[W///]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

Agreed...however i do feel it takes away from the exclusivity of the line.

IMHO, most "real" M cars were never that exclusive to begin with. The only ones were the handmade M's in the 80s and the ZM's.

To be completely honest though, I've never bought my cars to be exclusive. They just happened to be rarer colors. Plus I mod them to my liking so that they are exclusive. And that's more than good enough

[DaveJB]

Everything needs context and nearly all car buyers actually have some kind limit on how much they can spend. IOW, one really should compare cars at any given price point. I have a 2007 Z4 M Coupe that I paid $22k for and this car has soul to burn (especially with the Stromung mufflers). I F!@#$#!$ LOVE THIS CAR. No way on God's green earth would I rather drive any equivalent newer BMW in that same price range - let's say 20 to 30k.

I'm also not sure how useful it is, as said above, to compare cars that are two generations apart. For example, when the E46 M3 came out it was very special compared to other cars on sale at the time - and as far as I know some guy in 2002 can't buy a car made in the future.

Lastly, for me it NEVER makes sense to buy a current generation car. Look how much car I got for $22k. In today's money this car would be about $70,000 new. That's a ton of scratch.

More context attached.

[W///]

Originally Posted by DaveJB

Everything needs context and nearly all car buyers actually have some kind limit on how much they can spend. IOW, one really should compare cars at any given price point. I have a 2007 Z4 M Coupe that I paid $22k for and this car has soul to burn (especially with the Stromung mufflers). I F!@#$#!$ LOVE THIS CAR. No way on God's green earth would I rather drive any equivalent newer BMW in that same price range - let's say 20 to 30k.

The other problem I have with the OP's OP (lol, that's the Original Poster's original post) is, as said above, comparing cars that are two generations apart. For example, when the E46 M3 came out it was very special compared to other cars on sale at the time - and as far as I know some guy in 2002 can't buy a car made in the future.

Lastly, for me it NEVER makes sense to buy a current generation car. Look how much car I got for $22k. In today's money this car would be about $70,000 new. That's a ton of scratch.

More context attached.

That's a really great price. I'm also keeping an eye out an Imola Red MCoupe to add. What was the mileage?

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by W///

That's a really great price. I'm also keeping an eye out an Imola Red MCoupe to add. What was the mileage?

Quite a few of them here.

http://www.z4mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings

[David70]

Originally Posted by DaveJB

Everything needs context and nearly all car buyers actually have some kind limit on how much they can spend. IOW, one really should compare cars at any given price point. I have a 2007 Z4 M Coupe that I paid $22k for and this car has soul to burn (especially with the Stromung mufflers). I F!@#$#!$ LOVE THIS CAR. No way on God's green earth would I rather drive any equivalent newer BMW in that same price range - let's say 20 to 30k.

The other problem I have with the OP's OP (lol, that's the Original Poster's original post) is, as said above, comparing cars that are two generations apart. For example, when the E46 M3 came out it was very special compared to other cars on sale at the time - and as far as I know some guy in 2002 can't buy a car made in the future.

Lastly, for me it NEVER makes sense to buy a current generation car. Look how much car I got for $22k. In today's money this car would be about $70,000 new. That's a ton of scratch.

More context attached.

This. Not like the guy considering a new M3 can also consider the 3 series coming out somewhere in the distant future. Take a price range and compare the current new 3 series to the M that is the same price and possibly the acceleration is the same but if that is all you are looking for I would recommend going somewhere else.

[W///]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Quite a few of them here.

http://www.z4mcoupebuyersguide.com/listings

Nice link, actually never seen that before. I've seen most of those cars though. I haven't found the one that's going to make me call the bank right away yet

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by nukezero

Okay, maybe I came off as a bit douche.

Not at all. It does reveal an individual with very little if any experience in a current or recently retired late model M product, however.

I mean, isn't a GT4 going to perform better than a M3 dollar for dollar?

Fantastic idea! Just pack the kids in the trunk and you're good to go. And all for the low, low price of unobtanium too.

Also, wouldn't it be foolish to buy a GT4 today? I mean, tomorrow's lesser model 718 is likely to perform just as well. Wait, for that one!

[W///]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Not at all. It does reveal an individual with very little if any experience in a current or recently retired late model M product, however.



Fantastic idea! Just pack the kids in the trunk and you're good to go. And all for the low, low price of unobtanium too.

Also, wouldn't it be foolish to buy a GT4 today? I mean, tomorrow's lesser model 718 is likely to perform just as well. Wait, for that one!

Savage

[DaveJB]

Originally Posted by W///

That's a really great price. I'm also keeping an eye out an Imola Red MCoupe to add. What was the mileage?

95,000. But the interior has black extended leather and is in great shape. Also, I test drove it and it felt as tight as a drum. 105 k now and basically feels new, though I'm getting some bad rattles in the passenger compartment somewhere that are driving me nuts. Lastly, I've been doing all the work on my own cars for about 30 years so old/high mileage cars don't scare me a bit.

EDIT: oh, and the wheels and tires you see and the mufflers I mentioned didn't come with the car, nor the coilovers you don't see. That stuff did cost me a bit more

[W///]

Originally Posted by DaveJB

95,000. But the interior has black extended leather and is in great shape. Also, I test drove it and it felt as tight as a drum. 105 k now and basically feels new, though I'm getting some bad rattles in the passenger compartment somewhere that are driving me nuts. Lastly, I've been doing all the work on my own cars for about 30 years so old/high mileage cars don't scare me a bit.

