[ryem3]

This is not a head to head comparison, but a real question about current value, so I thought this better in the general forum than the "vs" forum.

I bought a 2017 M2, which listed for about $55k. It was a great value at the time. I looked at the M3/M4, which seemed more of a GT, but above all was priced over $80k. There was no way I'd spend over $80k for one. Then the M3 competition comes out and prices approach $90k!!! Holy cow, who would pay that money for an M3???

Fast forward to now, I'm looking at a DCT, exec M2 Comp, which will sticker at $65k. With crappy paint options, so we have the wrap alternatives. Then spend thousands on some carbon do dads. We all know there is a lot of relative value in the new car over the old one and I'm sold on the new motor, seats, brakes and LEDs.

HOWEVER,

Let's see what happening in the M3 market...
Holy cow, an M3 Competition with 4 digit mileage, maybe certified, with LEDs, DCT, full leather, carbon brakes, fancy seats, adjustable suspension, OEM(!) carbon fiber roof, 20" wheels, polished carbon AND 440 hp is now selling in the low $60k's!!! Maybe asking in the mid 60's, but plenty in the low 60's. For a couple bucks, maybe even with Individual paint! I found a car with a $111k sticker selling for high 60's. A car with a $90k sticker for mid 60's. Owners of these competition cars have taken a bath! I guess it is an easy conclusion that these cars will not hold there value that well and two years out could be in the 40's, but the Competition package cars have a lot of features. Maybe they aren't the tossable car an M2 is, but the interior is MUCH better. Still a very nice car and wow, one hell of a value. Add the CS tune for even more HP... hmm.

Let's take normal lease residuals of about 50%. That would make the car about $45k in another two years, so about a $15k loss over two years. Not bad, especially compared with the flaming $30k loss in one year.

So, flame away!

Cross shop a new car and a used car? Hell yeah. Plenty of warranty and nearly new. Are there any other values for $60k? Interested to discuss.

[heavyD^2]

Did you love your M2? If you did you should love the M2C as much or more. If you had M3/M4 envy when owning your M2 I don't think the M2C will change that. The M2C at the end of the day still sports basic colors, few option packages, and lower rent BMW interior compared to M3/M4.

[Craig335d]

Do you need 4 doors and increased practicality?
Yes - get the M3.
No- get the M2C.

[grendel88]

If value is the most important thing, used is the best decision 99% of the time. There is no way the M2 match the 1M on the value curb. If you are not obsessed with a smaller and more twitchy car, I think the used M3 is a better value for what it sounds like you want out this car purchase. The M3 interior quality and abundance of features are a lot when compared to even M2C. I'm personally going to get a M2C manual, but I have already owned a E92 M3 and a F80 non-comp, both with DCT, and currently drive a MB E63s.

I found that I am not prioritizing the higher end interiors as much anymore and am more focused on something fun to daily drive in--20 min commute with highway and streets.

But if I wanted more value in terms of most bang for buck, a preowned M3 Comp is a very, very nice car.

[carl44]

The financial aspect is one thing and it seems you have that figured out. Personally i have a good amount seat time in the M3C & M4C. Even though they weigh the same as the M2 they always feel like really big car ,which they are. The power is terrific i think they have become AMG-ish. But still a great car just not for me. carl

[BOhio]

Originally Posted by Craig335d

Do you need 4 doors and increased practicality?
Yes - get the M3.
No- get the M2C.

Ditto that.

[M3_WC]

G80 seems so close. I’d be worried about values in 1-2 years. 2017 M3 with 30k miles two years from now will worth $40k tops.

[ryem3]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Did you love your M2? If you did you should love the M2C as much or more. If you had M3/M4 envy when owning your M2 I don't think the M2C will change that. The M2C at the end of the day still sports basic colors, few option packages, and lower rent BMW interior compared to M3/M4.

I do like the M2 and think the M2C will be great. But the interior is still cheap. Lack of adjustable suspension seems surprising in a car this expensive AND that weighs this much. For the money, it just isn't seeming like the value buy anymore.

Originally Posted by Craig335d

Do you need 4 doors and increased practicality?
Yes - get the M3.
No- get the M2C.

Don't need the practicality. Indifferent probably between an M4 or M3. Actually, prefer the size of the M2. But for the money, it seems you get a ton more features in an F80. Wow, I mean better leather, polished carbon, maybe ceramic brakes, adjustable suspension, more HP, it's a long list.

Originally Posted by M3_WC

G80 seems so close. I’d be worried about values in 1-2 years. 2017 M3 with 30k miles two years from now will worth $40k tops.

Haha, that's scary. Well, according to the lease resids, the M2C should be worth less than $32k in three years! I think the M3 competition should hold a bit better, but $45k in two years is only $15k from the current prices. If the M3 dropped 20% in one year, they would be about $72k, not nearly as interesting. Seems that BMW has glutted the market with executive demos. They could be beat to shit, but they're still under warranty and would have been well maintained.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by ryem3

Haha, that's scary. Well, according to the lease resids, the M2C should be worth less than $32k in three years! I think the M3 competition should hold a bit better, but $45k in two years is only $15k from the current prices. If the M3 dropped 20% in one year, they would be about $72k, not nearly as interesting. Seems that BMW has glutted the market with executive demos. They could be beat to shit, but they're still under warranty and would have been well maintained.

