What to do?

red998 · 07-21-2009, 02:48 PM

Hey guys
I been on this forum for a while reading all about M's. Here is a quick story. Always wanted an M3 since I can remember when i was growing up. 2 summers ago i couldn't close the deal on an E46 M3 and took a new G35 coupe which wasn t that bad. It wasn t an M.
So right now i am looking at the 09 likely ED, but now i got questions whether the grass is greener elsewhere. I am looking for a daily driver that is reliable. i've seen some prior stories about cooling issues, battery problems, DCT issues. So i expanded my search now i m looking carrera's. I thought about the GTR but its like the suzuki of motorcycles (hooligans) and not much luxury. RS5 looked good but the last time i recall looking at the interior of an audi S4 08 i was not impressed. i look at the M and its close to what i want, but i read on this board some members stated given the amount cash they burn on fuel they would have taken a 911. I took a look and there are plenty of 911 07, 08 leftovers. 911 doesn t have much a trunk. I don t plan on spending north of 87K for a car otherwise it would open up more possibilities. Also want some that is close to 2+2 configuration.
Afterall, i plan on keeping this car for a long time. Other issue with the M was with the electronic suspension system and aftermarket upgrade issues.
I want a luxurious DD, and has trunk space. any advise would be great.

so far i configured on a fully loaded LMB,fox red, sun roof and 6spd. its looks awesome on paper. other options are IB or SG

Poppin Fresh · 07-21-2009, 03:55 PM

Depending on your color combo, the Audi S5 interior ain't that bad at all. Mileage would be somewhat identical. Another option for you would be the C63 AMG but be ready to change your rear tires every 5,000 miles.

If the M3 was on your mind for such a long time, I say just go for it. You'd end up with buyers remorse if you strayed elsewhere. When you sat in that G35, I'm sure a part of you wished it was an E46 M3 instead. "Just do it!"

immiketoo · 07-21-2009, 04:46 PM

I agree, the M is probably the way to go. I just had an S5 and the interior of that car blows the M3 out of the water, but other than that, the M is a better car. Who knows about the RS5...I came from an older S4 and I agree the interior sucks. I also looked at a GTR, and I can tell you the trunk on that is no good and your dealing with Nissan. They don't know how to treat customers in our bracket. I got to drive the GTR for 3 blocks...in a square around the block. Frankly it felt cheap and the sales people looked greasy. I just finished ED of my M and it was a great experience, and a great car!

FStop7 · 07-21-2009, 04:55 PM

S5 = Great interior, clean exterior styling, weaksauce performance

ooowowizstev · 07-21-2009, 05:06 PM

I have an '08 e92 m3 with dct. It is my dd and I've had no problems at all. The interior probably isn't as luxurious as a 70k should be, but that's made up by everything else the car offers. As far as gas mileage goes, if you're shopping for a 60k+ high performance luxury vehicle, that should be one of the last things on your list of concerns. But nonetheless, everyone would think hard before making such a big purchase so goodluck

!Xoible · 07-21-2009, 05:09 PM

DO IT and you'll never look back. i cam from a G35 -> 335 -> M3. oh man i've been missing out man.

BTW, S5 is not all that. i would take a 335 over it still. i think it's more wobbly and less nimble than the G35

CalOski · 07-21-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FStop7

S5 = Great interior, clean exterior styling, weaksauce performance

Exactly the reason I ultimately went with the M. The car feels much more dangerous when you're driving, in a good way. An S5, which is a beautiful car, was too predictable/pedestrian. Drove much more like a GT car rather than a performance one. Also, I thought the brakes seemed too mushy for my taste and I couldn't wait for the 2010's to arrive so I could get the updated MMI.

However, if you can find a gently used 997 S from 2006-07 with low (less than 30k) miles for less than $70k (there are a few that are close at the local dealerships and for private sale in the bay area), that would be the no brainer choice. I couldn't bring my self to spend that much on something "used", but its more of a psychological hang-up than anything else.

bim14 · 07-21-2009, 05:33 PM

I had a 2008 s5 6mt and traded it for the DCT m3...i gotta say I miss my S5 a lot, and the manual transmission on it is great. I'm not a fan of the dct even though i have it...so consider getting the m3 in 6 speed. However considering that you live in hudson county and there's snow in the winter...the upside of having the s5 is the all wheel drive. Honestly the M is a beautiful beautiful car, and so is the S5...it all comes down to your needs.

red998 · 07-21-2009, 05:41 PM

is the wait for 2010 worth it? i m thinking of going wholesale with Dave from bmwsonline.

zenderm3 · 07-21-2009, 06:46 PM

red998 - 2010 doesn't have too much more onboard (radio upgrade, heat seating upgrade) otherwise same same pretty much. there was a post of the 2010 model inclusions on the site.

Personally, S5 is a great car - but I like the slightly simpler layout of the car internally and find that there was more space in the M3 Coupe than the S5 (what do you think immiketoo?)

Cheers.

Poppin Fresh · 07-21-2009, 07:03 PM

I test drove the S5 before making the plunge into my E92 M3. It felt too heavy during mid corner entry. The interior if matched with either the saddle brown or magma red leather and the alum. interior looks money! Price-wise, it's far more reasonable than the M3 by $10,000 less. I wasn't too impressed when I popped the hood open. Even the wiper blade stalks looked weak compared to the M3. I had my mind set on a sunroof on my car and to my surprise the S5's sunroof does not open but only tilts up to vent. The C63 looked too gaudy for me. It was as if Merc was trying too hard with the design. It was as if a designer from Lexus snuck in the design room and had a go at the molding. Power wise the C63 hands down a pissed off beast! I was shocked when I mashed the pedal at the amount of umph this thing had. In the end I couldn't see myself driving such an intense car everyday. Plus hearing from their owners about rear tire swaps at close to 5,000 miles. I'm glad I didn't go with that route.

