentioned though, is what makes the car so special. I don't consider myself a BMW enthusiast, I'm just an enthusiast. I've never really been brand loyal, I just want the best performance car I can buy for the price I want to spend. This time around it was the M3. After living with the car since September, and putting 5500 miles on it, I can tell you that I love EVERYTHING about this car. I catch myself taking a smoke break at work just to take a peek at it. I drive it whenever I can. It seems like after every drive, I like the car even more. I love the feel of the thick steering wheel(give it some time). When you go back to a thin steering wheel, it just feels cheap. I drove a buddy's 335i and as nice as it was, I'm not trying to knock the 335i, but it felt boring. The 335i felt a bit more responsive (regarding power), or torquier under 2.5k rpms, but from 2.5k to redline the M feels better in every sense of the word. The steering felt better, the sound was more aggressive. The interior was a bit better, and IMO looks better. I don't think choosing an M3 over a 335i is going to lead to noticeable difference in attention to the average police officer, boy-racer, or random key artist in your local parking lot. Modding a 335i will get you better performance, but its gonna take more than a chip to beat an M3 in a straight line, and a lot more work to capture the performance/feel of the M's steering. If I have friends over and we need more beer, my friends battle over who's going along for the ride. I'm not saying the M3 is a better purchase for everyone, but I find it tough to believe any auto enthusiast would choose the 335i over the M3 unless they were looking to save money. Notice I said SAVE money, I didn't say you couldn't afford it, as this is a sensitive spot amongst many. What you set your budget at and what you can actually purchase are 2 different things, but to me, 3k difference is a no brainer if you are a true enthusiast. Hopefully I didn't offend anyone, and no doubt, some people are a bit too defensive around here. One main reason for the reactions in this thread, is that many feel if you can't appreciate what the M3 delivers, you don't deserve it. Here's my conclusion. I think your mind might have been made up already, or at least that is what I could tell from your initial post. Judging by what you've stated earlier, even if the M was cheaper, the 335i is what you'd prefer, as its a bit softer and more understated looks-wise. The M is a car that begs to be driven. It's got some imperfections, but that adds to the soul that this car has. The soul a car possesses is something thats hard to convey, its also different for everyone, as its very emotion/opinion based. The M3 triggers tons of emotion and if you don't feel it, don't get it. You might grow into it, but that would be taking a chance, and who wants to take a chance on $60k. Based on your car history, and "perceived" lack of desire to own an M car, my advice is to stick with the safe choice. I like the fact that my car is kind of rare anyway. Also, an AMG Mercedes might be a bit closer to what your looking for. They have plenty of straight line power and torque, and handle decent also. They are supposedly more comfortable too, but that might be debatable. P.S. I stated earlier that I don't consider myself a BMW enthusiast, maybe "didn't" would be a better word. Because everyday I drive this car, I feel myself being drawn closer and closer to the dark side.
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01-25-2009, 09:23 PM | #84 | |
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I was comparing the Santa Fe Limited, with leather, etc., to what seemed like a base X3 with leather. Interior trim wasn't close, with the Hyundai smoking the BMW with better leather quality and better plastic. Neither the X3 or Santa Fe is anywhere near the level of my M3 trim or the X5 that I drove at the Performance Center. The X3, at least the model that I drove, is built to a price point and it shows. Controls in the Santa Fe are superior as is the fit and finish. The X3's drive train responds better in automatic, but the Hyundai is fine when you shift manually, which I do. I suspect that the X3 handles better, but I don't care much about that in my 4-wheel drive. Trim levels are clearly in the Hyundai's favor. Hey, I own a BMW, but I can be realistic about other cars' virtues. Hyundai is an exceptional value, including the Sonata, Santa Fe and Azera. I suspect the Genesis is also very good, based on reviews and Tommy Kendall's Road Test. I bought a my M3 because of its balance between performance, luxury and practicality, which I consider unmatched. When it's time to get a luxury car I'll consider BMW, but also Hyundai. Dave |
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01-25-2009, 09:55 PM | #86 |
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01-25-2009, 10:03 PM | #87 | |
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No cool aid here. I've had all kinds of cars, and I would have gladly bought something other than the X3 for less money, if the performance was there. Only a complete moron would say a Santa Fe is better (or even close) than the X3. I suppose an Elantra comes close to your M3 too? You probably can't tell the difference. |
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01-25-2009, 11:03 PM | #88 | |
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As I said, the X3 I drove was a base level with leather, NOT "M" suspension and 19" wheels. What does that option cost, BTW? No doubt you can option out an X3 beyond the loaner I used. The brakes, in normal use, felt about the same in both vehicles. I've not done laps in either and don't plan to. I thought that was your GF's Santa Fe not yours. Is it a Limited? Why would you buy an X3 for performance??? The leather is very nice in mine. Notice that I haven't called you a moron, yet. You can join in the discussion, but I'd appreciate a refrain from calling me names. Some shithead questioned my ethnicity up the thread, so your implication that I'm a moron if I don't agree with you is perhaps more disgusting than usual because of his stupidity. Dave |
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