EDIT: oh, and the wheels and tires you see and the mufflers I mentioned didn't come with the car, nor the coilovers you don't see. That stuff did cost me a bit more

That's still pretty good. As you said, what else are you going to get for that money that has so much presence and personality?

High mileage doesn't scare me either, but owner has to prove to me that the car has had some maintenance. I'm on the hunt for an Imola Red Coupe for the right price and definitely am not looking for a super low mileage car.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by nukezero

But what do I know? I guess some people like driving 1994 M3's versus 2016 340i.

It's true.

I was talking to a huge car nut. I asked if he was going to upgrade his mid 90s M3 with a newer one. He said that the newer ones were too large and lacked the feel of his car.

Were they faster in a straight line? Sure, but he was all about the feedback and feel of the car.


(No - his income has literally no impact on his car purchase as he is a 20+ year specialty surgeon)

[Kankles]

Numbers just don't tell the full story.

I went from an F30 335 to an F80. Their 0-60 mph times are pretty close and on paper they're not drastically different. However, after actually driving them you realize the extra 10k for the F80 was worth every GD penny.

With that said, both cars are faster than my E46 M3, which isn't driven so often...but I'd rather drive the E46 any day of the week over a new 335/340...which is faster on paper.

[Gamb1t]

I don't know. Technology marches on. The only "old" special car that I'd hit is a Porker 993 S widebody. Not because it is fast or brilliantly techno (yeah back in the day). Today's Macan S will leave it in the dust. No it is special because the the air-cooled boxer makes all the right noises and sexy vibrations. Add the sensual coke bottle curves mmm... yes.

Unfortunately I don't share the same desire with the boxy M sedans. (Z Ms aside)

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by FMLYSDN

Agreed...however i do feel it takes away from the exclusivity of the line.

If you buy a car for exclusivity, then BMW is the wrong brand for you. If you buy it for the experience, then it wont matter how many M badges go on the series models, they still wont be close to an M car. As others have already stated.

BMW markets the M packages on base models for the ignorant. Most people cant even tell my car is a 4 series (F82). they start asking if its a 5 series. Thats their target market with the M packages.

They provide that niche for people that want M cars for the status (not driving experience nor performance) but cannot afford it.

[paliknight]

Originally Posted by Kankles

Numbers just don't tell the full story.

I went from an F30 335 to an F80. Their 0-60 mph times are pretty close and on paper they're not drastically different. However, after actually driving them you realize the extra 10k for the F80 was worth every GD penny.

With that said, both cars are faster than my E46 M3, which isn't driven so often...but I'd rather drive the E46 any day of the week over a new 335/340...which is faster on paper.

I made the same exact transition. I never realized the night and day difference until my transition was complete.

[AGONXF30]

Originally Posted by nukezero

It seems to me that there is almost no point in buy BMW M models anymore.

Why? It seems to me that by the next generation or next, next generation, the standard 3 Series whatever, will always be faster than the M3 series from 2 generations ago.

For example, the e46 M3 is not faster than the e9x 335i. Now, the G30 M550i is faster than the F90 M5. So then it is going to be possible that the G-chassis or maybe even the H-chassis 3 series 350i or 360i will be faster than the F80 M3. Right? It might not have the same horsepower, but they'll be so much more advancement in light-weight components, efficiency improvements, etc. that it'll beat the F8x M3.

It seems there's not a lot logical sense into pouring money into M models which are much more high strung, higher maintenance, track-oriented, rougher/harsher ride, and just better off getting a BMW with numbers instead of a BMW M-series.

Bolded is erroneous. The F90 M5 is not out......So no a G30 M550 cannot be compared to an F90.

As far as the rest because M cars are in fact better cars. Yeah my 335i might be faster on the straight line than a E36 or a E46 , but the M car is way more enthusiast geared. I could afford it I would be driving an M3 (F80), but meantime I stick to the F30 335i.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by nukezero

It seems to me that there is almost no point in buy BMW M models anymore.

Why? It seems to me that by the next generation or next, next generation, the standard 3 Series whatever, will always be faster than the M3 series from 2 generations ago.

For example, the e46 M3 is not faster than the e9x 335i. Now, the G30 M550i is faster than the F90 M5. So then it is going to be possible that the G-chassis or maybe even the H-chassis 3 series 350i or 360i will be faster than the F80 M3. Right? It might not have the same horsepower, but they'll be so much more advancement in light-weight components, efficiency improvements, etc. that it'll beat the F8x M3.


It seems there's not a lot logical sense into pouring money into M models which are much more high strung, higher maintenance, track-oriented, rougher/harsher ride, and just better off getting a BMW with numbers instead of a BMW M-series.

If you think the only M attribute is speed then save yourself the money and be happy.

[n55jb4]

Originally Posted by Sassicaia

Speed isn't the only measurement of an M car. It's not just a standard 3 series with a faster engine. An E46 M3 is a memorable all around driving experience while the e9x 335 (to use your analogy) will be find its place in the dustbin of history.

Every M iteration provides a driving experience that future non M generations will never poses.

Sure it's possible a future standard 3 series will be faster then a current F8x, but at the same time there will be an M version drawing the enthusiasts too it that much faster.

Your argument is like saying today's VW golf or Ford Focus is faster then yesterday Porsche so why by a Porsche?

lol says a F80 owner. e9x 335 is currently probably unmatched in terms of power gain for cost. 800-900+hp single turbo e9x 335 can be build for less money than ANY other car currently and it's not just about money, it's becoming a speeddemon that a few can match AND properly modified it handles as good as many cars you mentioned in your post. There is a reason why many who can afford M5/M3 go with e9x 335. Just my opinion