G80 will definitely accelerate depreciation on the F80. Some are predicting G80 could debut as early as Sept next year at Frankfurt auto show. The residuals on the M2 give zero indication of future value. They are artificially low to push people into more expensive cash cow, the M3 and M4.

[nomoracin]

OP, if you like the size of the M2 over an M3/M4, then maybe you could also throw in a third option...

Used M2 and use that $10-15k you saved towards modifying it...it'll look nicer and it'll be faster.

[cptobvious]

Originally Posted by grendel88

If value is the most important thing, used is the best decision 99% of the time. There is no way the M2 match the 1M on the value curb. If you are not obsessed with a smaller and more twitchy car, I think the used M3 is a better value for what it sounds like you want out this car purchase. The M3 interior quality and abundance of features are a lot when compared to even M2C. I'm personally going to get a M2C manual, but I have already owned a E92 M3 and a F80 non-comp, both with DCT, and currently drive a MB E63s.

I found that I am not prioritizing the higher end interiors as much anymore and am more focused on something fun to daily drive in--20 min commute with highway and streets.

But if I wanted more value in terms of most bang for buck, a preowned M3 Comp is a very, very nice car.

+1

I'd always heard that a simple rule of thumb is to expect ~50% depreciation over 3 years on a "luxury or sport" vehicle. Given that, if value is the metric, it would seem that it makes sense to look for used cars that are 3+ years old, but still in good condition.

But, the reality, I suspect, is that we're all here on this forum because we've lost our damn minds and care more about indulging our inner children than focusing on value!

[OSR]

Originally Posted by cptobvious

But, the reality, I suspect, is that we're all here on this forum because we've lost our damn minds and care more about indulging our inner children than focusing on value!

This. This right here. The man speaks the truth!

[dave885]

I don’t get the M3/4 vs M2 buying/value decision. They are completely different cars. I had a 2015 M4 and it was a big car and drove even bigger. I had E36 and E46 M’s and the M4 was like driving an M5 for me. It got traded in on Porsche GT4 which is definitely not a big car. I now have a deposit on a M2C which is smaller than the M4 (and will be keeping the GT4). If you just want the prestige/power of a M car get the used M3/4 and avoid the depreciation, but if you care about driving experience get the one that fits your driving expectations. Less expensive isn’t always better.

[akkando]

Decide between value and fun. Also value isn't promised.

[Davil]

I know it’s the luck of the draw, but one thing I’ve found is that I’ve never had problems with any car that I bought new. Maybe I am overly sympathetic to them. I even had my first clutch last 150000km on a WRX Every used car has had some sort of issue. You just never know what’s gone on. Plus, there’s an intangible bond you get with a new car that you don’t get with a used car. Hard to explain. Even harder to put a monetary value on it.

[ryem3]

Originally Posted by dave885

I don’t get the M3/4 vs M2 buying/value decision. They are completely different cars. I had a 2015 M4 and it was a big car and drove even bigger. I had E36 and E46 M’s and the M4 was like driving an M5 for me. It got traded in on Porsche GT4 which is definitely not a big car. I now have a deposit on a M2C which is smaller than the M4 (and will be keeping the GT4). If you just want the prestige/power of a M car get the used M3/4 and avoid the depreciation, but if you care about driving experience get the one that fits your driving expectations. Less expensive isn’t always better.

Good points, food for thought. Gt4 would be a great car in the garage. I've had the e36, e46, and e92 m3's. Not the latest one, as mentioned it was way too expensive new.
Yes, the cars are way different. Besides the increased refinement though, I think the new m2 will cost much less in future depreciation- true of any used car. The m2 has been fun, thanks for the thoughts.

[10"]

if you're the type who gets excited by crappy overpriced options and 'fancy' interior bits...then by all means get the 'fancier' car.

small M cars are meant for driving.....not $25k in options (although LOTS of people seem to order way too many options these days).

[SD08]

if you like to rawdawg, get an m2c
if you like to use protection, get an m3 with your adaptable suspension

[lbahoshy]

Originally Posted by SD08

if you like to rawdawg, get an m2c
if you like to use protection, get an m3 with your adaptable suspension

I do agree that the M2C is more of a drivers car, the enthusiast’s choice. The M4 I test drove just felt too big.

To be honest, the difference in interior between the two is very minimal. The M3 is basically 3 series interior with carbon and extra leather if you opt for that option. We are not talking about 2 series interior vs R8 interior.

Also, the M3 is going to look dated as soon as the new 3 series starts to hit the streets in a few months.

[Karmic Man]

Don’t try to mix what you like and how you might come out better off financially in a few years together. They just won’t gel.

No one can tell you what you should like so you must know which car you like better. If going for that car won’t leave you without a home or starving for yourself or your family then just go for it.

[cptobvious]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

Don’t try to mix what you like and how you might come out better off financially in a few years together. They just won’t gel.

No one can tell you what you should like so you must know which car you like better. If going for that car won’t leave you without a home or starving for yourself or your family then just go for it.

This brother speaks truth!

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

Don’t try to mix what you like and how you might come out better off financially in a few years together. They just won’t gel.

No one can tell you what you should like so you must know which car you like better. If going for that car won’t leave you without a home or starving for yourself or your family then just go for it.