Keep MY15 F80 M3, or get MY18 Audi S4 loaded and cheaper?

[ssabripo]

my M3's lease is coming to an end in 1 month... I've been shopping for cars, and also checking to see if it is worth me keeping the M3, and here is the situation:

Keep M3 (MY15):
-27k miles.
-nicer, faster, lighter, more aggressive looking, etc
-$46k residual left, Dealer negotiated with me, and we brought it down to $42k, + $4000 for 2 years additional for CPO warranty
-$13k down, and I would be paying $590/mo.... on a 3 year old car :hs:
-I love my car, it's fast and runs great, but that's a lot of money up front.


Lease '18 new Audi S4 Premium Plus almost fully loaded:
$63k sticker
great deal from dealer, $5k down (including fees and 1st month), $535/mo, 36 x 10k miles/mo
Daytona pearl grey, Magma red interior....s pack, exec pack, blackout pack, etc.











what to do?

here is what I'm thinking of why to keep the M3:
looks better, more aggressive, a little more exclusive
lighter, drives better and faster
really like the car and I've taken care of it.
after 4 years, I'd own the car, BUT, it would be a 7 year old car

here is what I'm thinking about returning it and going with the S4:
financially a lot more pragmatic, and I dont have to dump a shit ton of cash up front....specially for a used car
brand new, newer technology, similar color combo, cheaper
with an APR or similar chip, I'm at 440hp/430lb-ft and same if not better performance in straight lines than M3
I'm not coughing almost 2-3x cash up front, cheaper monthly for newer car, and in 3 years I can get something better.

[KevinM]

Is the M3 DCT or manual? If it's manual and you want to keep it past the 7 year period, I'd say go for it.

[Habber]

S4 doesn't look good anymore and pretty much got uglier. Not interested in the S5 sportback?

New car is always better unless your M3 is MT.

Too bad Audi ruined the S4.

[Skid123]

It seems obvious to me S4 is what you really want and need.

[Super Spartan]

Coming down from an M car to an Audi S car is a bit of a downgrade. Although they are sporty, but they are not like the M's competitor the RS Series so I'd either upgrade to an RS or I'd keep the M.

Now, even if you don't decide to keep the M and want to go for the Audi which has a better interior and nicer infotainment system, I personally wouldn't get the same color after having had owned that color for 3 years. You'd get bored of the car faster than you'd think because of the color alone. Get a different color man.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Is the M3 DCT or manual? If it's manual and you want to keep it past the 7 year period, I'd say go for it.

DCT is what I have...

Originally Posted by Skid123

It seems obvious to me S4 is what you really want and need.

what I want is an M....what my bank account post-divorce says, is a camry

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

Coming down from an M car to an Audi S car is a bit of a downgrade. Although they are sporty, but they are not like the M's competitor the RS Series so I'd either upgrade to an RS or I'd keep the M.

Now, even if you don't decide to keep the M and want to go for the Audi which has a better interior and nicer infotainment system, I personally wouldn't get the same color after having had owned that color for 3 years. You'd get bored of the car faster than you'd think because of the color alone. Get a different color man.

I actually LOVE this color combo..same as my car. I've always wanted this combo...so if I keep my car, same principle would apply (looking at same color for years)

[HPIA4v2]

can't comment on which car is better driving-wise.
But
$13k down, $590/mo after 3 year you have equity of about $20K (my prediction on 6 yr old M3)

on Audi $5k, $535/mo after 3 year car is returned to AUDIFS. $0 equity.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

can't comment on which car is better driving-wise.
But
$13k down, $590/mo after 3 year you have equity of about $20K (my prediction on 6 yr old M3)

on Audi $5k, $535/mo after 3 year car is returned to AUDIFS. $0 equity.

not sure...

it's a 48 month BMW select with 14k balloon left. So to be more exact, you have:
13k down, $590x48 ( =$28320), and $14k balloon. so you are looking at:
$55320 total for a 3yr old car.

potentially I could sell it in 4 years (when the new M is out) and get, what, $30k for a 7 year old M3 with close to 60k miles?

so I've spent ~$26k in 4 years out on the car (if all goes well)


with the audi:
$5k + 36 x $535 = 24260
dont have to sell it, dont have to worry about what the car market will be like in 4 years, etc.



you do make a good point, but with the M3 I am spending a lot more in 4 years, and will break even IF i can sell it for $30k

[Darth One]

I think even Audi will tell you that the S4 is a downgrade from the M3. They seem to be pretty open about positioning their RS models against the M's.

Sorry to hear of your divorce - I guess this makes this more of a financial decision than a "best car". But it kind of feels like a wash to me.

Same monthly payment, the M3 down payment is washed out by the equity you gain. M3 will be more expensive to maintain as a used car, but not terribly if you don't see yourself hitting 60k plus miles in 7 years.

Personally I'd go with the better car. You may have lost a wife, but would keep your baby

EDIT: you posted more info as I was posting. Yuck - that bmw select option sounds horrible. Pay $13k now, make payments, then at the end pay a $14k balloon? I guess that's why the payment went down so low.

So now my answer is - financially the Audi makes sense, but I'd still want to drive the M3

[Skid123]

Pretty much the same thought as Darth One given what have happened.

