Decision Time: M3, Alfa QV, F-Type R

[Hurricane]

It's time. I have had the new car itch for a year and can't hold back anymore.

I have been driving a 2015 C63 507 Edition for the last three years and have enjoyed every minute of it. However, I need something different. I decided on the following 3 cars:

2018 M3 - Sakhir, Comp, Black 666 - 82K build

2017 Alfa QV - Missano Blue, Dark Tecnico wheels. Dealer is offering a nice discount on the 17. 76K build with discount 70K.

2017 Jaguar F-type R - Black with carbon wheels. This car is a one owner car with 4200 miles. 87K used

I have driven all the cars and loved each one of them. However, as you all know they are extremely different. The F-Type is scary fast and flat out obnoxious. Loved every minute of it; but it's used. The Alfa is by far the cheapest, sounds and drives great, and it's a brand I have never owned. The BMW is the icon and I miss being an owner. While the M3 and QV and similar in their approaches the Jag is in a different league. I have been going back and forth on the decision and can't make up my mind. Given this is a BMW forum I expect heavy leanings towards the M. With that said I have seen the thread wars on the Alfa and am expecting similar comments. Lastly, I know a couple of members here have jumped to the Jag and would love for them to chime in.

I know only I can make this decision but I was hoping to hear some comments that I may have not considered on my own. Any help with the decision would be greatly appreciated.

[shockin330i]

do you need four doors?

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by shockin330i

do you need four doors?

I do not need a 4 door. I prefer the look of the M3 over the M4.

[Paz1]

There’s a reason why u never see Alfa’s on the road and they still have 17’ on the lot. I’ve checked it out and was denied a test drive. Idk how they expect someone to purchase a vehicle without ever have driven it. The dealers should have a demo to serious tire kickers. I came w a m3 and 911 and was treated like I came off a bus. I’d pass on it.
M is an M
F type is interesting , as a neighbor has one and it’s sick. You don’t see them at all. 4200 miles aren’t a lot so hopefully there’s no issues with it .
I’d go with the jag f type R

[Graves]

JAG F-Type. My father has one and it is exhilarating. Love driving that car. And the sound...OMG...

[F83]

+1 on the F Type

[SM2]

F Type

[996ttelise]

Used Quarttroporte GTS? Drove a new one recently and it was actually nice. Great sound and plenty of power

[gatorfast]

F type for sure

[Vectors2final]

Originally Posted by pgarbul1

There’s a reason why u never see Alfa’s on the road and they still have 17’ on the lot. I’ve checked it out and was denied a test drive. Idk how they expect someone to purchase a vehicle without ever have driven it. The dealers should have a demo to serious tire kickers. I came w a m3 and 911 and was treated like I came off a bus.

Yeah, that was the beauty of the F8X on release. Quite a few dealerships received one M3 and one M4 to use as demo cars. Six months before I ordered, I drove both with no questions asked. I even showed up in a rental because I had just turned my car in because I was headed to Korea and my wife's car was in for body work.

[KevinM]

I assume you don't want a MT? If so, you'd be down to one choice.

Maybe I'll cave and try a DD with an auto at some point (did I just type that?)...if I went that way, I'd probably lease (not buy) the Alfa just to see what the fuss is all about.

GL - can't really go wrong.

[damnitBobby]

if you don't need the extra 2 doors easy choice bruh get the F Type.. but I don't think it's worth $87k though.. i would offer $75-80k for it

[Absurdium]

I think it depends what kind of car this will be for you. I think if you track at all, that would rule out the jag as it's more of a fun GT, and won't hold up as well as the F8x. If you don't track, don't need practicality, and don't need a manual transmission, I'd say the F-type as like you said: it's in a different league. Otherwise, I'd recommend the M3 as the sheer aftermarket support is amazing. The Alfa, while a good first try in the segment, will most likely suffer from long term reliability issues as it's not only a first model year car, it's the first high performance saloon Alfa Romeo has produced in decades. An additional gripe I have against it is also its brake by wire system, which sounds like a big let down in that platform. Oh, by the way, the F8X is pretty fun to drive, handles the best in the segment, and just as fast as the Alfa in a straight line despite being officially 60hp down on power, so it's got those things going for it, which is nice.

[nicknaz]

Is the f type really that much faster than m3? I suspect it's more the sound and lower seating position that makes it seem fast.

Biased answer, but I'd get the m3 but go with a much lower cost build them modify

[domino_z]

My biased answer...

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by Absurdium

I think it depends what kind of car this will be for you. I think if you track at all, that would rule out the jag as it's more of a fun GT, and won't hold up as well as the F8x. If you don't track, don't need practicality, and don't need a manual transmission, I'd say the F-type as like you said: it's in a different league. Otherwise, I'd recommend the M3 as the sheer aftermarket support is amazing. The Alfa, while a good first try in the segment, will most likely suffer from long term reliability issues as it's not only a first model year car, it's the first high performance saloon Alfa Romeo has produced in decades. An additional gripe I have against it is also its brake by wire system, which sounds like a big let down in that platform. Oh, by the way, the F8X is pretty fun to drive, handles the best in the segment, and just as fast as the Alfa in a straight line despite being officially 60hp down on power, so it's got those things going for it, which is nice.

That is my biggest issue with Alfa Giulia, brake by wire.

I'm surprised when I drove the car that the braking felt so considerably different than the gas peddle and that gave me 0 confidence because the difference. It didn't feel right. The feedback on the brakes was lacking, it was just stiff, no feel at all.

[uniqueMR]

F-Type R,
Newer M3 will be coming in 2020/2021 so enjoy some English for time being

[Clark_Kent]

The discount on the Alfa QV isn't all that impressive considering it's a 2017 and they're having such a hard time selling them. That car is no longer the current MY.

If you don't need four doors I would go with the Jaguar. Any reason the C63S or RS5 are not in your consideration set?

[Jaymax85]

Why not a used 991.2 u can find them for 80s now.. much better than that British piece of garbage

[JibSTir13]

Assuming you are OK with an automatic/DCT/non-manual transmission?

If that is the case, combined with the fact that you don't need 4 doors, I'd for for the Jag.

[Absurdium]

Originally Posted by Arcades

That is my biggest issue with Alfa Giulia, brake by wire.

I'm surprised when I drove the car that the braking felt so considerably different than the gas peddle and that gave me 0 confidence because the difference. It didn't feel right. The feedback on the brakes was lacking, it was just stiff, no feel at all.

Exactly. I'll admit I've not driven the car myself but I challenge anyone to name me a well-received car with a brake by-wire system (no the new NSX does not count a success in my books ). Perhaps one day the technology will be developed enough like what Porsche has done with EPS, but today is not that day and braking feel is not an area I'd want to compromise (perhaps even more important than steering feel). Just don't get it...

[Sahbatage]

Anything but the Alfa. Besides all the reliability issues since I've never driven one, It's by far the ugliest car in the segment, and I'm 3 years when you make your next decision it'll be worth the least.