sf997c2s

Any switchers out there with advice?

My reasoning:
- I mostly daily drive and live in city in San Francisco
- 4-6 track days a year
- four doors for two kids
- going from two cars to one - will become the only car of the family (will also get rid of infinity ex35)

thanks!

wjk_glynn

E90/E92 M3 are great cars. Two things to note:

1. Rod bearings need to be replaced no later than 60K miles
   • There's tons of info out on the various BMW forums
2. The stock M3 brakes are not up to prolonged punishment if you're an experienced track day driver
   • Wouldn't change them out of the gate until you've had track time in the car (and see if it happens to you)
   • But you might want to at least set aside some budget for a front-BBK from someone like StopTech (no need to do the rears)
   • List prices are over $3K, but if you hunt around you can get it in the low $2K...

Karl.

PGas32

I've had two E90 M3's, the second of which I just sold last month. They're awesome all-around cars in that they have 4 doors, are pretty roomy, and drive basically like a 3-series. I honestly don't think you can buy a significantly better overall car, no matter the price point. That being said, they don't really feel that special unless you're really pushing it, and while they do everything well, they don't really excel at anything...too heavy for serious track use without some decent mods, rod bearing and throttle actuator issues, terrible MPG and a small tank, looks/feels like a 3-series.

It's absolutely the car to get if you're downsizing to one car. Otherwise, a C2S is a far more focused sports car, in my opinion. The looks, feel, experience, steering, etc

Doug H

I have had 3 997s, still have one and have a 2017 M3 Competition Package. After getting two into college, new younger wife meant new daughter and needed a back seat.

After a long line of Porsches (decades) and various Italians, the F80 is my first real foray into Bimmer land and it is a good car. The back seat is bigger than wife's Macan S and it is actually pretty fun to drive for door family truckster type. I am finding that I grab the keys to it more than I do my 997.2 or any of my two seaters combined.

sf997c2s

These are really helpful. Yeah, the core of the issue is really
a) do I really like putting up with two cars parked in tandem (or just go to one) and
b) wait for the magic of depreciation on F80s. 2015s are already drifting toward 50K...

on a, I'm leaning toward one car. On b, there will always be the next car, so maybe E90 today and something more fun in two years...

GTS Sully

Go find a 4-door 335is instead. Just as good a car, better torque and will cost you less. I've had mine 6 years now and have only had one problem with a charge pipe cracking. $600 including labor. Otherwise it's been 100% trouble free.

sf_c63

Have you considered a Macan or Panamera?

i strongly considered an E9x M3 to primarily drive in the city but I found it really uninteresting to drive below 4K. Arguably that speaks to how composed the car is in normal driving but I wanted something that always reminded me I was driving a sports-oriented car. I purchased a C63 instead and it was a riot to drive at any speeds and any traffic

Drtsk

Not to nitpick but 335is only came in coupe and convertible from 2011 to 2013. I'll take a 335is over e9x M3 all day and everyday. The over booze function is great on the 335is. IMHO, e9x M3 is super overrated. I installed billet SSK, dinan suspension, H&R lowering spring, cp-e chargepipe, dyno tune for my son's 2013 335is. I think it's faster than my 991.1 C2S (but not as fun).

Doug H

Yeah, but a 335 is a plain Jane common, see it coming and going every day. Lease a 440 if you cannot swing the note an F8X ZCP and I also would never own a Bimmer, especially an M, out of warranty.

RE: Macan or Panamera

My wife has a Macan S and it is just too soft and not nearly as fun as a F80 ZCP. The F80 also has more back seat room by far than the Macan. I would go for a CLS or an S7 over the Panamera. Wife has an S7 in Florida and we just dumped her CLS for it. Both are great cars that drive and fell much smaller than they are.

SAN997

How about an E46 M3? It costs less and it has a feel somewhat closer to a 911, in the sense that it's more "raw". The E90 is when BMW started to chase the mainstream luxury market with reduced steering feel, considerable added weight and a big V8.

Another factor, if it matters to you, is that BMW is becoming the Honda Civic of California and the North East corridor in terms of both ubiquity and ghetto fabulousness. The ricers and low-riders of the past are pimping out used 3-series left and right. Its just a matter of time until BMW becomes a victim of its own success.

captainbaker

Lots of guys come over here from BMW ownership....no the other way around.

Bill in Boston

On my 4th BMW now. 135, e90 335, f30 335, and now an f30 340 with the new b58 engine. The 340 is a mad man. Gentle around town but can easily break the rears loose whenever you want. Tons of power and torque from high to low. Best BMW I've owned. Second best was the 135.

I'm also the owner of an IMS solutioned '05 C2. The 340 is faster. 997 more engaging to drive as you'd expect.

Bill in Boston

Further on the 340. You can order one w no options (M Sport is standard now) and leave the dealer for under 50K after some negotiation. For ~$3000 you can can option on the MPPSK and get a factory tune and an m performance exhaust. 370 HP has been reported.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=934650

pavster

Yup after test driving a bunch of Panameras and having an A7 for two years I am now looking for an S7 to replace it. Base to base, A7 feels sportier than a V6 Panamera - lighter, smaller, quicker. Stock S7 has been reported to hit 60 in under 4 seconds. Beautiful car in and out and the hatch makes it very SUV-like in terms of utility. No manual but I find for a family car manual is just a distraction.

Double_J

I loved my E90M and thought it was a great daily driver. I actually liked the fact that it was pretty benign until you got over 4K RPMs. It made it very easy to drive 'normally' and in slick conditions. Once you got on it, the wail of that V8 at redline was inspiring.

That said, I would probably +1 to take a look at a used S7. Likely more space than the M3 and just as fun. Had the S7 existed when I got my M3, there's a chance I would have gone with the Audi.