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      09-05-2018, 11:24 PM   #1
HadesM3
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Replace your m3 with what for the same money?

What would you replace your e90/92 m3 with for the same money? Cannot choose another m3.

Let's assume a $30k budget, which is the average value of a 2011 with 50k miles. This would be a car for you and not the family.

My short list would be a 987.1 Cayman S, is-f or c6 z06.

Last edited by HadesM3; 09-05-2018 at 11:32 PM..
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      09-06-2018, 12:50 AM   #2
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B7 RS4 ($30k doesn't get into an RS5)
E60 M5 plus maintenance costs
Low-ish miles E39 M5
Tuned B8.5 S4
Z4M
New Miata
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      09-06-2018, 07:41 AM   #3
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Neither 987 nor 997 comes with LSD as standard. I would go with Z4M coupe as Transfer stated.

New miata is slower than my Z3 1.9 on track so not even on the list.

E63 M6 is also good because V10. Really, there aren't many options at this price range..
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      09-06-2018, 08:35 AM   #4
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What I like about my M3 is its perfect balance of performance and practicality. It truly is a go anywhere do anything type of car. If I had to replace my car right now with a ~$30k replacement, I'd go with a used mkVII Golf R, which I also think is very much the same type of car.

I'd love to get into a c7 corvette or an RS version of the TT/A3, but they are quite a bit more money at this point. The reality is, I am going to try to get into a C7 of some sort in the next several years. It won't be $30k, I'm sure.
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      09-06-2018, 11:57 AM   #5
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I’ve never driven a z4m, but have driven numerous 987.1 CS and BoxS.

Every review I’ve read the Porsches prevail over the z4m variants.

The Z4m has more power than these early 987s, but I assumed they were not as complete as a sports car.

Anyone care to make a comparison who has driven them?
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      09-06-2018, 01:13 PM   #6
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For $30k there is nothing on the same level of all around ability.

$30k gets you a massive amount of other options assuming 2 seats works -

S2000
987 Cayman
987 Boxster
Miata
996 Carerra
Evo
Civic Type-R (leggy used ones $30k?)
Z4m
E46 M3
Elise (these may be more like $35)
E39 M5
m235i
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      09-06-2018, 01:16 PM   #7
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minivan

for 30k I would probably get an s2k, 987 cayman, or a c6
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      09-06-2018, 06:06 PM   #8
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Coming from a guy that's currently in this situation... I don't know that you can find something?

Maybe if a newer RS4 was offered?
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      09-06-2018, 07:02 PM   #9
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W204 C63. Only other car that would compare in luxury and performance under 30k in my opinion
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      09-06-2018, 08:11 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by codinge90 View Post
W204 C63. Only other car that would compare in luxury and performance under 30k in my opinion
Good call. I'd consider that or an E63. Beyond those two, the usual suspects;

e39 M5, e60 M5, two e46 m3's (1 for 20k and a thrasher for 10k lol)
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      09-06-2018, 10:05 PM   #11
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There is nothing even remotely close I'm afraid. How many others cars near this pricepoint have a V8 that screams beyond 8,000 rpm, paired with the most amazing DCT transmission on the market, that is lightweight and very capable at a racetrack - able to keep up with much more track focused cars (like a 997 Porsche GT3), that has the most amazing connected steering dynamics of just about any car ever made, that looks amazing, that is extremely comfortable and civil on any type of road, has a sound system that beats anything offered today, that can haul 4 passengers and their luggage or fold down the rear seats and fit a ton of cargo, that with the roof rack attachments can fit 4 adults and their surfboards/whatever gear you fancy and yeah can even be taken offroading in a pinch (ive done it).

This car does everything for me and is the best all around car ever made at any price. Just my opinion tho.
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      09-07-2018, 02:13 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZombieM3 View Post
I’ve never driven a z4m, but have driven numerous 987.1 CS and BoxS.

Every review I’ve read the Porsches prevail over the z4m variants.

The Z4m has more power than these early 987s, but I assumed they were not as complete as a sports car.

Anyone care to make a comparison who has driven them?
Reviews are at most supplementary. You have to get behind the wheel to know if the car suits your needs. Completeness of a sports car is subjective in the sense that it all comes down to what the driver prefers.

I've driven 987 cayman S (6MT), 997 Carrera S (AT)
and owned Z4 3.0i for years(short drive at Central for Z4M coupe) and I can tell you that Z4M requires substantially more driver skill than Cayman S at the limit.

If you like constantly counter steering on a high speed cornering circuit, Z4M is the perfect match. If you like the brake balance of MR and sharp steering response, Cayman S is the one. Zed being FR is more understeery than the Porsche so it requires more delicate throttle exiting a corner otherwise you'll give too much throttle having to fight the car by countering. Zed will be faster on exits thanks to standard limited locking diff while Cayman will carry more average speed into and out of the corner.

I don't like the engine and transmission on Cayman S as much as Z4M because the engine isn't as responsive or rev happy as the S54 and the gear ratio isn't optimal for my use. Great car nonetheless, if you want to taste something other than BMW they are the ones. Just don't expect to overtake M Zeds anytime soon...
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      09-12-2018, 09:15 PM   #13
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Longboarder said it best. I spent 2 years thinking about my next car to be, sub 35k price point, and it really came down to either the E90M3 or stretch the budget for an F80 M3.

I looked at a R32 as well, but realized the M3 just has more value and overall just a better all around car.
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      09-12-2018, 10:13 PM   #14
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If only they had made an AWD E46 4-door M3 or AWD E90 M3...
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      09-12-2018, 10:49 PM   #15
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I would really consider W204 C63 AMG!
Not a fan of the automatic transmission but believe that NA hand built 6.3L V8 must be experienced, they don't make NA V8 AMG engines anymore!
Turbo V8s don't have as much character as NA V8s!
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      09-13-2018, 12:08 PM   #16
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Nothing comes close to match the e92 m3 at the current price IMO. Not a fan of AMG, and the rs4 b7 is nice but very hard to find a lower mileage one. None of the US made cars interest me, sooo I'll stick with the e92 m3.
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      09-13-2018, 12:28 PM   #17
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if daily use isn't a factor, gotta look into an Elise... trust me
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      09-13-2018, 12:34 PM   #18
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Get the same money, then add more money for a cayman gt4.
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      09-13-2018, 03:45 PM   #19
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Since I already have an S2000, id get something with 4dr to replace my e90, so maybe an E63 a wagon if I can.
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      09-17-2018, 10:00 PM   #20
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You can pick up a late 2000's Maserati Gran Turismo for ~30k. Old tech? Check. Dated interior? Check. But once you hear that Ferrari V8, who cares?
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      09-18-2018, 07:47 AM   #21
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Those are slower than our cars and likely a pain to maintain.
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      09-20-2018, 10:53 AM   #22
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I am going from E90 m3 - C63 W204 as we speak...

If you are looking for a fun daily with 4 doors you really cant beat the usable torque on the c63 + the VERY high reliability 2012+
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