Decisions Decisions

[Perseus83]

Afternoon all,

I own a 2007 335xi bought used in 2010. It's served me well for 5 years, but now it's time to move on.

I'm debating between leasing a new 335xi, or buying a used M3.

My mechanic is selling a 2008 M3 with 29,000KM for $39K, fully loaded. I know that seems a bit pricey, but everything is in Toronto.

I'm not a huge car enthusiast, but I've always loved the M3. Prior to my 335xi, I owned a Prelude & 350Z soft top.

This is really driving me crazy...

Thoughts?

[Flying Ace]

stick with the prelude.....errr i mean get the M3. You're on a M3 forum, what do you expect people to tell you?

[Perseus83]

Fair enough. Stupid question.

[Move Over]

That price is pretty hefty for an 08. There's one here for 29.5k with 47k miles

[JDM_CL9]

Originally Posted by alxmlr789

That price is pretty hefty for an 08. There's one here for 29.5k with 47k miles

That is $37,640 CDN, and 75,639 KM. Plus you have to add Taxes and Duties to cross the border.

Conclusion - not worth it.

OP - if your shop is willing to negotiate with you, might be worth it but keep in mind it's probably out of warranty.

[BimmerRookie]

If you're not a huge enthusiast, what draws you to an M3? There are a plethora of pro's/con's. If you're willing to throw down and potentially open your wallet wide-open for repairs, then go for it. It's a risk we're all willing to take.

If not? Stick to the 335. It'll be new, warrantied, and the easiest transition.

[DSilk]

I'm not sure than an M3 is a good recommendation for somebody who describes himself as "not really a car enthusiast". Loving the idea of a high perrformance car is far different from living with one and dealing with the maintenance and repair costs. His enthusiasm will wane considerably the first time he has to replace 8 litres of oil at over $14 a quart, or the first time he has to replace the rear Pilot Sports after only 10,000 miles of driving.

[Ezio]

i would go with the 335i. because if you have to ask if you should get a M3, then its not the car for you.

[dagolfpro]

Agree with the others. This is a M3 forum so responses are biased. You simply need to ask yourself, why do you want a M3 if you're not en enthusiast? Good luck.

[Perseus83]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

As for the "why" with an M3?

Prior to getting my 335, I never thought I'd ever want to drive a BMW... ever. No particular reason, I just thought of them as luxury civics. (And I was ignorant to think that).

Then for some reason, I walked into a BMW dealership 5 years ago, and test drove one, and realized how in love I was (and still am) with my 335.

For that same reason, I think about how I'll love and adore an M3.

Problems? I don't know how to fix pretty much anything on a car, except changing the oil and tires. So if something does go wrong, I need to take it back to mechanic.

[Move Over]

Originally Posted by gtstar

Thanks for the responses everyone.

As for the "why" with an M3?

Prior to getting my 335, I never thought I'd ever want to drive a BMW... ever. No particular reason, I just thought of them as luxury civics. (And I was ignorant to think that).

Then for some reason, I walked into a BMW dealership 5 years ago, and test drove one, and realized how in love I was (and still am) with my 335.

For that same reason, I think about how I'll love and adore an M3.

Problems? I don't know how to fix pretty much anything on a car, except changing the oil and tires. So if something does go wrong, I need to take it back to mechanic.

For that last part...Become VERY good friends with the local indy. Or make a friend who can help you with repairs.

[W///]

Originally Posted by gtstar

Thanks for the responses everyone.

As for the "why" with an M3?

Prior to getting my 335, I never thought I'd ever want to drive a BMW... ever. No particular reason, I just thought of them as luxury civics. (And I was ignorant to think that).

Then for some reason, I walked into a BMW dealership 5 years ago, and test drove one, and realized how in love I was (and still am) with my 335.

For that same reason, I think about how I'll love and adore an M3.

Problems? I don't know how to fix pretty much anything on a car, except changing the oil and tires. So if something does go wrong, I need to take it back to mechanic.

If you can afford to have it fixed by your mechanic, then by all means. It's an amazing car. But if you are going to get shocked every time he hands you the bill, then no, don't do it.

[BimmerRookie]

Originally Posted by W///

If you can afford to have it fixed by your mechanic, then by all means. It's an amazing car. But if you are going to get shocked every time he hands you the bill, then no, don't do it.

This hahahahaha. I'm not going to lie, but during my first few months of ownership, I thought I knew what I was getting into......

Be prepared!

[yongj]

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

This hahahahaha. I'm not going to lie, but during my first few months of ownership, I thought I knew what I was getting into......

Be prepared!

For all we know this guy might be well off in terms of his income. I find it funny how people say that owning an M3 is extremely expensive. Though I understand that this statement is coming from a comparison to the cost of owning an average vehicle, it is still very subjective.

[Gumulri]

go with m335xi.

[BimmerRookie]

Originally Posted by yongj

For all we know this guy might be well off in terms of his income. I find it funny how people say that owning an M3 is extremely expensive. Though I understand that this statement is coming from a comparison to the cost of owning an average vehicle, it is still very subjective.

The whole income thing is valid, but at some point, most people have some sort of definition for what "expensive" is (and I'm sure it varies for all people). Even though a person could earn over 200K a year, a $200 oil change would still be considered "expensive" for a large majority of individuals.

[Magnusss]

If this is your daily driver, get the 335xi. The M3 at best is a marginal snow car, I don't care what kind of tires you put on it. And I hear you get some snow in Toronto.

[yongj]

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

The whole income thing is valid, but at some point, most people have some sort of definition for what "expensive" is (and I'm sure it varies for all people). Even though a person could earn over 200K a year, a $200 oil change would still be considered "expensive" for a large majority of individuals.

I agree. I was just recommending that we lay out the numbers and make it aware to the OP of what the actual cost of living is owning the beast rather than jumping straight to conclusions and scaring him.

I remember when making $300 payments for my first car years ago seemed unbelievably expensive.