How much will the base 2008 M3 cost in the US?

[lucid]

I wouldn't be surprised if Porsche were to put in a larger displacement and more powerful engine in the Cayman in a year or two to compete with the new M3, so the stock engine might be just fine.

[JEllis]

if it's more than $65,000 i'm just going to get a Cayman S and put an X51 motor in it.

Correct me if I am wrong but the X51 is an optional performance package. Not a whole new motor. I know for the 997S the X51 package includes software, intake, exhaust, and headers. All that for 16K which is insane in my opinion.

However, I read this month in Excellence that Cayman WILL most likely be getting a larger engine as the 998 is expected to lose the 3.6L in its line up all together.

Cayman is too tiny for me though.

If the M3 is over 60K base then I will start looking at used 997's and possibly a 335i, especially if BMW creates a 335 Msport.

Jason

[lucid]

I just assumed that X51 has something to do with a non-stock engine I did not know about, so it seems like you know more about it than I do. Cayman is tiny, but is supposed to handle better than the 911 because of mid-engine dynamics. It'll be interesting to see how the M3 will fare against the larger engine Cayman.

[JEllis]

I agree the Cayman has been said to be the greatest handling Pcar to date. Of course it doesnt have a LSD though and that hurts its peformance.

Jason

[imolazhp_ci]

Originally Posted by JEllis

Correct me if I am wrong but the X51 is an optional performance package. Not a whole new motor. I know for the 997S the X51 package includes software, intake, exhaust, and headers. All that for 16K which is insane in my opinion.

However, I read this month in Excellence that Cayman WILL most likely be getting a larger engine as the 998 is expected to lose the 3.6L in its line up all together.

Cayman is too tiny for me though.

If the M3 is over 60K base then I will start looking at used 997's and possibly a 335i, especially if BMW creates a 335 Msport.

Jason

it also includes different cylinder heads. the only thing it shares is the block/pistons/connecting rods. and if you are buying the Engine configured as such, it is called an X51 Engine. you aren't wrong, just not ENTIRELY aware of the context of the description.

[paulyd]

Originally Posted by JEllis

If the M3 is over 60K base then I will start looking at used 997's and possibly a 335i, especially if BMW creates a 335 Msport.

Jason

I want one. How come BMW does this in Europe but not the US?

[stressdoc]

I am aghast. I cannot possibly justify a 15 or 20k difference between a Euro delivery 1k over invoice 335 with 5 or 6k in performance mods and the new M3, available only at MSRP and no ED.

[JEllis]

I am aghast. I cannot possibly justify a 15 or 20k difference between a Euro delivery 1k over invoice 335 with 5 or 6k in performance mods and the new M3, available only at MSRP and no ED.

I agree that the 335 has thrown a wrench in the machine with the way it can make lots o power for a little money. And your right, M3 like performance will be easily had for less money than the total M3 package.

That being said, the M buyer is most likely buying 1. The M badge 2. Performance without losing a warrenty 3. LSD/handling

But lets be honest, most of us ( I would say 90%) ever really drive our cars hard enough so that an LSD matters, I would say 50% of us dont care about warrenty issues, and the rest is just an ego thing. So the smart choice really is the 335 as far as the average tuner goes.

However, I am still holding out for my M. My ego wont let me settle for the 335 just yet...

Jason

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

I am aghast. I cannot possibly justify a 15 or 20k difference between a Euro delivery 1k over invoice 335 with 5 or 6k in performance mods and the new M3, available only at MSRP and no ED.

Local dealer says you can do ED on M cars.

[kyotousa]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Local dealer says you can do ED on M cars.

maybe it's just your dealer
non of the M's are on the bmw website

[Alumac]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Local dealer says you can do ED on M cars.

You can, at full price. There is no ED discount for Ms. And the car comes out of the dealer's allocation, unlike the "normal" BMWs.

[Epacy]

Originally Posted by Alumac

You can, at full price. There is no ED discount for Ms. And the car comes out of the dealer's allocation, unlike the "normal" BMWs.

Also asked them about that and he stated you get the same discount as any other BMW.

[bullitt5897]

So does this mean we can take european delivery here in the US? If so what are we looking at for costs?

Mike

[Smoltz]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Also asked them about that and he stated you get the same discount as any other BMW.

