[the_phew]

I'm thinking about attempting an insane deal on a stripper M3 lease (ED+PCD, near ED invoice price, 7 MSDs, BMWCCA+loyalty, etc) to get the monthly down near $500/month. It can be done with the right dealer/CA. We pay over 3X that much just on day care, so it really seems like a drop in the bucket in that context.

I should know better though, because "shiny things" never actually give me as much satisfaction as I initially thought they would. I was really into home audio for several years, and climbing the ladder from ~$200 speakers to $8k speakers actually made me appreciate music less. Similarly, my first car was a beater hand-me-down '86 Saab 900S; I get teary-eyed thinking about how much I loved that car. My current 320i is a superior vehicle in every way, but I doubt I'll even remember it a decade from now. Things just don't make humans happy; experiences do. Now, if you do it right you can have some pretty memorable experiences in an M car, but I don't even have time to eat breakfast most days, so I don't think I'll be hopping over to the track every weekend.

[Fast400]

A year into it now! Still no regrets. AC Schnitzer tune and lowered! Plenty fast! Most days there's no place to actually 'open' up.

[DrBenny]

No regrets. Got a 328 for the lighter weight engine, better balance, and lower insurance costs vs. an M. With a Dinan tune, I'll have no 35i regrets. You just can't beat the Estoril Blue color. Love it! I already feel the cops watching me on the road now, I can't imagine if I had a M3. Good thing the M3/M4 doesn't come in Estoril Blue.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

No M wagon here so no.

hahaha... same.
if i were to complain it would be that leather dashboard was not an available option for my vehicle at the time it was built then shortly after it was. other than that i am quite pleased with the vehicle and it does what my wife wants it to do when she wants needs it to.

[Minkia]

Originally Posted by the_phew

I'm thinking about attempting an insane deal on a stripper M3 lease (ED+PCD, near ED invoice price, 7 MSDs, BMWCCA+loyalty, etc) to get the monthly down near $500/month. It can be done with the right dealer/CA. We pay over 3X that much just on day care, so it really seems like a drop in the bucket in that context.

I should know better though, because "shiny things" never actually give me as much satisfaction as I initially thought they would. I was really into home audio for several years, and climbing the ladder from ~$200 speakers to $8k speakers actually made me appreciate music less. Similarly, my first car was a beater hand-me-down '86 Saab 900S; I get teary-eyed thinking about how much I loved that car. My current 320i is a superior vehicle in every way, but I doubt I'll even remember it a decade from now. Things just don't make humans happy; experiences do. Now, if you do it right you can have some pretty memorable experiences in an M car, but I don't even have time to eat breakfast most days, so I don't think I'll be hopping over to the track every weekend.

this is an underappreciated post.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Great thread! I am contemplating trading my 2013 automatic 335 xdrive for a 2016 340 xdrive 6 speed manual or a 2016 M3 6 speed manual. I love the looks and sportiness of the M3 but I am not sure if I will miss the all wheel drive xdrive. We don't get a lot of snow here in Vancouver but we do get a lot of rain.

Interesting that the M3 costs about $20,000 more to buy in Canada but resale in 4 years should be at least $16,000 more so the M3 only costs less than $1,000 extra per year (excluding additional insurance and fuel costs).

[BimmerBoomer]

I've owned E36, E46 and E92 M3s. I made a choice to go with xDrive this time and don't regret it. Would I like a little more performance and better handling? Yes. But while I enjoyed my test drive in the F80 I didn't get that "have to own it" feeling. I need one car for four seasons in Canada, have no interest in going to the track and what I'd prefer to see from BMW is an M435i xDrive.

[Minkia]

we get hosed in canada in terms of pricing and to make things worse, we have to factor in the climate when making our decisions. my rwd gc is gonna be garaged this winter. feck! i would love to drive an m4 (gc if they decide to come out with one) but for that kind of coin (around CAD 80k) id either spend it on a cayman or pony up a bit more for a 911. too many choices for that price range.

[IllLojik]

Considering that I don't track, NY Speed limits, Insurance rates and gas prices, I don't regret my 328i Sportline RWD. Would I love to have an M? Hell yeah sure. But I'm happy so far.
Having an //M would just be for Forum bragging rights (jk) as I would not benefit from the awesomeness.

[BDWonder]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Right idea, wrong criteria.

You're making way too big a deal about fractional differences in engine sizes. The 'regret' occurs when you have a Kia (regret Honda), then a Honda (regret Acura), then an Acura (regret BMW), and so on.

It's the brand and the prestige that make people go "ooh", not 0-60 times.

What???? i think almost everybody understood what he meant, except you. You can have the regret syndrome within the brand. My buddies with the 28i engine regret not having the 35i engine when they drive my car. I regret not going to the M engine.

