posted
Over the past year my wife has been nagging me to get rid of one of my cars, I only have 2????. So, I started thinking about it last week and went out today. I test drove a 2004 BMW M3. I have to say I was very inpressed with this machine. It has a 6 cyl 330 hp engine that redlines at 7k. It had 6 Throttle bodyies, dual exhaust and a 6sp. It is as quick as the SS but very nimble. The more I drove it the more I liked it, the only drawback was the $56k price tag. I had them run the numbers on putting about $20k down and leasing it for 36 months with 15k mile/yr limit the payment were only about $300/month. They have a pretty good lease program and come up with osme creative ways to finance and actually buy the car or re-lease it after 36 months. I have to say it is very tempting to sell the SS and the Blazer and lease this machine. To purchase it would cost me about double that per month. I have not decided what to do and before I talk to the wife about it, I need to have all the figures in place to include how much its going to save us per month.
Posts: 165 | From: Petersburg, Va | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Prediction: After your lease is up, you'll regret that you got rid of a legandary car just to borrow an image car for a couple years. Your married, its not like you need to pull any women.
-------------------- 99 Black SS #0275 Posts: 189 | From: Steeler Country | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
M3's are real nice machines! I would store the SS, sell the Blazer, and lease the M3. You could always buy it off lease later, but repair parts are really expensive for those when it starts needing to be fixed.
I would lease with no money down (or as little as you can).
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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Its your money. But I agree with the above statements. If you lease it thats one thing, but damn the maintenance on them is expensive.
BMW makes REALLY nice cars.
Go find a BMW dealership and find out how many techs drive BMWs. And YES BMW techs make a good salary too. THEN you can find out first hand if the car is what everyone THINKS it is.
I have found Mercedes techs would never buy a Mercedes. Wierd.
Posts: 1031 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
No flame intended, MHO: If you're like me, you like to perform your own maintenance on your cars. Kiss that goodbye with a Bimmer, Volvo, Saab, M-B. They are not operator friendly when it comes to simple maintenance. If you don't do your own upkeep and you want to piss away a lot of money for a VERY good automobile (which is only what it is, despite BMW's snobbish marketing that it is a "driving machine"), go for it. They really are good cars, and that is reflected in their sales... which is another reason I find them somewhat boring. Around here BMW's - even M3's - are a dime a dozen. *yawn* The attraction to the SS for me is the opposite: Incredible bang-for-the-buck, easy and inexpensive to maintain, and it STILL inspires strangers to come up to me and ask about the car becasue there are so few examples of it around.
-------------------- '00 SS #6522 Black on Black T-Top MN6
Have You Forgotten How You Felt That Day? Never Forget 9/11/01. Posts: 184 | From: Harleysville, Pennsylvania | Registered: May 2000
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BMW's are great cars. But, did you look at any of their used models? BMW's used cars are a lot cheaper and many of them will come with a 100K mile warranty too.
-------------------- Dave S Black 2000 Camaro SS Posts: 502 | From: Fort Mill, South Carolina....Charlotte | Registered: Aug 2003
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Did you by any chance try the new Mazada RX8? They have mucho room, fully equipped with navigation is around 34K. They do not have much in the way of TQ but I think you would be pleasently surprised.
-------------------- Incon Twin Turbo installed by Norris Motorsports SLP Loudmouth SLP Center Quad SLP Dash Plaque SLP Floor Mats SLP SS Grille Edelbrock Torque Arm Edelbrock SFC MAC Panhard Rod BMR Control Arms Stripe by "Peerless Paint & Body: Proud owner: TT 2000SS: 486 RWHP 493 RWTQ 2001 C5: 308RWHP/340RWTQ 1997 C5 Posts: 918 | From: Davie, Fl., USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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$20,000 down on a lease????!!!! plus $300 a mo for 36, mos?
36mos. X $300 = $10,800 + $20,000 down = $30,800 + TTL . . .
One very damed expensive three year rental, and what do you have at the end? Zip - Zero - Nada, oh emptier pockets . . . God forbid, if anything happens to the car or you go over in miles . . .
[ 15. June 2004, 10:01 AM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]
Posts: 608 | From: Schaumburg, IL | Registered: Sep 2000
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...that's a crazy down payment number for a lease. I've looked at leasing Vettes, Vipers, Mersedes, and even a Ferrari at one time...no one ever required that kind of a down payment on the vehicle...
