What car should I buy - Stripper M3, loaded S5, loaded 435i

[nepats81]

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie here and was hoping some of you could help. I've been living in NYC the past 7 years and drove an 05 accord the whole time. Ive now moved to Boston so finally looking to upgrade my car to something nicer now that I will have garage parking and a 30 minute drive to work west of the city. My budget is 60k and this will be my daily driver. I'm single and figure this will be the one time it will be practical to get a 2 door coupe. At most I will be traveling with me, my girlfriend and my dog in the back(doberman).

Anyways - I can get a well options Audi S5 for about 60k, a 2011 cpo 335i for around 40k loaded, or if I wanted to stretch - a stripper m3(no options) for 66k.

I'm wondering if the stripped m3 would be worth stretching a bit even with no options, and also if I would be crazy to get a RWD performance car as a daily driver in Boston.

It seems like either way I am upgrading very significantly so I doubt I would be disapointed regardless.

Hoping for everyones thoughts! Thanks

[SilentAttack]

You should get a Used M3 for 45-55k with all the options. I bought an 08 with every option and it only had 18k miles on it. Its always better to buy used because you dont take the huge "first" ownership cut.

[Ezio]

i would get a used 2011 M3.

[zamboni]

Even the base model should go with M3.

[Alex07M3]

Get a well optioned used M3, these cars are reliable as hell!

[Stronie]

New M3s would be hard to find I would think. I say 1-2 yr old M3 game over. Should be much less then your budget.

By the way lived in Dover, NH for 3 years loved it.

[SterlingE55]

Buy a used 2011 M3 for $50k-$55k. Problem solved.

[scorcherjf]

With a good set of winter tires RWD should be fine in boston.

btw you found a stripper M3 new on a dealer lot? please share lol

[duk]

wait til new 435i or used m3

[nepats81]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I didn't really consider a used m3, because I assumed these cars would be driven extremely hard by the first owner and may have reliability issues after some time. Sounds like a used m3 should pretty reliable and I'll be happier in the long run.

Follow up question - lets say I look for a used non CPO m3 with really low miles and plenty of time left on the original warranty. Should I just go and buy a bmw gold exented warranty? Is that worth it?

Thanks

[M3ZCP6MT]

No doubt, M3. You'll never look back. S5 and 335i are nice rides, softer suspension set ups but neither will be as dial in as the M3, the ultimate driver's car. Get the 4 door when you have kids
$66k, I would get the 6MT, Competition package, if you can find one.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881609

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Used

Originally Posted by Ezio

used

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

used

Originally Posted by Stronie

1-2 yr old M3 game over

Originally Posted by SterlingE55

used

Originally Posted by duk

used

You can get a pristine 2011 E90 for well under 60k.

[nullrouted]

Originally Posted by nepats81

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I didn't really consider a used m3, because I assumed these cars would be driven extremely hard by the first owner and may have reliability issues after some time. Sounds like a used m3 should pretty reliable and I'll be happier in the long run.

Follow up question - lets say I look for a used non CPO m3 with really low miles and plenty of time left on the original warranty. Should I just go and buy a bmw gold exented warranty? Is that worth it?

Thanks

I'll get out in front of the pack of 'no' on the extended warranty with a 'yes, definitely' -- Get a 2011 M3 and you've got about 2 years, 25k miles on the warranty. If you're only gonna keep it 2 years, you're good to go. If you're gonna keep it any longer, ask yourself if you could easily afford $2500-$5000 a year on top of your payments to maintain/repair the out of warranty car. I bought an E46 M3 several years ago with 59k on the ODO, no warranty. Car cost me $10k in bushings, brakes, a/c, etc, before I traded it in. One of my primary reasons for buying a new car this time around was the full warranty. If I planned to keep it more than 3-4 years, or I had bought one with a 2 year warranty, I would buy the extended, no question.

[WCM3]

For what it's worth, i had an 09 M3 and currently drive an 09 S5. Overall, the M3 was more fun and faster; however, the styling of the S5 and AWD for snowboard trips is why i've stuck with my S5 for about 1.5 years now.

My biggest issue with the S5 is how tight it is inside. I'm not a big person (like 5'11''); but with the seat in a comfortable spot, there is barely any room in the rear to seat passengers. I know you aren't thinking kids, but might want to think about that when you bring friends around.

[bga23]

Originally Posted by nullrouted

Get a 2011 M3 and you've got about 2 years, 25k miles on the warranty.

Most 2011s prob have more like 1+ years left on the warranty. If warranty is a concern for you pay a bit extra for a CPO car. Not as good as factory warranty but still will cover major items.

[saeyedoc]

Originally Posted by bga23

Most 2011s prob have more like 1+ years left on the warranty. If warranty is a concern for you pay a bit extra for a CPO car. Not as good as factory warranty but still will cover major items.

Since there was no 2012 Sedan, some have more than two years left. Mine was put in service mid November 2011.

[nepats81]

i found a dealer demo with 3k miles for 60k with the options I want. Do u guys think this is a good idea to get a dealer demo? Can I lease a demo?

[atombomb33]

Originally Posted by nepats81

i found a dealer demo with 3k miles for 60k with the options I want. Do u guys think this is a good idea to get a dealer demo? Can I lease a demo?

You should be able to lease it as long as it has never been titles before. The dealer can confirm for you. But for me, I would stay away from a demo car. Those are usually beat to death by people who simply don't care at all about the car. Buying a demo is not like buying a used car from an enthusiast who takes care of his cars.

[JulieDriving]

Used M3, well cared for by the first owner.

Take your time. Wait for the right one.

[M3 Mod Master]

what is a stripper M3? sounds dirty

[tommy94gt]

Wait forget the car whats with the your username man? Thought you lived in NY for 7 years... lol its all good, just playing.

[fusionchicken]

m3 hands down. though the new m3/m4 are coming out quite soon.