Wondering if you all have any opinions for me - my wife and I are considering having a family soon and as such - the 330ci coupe we've had and loved for the last 7 years will need to be replaced with a 4-door car. I am probably 6-months out from making this change and my father in-law is in line to buy my 330ci from me.
I am a big guy - nearly 6'6 and almost 300lbs - as such I searched for my e46 for months to find one with a sunroof delete - something I do not regret at all. I even fit with a helmet for the occasional autocross (2-3 times a year) which is a big plus.
I've been researching car prices for two or three models I am considering and have come to the conclusion I think I like two models.
The 550i seems like the reasonable choice to me - its probably 5-8K cheaper than the M3 - a brake job would be half the cost (still double the e46s). Its got 60ft/lbs more torque at a much wider power band, offers marginally better fuel consumption, is only ~300lbs heavier than the M3 and it offers those wonderful comfort seats as standard. I'd have a better pick of the litter too as only maybe 1/3rd of M3s are in my price range where nearly every e60 550i is. I'd prefer a stick shift and these seem findable though just as rare as a M3.
I have always wanted a M3 - I love my 330ci and all the Dinan bits I have put on it - but it has always fell short of an M3 to me. I need to test drive a e90 M3 to see how well I fit in the seats - I am afraid the bolstering will be too aggressive for me. I also am wondering the difference in rear seat room for the soon-needed car seats. One reason this is on my radar is it seems most of them are offered in my desired configuration - a stick shift with no sunroof. I am a little afraid of the maintenance cost - a set of rotors for example is 4-times the cost of those on my 330ci. I just think I would be happy that I sprung for the M3 - something I wish I did years ago - the intangible appeal of owning an M-car is something I'd really love I think.
Both cars seem to be pretty reliable from the research I have been doing - and I know repairs will be between 2-4X the cost of what they were on my e46. I think an advantage the M3 would have that the 550i wouldn't - is it has more active user base like e46Fanatics has been - I DIY all of my repairs and I know this forum has saved me thousands. MPG is nearly a wash - the difference will hardly cost anything yearly. I haven't gotten an insurance quote yet - I am sure the M3 will be a bit more but as they both MSRP'd for close to $70K new they may be close. I think resale value may be better on the M3 making the initial price difference a wash long-term.
I've been cataloging prices, mileage, options, etc so when I am ready to pull the trigger - I know what is a good deal. I hope to test drive a M3 today - the only locally one available is a '11 with 29K on the clock - far too costly to actually buy. I have driven an AT 550i and was pretty impressed with it and loved the seats.
So I know that was a rather long post - but do any of you have experience with either of these cars? I'd love some feedback.
PS - Some background on why I haven't included others:
I am a big guy - nearly 6'6 and almost 300lbs - as such I searched for my e46 for months to find one with a sunroof delete - something I do not regret at all. I even fit with a helmet for the occasional autocross (2-3 times a year) which is a big plus.
I've been researching car prices for two or three models I am considering and have come to the conclusion I think I like two models.
- 08-10 BMW 550i M-Sport (e60)
- 08-10 M3 Sedan (e90) - without sunroof
The 550i seems like the reasonable choice to me - its probably 5-8K cheaper than the M3 - a brake job would be half the cost (still double the e46s). Its got 60ft/lbs more torque at a much wider power band, offers marginally better fuel consumption, is only ~300lbs heavier than the M3 and it offers those wonderful comfort seats as standard. I'd have a better pick of the litter too as only maybe 1/3rd of M3s are in my price range where nearly every e60 550i is. I'd prefer a stick shift and these seem findable though just as rare as a M3.
I have always wanted a M3 - I love my 330ci and all the Dinan bits I have put on it - but it has always fell short of an M3 to me. I need to test drive a e90 M3 to see how well I fit in the seats - I am afraid the bolstering will be too aggressive for me. I also am wondering the difference in rear seat room for the soon-needed car seats. One reason this is on my radar is it seems most of them are offered in my desired configuration - a stick shift with no sunroof. I am a little afraid of the maintenance cost - a set of rotors for example is 4-times the cost of those on my 330ci. I just think I would be happy that I sprung for the M3 - something I wish I did years ago - the intangible appeal of owning an M-car is something I'd really love I think.
Both cars seem to be pretty reliable from the research I have been doing - and I know repairs will be between 2-4X the cost of what they were on my e46. I think an advantage the M3 would have that the 550i wouldn't - is it has more active user base like e46Fanatics has been - I DIY all of my repairs and I know this forum has saved me thousands. MPG is nearly a wash - the difference will hardly cost anything yearly. I haven't gotten an insurance quote yet - I am sure the M3 will be a bit more but as they both MSRP'd for close to $70K new they may be close. I think resale value may be better on the M3 making the initial price difference a wash long-term.
I've been cataloging prices, mileage, options, etc so when I am ready to pull the trigger - I know what is a good deal. I hope to test drive a M3 today - the only locally one available is a '11 with 29K on the clock - far too costly to actually buy. I have driven an AT 550i and was pretty impressed with it and loved the seats.
So I know that was a rather long post - but do any of you have experience with either of these cars? I'd love some feedback.
PS - Some background on why I haven't included others:
- e90 335i - none of these were sold in the US without a sunroof - I just plain do not fit. My best friend has a e92 335i M-Sport that is beautiful - so always feeling my car is uglier than his would stink a little. I also just do not love the way a e90 looks without the M3 body cladding.
- e60 535i - They are very rare with the M-Sport aero kit (front bumper + side skirts) offered on nearly every 550i - they also never came with the style 172 spyder wheels I adore.
- '11+ 535i (f10) - These are roughly the same price as the M3 - I think it may just be too big and potentially too slow. They also do not offer as much headroom as a e60.
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