E92 M3 vs Focus RS

[Kung Fu English]

It's coming time when the focus rs is going to start hitting us dealerships and some in Europe already have them. For 40k msrp it is only slightly more expensive than mildly used e9x.

I have a 2013 e92 dct that is running out of warranty soon. It's worth about as much as a new Focus RS.

I'm nearly convinced to trade it in for the focus to be a new DD since I have heavy winters and spending 10k on a winter car that I drive 5 months out of the year seems dumb. I've already had to replace 1 undercarriage tray.

What does anyone else think?

I feel the platform just keeps losing value and maintenance costs plus the fear of out of warranty repairs makes me nervous. I see cars with less miles than mine listed at 35-40k and with more miles selling for 25k.

[R3dliner]

The RS is great car and probably a blast to drive. My buddy has the ST version(stg2 downpipe, exhaust, tune, beats me from a dig). However you will be really disappointed in the plastic interior.
Not to mention the residual on that things going to blow. Have you thought about a STI or Evo or Golf R?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

My buddy has the ST version(stg2 downpipe, exhaust, tune, beats me from a dig).

Isn't the ST the front wheel drive version? Not sure how this would be possible in that case.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Isn't the ST the front wheel drive version? Not sure how this would be possible in that case.

starting from a dig on 2nd gear low speed we have no torque. Even with the FWD the turbo has the advantage. Now if I started 40mph dig it would be a diff story.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

starting from a dig on 2nd gear low speed we have no torque. Even with the FWD the turbo has the advantage. Now if I started 40mph dig it would be a diff story.

Why would you start in 2nd gear from a dig?

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Why would you start in 2nd gear from a dig?

why not? lol well he swore he could jump on low rpm so we did couple of 2nd gear runs in diff speeds.

Mind you his ST does high 12's 1/4 mile with his upgraded turbo.

[Redd]

I came from a very capable turbo hot hatch - Megane RS 250 - to the E92 M3, and truth be told, I still miss the Megane. It's everything the M3 isn't. The Megane was light, nimble, very fast on track and b-roads, super easy to drive at and across the limit and flattered the driver. On hillclimbs, I could keep up with supercars without breaking a sweat. I could hang the tail out and recover at will with nothing more than a prod of the accelerator.

But the M3 is also everything a turbo hot hatch isn't. It's a better cruiser. It has a more characterful engine and noise. The DCT is a superb gearbox. The M3 has immense mechanical grip, but that - and the RWD power - also makes it scary to drive at the limit.

After just 6 mths with my M3, I kind of view them in this way - The hot hatch is a toy. One which you will enjoy immensely but eventually get bored of when something newer/better comes out. The E92 M3 is unique. They'll never make another car like this again, faults and strengths and all.

So depends on what you're looking for I guess.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

The RS is great car and probably a blast to drive. My buddy has the ST version(stg2 downpipe, exhaust, tune, beats me from a dig). However you will be really disappointed in the plastic interior.
Not to mention the residual on that things going to blow. Have you thought about a STI or Evo or Golf R?

Why do you think the residual will be bad? And then list the competitors? If anything the Sti and Evo show a budget car company can make a car that still holds its value.

An Sti and Evo has an even worse interior and worse road noise and ride comfort than the rs and the golf, well, my friend has one and it's nice but when my wife says it's too ugly to buy then I'm stuck.

[R3dliner]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

Why do you think the residual will be bad? And then list the competitors? If anything the Sti and Evo show a budget car company can make a car that still holds its value.

An Sti and Evo has an even worse interior and worse road noise and ride comfort than the rs and the golf, well, my friend has one and it's nice but when my wife says it's too ugly to buy then I'm stuck.

It's a Ford. We all know american cars don't hold value. Look how bad the mustangs are falling.

As far as the STI it's on par with the RS interior. Evo interior is garbage.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

why not? lol well he swore he could jump on low rpm so we did couple of 2nd gear runs in diff speeds.

Mind you his ST does high 12's 1/4 mile with his upgraded turbo.

Ok maybe we have a difference in terminology as a '"dig" to me is a standing start. Which is why I questioned you starting in 2nd gear. Seems like you were rolling at low speed and sure that's where the ST shines.

If you went from a standing start, the ST with big turbo would not have a chance against an e92 M3 until much higher speeds.

[///M3Fresh]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Ok maybe we have a difference in terminology as a '"dig" to me is a standing start. Which is why I questioned you starting in 2nd gear. Seems like you were rolling at low speed and sure that's where the ST shines.

If you went from a standing start, the ST with big turbo would not have a chance against an e92 M3 until much higher speeds.

