question for current m3 owners

[Heat00]

Hi guys,
I'm new here (to the m3 forum anyhow
currently in an 08 335i e90 and I've had my eye on the 08 m3.
working on convincing the wife that I need one lol..
and the other day, they made me a nice offer with the 0.9%.

questions are:

are you all thrilled with you m's? anything I need to know before pulling the trigger?
there is an AW M3 sedan at the local dealer that has been there for 4 months, that I know they are dying to unload.

more than anything, just want to know if it is really worth the extra cash for the m3 over my 335.

any input is really appreciated!

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by Heat00

more than anything, just want to know if it is really worth the extra cash for the m3 over my 335.

any input is really appreciated!

Its never "worth" it to trade in a perfectly good car. Now if you really want an M3 and can afford it in the long term, why not.....

[Damage Inc]

Logically is it worth it no. Emotionally yes. This is my first car I think I will own a long time. I mean, what else is there better with 4 doors?

My car has every option. The "must have's" are tech pack, and heated seats. Everything else is a nice to have.

[wgf77]

What are the specs and MSRP on the sedan you are eyeing? Have you driven it yet? Take a drive and you should be able to answer your own question. And what are they offering you for your 335 in trade?

[masmole]

I love my M3. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's the best car I've ever owned, and I've had quite a few in the last decade.

As for being worth the upgrade from an already nice 335i? That's up to you. I think it will be. I consider it a worthwhile upgrade from my RS4 and that was the best car Audi has ever built until the R8 came along, and in many ways I think it's a better overall car than an E60 M5. One thing you should know before pulling the trigger though: be prepared for a gas mileage shock. You'll be coming from a 335i that will be a fuel-miser compared to the M3. It's not that the M3 is that bad of a gas guzzler (an E60 M5 is much worse) but it's the way you'll be driving it. The 335i is happy down low with all the low-end torque the turbos give you, while the M3 will beg you to run up the revs for no particular reason other than it sounds good and feels alive there. If you can live with that, let me be the first to welcome you to 8400 rpm bliss.

[ChrisFastM3]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

This is my first car I think I will own a long time. I mean, what else is there better with 4 doors?

M5?

[GolfNut]

Originally Posted by Heat00

are you all thrilled with you m's? anything I need to know before pulling the trigger?
there is an AW M3 sedan at the local dealer that has been there for 4 months, that I know they are dying to unload.

more than anything, just want to know if it is really worth the extra cash for the m3 over my 335.

any input is really appreciated!

The M3 has been great. It's an incredible car. Gas mileage is not so good, but everything else has been great. She is my weekend, fair weather toy, so mileage is not a big issue.

As far as worth it, strictly financially speaking, it's probably a bad decision since the 335 is a very nice car; but then again, if we were being financially smart, I don't think any of us would buy BMWs. It is a luxury we indulge in.

The 335 is a great car, but stock for stock, does not handle as well and is not as exciting to drive. The 335 can be modified and you'll get all kinds of arguments on what is a better value.

As far as the convincing the wife, I can't help you there. In our house, I get the "I don't understand why you need 400 horsepower, etc., but if it makes you smile then go ahead." One of her few comments are that the seats are a lot more comfortable in the M versus the 335, and the leather is nicer. Oh yeah, and the top goes down. Oh well, at least it's something.....

I bought before all of these incentives and think these are amazing deals on these cars. The bad part is with the current market, you'll probably lose a lot of $$$ on the 335. That number may have a big impact your decision.

[valeram]

If you can afford and got a lot of money to splurge then by all means.

[knifegun]

I've had a 335 as a loaner and currently own an E90 M3. Even though zero to sixty figures, etc seem too close to justify the premium, I can say that the M3 to me feels like a completely different car. The way it handles, the way the engine revs, the seats, etc. They may as be branded as completely different vehicles. The M3 does not feel like a derivative...it stands on its own. So if you can afford the loss of the trade in, go for the M3. You won't regret it.

[skierman64]

The M3 and 335 feel completely different when driving. The feel itself is worth the price difference. The M3 is the best car I've ever owned. Have you driven one yet? One drive and you'll be convinced.

[Heat00]

thank you all for the comments.
I will drive it tomorrow.
yes, I will probably get killed on the trade especially since i have high mileage already. it's only a number/paper.
I do love my 335i, however I think I will love the M3 even more.
even though I will get killed on the trade, the deals being offered on the new ones seem pretty good. the interest savings alone is a big help.
the one I saw at the local dealer was a sedan, 6 speed, premium and that was about it as far as options. msrp was about 57k. really not that much off from a loaded 335i, especially for 09.
that one at the dealer was there on my last service visit, same one I looked at the vin lol.
it has been sitting there for 4 months.... they must want to unload it?
i mean most people in this economy are probably not going out looking to buy or lease $57k cars that guzzle gas lol..
which help us that are looking for that..

well, I'm definetly going for a test spin tomorrow and will probably play it by ear...

thank you guys for the input and my worst case scenario is I keep my 335, which isn't a bad thing..
If i don't or can't make a deal on the m3, I may visit the dinan idea

[Mr. 5]

Originally Posted by Heat00

thank you all for the comments.
I will drive it tomorrow.
yes, I will probably get killed on the trade especially since i have high mileage already. it's only a number/paper.
I do love my 335i, however I think I will love the M3 even more.
even though I will get killed on the trade, the deals being offered on the new ones seem pretty good. the interest savings alone is a big help.
the one I saw at the local dealer was a sedan, 6 speed, premium and that was about it as far as options. msrp was about 57k. really not that much off from a loaded 335i, especially for 09.
that one at the dealer was there on my last service visit, same one I looked at the vin lol.
it has been sitting there for 4 months.... they must want to unload it?
i mean most people in this economy are probably not going out looking to buy or lease $57k cars that guzzle gas lol..
which help us that are looking for that..

well, I'm definetly going for a test spin tomorrow and will probably play it by ear...

thank you guys for the input and my worst case scenario is I keep my 335, which isn't a bad thing..
If i don't or can't make a deal on the m3, I may visit the dinan idea

Drive it.
I wasn't impressed, but maybe I was looking for too much.

[Heat00]

oh by the way,
do most you have 6 speed or auto??
most of the ones I have seen on the lot are 6 speeds.

[schnell325]

Manual tranny here.


TOTALLY worth it for the M3.

[pittsy]

Originally Posted by MojorisinM3

Logically is it worth it no. Emotionally yes. This is my first car I think I will own a long time. I mean, what else is there better with 4 doors?

My car has every option. The "must have's" are tech pack, and heated seats. Everything else is a nice to have.

Flying spur? But for the price of the M3, nothing can beat it

[kbk_75]

Originally Posted by masmole

I love my M3. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's the best car I've ever owned, and I've had quite a few in the last decade.

As for being worth the upgrade from an already nice 335i? That's up to you. I think it will be. I consider it a worthwhile upgrade from my RS4 and that was the best car Audi has ever built until the R8 came along, and in many ways I think it's a better overall car than an E60 M5. One thing you should know before pulling the trigger though: be prepared for a gas mileage shock. You'll be coming from a 335i that will be a fuel-miser compared to the M3. It's not that the M3 is that bad of a gas guzzler (an E60 M5 is much worse) but it's the way you'll be driving it. The 335i is happy down low with all the low-end torque the turbos give you, while the M3 will beg you to run up the revs for no particular reason other than it sounds good and feels alive there. If you can live with that, let me be the first to welcome you to 8400 rpm bliss.

I could not agree with you more!