New M3 experience?
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[ Am I crazy for considering a base C2 over the M3? The reason I'm even thinking this is that I live in the city and my e46 M3 has more than enough power for me and I probably don't need the extra HP of the V8...thanks[/quote]
Having owned and E46 M-3 and now a C2S and driven the new M-3 ,I offer the following. Unless you test drive the new M-3 and can go and drive the Porsche back to back, it will be hard to tell which you might prefer before you decide.
Here are some thoughts--hope they help.
Porsche is a much more nimble car and feels lighter. Brakes similar w/ pedal feel nod to Porsche. Seats similar. Interior styling--slight nod to Porsche. Exterior styling--no contest IMHO--Porsche kills.
C2S and M-3 likely very close in acceleration..maybe V-8 pulls away at very
high speeds. M-3 rides a bit better and C2s and maybe more so than C2 w/o
adjustable suspension.
M-3 is a heavy car and feels as such. Steering numb compared to Porsche and the shifting is not near as smooth.
Ask yourself this---what do want to look at in your garage 3 years from now..a classic sports car OR a fast 3 series BMW ???
To me its a no brainer (and I would have liked the new M-3 alot had I not experienced the Carrera).....................good luck---either car is an upgrade from E46 M-3.
Having owned and E46 M-3 and now a C2S and driven the new M-3 ,I offer the following. Unless you test drive the new M-3 and can go and drive the Porsche back to back, it will be hard to tell which you might prefer before you decide.
Here are some thoughts--hope they help.
Porsche is a much more nimble car and feels lighter. Brakes similar w/ pedal feel nod to Porsche. Seats similar. Interior styling--slight nod to Porsche. Exterior styling--no contest IMHO--Porsche kills.
C2S and M-3 likely very close in acceleration..maybe V-8 pulls away at very
high speeds. M-3 rides a bit better and C2s and maybe more so than C2 w/o
adjustable suspension.
M-3 is a heavy car and feels as such. Steering numb compared to Porsche and the shifting is not near as smooth.
Ask yourself this---what do want to look at in your garage 3 years from now..a classic sports car OR a fast 3 series BMW ???
To me its a no brainer (and I would have liked the new M-3 alot had I not experienced the Carrera).....................good luck---either car is an upgrade from E46 M-3.
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From: Dana Point, CA
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I thought about the new 4 door M3 briefly before buying our 2008 C2S.
I've always liked the M cars and the idea of a high winding, high horsepower, manual tranny, 4 door sedan was appealing to me since my wife and I plan to start a family in the not too distant future.
Unfortunately, the clowns at the local BMW dealership turned me off even before I could get started looking in earnest.
I emailed three local BMW dealerships and only one responded to my email (Irvine BMW). The lady that I ended up speaking to told me in no uncertain terms that the M3 was the "car of the moment" and the dealership was requiring a "market adjustment" on top of MSRP and that I couldn't even test drive one without having them "pre-qualify" me.
Perhaps I was being short sighted, but I'm accustomed to being treated with more respect than that and I have never, ever paid over MSRP for a car and I never will. I thanked the lady for her time, wished her good luck and continued my negotiations with Hoehn.
At the end of the day, I ended up spending more $ than I would have had I bought an M3 but I ended up getting what I really wanted and frankly we've never had a better car buying experience.
Now if BMW were to smarten up and bring the M3 wagon to the United States maybe I'd be willing to step back up to the "privilege" of buying a BMW.
I've always liked the M cars and the idea of a high winding, high horsepower, manual tranny, 4 door sedan was appealing to me since my wife and I plan to start a family in the not too distant future.
Unfortunately, the clowns at the local BMW dealership turned me off even before I could get started looking in earnest.
I emailed three local BMW dealerships and only one responded to my email (Irvine BMW). The lady that I ended up speaking to told me in no uncertain terms that the M3 was the "car of the moment" and the dealership was requiring a "market adjustment" on top of MSRP and that I couldn't even test drive one without having them "pre-qualify" me.
Perhaps I was being short sighted, but I'm accustomed to being treated with more respect than that and I have never, ever paid over MSRP for a car and I never will. I thanked the lady for her time, wished her good luck and continued my negotiations with Hoehn.
At the end of the day, I ended up spending more $ than I would have had I bought an M3 but I ended up getting what I really wanted and frankly we've never had a better car buying experience.
Now if BMW were to smarten up and bring the M3 wagon to the United States maybe I'd be willing to step back up to the "privilege" of buying a BMW.
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My local dealer is not like that. I have bought 2 MINIs from them (my DD) and have lurked in their BMW showroom many times though I bought my E46 M-3 elsewhere.
