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      12-18-2016, 01:41 PM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Unfortunately, that's just the MSRP. 340i aren't priced to move, so you can negotiate way down below MSRP, while M cars aren't discounted much at all. My fully loaded 340i M Sport was $27k less than my M3, but the 340i was heavily discounted over $10k. The M3 was barely discounted at all and doesn't have the driver assist plus nor the leather seats. Although I've come to really like the cloth!
That is correct. 340i is dime a dozen so it's easy to negotiate for invoice - a couple of thousand, especially at the end of the year. M3 is usually invoice + a couple of thousand.
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      12-18-2016, 04:32 PM   #68
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Yep, list price is one thing it's the cash price on a real deal you have to look at. List M3 in UK is around 45% up on 340i... compare a cash discounted price on each car and the M3 is around 65% up!!
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      12-18-2016, 05:55 PM   #69
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i'm more than pleased with my 340i and i will get into another 340i after my lease is up. no doubt.
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      12-19-2016, 06:56 AM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hollandog View Post
Driving the 340i now. I think it's a logical step to consider the M3 next.
I never drove the M3 before. Will probably go test drive one some time next summer.

Now with people who have/had/drove both, do you think the M3 worths the extra cost? No doubt M3 is a better and different car totally. The engine, the sound, the aggressive look, etc. But it comes at cost around $300-400 more a month to lease. Or ~20k more to buy.

When I changed from the '13 328i to the '16 340i, I was impressed by the 340i. It felt great, firm, fast like a rocket, much better overall than my 328i. I afraid that 340i to M3 doesn't give me that kind of impression. Especially that I don't track the car. All my driving is done on the street in the weekends for pleasure.
With everything said, I'm very pleased with the 340i. I don't mind to get another one when this lease is up. But owning a M3 has always been my goal. I've done searches on similar topics but mostly from the F80 forum and of course their opinion were mostly M or nothing. Would love to hear what the non M folks say.
I disagree/
The M3 should be considered if you really want that next level of performance in terms of handling, and also a degredation in comfort and ride- and higher maintenance cost

The 340 is way plenty enough for 90pct of us on this board. I never even think about Ms anymore since buying my 335- as long as they keep sprinkling the cool packages on our non M cars, im happy.
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      12-19-2016, 10:25 AM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Herakles View Post
I disagree/
The M3 should be considered if you really want that next level of performance in terms of handling, and also a degredation in comfort and ride- and higher maintenance cost

The 340 is way plenty enough for 90pct of us on this board. I never even think about Ms anymore since buying my 335- as long as they keep sprinkling the cool packages on our non M cars, im happy.
I agree, unless you intend to track/race the car do you really need a (slightly) faster car. Granted the springs/dampers will be set stiffer for a (again slightly) flatter cornering experience and you get the full poseur/boy racer looks! But for me the stealthy 340i is a far better prospect! And it's nice to know that hardly anyone on the road will know how fast a car you're driving until they see your twin pipes disappearing into the distance!!
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      12-19-2016, 10:47 AM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nozydog View Post
I agree, unless you intend to track/race the car do you really need a (slightly) faster car. Granted the springs/dampers will be set stiffer for a (again slightly) flatter cornering experience and you get the full poseur/boy racer looks! But for me the stealthy 340i is a far better prospect! And it's nice to know that hardly anyone on the road will know how fast a car you're driving until they see your twin pipes disappearing into the distance!!
I'm sure 90% of the M owners do not track the car. About the "slight" faster or "slight" stiffer, that was in my original questions for owners with both. Their opinion ain't really "slight".

I like the M aggressive body style and no it doesn't look like boy racer. I'm very satisfied with the 340i but I'm sure the M is another beast. But I won't know how much more of a beast until I go test drive one.
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      12-19-2016, 11:46 AM   #73
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Personally...of the two choices I would opt for a third -- the M240i.
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      12-19-2016, 11:53 AM   #74
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Personally...of the two choices I would opt for a third -- the M240i.
then why not the fourth-M2...or the fifth-M2CS
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      12-19-2016, 12:15 PM   #75
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Originally Posted by cmplaya View Post
then why not the fourth-M2...or the fifth-M2CS
For some applications, the M235i and the M240i is more suited than the M2.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nozydog View Post
I agree, unless you intend to track/race the car do you really need a (slightly) faster car.
Your definition of "slightly" is VASTLY different than mine... or in your words:
Your definition of "slightly" is slightly different than mine.

I certainly didn't trade in my 340i for a slight upgrade.
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      12-19-2016, 01:52 PM   #76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nozydog View Post
I agree, unless you intend to track/race the car do you really need a (slightly) faster car. Granted the springs/dampers will be set stiffer for a (again slightly) flatter cornering experience and you get the full poseur/boy racer looks! But for me the stealthy 340i is a far better prospect! And it's nice to know that hardly anyone on the road will know how fast a car you're driving until they see your twin pipes disappearing into the distance!!
Its okay I was a nonbeliever too and that is exactly what I told myself when I justified my 335i purchase.

