BMW Worth Their Price-Per-Performance?

For a 2013 or 2014 sports car, I am looking for a nice looking coupe. Although I love BMW's with a passion, I feel like their price is a tad high for just their performance value.

In other words, I can spend almost $40k for a 328i coupe or spend 30k for a GT Mustang can get much better performance. When I mean performance by the way, I mean a car that can handle turns well, hit 60mph in a few seconds, and sound and look like a true sports car.

My question is as follows. Are BMW's great cars for their price if you're aiming for just performance? Or should I be looking at more Chevy and Ford sports cars since they are cheaper and have better performance for around 20k-40k it seems.

Thoughts? Advice? Opinions?

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by Zyg

For a 2013 or 2014 sports car, I am looking for a nice looking coupe. Although I love BMW's with a passion, I feel like their price is a tad high for just their performance value.

In other words, I can spend almost $40k for a 328i coupe organic spend 30k for a GT Mustang can get much better performance. When I mean performance by the way, I mean a car that can handle turns well, hit 60mph in a few seconds, and sound and look like a true sports car.

My question is as follows. Are BMW's great cars for their price if you're aiming for just performance? Or should I be looking at more Chevy and Ford sports cars since they are cheaper and have better performance for around 20k-40k it seems.

Thoughts? Advice? Opinions?

Thanks everyone!

hp maybe but performance no. drive both and your notice the huge difference. BMW's are a different breed altogether. sounds like you'd be into a m3 m2 or m5.or an frs or brz since your concerned with price

Originally Posted by mr29

hp maybe but performance no. drive both and your notice the huge difference. BMW's are a different breed altogether. sounds like you'd be into a m3 m2 or m5.or an frs or brz since your concerned with price

The M3 is over $60k and hits 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds.

The Mustang Gt is almost $30k and hits 0-60 in less than 4.5 seconds.


Although I can agree that the M3 is louder, looks nicer, and is made of better material, it is twice the price of the classic American sports car (Shelby Gt) and is slightly slower. Why is that though?

I haven't checked out the FRS or BRZ though.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Zyg

The M3 is over $60k and hits 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds.

The Mustang Gt is almost $30k and hits 0-60 in less than 4.5 seconds.


Although I can agree that the M3 is louder, looks nicer, and is made of better material, it is twice the price of the classic American sports car (Shelby Gt) and is slightly slower. Why is that though?

I haven't checked out the FRS or BRZ though.

Thank you!

Nobody says you have to buy new, nothing wrong with a used M3. IMO a used 2008-2009 M3 would be much better than a new Mustang GT.

Performance / Price ratio I'd get a 'Vette. Mustang GT also very good.

Originally Posted by Zyg

The M3 is over $60k and hits 0-60 in about 4.5 seconds.

The Mustang Gt is almost $30k and hits 0-60 in less than 4.5 seconds.


Although I can agree that the M3 is louder, looks nicer, and is made of better material, it is twice the price of the classic American sports car (Shelby Gt) and is slightly slower. Why is that though?

I haven't checked out the FRS or BRZ though.

Thank you!

Go drive an E9x. Hit 8K. Brake. Hard. That should help you.


FRS/BRZ sound great, have not had the chance to even see one yet.

Originally Posted by MMME30W

Go drive an E9x. Hit 8K. Brake. Hard. That should help you.


FRS/BRZ sound great, have not had the chance to even see one yet.

checked out the frs last year they look great but for 26k its lacking in the luxury area

Originally Posted by MMME30W

Performance / Price ratio I'd get a 'Vette. Mustang GT also very good.

if your worried about 0 to 60 times and nothing else I've driven both power is fun but a bmw is a BMW you gotta drive one and your be hooked. you'd probably like the 135 it has many m3 traits at a fraction of the price

You have a decent performance car in your '98 328i. A new 328i is gonna feel soft and uninvolving in comparison to your E36. If you want to go BMW performance, get a 2010 or 2011 135i or 335i. That will have the muscle of the Mustang, and all the refinement and build quality of a BMW.

If I was in the coupe market, I'd buy the Mustang, though i'd get the Boss 302. It may cost $5-10k more but the resale will more than make up for it. It'll be a classic in 10 years, while the GT will be worthless.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I really appreciate all of this helpful advice and input. I am still trying to learn some stuff about cars and figure out what I want. I did look into the FRS and BRZ and WRX but they are all actually slower than my current car and also not as "loud" or "impressive" looking.

My current 1998 328i (e36) is going to be sold since there is way too much effort and work to be done to restore it. I can agree that BMW's are probably one of the best types of cars out there. I have never really cared for luxury (sunroof, GPS, multiple radio stations, etc) but more for performance and then looks.

This is a bit of a dumb question, but I am getting different answers and responses from different people both reading on the forums/online and in person. It seems that both the 1 series and 3 series (none-M) have similar pros and cons.

But of the three cars, which is the fastest from 0-60 of course?

Also has the best driving and handling?

2013/2014 (128i coupe)
2013/2014 (328i coupe)
1998 (328i sedan)


Thank you everyone so much again for the help!

if your worried about 0 to 60 not sure if these are what you want. the 135 stock or with stage 1 or 2 sounds more up your alley. if your really worried about times off the line or a souped up honda or etc. as far as handling i am not sure as i haven't driven an 98

If luxury and handling are not issues, I would find a nice V8 powered muscle-car.

Bighorns and Mr29 what cars would you suggest then?

I want something that hits 60mph in 5 seconds but also is loud and drives well, and of course, also fun.

Doing a little bit of research I seem to be stumbling across (if I were to go with BMW's) a 335i, but they are only coming in automatic it seems.

Any suggestions?

There are a lot of cars that can go fast. The new corvette is fast, but it has characterictics that other makes do not.
So if you want a real fast straight line car you will need to pay more. If you just want a dd sports car; the Chev Camaro or Corvette or Ford Mustang are fine.
Consider a STi? WRX, BRZ ??? lots of sport cars.
Try em, you will find one very easily.
M3 is a great choice as well.

Originally Posted by Zyg

But of the three cars, which is the fastest from 0-60 of course?

Also has the best driving and handling?

2013/2014 (128i coupe)
2013/2014 (328i coupe)
1998 (328i sedan)

I'd guess the 128i is the fastest of the three, but not by much, and the E36 will feel faster, since it's not isolated like the other two.

If you want the sweet sound you're used to, you'll hate the turbo 4, get a 135i or 135is, that turbo six sounds incredible and they are Mustang GT fast.

And the most fun might be an E46 M3, if you don't mind higher maintenance costs. Get the competition package unless you plan to do your own mods, then you can probably skip it.

personally I'd still get the 135is, cause it's much more rare and a bit of a sleeper - I've seen so many E46 M3s I'm kind of tired of them.

When BMWs stop being great cars for the price sales will fall and the company will make adjustments as needed. Some say they are already doing just that.

Originally Posted by Zyg

Are BMW's great cars for their price if you're aiming for just performance?

New ones? No.


Sadly, the Elise isn't available new in the US anymore. Here in the UK an Elise S is about the same price as a fast 3 series. 0-60 in 4.2 seconds.

A Caterham is but might be out of your price range. I spent a day with a 7. Amazing car and more comfortable than you might think.

It all depends on your budget. Mustang GT seems to be a lot of bang for your buck. Cadillac CTS-V, being a sedan, can be a lot of fun since the average person doesn't know the difference between this model and a plain old CTS, and they handle. Challenger SRT8 is mean, and beautiful, and commands a lot of respect on the street. And of course, even the base model Corvettes are pretty quick, and look cool.