-------------------- 'b0
1991 Formula SLP350 A4 2001 Mitsu Eclipse GT A4 2001 Chevy Blazer ZR2 4x4 2002 SOM Trans Am Firehawk M6 #360
posted
Ya, that's gotta be $2k down... but that can't be right, then it would only be $12k for three years. $30k for a three year rental? I knew M3's were expensive, but really... That means if I leased an M3 in 2000 instead of buying the SS for the same price, I would have turned it in last year! AT least I still have a black low-milage garage queen to toy with, instead of... nothing!
[ 15. June 2004, 10:44 AM: Message edited by: Harry P ]
-------------------- '00 SS #6522 Black on Black T-Top MN6
Have You Forgotten How You Felt That Day? Never Forget 9/11/01. Posts: 184 | From: Harleysville, Pennsylvania | Registered: May 2000
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OOOoo Oooooo....how did I miss this thread.
M3....
Contrary to what was said...you can do your own maintenence on a BMW. Check out some of the Bimmer boards. These peeps are as mod crazy as any other brand enthusiast and love to work on their own cars.
I also think that after you've owned a BMW...you'll find it hard to go back to what you've been in. I know I won't.
Maybe look for CPO cars...Certified Pre-Owned...let someone else take the hit. Full warranty until 100K or two years after the original warranty is up. I just picked up a CPO 2002 540i 6-speed two months ago. I am IN LOVE with this car.
Page Darren (DigglerSS)...he is a BMW tech and he will give you the scoop on one of the finest vehicles (M - class) ever made.
-------------------- 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe RS/SS 350 - Quasar Blue, LOADED and just happens to be my pride and joy. 2002 BMW 540i 6-speed - Jet Black, nicely optioned (Daily Driver) 2000 BMW 323i 5-speed - Titanium Silver, nicely optioned (Wifes car)
posted
I am always happy to see completely unbiased opinions on this board.
Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Harry P: Around here BMW's - even M3's - are a dime a dozen. *yawn*
M3's are much more rare than a Camaro SS. True...lots of 3-series on the road...quality product sells. But an M3 stands out.
The only "image" that goes with a car is the one percieved by those who are narrow minded. BMW's are supposed to be snobby, yuppie cars. Camaros are a redneck car. I never bought into either image....who gives a crap what other people think...buy what YOU want.
[ 15. June 2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: MMMM_ERT ]
Posts: 700 | From: Fighting the Nazis of the world..... | Registered: Jul 2002
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posted
I apprecaite all the input. I've been thinking very hard about this. M3 are hard to find in certain colors and there are very few left out there that have not been spoken for. The price is very steep and I have a hard time convincing myself this is the best move. To lease it with only a couple grand down would still put the payment near $1k/month. To trade them outright would be the way to go. I spoke to the wife this morning about it and now she is changing her mind. She feels that we need 3 cars at this point in time and she does not want to get rid of either of these vechiles. She then made the statement that if we got rid of anything it would be the SS and not the truck. I told her that was not going to happen (.).
If I could swing it, that M3 would be sitting in the driveway today, but after drinking many Mike's Hard Lemonades and many hours of driving today, I'mm going to let this one pass by.Prehaps oneday though.
Posts: 165 | From: Petersburg, Va | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
M5 is one that would make my list, that or an E55 - one day, after kids are all done college.
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
We have a fellow from Grand Forks come up to our AutoX events with a previous gen 4 door M3. He whips our collective butts ...S2000s, MIata's, Corvettes, Porsches, BMW's, Hondas, Nissans, Subarus, Camaro ....
I can only imagine what he would do with a current gen
[ 15. June 2004, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Oh well, it's your money and I hear they do have nice service centers with leather couches and female attendants. Fresh skones and crumpits with your Starbucks while you wait too Posts: 545 | From: Gardnerville, NV. | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by SSHEETS: Oh well, it's your money and I hear they do have nice service centers with leather couches and female attendants. Fresh skones and crumpits with your Starbucks while you wait too
For a $31,000 lease they better have topless female attendants, free Heinekin, pedicures, and kiss my ASS.
Posts: 608 | From: Schaumburg, IL | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by SSHEETS: Noooooooooooooo...
Oh well, it's your money and I hear they do have nice service centers with leather couches and female attendants. Fresh skones and crumpits with your Starbucks while you wait too
Don't forget the requisite BMW coffee mug to go on your desk to let everyone know what kind of car you drive...
Read down a little further Tim...he's safe...for now. You haven't lost another of the troops yet .
Posts: 700 | From: Fighting the Nazis of the world..... | Registered: Jul 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Harry P: The attraction to the SS for me is the opposite: Incredible bang-for-the-buck, easy and inexpensive to maintain, and it STILL inspires strangers to come up to me and ask about the car becasue there are so few examples of it around.
