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      12-09-2018, 11:44 AM   #1
castivore1
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vs .... 235i

This part of my life is called....choices...

I have the chance to choose between a 2014 235i 14k km and a 45k M3 e92 2009.

Thoughts:

M3 = Legendary V8
235i = Best modern BMW (my opinion)

I work outside the city so i plan to use the car only 6 to 8 day a month (yes work schedule)... and when i test both of em..... damn M3 calls me a lil bit.

In my country, both cars are "special" and 70% of the roads are not done for them, but ..i WANT A BMW... period (haha)

Pep around me tell me....the series 2 is more modern, almost new, you can get girls w it easily (lol), its a great machine, its a new car at half price....

I´m a car enthusiast so the V8 calls me.... but spares (maintenance) concerns me (there are some good workshops here btw)...

So now, i'm w both and asking everybody 's opinion....

What would you do in my case?

What i look for: driving experience, smiles per galoon, presence, not racing or tunning (for now), get something to spend 3+ years and not getting bored.

Thanx a lot.
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      12-09-2018, 04:27 PM   #2
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Is the 235 lsd?
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      12-09-2018, 06:12 PM   #3
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Is the 235 lsd?
Agreed, this is everything.
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      12-09-2018, 07:11 PM   #4
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Personally, I believe if you have to ask, you may want to lean towards the 235i. Both are great cars, I don't need to tell you that... but I kind of think the M3 comes with a lot a quirks and expensive maintenance costs, which you need to be religious about or risk doing 5-figure damage to a car only a handful of shops will touch. You really have to love the car to stomach some of the tedium that comes with ownership.

If you're not a die-hard enthusiast, you're just buying a ridiculously-priced decade-old BMW.

If you are a die-hard enthusiast you're buying the single-best used sports car on the market for under $50k, as well as buying into an important piece of motorsport history, and possibly (hopefully) a near-future collectible automobile.

Here's hoping you get the E9x M3, it has my recommendation, but I'd be a bit apprehensive to tell you to get it if you're even considering something more practical.
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      12-10-2018, 06:20 AM   #5
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If this is a question for you, buy the 235i.
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      12-10-2018, 08:03 AM   #6
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235 with LSD, if you want to “tune it up”.
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      12-10-2018, 08:22 AM   #7
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ive owned both. my 235i was a 6mt with the MPerf LSD, which made it fun in the wet b/c the car really, really wanted to go sideways but it was very controllable. perfect sized, too. but the engine was pretty blah, the steering lifeless and the whole experience sort of artificial in the way most modern cars are. also the 1-2 shift was infuriating.

M3 is just more special to own and drive.
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      12-10-2018, 09:30 AM   #8
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Hi thx for al responses.

The 235i is lsd. The m3 “too”.

I plan to keep it for years.

Im Not a “tunning” guy: part of the esscense of the vehicle is lost when do it (for me).

But! The manhart 235i looks sick n would love to have it ... but at the end...its not an m car.

And! The overcharged v8 is sick too!!

Im not planing to race ... or compete ... as i wrote... only take it out like 6 days per month... and one should do it with style and presence. Lol.

Btw... the m3 has miramar rims and carbon fyber spoiler, mirrors and top.and the 235i has the recent bought plastics and smells like new.
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      12-10-2018, 04:37 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by castivore1 View Post
Hi thx for al responses.

The 235i is lsd. The m3 "too".

I plan to keep it for years.

Im Not a "tunning" guy: part of the esscense of the vehicle is lost when do it (for me).

But! The manhart 235i looks sick n would love to have it ... but at the end...its not an m car.

And! The overcharged v8 is sick too!!

Im not planing to race ... or compete ... as i wrote... only take it out like 6 days per month... and one should do it with style and presence. Lol.

Btw... the m3 has miramar rims and carbon fyber spoiler, mirrors and top.and the 235i has the recent bought plastics and smells like new.
Some Griots Garage 3-in-1 leather cleaner on the seats the e92 will smell new. If you need to replace some plastic trim here and there on the M3 it's pretty cheap. I've spent about $500 and my interior looks brand new.

If this is a "keeper car" and you're just drive it occasionally, you'll get more from the M3 in time. It's more of a "keepsake" vehicle, something that'll at least hold its value at this point. It's an M car. It's special. There is a storied history, and the M3 is arguably the most beloved model BMW ever built. The M3 is bigger than the car itself. People will stop you in the grocery store parking lot to ask you about it and tell you about their brother's or their uncle's or their friend's M3, or how they've always wanted one.