I just saw the E92M-3 coupe sitting outside w/ a lic. plate on it and inquired if they had any info on the conv'ts. That was kind of a setup rather than flat out asking if I could test drive the coupe. The guy said not till next month BUT if you would like to test drive the coupe, you can. Maybe its the Ca. car market vs. the Midwest. PS..they have called me twice to see if I am interested in ordering a new M.
One of my friends has a deposit down on an M-3 to be built next week. His dealer will not let him test drive the car as they are "spoken for" (aka/sold for juice). Personally, I would have taken my deposit back.
Old story---bought a 77 308GTB in 1980 (sold with E46 M-3 to buy Carrera S) Later became friends w/ salesperson who quit to become a stockbroker.
In one of our chats, I asked him--how does the dealership tell who is a serious Ferrari buyer from a guy who just wants to test drive a F car. His answer--company policy---let anyone drive, just go with the--you never can tell who will be a buyer. BESIDES--WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU LOOKED LIKE COMING IN HERE IN CUTOFFS AND A TEE SHIRT AND YOU BOUGHT THE CAR 18 HOURS LATER. Would have let yourself dirve the car if you were me??? LOL
If midwest weather was not an issue, I would try to talk my wife into a 4 door M-3. She currently has an A-6 2.7T and we will probably buy a new A-4 in a couple of years. Her last BMW (528 sport) freaked her oput about BMWs and snow.
My P car buying experience was excellent. Saw the car on line--called the guy. He told me his % discount on the cars.
I stopped in the next morning. Quick test drive. Asked him to change out the lobster forks for sport designs off another car and meet the quoted disount. Done and done. Picked it up the next day after the clear bra install.
I just saw the E92M-3 coupe sitting outside w/ a lic. plate on it and inquired if they had any info on the conv'ts. That was kind of a setup rather than flat out asking if I could test drive the coupe. The guy said not till next month BUT if you would like to test drive the coupe, you can. Maybe its the Ca. car market vs. the Midwest. PS..they have called me twice to see if I am interested in ordering a new M.
One of my friends has a deposit down on an M-3 to be built next week. His dealer will not let him test drive the car as they are "spoken for" (aka/sold for juice). Personally, I would have taken my deposit back.
Old story---bought a 77 308GTB in 1980 (sold with E46 M-3 to buy Carrera S) Later became friends w/ salesperson who quit to become a stockbroker.
In one of our chats, I asked him--how does the dealership tell who is a serious Ferrari buyer from a guy who just wants to test drive a F car. His answer--company policy---let anyone drive, just go with the--you never can tell who will be a buyer. BESIDES--WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU LOOKED LIKE COMING IN HERE IN CUTOFFS AND A TEE SHIRT AND YOU BOUGHT THE CAR 18 HOURS LATER. Would have let yourself dirve the car if you were me??? LOL
If midwest weather was not an issue, I would try to talk my wife into a 4 door M-3. She currently has an A-6 2.7T and we will probably buy a new A-4 in a couple of years. Her last BMW (528 sport) freaked her oput about BMWs and snow.
My P car buying experience was excellent. Saw the car on line--called the guy. He told me his % discount on the cars.
I stopped in the next morning. Quick test drive. Asked him to change out the lobster forks for sport designs off another car and meet the quoted disount. Done and done. Picked it up the next day after the clear bra install.
Last edited by emtrey; Apr 8, 2008 at 07:40 PM.
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Unfortunately, the clowns at the local BMW dealership turned me off even before I could get started looking in earnest.
I emailed three local BMW dealerships and only one responded to my email (Irvine BMW). The lady that I ended up speaking to told me in no uncertain terms that the M3 was the "car of the moment" and the dealership was requiring a "market adjustment" on top of MSRP and that I couldn't even test drive one without having them "pre-qualify" me.
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BMW dealerships turn me off too. I was looking for a daily driver, and they were unwilling to negotiate. They even asked if I really liked the car! What kind of question is that? I countered them by saying: The question isn't how bad I want the car. You should ask yourself how bad you want to sell it!
They were total ****** with their noses in the air. I drove by in my new daily driver (which was coincidentally from the dealership next door) and told their GM they just lost a sale for down talking.
They were total ****** with their noses in the air. I drove by in my new daily driver (which was coincidentally from the dealership next door) and told their GM they just lost a sale for down talking.
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If your only qualification to buy a vehicle is drag racing then there are a whole lot better alternatives than the P car or the new Bimmer.
Moreover, this "race" leaves a lot to be desired. If the 997 a tiptronic or manual. What gear did both cars start in? Were there passengers in both cars?
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