M3 or not M3 (not as stupid as it sounds)

[msquaredserver]

OK. Perhaps I'm thinking way too far into it, but I have a general discussion question for you guys. If you think I'm crazy, don't waste your breath, because I am already fully aware of my insanity.

Currently, I own a 2004 X3 2.5i, and am in school. Upon pricing financing options with a full-value trade in, I was looking at insanely low prices for both the M3 and the 335i, the two cars I am in limbo deciding between. The issue as of right now (and especially with my financing quotes) is not financial... it's more.... crazy?

I cannot afford two cars, so whichever car I choose to buy in just under a year will be my daily driver from summer to winter. I have wanted an ///M car since well before I started driving, and I hold the M3 on a pedestal. My question to you guys is this:

Would you purchase an M3 (for arguments sake, your dream car if the M3 isn't your dream car) as a daily driver if you knew you couldn't care for it as well as if you waited until you could afford it as a summer or seasonal car?

I have this sneaking suspicion that about 95% of you are going to be in an uproar screaming M3! M3! M3! but just let me know what you think. Personally right now I'm leaning that way myself, but I'm trying this whole thing where I make responsible, well thought-out decisions instead of those that are instantly gratifying. Thanks for the insight!

[Buschy]

its ment to be a daily driver!

[msquaredserver]

Originally Posted by buschy

its ment to be a daily driver!

haha i guess - people around me think i treat my x3 right now really well, but i don't feel i've taken good enough care of it.. so i'm mildly concerned about having empty smoke boxes littering the floor of an m3, and stuff like not getting the brake dust off the wheels often enough. just don't want to see a car i'd love so much wind up looking anything less than gorgeous.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by msquaredserver

haha i guess - people around me think i treat my x3 right now really well, but i don't feel i've taken good enough care of it.. so i'm mildly concerned about having empty smoke boxes littering the floor of an m3, and stuff like not getting the brake dust off the wheels often enough. just don't want to see a car i'd love so much wind up looking anything less than gorgeous.

i don't think that any advice that anyone gives you on this thread is going to help. nobody has to live with your decision but you. if you don't want a messy m3, then don't litter in it. its that simple. if you are a slob and you know you won't change (and you can't bare to see a dirty m3), then don't buy one. i have never understood these types of threads, yet here i am replying...

[msquaredserver]

yeah, i understand - i don't think anyone would be able to sway my opinion here. i'm pretty sure in the case of an m3 i'd be able to take better care of it, but things like washing it (i wouldn't want any other person/machine to wash it) would take time that right now i'm not 100% sure i'd have after school and working full-time.

on the topic of why post? i dunno, i couldn't sleep last night and i got into work this morning at like 7:15 before anyone else, so i was bored and wanted to know what people think. and now i know what you think. hey, thanks! but yeah, i pass a bimmer dealership every morning and just pull over, get out, and gawk at the m3's for a few minutes to make my day a little better.

[msquaredserver]

Originally Posted by buschy

its ment to be a daily driver!

and on top of that, this reply gave me an opinion - those that have an m3 and use it as a daily driver can provide insight as to whether they would make the same decision or wait until they could have it as a second car.

..and clearly you were bored enough to post a reply, so don't call it pointless if there may be a point you've missed.

[Big Windy]

well, i used my 335i as a daily driver and will use my m3 as the same. i am stationed in germany where it snows during the winter. winter tires did fine on the 335i, and i'm sure they'll be fine on the M. i wouldn't worry about driving it everyday, its like buying a nice watch and being afraid to wear it because it might get scratched. i know a lot of people are like that, but i like to buy things so that i can enjoy them.

there you have it...good luck deciding.

[msquaredserver]

true - no point in having it if you dont use it.

[valeram]

My current 335 is a daily driver and will be replaced by an M3. It will also be used daily. Get a good winter tire obviously if you want to drive it during winter (Ohio).

[Bastet]

Ours is used daily. We don't have/need a second car

[MrClean]

I know this will sound sacrilegious, but here goes.....


.... it's just a car. A fantastic car, but a car. Meant to be driven. Hard. Enjoy it.

J

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by MrClean

I know this will sound sacrilegious, but here goes.....


.... it's just a car. A fantastic car, but a car. Meant to be driven. Hard. Enjoy it.

J

+1...and welcome to the forum.

[mkoesel]

Suppose you bought an X5 4.8i or X6 3.5i instead. Would you daily drive those? Well, then there's you answer. Don't put the car on a pedestal because of the M badge. Its a $70k daily driver - nothing more, nothing less.

[ihyln]

You're in college right now. I'd pocket that 15 grand and get the 335i

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by ihyln

You're in college right now. I'd pocket that 15 grand and get the 335i

or pocket 30 grand and get a 135i

[batchelorc]

My M3 will be daily driver. Drive the hell out of it!

[msquaredserver]

hahahaha well this is all some good advice. seems everyone that has an m loves driving it enough to use it as a daily driver.

and thanks for the greeting, i've been at e46fanatics forever, found this board when i was bored and wanted to read about the e92, its a pretty good forum

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by msquaredserver

haha i guess - people around me think i treat my x3 right now really well, but i don't feel i've taken good enough care of it.. so i'm mildly concerned about having empty smoke boxes littering the floor of an m3, and stuff like not getting the brake dust off the wheels often enough. just don't want to see a car i'd love so much wind up looking anything less than gorgeous.

ARe you serious??????
you through trash on the floor in your car and you dont clean your car now? then you wont in an M3 , but that is jsut personal hygiene issue that you need to deal with.
I have a 06 gli that is spotless, I had a old truck that was spot less. its all about how you take care of it.
a daily driver doesn't mean it has to be dirty.

[Hammer]

buy the m3?

why? it matchs to your need of a daily driver.

con: you ll mess it up with dirt? dont mind at all
just spend 10-20$ per month and let someone wash it if you dont have the time.
If you spend around 70.000$ for the car you shouldnt mind that at all!

[normcaldwell]

Lot's of guys drive their M3 as a DD.

I've had an E46 M3 and E36 M3, both as DD's; both with an extra set of wheels w/winter tires.
A fun car to drive all year 'round.

Some guys are anal about keeping the car's exterior and interior perfectly clean.
But, you don't have to be to enjoy this car.

A dirty M3 is better than a clean non-M3.

[Mx3]

The car should be used as a daily driver. Wash it when you have time. The M3 is a no-brainer if you have the money. If you are even worried about finances then you need to layout all expenses including gas and insurance etc to make sure you can live with it. BTW...Gas mileage it not very good. Anyway, good luck in your decision.

Drive an M3 is have not already done so. Good luck

[malter2.0]

A dirty M3 is better than a clean non-M3

I approve of this statement!