In the end, I went with the E92 M3. It was always my first choice but I wanted to see if the grass was greener on the other side. No test driving, just took a leap of faith and I'm more than glad I did.

07-21-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
red998 Lieutenant 38 Rep 556 Posts Drives: E92 SG '10 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cary NC iTrader: (0)	What to do? Hey guys I been on this forum for a while reading all about M's. Here is a quick story. Always wanted an M3 since I can remember when i was growing up. 2 summers ago i couldn't close the deal on an E46 M3 and took a new G35 coupe which wasn t that bad. It wasn t an M. So right now i am looking at the 09 likely ED, but now i got questions whether the grass is greener elsewhere. I am looking for a daily driver that is reliable. i've seen some prior stories about cooling issues, battery problems, DCT issues. So i expanded my search now i m looking carrera's. I thought about the GTR but its like the suzuki of motorcycles (hooligans) and not much luxury. RS5 looked good but the last time i recall looking at the interior of an audi S4 08 i was not impressed. i look at the M and its close to what i want, but i read on this board some members stated given the amount cash they burn on fuel they would have taken a 911. I took a look and there are plenty of 911 07, 08 leftovers. 911 doesn t have much a trunk. I don t plan on spending north of 87K for a car otherwise it would open up more possibilities. Also want some that is close to 2+2 configuration. Afterall, i plan on keeping this car for a long time. Other issue with the M was with the electronic suspension system and aftermarket upgrade issues. I want a luxurious DD, and has trunk space. any advise would be great. so far i configured on a fully loaded LMB,fox red, sun roof and 6spd. its looks awesome on paper. other options are IB or SG
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-21-2009, 03:55 PM	#2
Poppin Fresh Colonel 86 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	Depending on your color combo, the Audi S5 interior ain't that bad at all. Mileage would be somewhat identical. Another option for you would be the C63 AMG but be ready to change your rear tires every 5,000 miles. If the M3 was on your mind for such a long time, I say just go for it. You'd end up with buyers remorse if you strayed elsewhere. When you sat in that G35, I'm sure a part of you wished it was an E46 M3 instead. "Just do it!" __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 04:55 PM	#4
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	S5 = Great interior, clean exterior styling, weaksauce performance __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 05:06 PM	#5
ooowowizstev Brigadier General 141 Rep 4,903 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, Irvine iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 M3 [10.00]	I have an '08 e92 m3 with dct. It is my dd and I've had no problems at all. The interior probably isn't as luxurious as a 70k should be, but that's made up by everything else the car offers. As far as gas mileage goes, if you're shopping for a 60k+ high performance luxury vehicle, that should be one of the last things on your list of concerns. But nonetheless, everyone would think hard before making such a big purchase so goodluck
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 05:09 PM	#6
!Xoible Banned 837 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	DO IT and you'll never look back. i cam from a G35 -> 335 -> M3. oh man i've been missing out man. BTW, S5 is not all that. i would take a 335 over it still. i think it's more wobbly and less nimble than the G35
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 05:33 PM	#8
bim14 BIMMM3R 77 Rep 494 Posts Drives: '14 M5 6MT AW/SO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	I had a 2008 s5 6mt and traded it for the DCT m3...i gotta say I miss my S5 a lot, and the manual transmission on it is great. I'm not a fan of the dct even though i have it...so consider getting the m3 in 6 speed. However considering that you live in hudson county and there's snow in the winter...the upside of having the s5 is the all wheel drive. Honestly the M is a beautiful beautiful car, and so is the S5...it all comes down to your needs.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 05:41 PM	#9
red998 Lieutenant 38 Rep 556 Posts Drives: E92 SG '10 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cary NC iTrader: (0)	is the wait for 2010 worth it? i m thinking of going wholesale with Dave from bmwsonline.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 06:46 PM	#10
zenderm3 Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,996 Posts Drives: E36 M3 DY/2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	red998 - 2010 doesn't have too much more onboard (radio upgrade, heat seating upgrade) otherwise same same pretty much. there was a post of the 2010 model inclusions on the site. Personally, S5 is a great car - but I like the slightly simpler layout of the car internally and find that there was more space in the M3 Coupe than the S5 (what do you think immiketoo?) Cheers. __________________ ________________ My ///M is in my garage .... and it is a beast! 2010 E92 M3 Space Grey \| Fully Loaded 1996 E36 M3 Dakar Yellow - SOLD 2004 Honda Accord Euro - SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#11
Poppin Fresh Colonel 86 Rep 2,148 Posts Drives: With a sunroof and front plate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bergen County NJ iTrader: (0)	I test drove the S5 before making the plunge into my E92 M3. It felt too heavy during mid corner entry. The interior if matched with either the saddle brown or magma red leather and the alum. interior looks money! Price-wise, it's far more reasonable than the M3 by $10,000 less. I wasn't too impressed when I popped the hood open. Even the wiper blade stalks looked weak compared to the M3. I had my mind set on a sunroof on my car and to my surprise the S5's sunroof does not open but only tilts up to vent. The C63 looked too gaudy for me. It was as if Merc was trying too hard with the design. It was as if a designer from Lexus snuck in the design room and had a go at the molding. Power wise the C63 hands down a pissed off beast! I was shocked when I mashed the pedal at the amount of umph this thing had. In the end I couldn't see myself driving such an intense car everyday. Plus hearing from their owners about rear tire swaps at close to 5,000 miles. I'm glad I didn't go with that route. In the end, I went with the E92 M3. It was always my first choice but I wanted to see if the grass was greener on the other side. No test driving, just took a leap of faith and I'm more than glad I did. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote