No more 1 for me...

[adc]

I guess it's true what they say, sometimes ignorance is bliss. Ever since before I leased my current 335i, I knew I wanted a 135i - small, tight and nimble, with huge aftermarket potential. And then after getting the 335i, with it's more ponderous responses I absolutely was convinced I'd be driving a 135i this summer on the Nurbugring.

So when I was totally happy and confident with my choice, why did I test drive the M3? After all, it was significantly more expensive, heavier, thirstier and couldn't possibly drive or handle any better. Right?

I wish I could say my first test drive was illuminating, but in the heavy traffic of the DC area, the M3 drove like a slightly bigger 135i. Three interesting things I noticed were: there was no understeer at all, it was much more agile than the 335i, and the 135i still seemed like a fast car after stepping from the M.

So fast forward a few months to Oktoberfest, a fateful rainy day when I picked up a key to the BMW M3 demonstrator and headed out on slick, wet, narrow and bumpy country lanes. The same terrain where my own 335i and BMW's 135i demonstrator had faltered, owing to a combination of soft suspensions, runflat tires and open rear diffs.

I'm not going to mince words, the M3 positively blew my mind (and my buddy's). We were so stoked, if BMW Financial Services had had a desk at the Glen we would have come back home in a pair of M's. Driven flat out, it was much faster than the 1 or 3, composed, confidence-inspiring and above all extremely balanced. The whole package, right out of the box.

I can already hear the objections...
But it's too big! Well it certainly doesn't feel that way from behind the wheel.
But it's too thirsty! I fill up less than twice a month, so who cares.
But it's too flashy! Not in Space Grey it isn't.
But - surely the final blow - it's too expensive! And then BMWNA started offering the 7% Euro Delivery discount...

It wasn't just that - I built my 135i and it came just under $40k, then mentally added suspension ($3k), exhaust ($1.5k), wheels/tires ($2.5k) and finally a Quaife ($3k). The final cost of nearly $50k is squarely in M3 sedan territory and I simply could not justify it, nor could I be certain of being fully satisfied with the end result. If BMW had offered a tii, or at least offered the Performance Catalog bits factory-installed (and at less cost than installing them after the fact), then that's what I would have gotten - because I still like those basic 1 qualities (size, weight, tuning potential).


After much internal debate the 1 finally lost the battle in my head, so I've ordered an M3 sedan, to be picked up at the Welt mid-July. If I don't change my mind yet again, you can look forward to a daily report from Europe...

[1013mm]

[Judge]

The majority of people here are already M-fans, so I don't quite see the purpose of coming to a forum dedicated to the 1-series and blasting it because the M is so much more superior.

The M is a better car. We get it. Congrats.

[BForbes]

I'm quite shocked you changed your mind. Didnt you extensively mod your N54? An //M car is indeed just that. 0 to 60 times arent everything. The way it connects with the driver is unmatched IMO.

As of right now, I see no reason to move the thread. "Adc" has positively contributed quite often here.

[skiguy1981]

so how much was it 65k? yea i would have one also if i could swing 65k

[adc]

Originally Posted by BForbes

I'm quite shocked you changed your mind.

Imagine my wife's shock.

Didnt you extensively mod your N54?

I wouldn't say extensively, I just sampled as many mods as I could. And indeed, I am more than satisfied with the level of power (and response) of the N54 engine. I'm not getting the M for the extra power...

An //M car is indeed just that. 0 to 60 times arent everything. The way it connects with the driver is unmatched IMO.

Yes, there's a little of that aspect too in my decision - but what sold me most was the completeness of the entire package.

As of right now, I see no reason to move the thread. "Adc" has positively contributed quite often here.

Thanks, appreciate it. I'll try to contribute as much as I can in the future too...

Originally Posted by skiguy1981

so how much was it 65k? yea i would have one also if i could swing 65k

You'd be surprised - try under $51k, including profit and before taxes.

M3 sedan, stick, EDC, heated seats, folding rear seats, iPod, carbon leather trim. Positively a stripped car, judging by what others on the M3 forums are ordering...

[adc]

Originally Posted by Judge

The majority of people here are already M-fans, so I don't quite see the purpose of coming to a forum dedicated to the 1-series and blasting it because the M is so much more superior.

I'm not bashing the 1, I think you misread my intention.

I am actually dismayed at how close BMW has come to my ideal car in the 135i, without actually hitting that target. I am perfectly aware that my requirements for a car are not everybody else's and in this particular situation the M suited them better than the 1.

