Second thoughts on 435 GC lease. Get M3 instead?

[bobbydigital]

I have a fully loaded 435 GC en route from Bremerhaven and am now having second thoughts compared to the M3. It's expected at the CA port on May 8th then I'm guessing will get to me in Seattle may 15-20th.

I got 9% off MSRP the 435 GC with a 0.0008 MF lease with 10k miles/year @ 64% residual. Negotiate price was $61k.

I had to custom order the 435 since the packages I wanted were impossible to find on lot.

When looking at the M3, it seems like most of them on lot have the right options simply because there are fewer so odds of finding the "right" one is easier.

I'm thinking I may be able to get a good deal on an in-stock model and then get the car shipped to me.

Any opinions?

What's the easiest way to find M3 on hand inventory across the country (prefer west coast) without going to every individual dealer site? I don't see a way to search nationwide inventory on bmwusa.com.

[BrooklynG87]

In my opinion I think you would be getting much more car for your money. Based on the figures you gave, I can't imagine an M3 being much more than maybe $75 more per month. Obviously depending on how it is equipped. The easiest way to search the whole country's inventory on M3s is through here:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...Source=UTILITY

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by FrozenM4

In my opinion I think you would be getting much more car for your money. Based on the figures you gave, I can't imagine an M3 being much more than maybe $75 more per month. Obviously depending on how it is equipped. The easiest way to search the whole country's inventory on M3s is through here:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...Source=UTILITY

This assumes obviously that dealers will negotiate off MSRP a similar amount ($500 or less above invoice). Is this likely? Are they getting more desperate to dump their inventory with the upcoming LCI?

[Woodengun]

Driving/riding characteristics of the 435 are quite different than the M3.

Both are very nice cars but you give up "luxury ride quality" in the M3 while gaining "performance ride quality."

Some people find the difference very noticeable - good and bad, depending on preference - and other people don't notice the difference at all.

[saxon]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

This assumes obviously that dealers will negotiate off MSRP a similar amount ($500 or less above invoice). Is this likely? Are they getting more desperate to dump their inventory with the upcoming LCI?

i bought mine for roughly $200 above "invoice"

[Reid]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

I had to custom order the 435 since the packages I wanted were impossible to find on lot.

When looking at the M3, it seems like most of them on lot have the right options simply because there are fewer so odds of finding the "right" one is easier.

I'm thinking I may be able to get a good deal on an in-stock model and then get the car shipped to me.

Any opinions?

I would recommend sticking with the 435 GC order.

People who purchase the M3/4 because it's the "highest trim level" get more than they bargained for. The car will not be as quiet, smooth or refined as a 435 and this is shocking to some buyers.

This forum is full of miscellaneous complaints that people have regarding ride quality, transmission quirks, etc. Those people would all be happier in a different car, IMHO.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by Reid

I would recommend sticking with the 435 GC order.

People who purchase the M3/4 because it's the "highest trim level" get more than they bargained for. The car will not be as quiet, smooth or refined as a 435 and this is shocking to some buyers.

This forum is full of miscellaneous complaints that people have regarding ride quality, transmission quirks, etc. Those people would all be happier in a different car, IMHO.

+1

The M will be a somewhat rough ride compared to the 435 GC. That was one of the first things I noticed going from the E92 to a rental 335 one time... it was a massive difference in comfort.

[bobbydigital]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your candid replies and perspectives. I've got some thinking to do.

Note that before initially settling on the 435 GC, I did drive an M4 and while it was a much rougher and less 'refined' ride than the 435, it wasn't objectionably so (to me). As it wasn't that far off from my E85 Z4 to be honest... it was actually far better.

[Wah]

If you didn't mind the cabin noise and stiffness of the ride, then you are getting much more for your money, and a better looking car (IMO). I know I'm in the minority, but I personally think the GC is one weird looking car...

[hawkerdriver]

I have a 435i GC and its in swapalease for a reason....I came from an M3 and miss it every day.
Go with what you feel, but do it for the driving experience between the two.

The F36 is a great and brilliant car in its own way. Smooth, sporty and very functional.

The M is just a different car, louder, more in your face with the insolvent of your senses.

All depends on what you want out of a car, both great cars but also very different.

[nicknaz]

Hey OP! We had this same conversation on the F3X forums, so you know how I'm going to vote!

Cancel that 435GC and go M3/M4

You've lived without a lot of the convenience features on your Z4

[bobbydigital]

I've emailed a few dealers with on hand M3s to see how much they are willing to deal.

[MKParris]

you ordered a 435GC - people who order that car and people who order this one are very different. Just take the GC, you will probably be happier in the long run.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by MKParris

you ordered a 435GC - people who order that car and people who order this one are very different. Just take the GC, you will probably be happier in the long run.

What kind of people order each car?

[MKParris]

The m3 is much worse from an NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) standpoint. The car is much louder than a 435, you will feel more bumps in the road, the steering is much heavier and once again you feel more of the road.

With the M3, you buy it because you want these things, with the GC you buy it because you don't.

Think of the m3 as a ribeye and the GC as a filet. Both are good, it is just when you want one...the other won't do.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by MKParris

The m3 is much worse from an NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) standpoint. The car is much louder than a 435, you will feel more bumps in the road, the steering is much heavier and once again you feel more of the road.

With the M3, you buy it because you want these things, with the GC you buy it because you don't.

Think of the m3 as a ribeye and the GC as a filet. Both are good, it is just when you want one...the other won't do.

OP already said he drove one and didn't mind it. If that's really true, I think he will be happier with the M. And the GC just looks weird.... there's just no getting around it.

[MKParris]

A 20 minute test drive is different than living with it and going on long trips, etc...

[dme330i]

Coming from a Z4, you'll be fine with the ride of the M3. Go for it.

[guarnibl]

Originally Posted by MKParris

A 20 minute test drive is different than living with it and going on long trips, etc...

Yep, fair point.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

What kind of people order each car?

People who want a hatch, and more convenience features for a particular price