997_rich

I've owned E30, E34, E36, E46 and now I have a 4 door E90. I also have a 911 C2. The BMW is fine.. we use it as a family car but it's not really that engaging. It feels really big on the road almost like a luxury car. I might be tempted to force the family into 1 or 2 series M car in a few years but I'll still be keeping this 911 (or maybe upgrade to a GTS or maybe a cayman R). To me, the M cars are nice but they're really a comprimise to get 4 useable seats and maybe flip down rear seats for home depot runs. It doesn't feel like a substitute for a 911/cayman.

In europe they have the 1 series 4 door hatch with rear wheel drive. I've had several as rental cars. If they made an M version of that car I'd be buying one next week. It's smaller and the 4 doors and a hatch are great. (Do you hear me BMW? are you trolling the Porsche forums?).

KNS

If they sold the little 1 series hatch that the sell in Europe over here, I'd buy one as well. Sadly, I don't think BMW is really listening to enthusiasts anymore, at least not here in the states. A 1 series hatch might tarnish the luxury image over here.

0-Steve

I can't speak for an M car as I've never owned one but I will speak on behalf of the 5 BMWs I've had over the past 10 years. The quality on the 1-4 series (including M) is FAR inferior to the upper 5-7 series. I was reluctant to get a new 550 (business/daily driver) but have been pleasantly surprised at how nice it is. Its large, overweight, quiet, isolated and gets terrible gas mileage but for some reason I truly like being in it. Its quick, extremely comfortable, the tech is amazing and appears to be built rock solid (all different interior materials than 3/4 series - including M cars).

Of course it makes driving the 911 on weekends that much more special!

wardrive

As a previous owner of numerous Ms including the last gen e92 M3, I can say that as the cars been getting newer, I'm appreciating the older gen Ms only because they were great driving/handling machines. Now the new cars are bigger, faster and have tons of tech but aren't really that engaging compared to the P-cars I now drive (997 and 968).

As many have stated on this thread, BMW has lost its way. Its no longer making cars for enthusiast like the old M buyers but for the masses - i.e. creative comforts, higher gas mileage, sync in exhaust sound via speakers, etc.

If I'll buy future BMWs they will be older generation cars. My brother has the e46 M3 and I think thats the '993' of its model.

cvtbenhogan

That's why I love my e60 550, the last 5 series justifying German sports sedan description. The f10 and others are tech beasts with max comfort. Things move on.

As for the m4, it's very impressive. They kept it light and the old v8 motor lacked torque. I'd really liked the m3 though and wanted one. But I couldn't get by 14 mpg in the city. Stupid to me. M4 corrects this.

As for the m4, it's probably bmw's best offering now. The sound and electric steering wouldn't deter me from buying. The performance is stellar.

That said, I'm hooked on Porsches now. Sorry Munchen.

jhbrennan

Sold 2007 997 TT (6MT) bought 2008 M5 (SMG) - was back in a 2008 997 TT (6MT) within 6 months. Sold 2008 997 TT bought 2012 M3 (DCT) - was back in 2012 997 GTS (6MT) in 5 months. You'd think I'd learn. BMW and Porsche very different and with me Porsche wins out. I've learned my lesson.

Redline911

One nuance here is that your 997's were top of the line. Those Turbo's new were what, $130k and the GTS $115k? Compare that to a 70k new M3 and of course the Porsche wins.

My OP was talking about what kind of 997 I can get into for the same $70k as the new M4. I haven't seen a GTS dip that low. A new car warranty and free maintenance for 4 years is a very temping factor to the M4.

Perk10

Well I might as well chime in since I seem to fit the bill here. . . Growing up, my parents had a brand new Z3, 2x 740iL, 2x 525i, and others I cannot remember. I was in my teens and loved the quality which is part of why I am such a "car guy" today.

My first BMW was a 2001 325i which was built like a tank. Real leather, heavy doors, etc. Liked it enough that I bought an X5. Loved that car, too. It was a 4.4is and the V8 coupled with the sports suspension and other components really made it fun to drive.

Lastly and before ultimately ending up in my current Porsche I owned and daily drove an E46 M3. I loved almost everything about it. It was one of the greatest DD's I could ask for and I truly enjoyed it. This is why I was so disappointed when I started looking at new cars and couldn't get excited about the E92 M3. I also considered a 335is but even that car didn't have an excitement factor like my E46 S54 bearing M3 did... I've always loved 911's (which I also grew up in), so I knew it was time. Can't see myself ever going back.