M3 Dilema

So guys I have been and continue to be a massive BMW fan. Currently I have a E46 330 M exec pack sedan beauty. I love it but KMs are getting up there now, 85K.
Been looking for a M3 sedan 2011/2012 DCT for a while now but not many around and I am still undecided on 2 things:
1. day to day reliability/suitability for a short daily commute of 5km's
2. will I really appreciate a high revving V8 for a day to day urban commute

Love this forum and looking forward to what you guys come back at me with - good and bad!

1. No, but you are not buying this car for the daily commute... I have a similar commute and there is no need for the V8 on a 5k commute. It is the weekends where you get to open it up, whether it is a track or just a deserted stretch of road somewhere! Does it work for daily driving? Sure, but as you know the gas mileage is not good. That was not a consideration in my purhcase.

2. See #1...

As for reliability, my car is almost two years old and has been flawless! I will note that all recent BMW's (M3 and my old 550 and 545) were/are power hogs. Nothing but 5k drives every day could result in the battery not being charged enough. A good long run over the weekend at highway speeds will take care of that.

Originally Posted by jockstrap

1. day to day reliability/suitability for a short daily commute of 5km's
2. will I really appreciate a high revving V8 for a day to day urban commute

Love this forum and looking forward to what you guys come back at me with - good and bad!

1. Absolutely. I'm active on several boards, and the NA M3 V8 consistently is referred to as one of the most reliable models in BMWs lineup.

2. I do. Just think - You get to go to M School every day.

I have the same commute and it no kidding does not get warmed up enough to drive. Only on weekends or longer drives does it get opened up.

25k miles on mine with zero issues. This car is a hoot wether you are going slow, fast, short or long distance. Everything about it feel right. Highly recommended. And yes E90 M3s are quite rare. Short model cycle and if I remember right something like only one in five E9X M3s are E90s. Happy hunting.

Originally Posted by solstice

25k miles on mine with zero issues. This car is a hoot wether you are going slow, fast, short or long distance. Everything about it feel right. Highly recommended. And yes E90 M3s are quite rare. Short model cycle and if I remember right something like only one in five E9X M3s are E90s. Happy hunting.

+1

6,000 miles in and i'm more in love. i think she's getting stronger.. quick pic attached

Originally Posted by solstice

25k miles on mine with zero issues. This car is a hoot wether you are going slow, fast, short or long distance. Everything about it feel right. Highly recommended. And yes E90 M3s are quite rare. Short model cycle and if I remember right something like only one in five E9X M3s are E90s. Happy hunting.

Originally Posted by highyo

+1

6,000 miles in and i'm more in love. i think she's getting stronger.. quick pic attached

+2 - 11 K miles - and bullet proof -

I sport a giant grin jus' thinking about pushing the start button....

vrrroooommmm!

Thanks gang - off the dealer (BMW Laval Quebec) this Fri to see what they can do for me!

God, the M3 just looks gorgeous.

Originally Posted by jockstrap

Thanks gang - off the dealer (BMW Laval Quebec) this Fri to see what they can do for me!

Good luck! Hope you can walk out of there with something sexy

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

God, the M3 just looks gorgeous.

+1 perfection.....

Update - decision made. Now I have to find a DCT Sedan. Looking for a 2011/2012 with low miles. I feel like a kid again, checking BMW website every morning hoping to find what I want Thanks for all your advice/comments.

Originally Posted by jockstrap

Update - decision made. Now I have to find a DCT Sedan. Looking for a 2011/2012 with low miles. I feel like a kid again, checking BMW website every morning hoping to find what I want Thanks for all your advice/comments.

I can help you look for a car, drop me a pm with your location and specifications for the car like mileage, color, packages, etc. and give me a price range. I'll try to see what I can find you, good luck on your search!

Originally Posted by solstice

And yes E90 M3s are quite rare. Short model cycle and if I remember right something like only one in five E9X M3s are E90s. Happy hunting.

Not splitting hairs, but another site with a record of 166 actual uses vehicles sales of 2008-2012 E9x, 38% of them were E90s.

Curious, is there any additional info on the "E90s are rare" statement?

Edit - never mind, found it.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...tested-feature

Looks like 6,700 sedans produced out of 39,600 at time of this article (Sep 2010)

They dont seem all that difficult to find but talk about holding their value! A 2 year old M3 with 20k miles with a 72k MSRP car still demanding high 50's or even low 60's is somewhat hard to believe.

I really wish I could bring myself to buy an E60 M5 but the reliability problems, the SMG not to mention the gas mileage is holding me back, funny thing is thing is they are priced about the same if not lower.

I keep trying to convince myself that a F30 335i is the better/smarter way to go but I cant get that M3 test drive of my mind.....

Originally Posted by SethC

They dont seem all that difficult to find but talk about holding their value! A 2 year old M3 with 20k miles with a 72k MSRP car still demanding high 50's or even low 60's is somewhat hard to believe.

I really wish I could bring myself to buy an E60 M5 but the reliability problems, the SMG not to mention the gas mileage is holding me back, funny thing is thing is they are priced about the same if not lower.

I keep trying to convince myself that a F30 335i is the better/smarter way to go but I cant get that M3 test drive of my mind.....

Just do it and don't look back. In the past I rationalized myself out of driving an M3 for many sound reasons but in retrospect I wished I had just done the deed. The proof is in the driving.

Originally Posted by SethC

They dont seem all that difficult to find but talk about holding their value! A 2 year old M3 with 20k miles with a 72k MSRP car still demanding high 50's or even low 60's is somewhat hard to believe.

I really wish I could bring myself to buy an E60 M5 but the reliability problems, the SMG not to mention the gas mileage is holding me back, funny thing is thing is they are priced about the same if not lower.

I keep trying to convince myself that a F30 335i is the better/smarter way to go but I cant get that M3 test drive of my mind.....

Just get the one that you enjoy driving most