|
|
08-07-2018, 08:55 AM | #24 |
Major
2619
Rep 1,459
Posts
Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
|
Considering the considerable upfront cost of a second (or I suppose in your case third) vehicle, plus all it’s associated registration, insurance and maintenance costs, is it really that expensive to drive the M3?
It kind of feels like the situation where someone sells their car to buy a new one that is slightly more fuel efficient to save money, the math doesn’t work. |
Appreciate
1
GodsHubris36.50 |
08-07-2018, 10:08 AM | #25 |
Colonel
2367
Rep 2,362
Posts
Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: nyc
|
Z3 1.9 5MT. Gear shifts are nice, comes with Clutch or Torsen type LSD standard, fun to drive around back roads. If you sacrifice some cornering capabilities, 2.8 is also nice.
__________________
Pass me if you can.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2018, 10:30 AM | #26 | |
Private First Class
51
Rep 147
Posts |
Quote:
I love my Fiesta ST! Lightly used ones are easily within your budget and new ones are heavily discounted. It’s a lot more fun to drive on the street than my m3 at legal speeds. In fact, more enjoyable than my GT3 too. As mentioned earlier, the interior is cheap, but has been dead reliable so far with the exception of the blend door failing. Definitely get the Recaro seats. They make the m3’s chairs feel like slip n slides. The ride is a little rough and brittle, but the trade off is instant agility and go kart reflexes. It’s invisible and inexpensive to mod. It’s my favorite car to just have fun and laugh when driving. Good luck with your decision! |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2018, 11:34 AM | #27 | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
4361
Rep 1,913
Posts
Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
|
Quote:
My very first choice when realizing that I probably need to look at something else was a Mini Hatch S. Seems to check a lot of boxes. Would I still be expecting BMW maintenance tax? I imagine we're looking to spend more than a Corolla. Quote:
|
||
Appreciate
1
SYT_Shadow11493.00 |
08-07-2018, 11:49 AM | #28 | |||
Lieutenant Colonel
4361
Rep 1,913
Posts
Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
|
Quote:
Then there's the immeasurable savings in that I get to keep the M3 as a "special" car rather than toss on 100 miles a day of traffic and highway dullness. Quote:
Quote:
|
|||
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2018, 04:42 PM | #29 |
Captain
75
Rep 903
Posts
Drives: E90
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Houston, TX
|
spend some time in the recaros before you decide, especially if it's going to be used as a daily. there are enough folks out there that don't like them.
__________________
2011 E90 M3 6mt AW/Speed Cloth - ZCP, Moonroof, non-iDrive - PCD 12/9/10 Painted reflectors, matte black grills/gills, Deansbimmer Belly Pan, DEI Alarm, Homelink/compass retrofit, Passport MAX2 Hardwire, GP Thunder 8500K, modmy3 LED interior, Dinan Mufflers, HRE P40 19" Satin Charcoal, Michelin PS4S |
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2018, 05:23 PM | #30 | |
Major
2619
Rep 1,459
Posts
Drives: 2023 G81 M3 Touring
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
|
Quote:
I run two cars, the second is purely a work car (small SUV, good for lugging camera gear, taking off the beaten track and not worrying too much about little dings or scratches, tax deductible), but I drive that far less than my M3. Having done the fun-car-plus-beater thing a few years back, I realised how much I missed driving the nice car everyday that I worked hard for 6 weeks in, over 2000kms added to my E90 M3 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-07-2018, 05:36 PM | #31 | |
///M Powered for Life
11493
Rep 10,331
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
spazzyfry1234361.00 |
08-07-2018, 08:40 PM | #32 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
9590
Rep 10,878
Posts |
I was saying R56 based on price point given that you'll likely put some $$ into maintenance to sort it right off the bat...but honestly I also think the R56's proportions are a bit more flattering than the newer chassis.
The GTI is certainly the tried and true choice...but while they're a great drive, I just don't find the motivation to actually put the money down for one.
