OldGuy

I dont think that right now the price point is $70K
I am guessing I could have bought any M3 on that lot for $60K+fees.
If youre interested NOW is a good time and go get that impossible deal.
EVEN on a Audi RS 4

///Mous3

Dave I

I have been looking at M3 coupes online for several weeks, and there are none that are configured under $60k (at least in the Bay Area and SoCal). The majority have Technology Package, Premium Package, and various other stuff that puts the msrp in the $66k-$69k range, and that is before considering DCT. I suppose you could order one configured to come out at $58.7k, but then you're talking '09, and they're not likely to be discounting those for now.

Alan Smithee

The economy is obviously a factor, but if the M3 was an improvement over the E46 in every way, there would be lines around the block for them like there were from 2001-2003. I had an E36 M3/4 and E46 M3, but the E92 is disappointing. Sounds like it has a great motor, but it is too ugly inside and out and too heavy for me to even consider a test drive. The ridiculous electronic aids and crappy fuel economy (my E36 got 30mpg on the highway!) do nothing to tempt me. This is a car that nobody asked BMW for.

OldGuy

ALan I hate to disagree with you but there are a few people including here that bought the M3
I think its a good price. it was fun to drive and outside the 335i I dont know of anything thats at that
price point less than 60K thats that fast.
Am I missing something?

roberga

plus they pay for your rotors and pads!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a dealer send me an email regarding the M3 and the willingness to deal. I just can not bring myself to switch from my old 57,000 mile GT3 to the new M3. I need to have to point one by then maybe.

shustermeister

+1 for Charlotte NC. At least 4 M3's on the lot (didn't go in the showroom to see if another was in there) and they were all priced 65k+. That's a lot of money for a 3 series, even with the goodies the M3 has. I had an E36 M3 and it was nice, but I had my share of issues and it's pretty much turned me off to BMW ownership...

OldGuy

Shuster I think its still going to be around 63 out the door.
I dont mind paying low 40s for the 335i and the M3 wouldnt be bad. BUT to be honest I would
try a RS 4 First and if I could get a comparable deal I would get that RS4 THEN the M3 depending on the
deal The RS4 sounded and looked better to me and had more goodies.

allegretto

Agree

I had a 335i and now an M3. Further, the "M" package isn't activated until your 1200 mi check up so you cannot use it on a test drive in any case. I think that's a mistake that their demos generally are too new. They should activate the software early on them since they often come off underpowered otherwise.

The 335i pulls nicely at lower revs and it's easy to think that in the engine dept the 335i is nearly as good.

But after they activate the software, it's really no contest. Further, with the different ride modes the M3 can be softer than a 335 or firmer.

Both cars are nice and it's funny I was speaking to the GM at the dealership the other day; he joked that he's surprised that I've kept mine for 2 mo (the dealers on the street know me). I told him I'd dump it in a second but I can't find a better car at this price point to just DD and have fun with.

Yeah, it's heavy. But it's still very well balanced and is very easy to point or rotate with the proper inputs.

OldGuy

Allgretto have you driven the RS 4? COmpared to the M3?

Alan Smithee

Sure, it's fast...but in terms of power, weight, and size, it's closing in on the previous generation M5. That's not what the M3 used to be about.

In 2001 the M3 weighed 10% more than the 911, and had 10% more power. Performance was similar, and both were at home on the track. You traded some sports car feel for a real back seat and trunk, saving ~25% in the process.

Now the M3 weighs almost 20% more than the 911, and has 20% more power. Performance is still similar, but the M3 has turned into a cruiser and resorts to electronic gimmicks to replicate the previous feel. And it's only about 15% less than a 911 now.

shustermeister

Could be that one might get out the door with one at 63, depending on how long it's been sitting. Still a lot of money. Low 40's for the 335, put in a chip to add a little boost and you're probably going to have a darn fast car for under 45.
I had an A4 back in '98 and it was great - solid, fun to drive, even with the 1.8T and sport suspension it was very nice. The RS4 is surely a beast, but that car seems priced in the stratosphere. I don't care how nice it is, the last time I looked at the sticker on one it was around 74k. Even at 10k off, it's overpriced. I believe a new RS4 is coming in about a year, and the current RS4 will probably have its value plummet when that happens. If so, picking up a 2 year old, low mileage RS4 in the mid to high 40's would be attractive.

OldGuy

Pics of the 335i

allegretto

Sure. I've test driven the RS 4 twice and the convert once. On paper it's hard not to be interested and so I'd have loved to have one. Great 4-season car for the enthusiast, right?

But I gotta say it's an Audi through and through. You cant dial that AWD understeer out. On the track you can man-handle it around by hard and late braking to rotate and power out. But on the street...it's just heavy and slow feeling to me in terms of response. It is, after all a street car.

It's like this; the M3 feels lighter than it is, the RS heavier.

JMO,but that's how it felt to me.

allegretto

So, you've tracked one?

See the reason I ask is that you are repeating what everyone who has not tracked it says. Then most who do modify their comments to some extent.

ALL street cars are getting heavier and softer than they "used to be". ALL of them are getting the electro-nannies. That's why the GT3 appeals to many car guys...because it's not going in that direction nearly as fast. But it is too. Wait till the new engine and PDK...like a Town Car