If that last paragraph didn't have any impact on you in any way and you're just like "okay, whatever guy" and you dread the idea of taking about your car to strangers, the M3 probably isn't the right car.

For you, the only thing going for it then would be that it'll hold it's value better and it sounds better than any other BMW (besides e60 M5) on the planet- but you can easily eat through that "holding it's value" benefit after doing brakes, oil changes, rod bearings, throttle actuators, etc. There is currently no indication they'll increase in value, although I'd expect certain colors or optioned e92s to increase at some point in the next 10-20 years.
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      12-10-2018, 06:25 PM   #10
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Yes the m3 is special.

Im 27 y/o but im like those guys who collect things or like someone told me “ur like an old guy who stores antiques” . Dell if thats the case, im proud to be an old guy lol.
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      12-10-2018, 11:44 PM   #11
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235i will shit in value (no offense) after 5 years where M3 will hold or go up. Running cost however is significantly higher than that of normal 2 series, I assure you.
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      12-11-2018, 01:23 AM   #12
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Whatcha mean "overcharged"?
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      12-11-2018, 01:46 AM   #13
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You keep talking about driving around in style and presence and looking sick for girls.

Just buy a 220i, most people won’t know the difference.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cjm41 View Post
People will stop you in the grocery store parking lot to ask you about it and tell you about their brother's or their uncle's or their friend's M3, or how they've always wanted one.
Having daily driven two M3s, I’ve literally never had this happen.
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      12-11-2018, 03:23 AM   #14
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A mate of mine have a M235i so had a chance to drive it a few times. Without experience of the M3 Id say the M235i is a great car and choice. An upgraded 335i with regards to look (if preferred), engine and handling. Modern, smooth, silent.
Already at start one notice that the M3 is a totally different animal. All sorts of noise and clunks, by design in order to keep tight on the road and hold together during load. NA engine obviously totally different delivery, steering and handling too. In my book both good, either you prefer one or the other.
Id ignore the value decrease bit and face it, cars cost money.
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      12-11-2018, 04:00 AM   #15
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235 and scram.
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      12-11-2018, 06:19 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by MJBO View Post
You keep talking about driving around in style and presence and looking sick for girls.

Just buy a 220i, most people won’t know the difference.



Having daily driven two M3s, I’ve literally never had this happen.
Nonono .... dont care about girls. I care about driving experience and lots of smiles while driving. Feel confortable and satisfied that i have an amazing car.
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      12-11-2018, 06:21 AM   #17
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Whatcha mean "overcharged"?
Supercharged.... sorry ... iphone corrector.......
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      12-11-2018, 07:18 AM   #18
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You know u want that M3! I bought mine this year and love it. My only complaint is that I don't work further. Doesn't even get warmed up by the time I get to work. Maybe I should Uber lol.
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      12-11-2018, 08:01 AM   #19
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You know u want that M3! I bought mine this year and love it. My only complaint is that I don't work further. Doesn't even get warmed up by the time I get to work. Maybe I should Uber lol.
I have a 40 minute commute, which sounds shitty on the surface, but for exactly that warming reason I love it now.
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      12-11-2018, 08:03 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MJBO View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by cjm41 View Post
People will stop you in the grocery store parking lot to ask you about it and tell you about their brother's or their uncle's or their friend's M3, or how they've always wanted one.
Having daily driven two M3s, I've literally never had this happen.
Really?!? Maybe I look more approachable.

I'm on the west coast of Florida so maybe people are more friendly where I am?

I've had my car for two months and I've been stopped, now, three times at Publix, twice at the car wash, and a handful of times around town to include twice at traffic lights (where someone will complement the car when they pull up next to me- that's awkward, I just wave back and smile).

Maybe it's because the car is LMB (kind of a standout color when it's clean) and it's always spotless, has wheels and exhaust so people are quicker to spot and/or hear it?

That's crazy that our experiences have been so vastly different.
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      12-11-2018, 08:42 AM   #21
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M3 without a doubt.

I have driven both. M235i is fast...M3 is an experience.
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      12-11-2018, 02:14 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cjm41 View Post
Really?!? Maybe I look more approachable.

I'm on the west coast of Florida so maybe people are more friendly where I am?

I've had my car for two months and I've been stopped, now, three times at Publix, twice at the car wash, and a handful of times around town to include twice at traffic lights (where someone will complement the car when they pull up next to me- that's awkward, I just wave back and smile).

Maybe it's because the car is LMB (kind of a standout color when it's clean) and it's always spotless, has wheels and exhaust so people are quicker to spot and/or hear it?

That's crazy that our experiences have been so vastly different.
My first M3 was LSB.
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