__________________
|
Appreciate
1
spazzyfry1234361.00 |
08-07-2018, 10:17 PM | #33 |
Lieutenant
271
Rep 553
Posts |
Early 2000's Porsche Boxster S. They are fun to drive and does not compete with the E90. It's a totally different experience (drop top, 6 cyl), reliable and gets good gas mileage.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2018, 07:02 AM | #34 |
Lieutenant Colonel
790
Rep 1,926
Posts |
LOL " bump your budget slightly" which = $20k more cracking me up
__________________
Current: 17 OG M2 / R8 Performance
Past Performance Cars: 01 M3, 05 M3, 06 M5, 08 M6, 08 M3, 11 M3, 13 M3, 15 M3, 911 C4S, 911 GTS, 17 M2,R8 V8, R8 RWS |
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2018, 07:12 AM | #36 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
790
Rep 1,926
Posts |
Quote:
Long story short I picked up a 14 320i sport pack 25k miles for $16k. I went for the most bang for my buck, low cost, commuter car that had a little bit of luxury. Granted I have 2 kids so 4 doors was a must (plus we take this car for road trips). While I would not consider it a "fun" car, there's zero "overhead" for the daily commute. I dont care if its raining, who I park next to, I can take my coffee with me, cold start doesnt wake up the neiighbors, 35 mpg highway, etc. Just get in and drive, and its cheap to own. I'm biased to German build quality and driving dynamics. The downside is its a hot mess for a sport sedan (more of a commuter car than sports car), the trans is a bit jerky in S mode, interior materials are pretty cheap for BMW levels, and its not really a "sports sedan" like my 03 ZHP manual. I didnt bother looking at mini's but that could be a cheap, fun engaging type car.
__________________
Current: 17 OG M2 / R8 Performance
Past Performance Cars: 01 M3, 05 M3, 06 M5, 08 M6, 08 M3, 11 M3, 13 M3, 15 M3, 911 C4S, 911 GTS, 17 M2,R8 V8, R8 RWS Last edited by Damage Inc; 08-11-2018 at 07:15 AM.. Reason: sp |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2018, 07:22 AM | #37 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
790
Rep 1,926
Posts |
Quote:
I almost pulled the trigger on a $26k 15 528i. Then caught myself... do I really need to spend that much for a car that will sit outside, driven 4k miles a year, and only be used as needed? Flipped back to the lower end of my budget and glad I did. I decided I wanted a "mindless" DD. Just get in and drive vs. the R8 overhead But its a lot more exciting that an Accord or Camry. Still has a little BMW sport DNA left in it. But that's what you have the M3 for. SUPER glad I got the sport pack. The BMW sport seats are second to none. I found the non sport 3 series very "floaty", pretty bad. Good luck!
__________________
Current: 17 OG M2 / R8 Performance
Past Performance Cars: 01 M3, 05 M3, 06 M5, 08 M6, 08 M3, 11 M3, 13 M3, 15 M3, 911 C4S, 911 GTS, 17 M2,R8 V8, R8 RWS Last edited by Damage Inc; 08-11-2018 at 07:25 AM.. Reason: sp |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2018, 03:26 PM | #38 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
4361
Rep 1,913
Posts
Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
|
Quote:
Regardless, my math is only focusing on the Monday through Friday commute as that is the only reason this discussion has been brought on and removes any weekend runs with the car, trips for vacation, etc. With a more realistic mileage constant, I estimate the M3 with have $502.84 in monthly running costs on top of its insurance and my current monthly finance payment. This amount includes what it will cost monthly for oil changes, tires, brakes, etc. and an added cushion for other outstanding items based on my last year of experience with the car as well as upcoming items that will need to be addressed. This same math using Edmunds' annual "True Cost to Own" feature to obtain average maintenance/repair costs for various vehicles has given me a better and more accurate picture of what makes sense financially. I have ultimately arrived at that for the costs to balance, I should focus on a vehicle <$15k. As an example, the average cost of a lower mileage example R56 Mini Cooper S is about $11,000. Factor in an additional 7% for state taxes and the current rates to finance the car to keep cash in the bank for the "big plan" (with the expectation to pay off early, not that it matters on cars relative to eliminating finance costs), I should expect to pay roughly $13,000 total. This results in $504.16 in monthly costs with monthly fuel, maintenance/repair, finance, and estimated insurance rates. This effectively means I get an R56 Mini Cooper S for free since its expected monthly cost is estimated to be the same as the running costs needed to commute the M3. Alternatively based on the same research and math...A new/slightly used Fiesta ST would cost me $628.37 ($125 delta) and a newer F56 Mini Cooper S at $693.91 ($190 delta). To avoid excessive finance costs (I will take the finance charge hit over a period of time in lieu of reducing our savings account since we are set on buying a house in the next two years), I need to focus on 2012+ cars. I simply cannot find a better solution than an R56 Cooper S. Anyone have an alternative? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2018, 03:45 PM | #39 | ||
Lieutenant Colonel
4361
Rep 1,913
Posts
Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
|
Quote:
Quote:
I love our Jeep XJ Limited. Despite it being an absolute cherry of a car and me searching for months and travelling to buy, I still don't mind parallel parking it over at Piedmont Park for us to grab dinner. It's "just a stupid Jeep" at the end of the day. Kids are in the imminent future (at least that's what I thought until we just got back from a two year old's birthday party about an hour ago), so there WILL be another purchase on the horizon post-house-building in two years. At least at this given time, we have decided on either a newer 3 series wagon (F31?) or a newer Jeep Grand Cherokee for her to drive and keep the kid(s) safe. Where does that leave us...An E90 M3 in the garage, an R56 S for my commute, an F31/WK2 for her, an XJ that will just sit since that is a forever vehicle for me, and a hopeful 993 C2S or some variant. I plan too much. |
||
Appreciate
1
NoHedge67.50 |
08-14-2018, 04:30 PM | #40 |
Lieutenant Colonel
4361
Rep 1,913
Posts
Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains
|
Well I think future plans may be expedited. She was driving the Jeep into work today and it died on her. Thankfully this happened only a couple miles from the house and not on the interstate, but it has me concerned with her driving it each day. I don't mind driving the Jeep and know the quirks of owning an XJ Cherokee, so I think we'll be going option B and getting her the nice, newer, and reliable car and I'll fix up the little odds and ends on the Jeep to drive each day. Bit of a shock for me realizing that it could have happened to her at 70 mph and lose power brakes/steering and not know what to do. I think it's the alternator, but I know it needs brakes, tires, bushings, etc. pretty soon. It's an old Jeep with nearly 160k miles on it at the end of the day!
Regardless, I'll fix up the Jeep and continue to drive it, but I think we're pretty set on getting an F31 wagon. Would love to find a 328dxi with M Sport. Anyone object or have a better alternative? Getting ready to start digging in deep on the F3x forums to compare 328i vs 328d wagons, but 45 mpg sure is appealing... We like the newer Grand Cherokees which are at the same price point if "similarly" equipped, but I think the F31 is the perfect all-arounder for mid to high $20k. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2018, 07:37 PM | #41 |
Lieutenant Colonel
2185
Rep 1,667
Posts |
Given you have the jeep for hauling, the m3 for classy practicality, why not get her a proper sports car? An f31 is nice but seems a bit redundant in this lineup.
You could pick her up a nice 987.2 Boxster. 981 boxsters are very cheap at the moment too comparatively. You could also look at a lightly used Miata. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-14-2018, 08:19 PM | #42 |
4-6-8
234
Rep 990
Posts |
I don't get it. Just drive the E90! Its not a delicate flower of special rarity, and if you can afford to buy an M car you can surely afford the gas. Just drive and enjoy all the moments you can get in life!
__________________
M3 E46 PY/Black
S2000 AP2 GPW/Tan |
Appreciate
0
|
08-30-2018, 08:12 PM | #43 |
Second Lieutenant
85
Rep 280
Posts |
I might get blasted for this......
Lexus ct200h? I drove an f sport ct and it was kind of fun to beat around in. Good mpg, nice interior, handles well enough to scare people in the corners and I can put my dog in the trunk if he is lying down. You will appreciate the m3 more with a more sedate daily driver. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-30-2018, 09:16 PM | #44 |
Private First Class
155
Rep 158
Posts |
+1 for the Fiesta st. Friend has one, and I've found myself thinking about buying one if I never end up needing a commuter again. Blast to drive.
You guys have me feeling super grateful for my work truck! Good luck with the search. |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|