Is BMW M3/M4 best car in price range?

[drbrock]

I have two friends buying them now. One is getting M3 and the other is getting an M4(going to germany for pick up). One is switching from a porsche boxster s. They are both leasing them. They told me it was around 1k/month for the lease.

I was thinking for 1k/month there has to be better cars out there. They are car snobs and won't drive american(maybe a new stingray). I would buy a viper or cobra if it were me.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

If I had to go with a BMW, I would opt for the m2 when it comes out.

Otherwise those new porsche boxster spyders look amazing

Also for 1k a month there a lot of good choices and ultimately up to your preference but the m3/m4 are far and away from being the worst. If I could have only one or the other, i'd probably opt for a m3 over a corvette or a viper just because usability.

If it would be for a weekend car, probably a viper or a c63 amg / boxster S or cayman S

 

[Jimzz]

I prefer a Corvette but the CTS-V would be on the lookout if I was blowing 1k a month on a car.

 

[drbrock]

I was looking at a swap a lease and I am able to lease a 2015 CTS V for 600/month. Way cheaper than I thought it would be. If it were my money I would save 400/month and get the CTS.

Def agree on the c63 being superior. I am not a fan of the C class but I do like it better than the m3 from a looks/interior perspective.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Hmmmm 1K per month you could lease a sporty car like mustang gt or G37 coupe AND a truck/SUV.

 

[CropDuster]

I was looking at a swap a lease and I am able to lease a 2015 CTS V for 600/month. Way cheaper than I thought it would be. If it were my money I would save 400/month and get the CTS.

Def agree on the c63 being superior. I am not a fan of the C class but I do like it better than the m3 from a looks/interior perspective.

I can't imagine pissing away a grand a month on a lease, but to each their own. 2015 CTSV is 6 years old at this point though. I'd be cross shopping a C7 and ATSV myself since they are new. I like to buy near the start of a model and keep it several years until the next gen comes out. Still rocking my 07 335i just because the new ones aren't enough of an improvement to me though.

 

[Ferzerp]

"Best car" for what?

 

[jlee]

I can't imagine pissing away a grand a month on a lease, but to each their own. 2015 CTSV is 6 years old at this point though. I'd be cross shopping a C7 and ATSV myself since they are new. I like to buy near the start of a model and keep it several years until the next gen comes out. Still rocking my 07 335i just because the new ones aren't enough of an improvement to me though.

Or go with a 2016 V?

 

[Insomniator]

1k a month sounds like a ton of money for them, but i'm sure they aren't 'bad'.

I would imagine a Porsche Boxster S is a much more engaging driving experience though. Last night I had the chance to drive a 2015 M5 and the car was fast as hell (575 hp) but was silent and had no feeling at all. Same thing for a 2014 435 M sport I drove a few months ago. The cars are fast, clean, beautiful... but sterile.

I know it sounds insane but I enjoy driving my Mini S more even though its not even remotely in the same ballpark performance wise. 6 speed vs Auto probably has something to do with that though.

 

[MegaFlop]

I don't understand a $1K per month lease. You could fully finance a new Stingray and still not be paying $1k per month and the MSRP is pretty close to the BMWs.

So I don't see the BMWs as being very good buys. Usually there is better incentive for leasing. I would go with the ATS-V, Stingray, GT350, or possibly even the 2016 Camaro.

 

[drbrock]

Leasing I can never be talked into unless it was going to be for a beater sports car under warranty. Also looked at the SL500 and they seem to be in the same ball park for leasing. Def would rather have that than the M3 and have the same 0-60 performance. Cornering would not be as good but I am not taking it to the track.

Owning the corvette would be the way to go. I don't know depreciation works with those sports cars. Is it a race to the 20-30k used range with vettes and Shelbys?

 

[CropDuster]

Or go with a 2016 V?

Yeah, not sure how high the price is going to be on those now. Supposedly starts at $85k... :|

 

[CropDuster]

Owning the corvette would be the way to go. I don't know depreciation works with those sports cars. Is it a race to the 20-30k used range with vettes and Shelbys?

2006 C6, Z51, convertible, 3LT, w/ 50k miles is still worth high $20ks according to KBB. Not bad to be 10 years old. They typically bottom out around $20. Clean, low mile C5s hang around there.

 

[uclabachelor]

It's the best car to get if you like giving money away.

 

[pauldun170]

"Best car" for what?

Exactly

 

[sgrinavi]

If I had to go with a BMW, I would opt for the m2 when it comes out.
...

Maybe an M2, but they haven't released the specs. If it's a 235 on steroids then why bother? If it's a tracked out 235 then probably not as good of a DD as an M3/4

Regardless, I'm really down on BMW these days with their stupid piped in engine noise. Just dumb

 

[nerp]

I'd argue that the Cadillac outclasses BMW in that segment in basically every area except perhaps when it comes to infotainment, depending on personal preference. I know that Cadillac has finally switched back to non-capacitive buttons and thrown a knob or two back in.

 

[JulesMaximus]

"Best car" for what?

Posin' yo!

 

[michal1980]

Maybe an M2, but they haven't released the specs. If it's a 235 on steroids then why bother? If it's a tracked out 235 then probably not as good of a DD as an M3/4

Regardless, I'm really down on BMW these days with their stupid piped in engine noise. Just dumb

Its not piped.

Its 100% fake. On the 2 series, they found in the coding you can change your engine sound, to say the 8 cylinder m3, among other engine sounds.

 

[dragantoe]

porsche is probably the safest bet, but personally I wouldn't be able to get over the way a bmw or porsche looks... I'm not sure if you are into SUV's but the GLA AMG s a spectacular deal, and on top of speed is reliable, any amg in your price range would probably suit your needs with the added benefit of looking good!

 

[Fenixgoon]

why not go with a 2010 CTS-V and save yourself a lot of money? same engine and chassis as the 2015, probably lacks a few tweaks though

 

[olds]

Since you are asking: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW are junk. Unless you are under warranty. So stay under warranty. Or...
If you want to be a sheep and follow the crowd, the crowd that made Budweiser the best selling beer, go for it.
I like the looks of BMW, Mercedes and Audi. But I don't trust them
My daughter had an A4 and it was trash.

 

[dragantoe]

Since you are asking: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW are junk. Unless you are under warranty. So stay under warranty. Or...
If you want to be a sheep and follow the crowd, the crowd that made Budweiser the best selling beer, go for it.
I like the looks of BMW, Mercedes and Audi. But I don't trust them
My daughter had an A4 and it was trash.

I don't think for a second that audi's lowest end car is an indicator for the quality of their real cars...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Since you are asking: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and VW are junk. Unless you are under warranty. So stay under warranty. Or...
If you want to be a sheep and follow the crowd, the crowd that made Budweiser the best selling beer, go for it.
I like the looks of BMW, Mercedes and Audi. But I don't trust them
My daughter had an A4 and it was trash.

A friend of mine had a 2012 650i convertible with that turbo-charged V8 engine and he had it at the dealership a number of times for warranty issues. Pretty sure they replaced the pistons at one point. He said there is no way he would EVER own a BMW out of warranty.

I drove it a few times. Great car but a technological nightmare.

 

[dragantoe]

A friend of mine had a 2012 650i convertible with that turbo-charged V8 engine and he had it at the dealership a number of times for warranty issues. Pretty sure they replaced the pistons at one point. He said there is no way he would EVER own a BMW out of warranty.

I drove it a few times. Great car but a technological nightmare.

It'll only do op good if he stays away from German cars, they are a total facade. Mercedes is hardly German anymore so if he has to get one, Merc is probably the way to go