DITTO! Hit the hammer right on the NAIL! You don't see many 100 car BMW caravans do you??
And the reaction from people will never change either!
Fbody people are the best! A great down to earth bunch who love their toys! Don't sell her man. Somebody email this guy a cold compress quick!!
quote:Originally posted by Harry P: Around here BMW's - even M3's - are a dime a dozen. *yawn*
M3's are much more rare than a Camaro SS. True...lots of 3-series on the road... quality product sells. But an M3 stands out.
Must be where you live, 'cause I see a handful of M3's here every week, a lot of C5's, and virtually no SS's. It's very rare to see an SS - at the most 1 or 2 a week.
Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Harry P: Around here BMW's - even M3's - are a dime a dozen. *yawn*
M3's are much more rare than a Camaro SS. True...lots of 3-series on the road... quality product sells. But an M3 stands out.
Must be where you live, 'cause I see a handful of M3's here every week, a lot of C5's, and virtually no SS's. It's very rare to see an SS - at the most 1 or 2 a week.
Yup ditto here. I see M3's everyday and not the same ones. C5's? They are like air! EVERYWHERE!
Its rare to see an SS or Firehawk or even a WS6.
Posts: 1031 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Used to be one other SS around here, lately I've seen a few more. Tons of 5 and 3 series Bimmers and a few Ms. Also about 3-4 Cayannes locally. Still the requisite amount of Nevada 4x4s with gun racks and conferate flags Posts: 545 | From: Gardnerville, NV. | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Harry P: The attraction to the SS for me is the opposite: Incredible bang-for-the-buck, easy and inexpensive to maintain, and it STILL inspires strangers to come up to me and ask about the car becasue there are so few examples of it around.
DITTO! Hit the hammer right on the NAIL! You don't see many 100 car BMW caravans do you??
And the reaction from people will never change either!
Fbody people are the best! A great down to earth bunch who love their toys! Don't sell her man. Somebody email this guy a cold compress quick!!
I totally agree, SS's are still something you don't see everyday and people STILL come up to me and ask "WHAT IS THAT??!!" I love when that happens!!!
Posts: 110 | From: Chicago IL | Registered: Jul 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Harry P: Around here BMW's - even M3's - are a dime a dozen. *yawn*
M3's are much more rare than a Camaro SS. True...lots of 3-series on the road... quality product sells. But an M3 stands out.
Must be where you live, 'cause I see a handful of M3's here every week, a lot of C5's, and virtually no SS's. It's very rare to see an SS - at the most 1 or 2 a week.
Same here, not many SS's in Chicago but PLENTY of C5's, M3's, and even new Vipers!!
Posts: 110 | From: Chicago IL | Registered: Jul 2002
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quote:Originally posted by laraandre: and people STILL come up to me and ask "WHAT IS THAT??!!" I love when that happens!!!
They ask because GM failed to market them adaquetely....
-------------------- 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe RS/SS 350 - Quasar Blue, LOADED and just happens to be my pride and joy. 2002 BMW 540i 6-speed - Jet Black, nicely optioned (Daily Driver) 2000 BMW 323i 5-speed - Titanium Silver, nicely optioned (Wifes car)
quote:Originally posted by laraandre: and people STILL come up to me and ask "WHAT IS THAT??!!" I love when that happens!!!
They ask because GM failed to market them adaquetely....
Their loss is my gain. Again, that's why I bought it.
Not to flame you, I know you're into your Bimmers, but I just gotta say... I am a car guy, I know the difference between an M and a 3 series... M3's are all over the place here in the Philly burbs, along with a lot of over-priced, under-utilized Porsche, Lexus, BMW & Acura SUV's. Wonderful cars, yes. Status symbols, yes (like having the need for a BMW mug on your desk). There are also too many other Bimmers here... they are like Honda Accords during the Eighties. A college intern at work drives a 525. Everybody drives them.
I friend of mine is an FAA certified airplane/helecopter inspector and mechanic, who is also a car guy. It was he who taught me a world of things about building cars, and after getting under the hood of his wife's 2001 5 series, he said to stick to American iron... it's a lot easier and a lot less expensive to toy with. I'm sure BMW fans like to mod their cars, but I don't think that as many pull engines (and change heads and cams and...) as small block Chevy and Ford fans do. Just my experience. Pre-owned? If I'm going pre-owned and spending what a used M3 is going for, it's going to be a rat motor classic ready to turn twelves. I can trash an SS and buy another for less $ than one M3. Is the M3 better? Probably, but I don't care. A Viper is better, but I don't feel the need to drive one. It won't satisfy me (because the cost will eat away at me) and I could care less about anybody else's opinion (obviously, since I proudly drive a Camaro), so why piss my money away? It's a personal decision.