Alumac is right, your dealer is confused.

-Adam

[devo]

Originally Posted by lucid

Correction on the base 911 price quoted earlier by someone: base 911 MSRP starts at $72,400. Although it has less hp, it is much lighter. Also, the 911 comes with a similar 4 years/50000 miles warranty, but it does not include the "pay nothing" feature, meaning the owner has to pay for breakpads and routine maintainance fees, which I guess can run up to a couple of grands depending on how one drives the thing and considering the 911 needs constant attention mechanically. If BMW prices the base M3 above $65k, I will go for the 911. I suspect most people would do the same.

I really doubt that will amount to a couple thousand dollars. And, the 997 doesn't really need much attention. It's very reliable. Personally, unless you're going with the 997S, I'd take the M3. The standard 997 may weigh about 300lbs. less but it's also 90 hp less and short about 30 lb. ft. of torque. The S gets so many standard options over the non S, I would consider it a must have.

[JEllis]

I really doubt that will amount to a couple thousand dollars. And, the 997 doesn't really need much attention. It's very reliable. Personally, unless you're going with the 997S, I'd take the M3. The standard 997 may weigh about 300lbs. less but it's also 90 hp less and short about 30 lb. ft. of torque. The S gets so many standard options over the non S, I would consider it a must have.

I think the real problem with the Pcar is that although the base price is 72K, you end up paying out the a$$ for what would normally be standard options. A nicely equiped 997 is an 85K car easily.

The Porsche option list and prices is crazy.



Jason

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Alumac

You can, at full price. There is no ED discount for Ms. And the car comes out of the dealer's allocation, unlike the "normal" BMWs.

this is exactly right. dealers, having very limited allocations of M cars, have absolultely no desire to discount their M's, especially given that often times they can get away with charging a ridiculous mark up. they'll let you do the ED with their allocation, but not with ED discount prices.... instead you'll be paying whatever price your dealer has agreed to let the car go for.

[devo]

Originally Posted by JEllis

I think the real problem with the Pcar is that although the base price is 72K, you end up paying out the a$$ for what would normally be standard options. A nicely equiped 997 is an 85K car easily.

The Porsche option list and prices is crazy.



Jason

Agreed, Porsche certainly does hit the consumer hard for every option -although BMW isn't far behind. I believe one of the hottest cars -non SUPER CAR- available today is the 997S w/X51 performance package, PCCB brakes, (Euro Spec 20mm Suspension w/axle diff. lock), Sport Adaptive Seats, Full Leather, etc... The problem is that it's over $110,000 which is within Turbo territory. And, the resale would be terrible. $17,999.00 for 26 hp and $8k for PCCBs w.t.f.!

[JEllis]

Agreed, Porsche certainly does hit the consumer hard for every option -although BMW isn't far behind. I believe one of the hottest cars -non SUPER CAR- available today is the 997S w/X51 performance package, PCCB brakes, (Euro Spec 20mm Suspension w/axle diff. lock), Sport Adaptive Seats, Full Leather, etc... The problem is that it's over $110,000 which is within Turbo territory. And, the resale would be terrible. $17,999.00 for 26 hp and $8k for PCCBs w.t.f.!

Yep, I think the best way to buy a Porsche is used. If the new M is going to be around 70K (sitting in my driveway) then I might have to seriously look at 996TT's wich are now in the 60-70K range. I have toyed with the thought of getting a 99-01 996 C2 for around 40K and then doing an EVOMS supercharger. That would be one quick machine!

Or wait a few months for some slightly used M3's to pop up.

Jason

[kyotousa]

how's the reliability on used Porsche?

[truce2002]

Originally Posted by aerisolphaln

I'm really thinking BMW will price this thing at the RS4 level, as they are doing in the UK.

If that's the case, I guess I'll be getting my first Porsche instead of my first M.

I'm with you. The 911 is my dream car but I love the M3. Yet if the price is within $10K of a Porsche I'd go with the 911

[JEllis]

how's the reliability on used Porsche?

Depends on what you get but there is not much difference in reliabilitiy between BMW and Porsche.... just a lot of nay sayers. If you ask some people my E36 M3 is not a reliable car even though I have basically no problems with it...go figure.

Jason