I would have loved to get a 1 - and if rumours are correct, BMW will make my perfect car in the next generation 1 "super sport".

Besides, if the M proves to be too much car for the daily grind, or my wallet - I'll exchange it for a 135i in a heartbeat, warts and all.

[MastaMind]

Honest commentary. Congrats on the new ride.

[Ender_]

WOW nice!

Don't know how the US gets those prices! Its a $25k difference between my mid-loaded 135i and an M3...and about twice the monthly car payments.

[FOXYCaymanS]

Originally Posted by adc

After much internal debate the 1 finally lost the battle in my head, so I've ordered an M3 sedan, to be picked up at the Welt mid-July. If I don't change my mind yet again, you can look forward to a daily report from Europe...

Congrats! I love my ONE, but love my M more... I think you'll enjoy your decision. See ya on M3post

[OrientBlauZHP]

congrats on the M; after driving an e36M3 for awhile I can totally see why you went the M route. if i could afford it i would buy a new M as well.

[Jaguar66]

e

[subscience]

Thanks for the good read, OP. Congrats and enjoy!

[adc]

Originally Posted by MastaMind

Honest commentary. Congrats on the new ride.

Thanks! I still have a little sticker shock, let's hope if will fade in a haze of Michelin PS2's...

Originally Posted by FOXYone

Congrats! I love my ONE, but love my M more... I think you'll enjoy your decision. See ya on M3post

Absolutely, I'll see you there.

Originally Posted by 1thirty5

congrats on the M; after driving an e36M3 for awhile I can totally see why you went the M route.

I'm coming from an E36 M3, via a 330i ZHP and now 335i. So I know I'll be getting something special, M cars are like that, I guess time will tell how special...

Originally Posted by RobMason

I have owned 3 previous M3s, and each one has always been a better car than any of its non M counterparts. No surprise there.

I have to say, it was a little bit of a surprise to me. I went in the M3 expecting a smashing engine and too much weight, but it's surprisingly agile.

And if I didn't need back seats, I'd go with a Cayman too.

[themyst]

If I could stomach a 1200 dollar car payment I would get an M3 in a heartbeat! I love that thing. However, considering I paid 35700 pretax for my new 6MT 135i, I can't be happier. I honestly believe if I got a fully loaded 135i, I wouldn't have been able to afford that either.

It was either spend 28-30k on a Honda Accord v6, or drop 5 grand more (it's STILL a stretch) and get an easily tunable 135i that is an absolute blast to drive. I probably would have hated myself if I played the safe card and got the Accord. It's a good thing my wife drove it and loved driving it too... she just thinks its pretty ugly. But at least I got her blessing to splurge the extra 5k!

[MOCKBA]

Right choice. Anyone, I need a time machine to do the same.

[oldman]

You guys are so lucky. The base price (no options) difference between a 135i and M3 in Australia is enormous.
The base price for the 135i is A$72,230 and the M3 is A$162,901.
My car on the road was under A$90K with Nav Pro, iDrive, Premium sound, Comfort Access (no sunroof or metallic paint) and that's still a long way short of the M3 base price.

[adc]

Originally Posted by oldman

The base price for the 135i is A$72,230 and the M3 is A$162,901.

Wow, more than double. That's absolutely ridiculous.

[oldman]

The only thing really is that the M3 is pretty well got everything for that price (ie the good sound system, the Nav, the iDrive etc etc etc, thats why the real equate is the approx A$90K vs A$163K... still a big difference.

[tkbr0wn]

I was with you until the second to last sentence...... "sedan"

Honestly, Im not surprised though. You have consistently nit picked the 1 since I've been on here (june '08).

Your line was always "I'm not nitpicking.... I'm getting a 1!!!"
and I believe I said something to the effect of.... "Yeah Right"

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by tkbr0wn

I was with you until the second to last sentence...... "sedan"

Honestly, Im not surprised though. You have consistently nit picked the 1 since I've been on here (june '08).

Your line was always "I'm not nitpicking.... I'm getting a 1!!!"
and I believe I said something to the effect of.... "Yeah Right"

good come back!

[Robert]

Wait, I am confused. Did you have a 1 and trading it in for a M3 or you were only considering a 1 but decided for the M now? I don't blame you because I would make the same decision if I hadn't bought a car. Don't kid yourself the cost will be 51k though. You are a modder and it's likely you will spend 5-10k on the m3 as well. =)

Actually I change my mind, I would rather get the porsche cayman s or the TT-S over the M3 :-P