Trade my ‘16 M3 for a ‘18 M3 ZCP or wait for the next generation M3?

[Burble$4life]

Hey everybody, wanted some advice. I visited my local BMW dealership recently for a possible trade-in and upgrade of my current Tanzanite F80 for a new one with the Competition Package. Much to my disappointment, only one of the two options I wanted to retain in the upgrade - Tanzanite and a moon roof - were doable, that being the moon roof. Dealer said factory where the M3 is made under renovation and the individual colors are not available. Oddly enough, the M4 can be ordered in Tanzanite Blue, go figure?

Is it worth settling for another color to get ZCP or should I just wait to see what the next generation M3 looks like?

[jc05e46m3]

How much have you enjoyed your current car? Is it high mileage or about to go out of the warranty period?

[Burble$4life]

Really enjoy my car, only 15k miles on it, still under warranty. The dealer wanted to buy it back from me w/ the remaining finance. Would hate to miss out on the comp package of the current body style if the new iteration doesn't turn out to be stunning. I planned to keep my car for the long haul 10+ yrs., in retrospect what I should have done was wait for the comp package but who knew BMW was going to come out with it.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Really enjoy my car, only 15k miles on it, still under warranty. The dealer wanted to buy it back from me w/ the remaining finance. Would hate to miss out on the comp package of the current body style if the new iteration doesn't turn out to be stunning. I planned to keep my car for the long haul 10+ yrs., in retrospect what I should have done was wait for the comp package but who knew BMW was going to come out with it.

You seemingly feel differently, but I certainly do not think the comp pkg alone is worth trading in your low mileage car for. You have already taken the depreciation "hit" and would be doing it all over again for essentially the same car.

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Really enjoy my car, only 15k miles on it, still under warranty. The dealer wanted to buy it back from me w/ the remaining finance. Would hate to miss out on the comp package of the current body style if the new iteration doesn't turn out to be stunning. I planned to keep my car for the long haul 10+ yrs., in retrospect what I should have done was wait for the comp package but who knew BMW was going to come out with it.

Do you ever mod your cars?

[Burble$4life]

Was considering a performance exhaust, but it's currently all stock.

[Burble$4life]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

You seemingly feel differently, but I certainly do not think the comp pkg alone is worth trading in your low mileage car for. You have already taken the depreciation "hit" and would be doing it all over again for essentially the same car.

You make a good point which I was thinking about as well...

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Was considering a performance exhaust, but it's currently all stock.

I'll say this, if you don't plan to tune, you'll likely enjoy the bump that ZCP delivers. If you truly plan to keep long term, the depreciation hit really isn't going to be that big of a deal.

I think you should go with your heart, and continue the search for what you really want! Otherwise you'll always doubt yourself. Thoughts?

[Jockey]

Install the MP HAS and hold on for the long haul.

It's my plan. This car is too much fun as it is to take a depreciation hit twice.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Much to my disappointment, only one of the two options I wanted to retain in the upgrade - Tanzanite and a moon roof - were doable, that being the moon roof. Dealer said factory where the M3 is made under renovation and the individual colors are not available. Oddly enough, the M4 can be ordered in Tanzanite Blue, go figure?

Individual color aside, did the dealership imply they could still order you a 2018 M3? If so, color me skeptical about that. The car goes out of production in a month and allocations at this point are almost surely all claimed.

Is it worth settling for another color to get ZCP or should I just wait to see what the next generation M3 looks like?

You’ve got a two year wait if the suggested-by-inside-info accelerated timeline holds. And that includes the Competition model, too, so that’s a plus.

That said, there are (or were, they are probably being snapped up quickly) a number of Individual M3 available on dealership lots now. BMW built a bunch with no-charge for the special color. Tanzanite is not among them, but I recall Avus being available. I think they all have CF roof, but not certain. You could also try to do a nationwide search on a TB F80 ZCP with sunroof. Probably not out there, but worth a check.

[JamesGames]

Since you financed, I'd just wait till next M3 or something else worth the additional money. I keep getting offers as well from dealerships on my 16 M4 (same payments just new 60 month term) but end of the day, I have 8k miles and the ZCP suspension / Power bumps all can be addressed by aftermarket. Tanzanite is lovely too.. YMMV

[MadZarBMR]

Have you seen this:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3289/overview/

I am on the same boat as you only I'm in a lease that ends in Feb so for me the decision is somewhat easier since I always trade in my leases. If I had financed, I would definitely keep it and wait for the G80. As others have pointed out, you already took the biggest hit on depreciation.