Once I got my M car I don't even enjoy driving the 335i anymore, I drive it in bad weathers and to transport my dog around now.

edit: not saying the 335i isn't a great car, its fantastic, but I mean just when I know I have the option for the M, I will always rather drive that. Buy it if you can afford it, those extra couple thousand are 120% worth it.
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      12-19-2016, 02:54 PM   #77
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M3 is the way to go after the m3 unless you can get into a Porsche.

I'm in a 340i m sport and would like to get up to M level in a couple years.
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      12-19-2016, 03:47 PM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asuh1991 View Post
Its okay I was a nonbeliever too and that is exactly what I told myself when I justified my 335i purchase.

Once I got my M car I don't even enjoy driving the 335i anymore, I drive it in bad weathers and to transport my dog around now.

edit: not saying the 335i isn't a great car, its fantastic, but I mean just when I know I have the option for the M, I will always rather drive that. Buy it if you can afford it, those extra couple thousand are 120% worth it.
I think I see what you mean.
I recently test drove an M4. Conclusion was that in 3-4 months I'll upgrade
It was a blast to drive...
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      12-19-2016, 09:11 PM   #79
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asuh1991 View Post
Its okay I was a nonbeliever too and that is exactly what I told myself when I justified my 335i purchase.

Once I got my M car I don't even enjoy driving the 335i anymore, I drive it in bad weathers and to transport my dog around now.

edit: not saying the 335i isn't a great car, its fantastic, but I mean just when I know I have the option for the M, I will always rather drive that. Buy it if you can afford it, those extra couple thousand are 120% worth it.
+1 Completely agreed. I loved our F30 335 and have fun in F3X 28i or 35i loaners, but I've wanted an M3 for a while and it was not even a question I was going to get one

I will say, that the 1 way I would stick with 328/335 instead of going to M3 is via a low cost lease for daily drive to complement a 2 seats no holds barred sports car. (e.g. lease a 328 for ~$350/mo and get a C5/C6 Z06 that's been modded for track usage... or C7 Z06 or GT4 if stepping up to next level of price is possible)
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      12-19-2016, 09:17 PM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicknaz View Post
I will say, that the 1 way I would stick with 328/335 instead of going to M3 is via a low cost lease for daily drive to complement a 2 seats no holds barred sports car. (e.g. lease a 328 for ~$350/mo and get a C5/C6 Z06 that's been modded for track usage... or C7 Z06 or GT4 if stepping up to next level of price is possible)
True, as much as I love the M3, I think my next step is a Porsche and a more economical DD car like a 320 or 330. Sometimes I really miss the simplicity of my 328i for when I'm running errands and don't want to worry about where I park.
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      12-19-2016, 10:17 PM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
True, as much as I love the M3, I think my next step is a Porsche and a more economical DD car like a 320 or 330. Sometimes I really miss the simplicity of my 328i for when I'm running errands and don't want to worry about where I park.
I think you will still worry where you park.
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      12-19-2016, 11:01 PM   #82
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I think you will still worry where you park.
Nah, after my F30 328i was dinged I didn't really care anymore. It was actually kind of liberating.
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      12-24-2016, 12:11 AM   #83
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M3 is definitely next in the books for me unless i can afford a Porsche in the next few years I went from a 428i to a 340i and next is M3! Unless an M440i or something like that comes out, that would be something to consider!
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      12-24-2016, 01:25 AM   #84
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If I was in the market for a step above the 340/440, I would wait until a M3/M4 level car rolled in with AWD. Let's face it, most manufacturers are opting to go this route to allow for better acceleration, handling, and year-round usability.
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      12-24-2016, 02:05 AM   #85
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I'm holding out for an Autonomous ///m. Hopefully next gen, Then I'll upgrade.
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      12-24-2016, 12:40 PM   #86
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Interesting thread. Lots of good opinions and perspectives.

it was hard to justify that amount of money for a car that isn't AWD. If the an AWD version comes into play, I will have to make the decision is it worth me spending the extra money for a car I put close to 20k miles on a year...just because I can afford it, doesn't mean I should. I tend to be a bit frugal in this respect.

I drove both an M3 and M4, and loved them and they were far superior to the my 340 that I love, but gotta wrap my head around spending that much cash on something that will depreciate so very fast or cost so very much to lease...

I have gone through the various iterations of buy M3 and lease DD, lease M3, buy beater DD, less both, buy both... not sure what I will do, but it will be hard to say no if there is an AWD version coming soon.
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      12-24-2016, 01:34 PM   #87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chicagoshark View Post
I have gone through the various iterations of but M3 and lease DD, lease M3, buy beater DD, less both, but both... not sure what I will do, but it will be hard to say no if there is an AWD version coming soon.
Why not find a CPO M3/M4 and then keep an AWD beater for the weather ?
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      12-24-2016, 02:43 PM   #88
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chicagoshark View Post
I have gone through the various iterations of but M3 and lease DD, lease M3, buy beater DD, less both, but both... not sure what I will do, but it will be hard to say no if there is an AWD version coming soon.
Why not find a CPO M3/M4 and then keep an AWD beater for the weather ?
Definitely a consideration. Garage space is an issue which is largely resolved by AWD car... but probably that's what I will do. Buy CPO M3, and buy beater Subaru or something for bad weather. Something that can stay in driveway, but not look like too much of an eyesore
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