This is correct, A dig is from a dead start. An ST even with a turbo upgrade will have a hell of a time keeping up. Unless in the scenario of M3 being in higher gearing/low rpms where there is no tq/power

[617E90M3]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

starting from a dig on 2nd gear low speed we have no torque. Even with the FWD the turbo has the advantage. Now if I started 40mph dig it would be a diff story.

uhhh... Starting in second.. Makes no sense

[R3dliner]

Ya'll need to calm your nips LOL. I meant rolling 20 mph in 2nd gear. Who the F**K starts in 2nd from stop?

[Denk]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Ya'll need to calm your nips LOL. I meant rolling 20 mph in 2nd gear. Who the F**K starts in 2nd from stop?

I do...only because DCT won't grab 1st on my California stops.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by R3dliner

Ya'll need to calm your nips LOL. I meant rolling 20 mph in 2nd gear. Who the F**K starts in 2nd from stop?

People with DCT and a supercharger.

[R3dliner]

Makes sense. Excuse my ignorance. Only owned manual cars in my life

[1MOREMOD]

Depends on gearing, 1st can be so short easily start in 2nd and pull hard. Went for 2.73 gear to a 4.10 once. Not great for freeway but pulled hard.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

People with DCT and a supercharger.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Kung Fu English

It's coming time when the focus rs is going to start hitting us dealerships and some in Europe already have them. For 40k msrp it is only slightly more expensive than mildly used e9x.

I have a 2013 e92 dct that is running out of warranty soon. It's worth about as much as a new Focus RS.

I'm nearly convinced to trade it in for the focus to be a new DD since I have heavy winters and spending 10k on a winter car that I drive 5 months out of the year seems dumb. I've already had to replace 1 undercarriage tray.

What does anyone else think?

I feel the platform just keeps losing value and maintenance costs plus the fear of out of warranty repairs makes me nervous. I see cars with less miles than mine listed at 35-40k and with more miles selling for 25k.

Selling the M3 because it is out of warranty is dumb. E90/92 M3 is more special than the next in what is a long line of hatches, but if you can't appreciate that then absolutely sell it to someone that can.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Selling the M3 because it is out of warranty is dumb. E90/92 M3 is more special than the next in what is a long line of hatches, but if you can't appreciate that then absolutely sell it to someone that can.

Why though? Your statement may or may not be true but that wasn't what I was asking. I was asking for the reasoning behind it.

I think I even agree with you. But I can't seem to pinpoint why. A limited run multi car of the year vs a 5 year certainly not limited run? Why is it more special?

[Sephiroth]

Fine i will indulge you.

• 8400rpm revving, super flat torque curve, silky smooth powerband all the way to 8300 for peak power. One of the finest from bmw and the last N/A engine from M.

• Engine is exclusive to one model. You couldn't get it anywhere else from the factory.

• Put a mild exhaust on it to extract intoxicating sound

• Use it in performance driving scenarios or every day scenarios. Typical bmw m driving dynamics despite it's relatively high weight, and it is wife approved for road trips

• Healthy aftermarket that is developing solutions for out-of-warranty problems, performance enhancements, and cosmetic enhancements

• Good build quality

The car is not faultless, however, they literally don't make it like this anymore. The Focus RS does not compare in ALL of these areas, only some.

[Kung Fu English]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Fine i will indulge you.

• 8400rpm revving, super flat torque curve, silky smooth powerband all the way to 8300 for peak power. One of the finest from bmw and the last N/A engine from M.

• Engine is exclusive to one model. You couldn't get it anywhere else from the factory.

• Put a mild exhaust on it to extract intoxicating sound

• Use it in performance driving scenarios or every day scenarios. Typical bmw m driving dynamics despite it's relatively high weight, and it is wife approved for road trips

• Healthy aftermarket that is developing solutions for out-of-warranty problems, performance enhancements, and cosmetic enhancements

The car is not faultless, however, they literally don't make it like this anymore. The Focus RS does not compare in ALL of these areas, only some.

I don't disagree. But can I play devils advocate? Because that's what I play in my head.

8300 rpm isn't usable on the street. The torque is lower than the focus rs. Revving there is fun but it rarely happens.

It's road trip friendly, yes, but 2 doors and limited space and 18 mpg don't mesh well with 2 kids and road trips.

Exhaust upgrade? = drone that's not longer road trip friendly.

And that one of a kind engine? It is definitely sweet, but 20k to replace it isn't exactly enticing.

And I really don't like driving it in the deep snow we get here, even though it does pretty good. If I slide as get a dent, that's a lot of money.

I guess since I've had the car for 3/36 and I owe what it's worth in trade, I'm kind of treating it like a lease. Do I let it go and get something else or buy it out?

Would you fault me for trading it now and buying a 6mt in a few years vs the dct I have now?