[DD335i]

Me want F8x

[Minkia]

as with most of you, i personally dont need the extra power for my day to day joy of driving given ive never even set foot on a track. having said that, there are moments when a db in a more powerful car (insert your choice of car brand here including bmw) is next to you at a stop light and has that dumb smug on his face thinking hes better than you. i know that look because i give the same to the ones driving "inferior" cars. i know its immature but its the troof.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Right idea, wrong criteria.

You're making way too big a deal about fractional differences in engine sizes. The 'regret' occurs when you have a Kia (regret Honda), then a Honda (regret Acura), then an Acura (regret BMW), and so on.

It's the brand and the prestige that make people go "ooh", not 0-60 times.

Only for non drivers.
Prestige/brand buyers aren't car people, they are image people.
I don't relae to their vanity way of thinking.

I don't "ooh" for any brand.
I do smile at cars I don't have that I know are great driving cars.

When I see a Bentley I think, "What a waste of money."
When I see an Evo 8, I think, "I'll bet he has a blast driving that thing."

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Only for non drivers.
Prestige/brand buyers aren't car people, they are image people.
I don't relae to their vanity way of thinking.

I don't "ooh" for any brand.
I do smile at cars I don't have that I know are great driving cars.

When I see a Bentley I think, "What a waste of money."
When I see an Evo 8, I think, "I'll bet he has a blast driving that thing."

Have you ever driven a Bentley?

[azn_fcuk]

Im contemplating on switching up to a M4, I have my current 435ix maxed out for FBO minus IC.....Im a very spirited responsible driver and enjoy tracking.
This was the first body styling that ive trully fallen in love with from BMW.....

Being in Canada, the winter driving and wear and tear that comes with that has me second guessing this decision which was why I dint pull the trigger when buying the 435.......sighhhhhhh

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by azn_fcuk

Im contemplating on switching up to a M4, I have my current 435ix maxed out for FBO minus IC.....Im a very spirited responsible driver and enjoy tracking.
This was the first body styling that ive trully fallen in love with from BMW.....

Being in Canada, the winter driving and wear and tear that comes with that has me second guessing this decision which was why I dint pull the trigger when buying the 435.......sighhhhhhh

If you enjoy tracking I think M4 is a no brainer

As for the comment about rain in Vancouver, I drove through many torrential downpours to get from SC to socal after my PCD, and the M3 was a champ. full tread PSS are great in the rain

But that said, my wife has a F30 335 and I don't regret that at all. It is a really great street car and is so much more stress free to drive than my F80. My wife actually likes her 335 much much more than the M3, since she feels the M3 DCT is more jerky than the sport 8AT, and she likes how the 335 is quieter and the steering is not as sensitive so highway cruising is more relaxed

Regret would only come if I expected the 335 to be sporty/trackable, but I was 100% clear it was a street only car, and I appreciate it for what it is. Plus with a 458/mo incl tax, no cap cost reduction lease (under invoice, high residuals, max msd), what's not to like

[drf36///]

f36 ftw

[BXL4]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

when you have a 20i, you have 28i regret
when you have a 28i, you have 35i regret
when you have a 35i, you have M regret
when you have M, you have Porsche regret
when you have Porsche, you probably have Ferrari regret
when you have Ferrari, you don't drive it anywhere because youre afraid it will get scratched

that "regret" is a part of the emotional experience in owning one of these excellent cars. it's part of the package, lets us look forward to upgrade to something. (and a non-boring life goal to work hard towards).

Testify!

[stuartcrosby]

Guys considering new M3/M4 versus 911.

What are the Pro's and Cons?

Past cars - e36 M3, e46 M3 Dinan S3, Boxster S, 911 C4S,

[5ilver-5amurai]

I live in Ontario and winter tires on a RWD just don't cut it. The AWD was a deal breaker for me when getting a 435i xDrive. If I wanted a monster car that was usable in winter, would have gotten an R35 If I could afford one that is lol

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I've owned more domestics than Germans. I couldn't care less about the stupid badge on the hood and trunk. Its all about what fills the need. If one of the domestic marques made an AWD vehicle with 300hp turbo motor, a full size backseat, and didn't drive like a boat, for a similar price or less, I'd be driving it.

Show me one place in a city where you could get a mortgage for $700 a month. There ain't no where. Rent costs me $1300 a month and thats about $500 below market for my apartment.

I'm not rich like you claim to be. I'm living on disability and stock dividends. I ain't crying for the 99%. I'm one of them.

You get an apartment in NYC for $1,300/month???

[DantonIzzo]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

when you have a 20i, you have 28i regret
when you have a 28i, you have 35i regret
when you have a 35i, you have M regret
when you have M, you have Porsche regret
when you have Porsche, you probably have Ferrari regret
when you have Ferrari, you don't drive it anywhere because youre afraid it will get scratched

that "regret" is a part of the emotional experience in owning one of these excellent cars. it's part of the package, lets us look forward to upgrade to something. (and a non-boring life goal to work hard towards).

I have a 28i, but no 35i regret for me.