Have the reviews changed your M3 purchasing decision?

[lucid]

With strong and somewhat polarized reactions to the recent M3 reviews, I would like to find out how people on this forum fall out regarding the issue. So, have the reviews changed your mind?

[RussianM3_dude]

How about "I was considering to buy, but now will wait to test drive it first before making my own opinion."

[monsta]

deposit down & will buy

[Oaktree]

Deposit down but will wait to see the sedan and wagon versions. Reasoning, if the coupe is a little soft then it should make a great wagon.

[devo]

I am a little disappointed with the reviews. My first thought is to add $5k to my price and add Brembo brakes. We'll...see.

[NewhouseEnt]

Originally Posted by RussianM3_dude

How about "I was considering to buy, but now will wait to test drive it first before making my own opinion."

I again re-iterate, if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

Unless you're in the mid-west in the 1980's where the salesman used to let you take one out by yourself, your only option is a lame 30mph jaunt and a hope to f*ckin Christ that you love it after you blow nearly or over, $70,000.

One had better listen to the reviews on at least an 80% scale. You can take a lot of it with a grain of salt, but when the same complaints keep popping up from independent people, and worse, a car that has been anticipated with Hard-ons make them go flaccid, one had better think.

[The CSL]

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I again re-iterate, if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

Unless you're in the mid-west in the 1980's where the salesman used to let you take one out by yourself, your only option is a lame 30mph jaunt and a hope to f*ckin Christ that you love it after you blow nearly or over, $70,000.

One had better listen to the reviews on at least an 80% scale. You can take a lot of it with a grain of salt, but when the same complaints keep popping up from independent people, and worse, a car that has been anticipated with Hard-ons make them go flaccid, one had better think.

You make exactly the point I've said a few times. The test drive will only reveal what the M3 does brilliantly, but that brilliance would be shared with a heavily optioned 335i.

[888]

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I again re-iterate, if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

Unless you're in the mid-west in the 1980's where the salesman used to let you take one out by yourself, your only option is a lame 30mph jaunt and a hope to f*ckin Christ that you love it after you blow nearly or over, $70,000.

One had better listen to the reviews on at least an 80% scale. You can take a lot of it with a grain of salt, but when the same complaints keep popping up from independent people, and worse, a car that has been anticipated with Hard-ons make them go flaccid, one had better think.

Wouldn't you say there are more involved ways to test the drive the car other than going around the dealer's block? If you are really serious about buying the car, you can attend a BMW track day or something. Maybe even talk to your dealer and see if they'd let you go on an extended test drive out in the woods (you'd have to find a dealer outside of the city though, but they might let you do this with a demo car after they hype dies down and there are cars in the lot if they think you are serious). And, you can always try to find a friend who would let you drive his/her car...

[lucid]

Originally Posted by The CSL

You make exactly the point I've said a few times. The test drive will only reveal what the M3 does brilliantly, but that brilliance would be shared with a heavily optioned 335i.

Please cast your vote if you don't mind (can't see it). I'm really interested in seeing how this vote turns out.

[RandyB]

Even though it apparently doesn't steer like a GT3, I'm still very much interested and will likely get one. There is nothing else in the price range that interests me nearly as much. The engine looks and sounds like a real gem. I'm going to take my time, soak in all of the different color combos, performance reviews and reviews from actual owners before I buy.

Anyone think that the optional 19" wheels will make the car feel any more connected to the road, if not a little less refined? Maybe the turn-in will be a little more crisp as well. It seems that the M3 is getting criticism for being too refined, so maybe a little degradation is actually in order to please that segment. I say this mainly because all of the test cars apparently had the 18s fitted.

[JEllis]

I again re-iterate, if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

Again, I re-iterate, if you think a first drive, one day, test drive review where none of the publications could perform any kind of performance test or comparison test is a good measure for the new M3 then you are also high! Give me a full review and some performance numbers. I have said it before and I will say it again. If the new M is better than the previous then I consider it mission accomplished!

I for one, am keeping my order in....

Jason

[The CSL]

Originally Posted by lucid

Please cast your vote if you don't mind (can't see it). I'm really interested in seeing how this vote turns out.

Done, but I'm only 22 and just graduated. Save for some real luck, I'll probably be buying the next M3

[nusevad]

Have my deposit in and will buy.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by The CSL

Done, but I'm only 22 and just graduated. Save for some real luck, I'll probably be buying the next M3

OK, good luck! Believe me, $60-70k is hard to part with even if you have it in the bank.

[Tobizach]

My deposit stays...I havent see anything even remotely close to the car being a steaming turd of a failure.

[Epacy]

Numbers say.......
Basically the reviews haven't steered people away. All the panic posts are unneeded.

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Numbers say.......
Basically the reviews haven't steered people away. All the panic posts are unneeded.

yea its mostly due to the small group of haters.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Epacy

Numbers say.......
Basically the reviews haven't steered people away. All the panic posts are unneeded.

I am inclined to arrive at the same conclusion, but it would be good to get more participation. If the ratios stay the same after 100 responses, yep, that's the case.

[kishg]

Originally Posted by RussianM3_dude

How about "I was considering to buy, but now will wait to test drive it first before making my own opinion."

yeah thats my position.

[RussianM3_dude]

Originally Posted by NewhouseEnt

I again re-iterate, if you think a 5 minute test drive around a congested Automall is going to allow one to know the car, you're high.

Unless you're in the mid-west in the 1980's where the salesman used to let you take one out by yourself, your only option is a lame 30mph jaunt and a hope to f*ckin Christ that you love it after you blow nearly or over, $70,000.

One had better listen to the reviews on at least an 80% scale. You can take a lot of it with a grain of salt, but when the same complaints keep popping up from independent people, and worse, a car that has been anticipated with Hard-ons make them go flaccid, one had better think.

My dealer lets me go alone and he is close to the mountains.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by kishg

yeah thats my position.

Then I suggest, you vote: "I was considering to buy, and am still considering." Too late to add an option to the survey.