YES the 2014 M3 pics have been released. Sad to see it go down to a v6 turbo though

[KIAman]

Are you sure you weren't considering an SUV too?

Actually, the 335i is closer to the FGT than the M3. Mainly because 335 also shares a price/performance factor as well that the M3 lacked.

And PhoKingGuy most likely cross-shopped based on performance and price. Look at these cars. Pony car vs Entry level lux. 2 doors vs 4 doors. Pure performance vs refinement.

I still don't see how one can be willing to purchase a $70k car like the M3 and go... OHHH LOOK! I can get the Ford GT for 1/2 the price! Woot!

More like they are considering the RS4 or the C63 AMG because although they are in a similar price range, maybe AWD is more appealing like the RS4 or a huge hand-built N/A engine is more appealing like the C63.

 

[JackBurton]

There are tons of non-Ford products in that range with nice interiors, power, suspensions, etc.

What price range are you referring to?

Most don't shop in with a $30k spread in the five figure car market. Those with $70k to truly spend on their transportation have plenty to pick from in that range and would not be looking at a vehicle half that 9 times out of 10.

How about a GT500? Again, raw power vs refined car. Mustang vs BMW in the same price range.

At $60k and higher you are really entering the world of exclusivity in the middle class market, saying otherwise is ignoring reality. An M3 is a pretty exclusive car in general....not a rare car really, but not common at all.

I consider "exclusive" something very few can afford. $70K sounds like a lot, but lease options make it much more "affordable" for the $30K/yr millionaire, which in my book makes it less "exclusive." Hell, I'd consider a new GT500 more exclusive than a new M3 just for the fact it would be harder to purchase given that there are no lease options available.

However, that said when I was looking at spending $45-55k on my last car purchase (which ended up right at a little over $45k), everyone here was saying 'everyone' can afford that budget.

lolz.

That's unrealistic, and I think people were just messing with you. I definitely wouldn't consider a $45K car average, but I also wouldn't consider it "exclusive" either.

 

[SSSnail]

Why bother with GT 500? A GNX + some "refinements" will blow any 'Stang out of the water, and for much less... Yeeee hawww!

But one thing I gotta learn from alky, is how to buy an appreciating BMW. When he bought it the price was around (rounding up) $33K, after a while it became $40K, and a few weeks later it's $45K. Just simply amazing.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Didnt motorweek say something like the 4 cylinder turbo 3 series (328 - 33 mpg 240hp/255lbft) is the better buy now? I believe they said it was just a hair slower, gets way better gas mileage, cost tons less than the M or the V6 3 (335i), but it also handles better on curvy roads because of better weight distribution...

Just checked, MSRP of the 328 is $8k less than base 335i, and of course about $25k less than an M3. And it has "50/50 weight distribution"

/flameon

Nobody responded to this. I am actually quite serious. I am not sure I see the point of either a 335i or an M3, other than tinypeen. I am thinking about calling to setup a 328i test drive.

 

[SSSnail]

Nobody responded to this. I am actually quite serious. I am not sure I see the point of either a 335i or an M3, other than tinypeen. I am thinking about calling to setup a 328i test drive.

Methinks you need to read more.

 

[alkemyst]

Why bother with GT 500? A GNX + some "refinements" will blow any 'Stang out of the water, and for much less... Yeeee hawww!

But one thing I gotta learn from alky, is how to buy an appreciating BMW. When he bought it the price was around (rounding up) $33K, after a while it became $40K, and a few weeks later it's $45K. Just simply amazing.

The 'sale price' was $36900. I paid $1100 to get it here. I also put a $5700 warranty on it for 60,000 miles of coverage until 86,000 miles. Tax/Tag/Title added $2425. Some of the things I immediately did, including tires filled in most of the rest to make the car pretty much all like new. Which as I said below fell right into the amount I wanted to spend on a car lump sum.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Actually, the 335i is closer to the FGT than the M3. Mainly because 335 also shares a price/performance factor as well that the M3 lacked.

And PhoKingGuy most likely cross-shopped based on performance and price. Look at these cars. Pony car vs Entry level lux. 2 doors vs 4 doors. Pure performance vs refinement.

I still don't see how one can be willing to purchase a $70k car like the M3 and go... OHHH LOOK! I can get the Ford GT for 1/2 the price! Woot!

More like they are considering the RS4 or the C63 AMG because although they are in a similar price range, maybe AWD is more appealing like the RS4 or a huge hand-built N/A engine is more appealing like the C63.

I had so many different options really, it all depended on what grad school I got into.

At one point I was looking at a Focus Titanium, then a VW Touareg, then a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, then a Raptor for like a day actually.

I ended up in Florida so all weather traction wasn't a priority. My dream car at the time was the Stang' actually, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did. It's really the best of both worlds. Anyone who says the Mustang is on par with refinement/comfort as the 3 is blowing smoke up their asses, plain and simple.

 

[The-Noid]

I am sure it will drive great but I am not that keen on the looks.

Glad they brought the yellow back however.

Are those wheels staggered, i.e. 19 inch rear, 18 inch front, or 20 inch rear, 19 inch front or do you think the wheels are symmetrical? Can't really tell from the pics.

 

[rh71]

i think the late 90's bmw's destroyed this current gen as far as looks go. honestly, i dont like the looks of the new style at all... looks like a rice burner car from fast n furious or something

because of the Lancer eyes... somewhat agree, but it's definitely more aggressive. I approve too.

 

[Arkaign]

Nobody responded to this. I am actually quite serious. I am not sure I see the point of either a 335i or an M3, other than tinypeen. I am thinking about calling to setup a 328i test drive.

I hate to admit it, but I think that's essentially correct (comparing new 328i to 335i). The M3 is just a whole different can of worms imho. There's no getting past such a tremendous power gap even if the car is brilliantly balanced.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1202_2012_bmw_328i_sport_first_test/viewall.html

Seems solid to me, though I've not driven one and am not in the market. I'm very loosely considering a used 335i some time later this year, but won't make that decision until much later.

 

[hans007]

I hate to admit it, but I think that's essentially correct (comparing new 328i to 335i). The M3 is just a whole different can of worms imho. There's no getting past such a tremendous power gap even if the car is brilliantly balanced.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1202_2012_bmw_328i_sport_first_test/viewall.html

Seems solid to me, though I've not driven one and am not in the market. I'm very loosely considering a used 335i some time later this year, but won't make that decision until much later.

the new 328i is seomthing i really want to try out. its the lightest of the series, and has decent enough power for anyone who isn't say drag racing. and bmws arent really for drag racing.

i mean its got just as much power as the E36 m3, and thats more than enough. plus one nice thing about the 328i is you can get it with a lot of heavy options not on it (like no moonroof or no power seat motors and such) to make it as light as possible