[ 16. June 2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Harry P ]
-------------------- '00 SS #6522 Black on Black T-Top MN6
Have You Forgotten How You Felt That Day? Never Forget 9/11/01. Posts: 184 | From: Harleysville, Pennsylvania | Registered: May 2000
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But why is it okay to have a bowtie mug on a Chevy fans desk? Perception.
Sorry, I don't see owning a BMW as a status thing. Personally, I hate status symbols. ...and yes, people by them for that image. But again...there is an image also that goes with Camaro ownership...and its not a good one either. Like I said...who gives a crap what people think.
I'm happy with my choice...glad you're happy with yours.
Whatever blows your skirt up...
-------------------- 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe RS/SS 350 - Quasar Blue, LOADED and just happens to be my pride and joy. 2002 BMW 540i 6-speed - Jet Black, nicely optioned (Daily Driver) 2000 BMW 323i 5-speed - Titanium Silver, nicely optioned (Wifes car)
posted
I'm really surprise this thread has gotten so much attention. Thats what make this board sooooo coooool people are free to disagree.
Just for grins I look around for low milage M3s. Any M3 from 2001 to date with less low milage was between 40-49K. I found one a 2001 with 52k miles and they were askinf 38.9k. They seem to hold their value real well.
posted
Been a while since I have lurked here.......happened to catch this thread.
Doug, the M3 is a bad machine. I am sure you know this by now, sounds like you got a chance to get the feel for one yourself. The M3's have been fairly solid, from a technicians standpoint. The only real problem we have seen involves some earlier production M3's (around 2001 model), with inadequate oil pumps.....which eventually would spin bearings. IMO I would stay away from the early year E46 M3. A solid used model would be preferably a 2002-up. Just like any other vehicle though, you have that thought in your mind of what that particular vehicle has been through......you really have no way of knowing all of its history. My opinion would be this: if you can afford the M3, in all aspects...get a new one. Order one the way you want it; color, wheels, stereo, etc.
Maintainance wise, make sure your dealer goes over average costs. Parts are the main expense. The E46 M3's for instance, use Castrol TWS 10W60 synthetic. My dealership charges around $10 per quart....the M3 holds 7 quarts. I believe the oil filter (with canister o-ring and drain plug gasket) is around $30. Thats $100 in parts just for an oil change. You get the first few included anyways......all services under warranty are covered. BMW recommends oil services every 15,000 miles anyways. I personally recommend 7,500. Price tires. We see an average of about 10,000 miles out of the rears....and about 15,000 out of the front tires. Those are just a few things.
Now for a new car, I demand you order Silver Gray Metallic, with Cinnamon interior with brushed aluminum trim, with the 19" alloy wheels. BTW, you drove the 6 speed......did you take a SMG out for a spin? I have the feeling that you will LOVE it. Nothing like slapping a paddle shifter with your fingers while cruising through the gears at WOT.....and neither hand ever leaves the steering wheel. And if the M3 doesnt have enough grunt for you, there is a bunch of aftermarket goodies, including a new supercharger kit that has just been released for the M3.
Lots of choices for you. If you were to personally ask me what I thought, I would tell you that the SS seems to be your car. That 30th will bring more looks all day long. I think the M3 has a stereotype that you will not like. The car is incredible, hands down......but there are things that come along with it that make it a hard decision.
My solution: keep the SS. Buy another SS for a daily driver. Best of both worlds, and still come home spending less than the price of the M3.
posted
Not to flame your wife or anything.....but as a different female perspective....
WHYYYYYY do some women always want the guy to "sell the SS" for something practical or luxurious or whatever??? I would give my eyeteeth if my ex were as excited about my car as I am......and HE was the one that made ME sell the first one.... .....talk about role reversal!!
Posts: 3236 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote:Originally posted by SSHEETS: Noooooooooooooo...
Oh well, it's your money and I hear they do have nice service centers with leather couches and female attendants. Fresh skones and crumpits with your Starbucks while you wait too
..."skones and crumpits"... I beleave your confusing the British with the Germans. In some parts of the world this can be very bad for your health!
Zo, that would be Bier unt Brats mit sie Froulein.
posted
So they would have beer and bratwurst instead?
-------------------- Jim Mac '98 Silver SS #108 Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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plus $300 a mo for 36, mos?
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