[jlhymb]

If the rest of the spec is the same and you are happy with your '16, I would consider keeping your car.

I went from a '15 dct to an '18 6mt zcp. I think the zcp is a better day to day car in that the changes from the '15 make it feel more refined to me. My '15 certainly felt like it had more character - for better or for worse.

My reason to change from the '15 to the '18 was to try the zcp, get rid of CCBs, get a manual, and get full leather. So far, full leather and the change in Active sound have been the most noticeable difference to me.

[Burble$4life]

Originally Posted by MadZarBMR

Have you seen this:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3289/overview/

I am on the same boat as you only I'm in a lease that ends in Feb so for me the decision is somewhat easier since I always trade in my leases. If I had financed, I would definitely keep it and wait for the G80. As others have pointed out, you already took the biggest hit on depreciation.

Oh nice, thanks! I wish the interior was Sakhir Orange (my current set-up).

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Oh nice, thanks! I wish the interior was Sakhir Orange (my current set-up).

Looks like he just found your ride for you

[MadZarBMR]

Originally Posted by Burble$4life

Oh nice, thanks! I wish the interior was Sakhir Orange (my current set-up).

Actually, just realized that it is missing ZCP so it would be pretty much what you already have.

[FlyingLow78]

After crashing my ‘15 M3, I bought basically the exact same car as an ‘18, and the ‘15 was better. My 2015 had more punch down low, fewer rattles, more intuitive iDrive, and lots of other little things that make the ‘18 less enjoyable.

Oh, and if you have glare-free highbeams and variable light distribution, on the older cars it actually works. Can’t get it working on my ‘18.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by FlyingLow78

After crashing my ‘15 M3, I bought basically the exact same car as an ‘18, and the ‘15 was better. My 2015 had more punch down low, fewer rattles, more intuitive iDrive, and lots of other little things that make the ‘18 less enjoyable.

Oh, and if you have glare-free highbeams and variable light distribution, on the older cars it actually works. Can’t get it working on my ‘18.

I think the low down punch is still there, but it is in Sport+ and not Sport like the 15s had. I somewhat agree about the iDrive, I've had a little bit of a hard time getting used to the new one, but I still like it/think it is the best in the business as they say. BMW did do some odd changes such as I can't seem to save a phone number like I used to be able to do on my 1-8 buttons and I'm having a hard time getting my top down cameras to work in reverse. Us US owners never had the variable light distribution on our cars and have to code it to get it to work because of our ancient DOT laws.

Other than that, I'm enjoying my 18 ZCP way more than my 15. The suspension is much much better along with the MDM coding. I can actually take off now from a stop and a little bit of slippage from sand/gravel or something else doesn't cause MDM to cut the power. That used to infuriate me in my 15. So for me, I'll take the other minor annoyances for a much better drive when comparing the two.

[IDBGOD]

Wait for next Gen. Comp is nice but it doesn't magically transform the car into a different vehicle entirely.

I'd suggest maybe putting on different wheels, maybe adding some minor cosmetic upgrades if you want to freshen up the car (diffuser, spoiler, front lip etc). That's going to be cheaper than upgrading to an 18 for a car that's pretty much the same...not when next gen isnt' that far around the corner.

Then again, if you really like the F80 platform and want the last production cycle of and end of the line model now is a great time to get one before they are done. You are likely going to have to stick with what's on the ground though and can't be too picky as I highly doubt there are many more allocations left let alone cars that can still be modified. Unless you are willing to consider an M4

[bzcat]

The big unknown is how G80 M3 will perform with manual transmission.

We know F80 with manual is awesome. The car was designed with manual transmission.

G80 could be like E60 M5... where it just doesn't drive properly with manual. And we'd all be wishing we held on to the F80. The big red flag for me is that G20 M340i is automatic only... that indicates BMW did not prioritize manual in the design phase of the car. Granted G80 will be substantially different than G20 but it's a big gamble for us to wait and find out.

[ssgm1x]

That would be a bad move since u r financed and i know these dealers don't pay squat for trade ins....It would not be a smart financial move..., Me personally i would MUCH rather get a tune instead of ZCP....

[cartOC]

^ This, working at BMW myself we would just go sell it in our used car inventory for profit after recon'ing it while also recording a new car sale at the same time lol, it's literally a win-win for them.

I am keeping my F82 until the G8X has been out at least a year or two before I buy one of the last of the manual's ever. Gintani tune and downpipes is more than enough for me pushing 600 HP on just E85 and bolt-ons.