I would argue that S4 is not a downgrade - it simply caters to a different audience. AWD with torque vectoring makes it not too far off M in ultimate speed. And for the small amount of sportiness it loses to M, it gains in a plush interior and a much more comfortable ride.

Besides, the BMW select deal looks like a money pit. Yes you have equity at the end of it but seems to me at a very high cost. (46k principal and 55k total expense? Even factor in tax, the financial charge seems to be extraordinary. Did I miss anything?)

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Skid123

Pretty much the same thought as Darth One given what have happened.

I would argue that S4 is not a downgrade - it simply caters to a different audience. AWD with torque vectoring makes it not too far off M in ultimate speed. And for the small amount of sportiness it loses to M, it gains in a plush interior and a much more comfortable ride.

Besides, the BMW select deal looks like a money pit. Yes you have equity at the end of it but seems to me at a very high cost. (46k principal and 55k total expense? Even factor in tax, the financial charge seems to be extraordinary. Did I miss anything?)

I know

Look, I don't want to get rid of my car, I love it... but financially it just doesn't make sense compared to keeping my car.

I'm so distraught. Lost a lot in this divorce but damn, saving a few bucks a month, still drive a decent car, and not having to worry about stuff falling apart (remember, even cpo certification only cover some things but not everything like window regulators etc).

Perhaps in 3 years when the New one is out I can get that, and I would be coming down with one of kids' no longer needing child support, so there would be more $ for the new M.
:

[R-M4]

Keep the M3. The A4, I mean... the S4 is not at the same level at all. 2015 is not that old.

[rexb16]

keep the M3

[smithf80]

The S4 isn't in the same league as the M3.

It has almost 100 less horsepower, and it literally looks exactly like an A4 with 2 extra tailpipes and some badging. Not aggressive or exciting whatsoever.

Keep the M3, or, just lease a new one.

[instarand]

Originally Posted by smithf80

The S4 isn't in the same league as the M3.

It has almost 100 less horsepower, and it literally looks exactly like an A4 with 2 extra tailpipes and some badging. Not aggressive or exciting whatsoever.

Keep the M3, or, just lease a new one.

+1

Or wait for the RS5 Sportback to his the US - I believe late this year. If you don’t care about automatic transmission it’s a good option.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by R-M4

Keep the M3. The A4, I mean... the S4 is not at the same level at all. 2015 is not that old.

Originally Posted by rexb16

keep the M3

Originally Posted by smithf80

The S4 isn't in the same league as the M3.

It has almost 100 less horsepower, and it literally looks exactly like an A4 with 2 extra tailpipes and some badging. Not aggressive or exciting whatsoever.

Keep the M3, or, just lease a new one.

Guys,
My request for feedback wasn't about "M3 vs S4" ..... Yes, it's obvious they are in two different tiers of performance and looks, etc.

What I was asking is pretty simple, and it is a financial vs "like" question:

A) Keep a 3 year old F80, by paying:
$12k downpayment, $580/mo x 48, and balloon of $14k at end == $56k for a 2015 M3

OR

B) $4-5k downpayment (will talk to them today to bring this down), for a brand new 2018 S4 loaded, $535/mo lease.





it's really that simple. I know the M3 is >>> than the S4, but we are talking about a lot of cash up front (and overall) for a 3 year old car, that even though it has warranty for another 3 years with CPO included, it will start showing its age and all it's problems therein

[IM2C]

I'd get S4 and chip it. Drive it for 3 years until G80 comes out.

[R-M4]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

Guys,
My request for feedback wasn't about "M3 vs S4" ..... Yes, it's obvious they are in two different tiers of performance and looks, etc.

What I was asking is pretty simple, and it is a financial vs "like" question:

A) Keep a 3 year old F80, by paying:
$12k downpayment, $580/mo x 48, and balloon of $14k at end == $56k for a 2015 M3

OR

B) $4-5k downpayment (will talk to them today to bring this down), for a brand new 2018 S4 loaded, $535/mo lease.





it's really that simple. I know the M3 is >>> than the S4, but we are talking about a lot of cash up front (and overall) for a 3 year old car, that even though it has warranty for another 3 years with CPO included, it will start showing its age and all it's problems therein

It all comes down to your financial situation!
Truth be told, there are many people out there that lease/finance expensive cars when they really can't afford them. Yes, they can make their monthly payment but how much money do they have left after all expenses? How much debt are they in? (I'm not saying this is your case!)
I'm not rich at all but I have a great job and can easily afford my M4. However, cars will never be an investment and you always "lose" money no matter what. My sister makes as much as I do, for example, and she drives a 40k SUV. She said that she would never buy an 80k car regardless of how much money she makes. She prefers to spend on trips, jewelry, clothes, etc...
I hope you get the idea. You are the ONLY one that can answer your own question.

[Nikolas]

If the question is financial only and the net cost to you is identical, what are you looking for?

Of course everyone will comment on the car itself, since there's nothing else to comment on. Besides, you already made your decision is my guess.

Enjoy the S4. It's a fine car.

[ssabripo]

*** UPDATE ***

well, I discarded keeping my car...just doesn't make financial sense. HOWEVER, I shopped non-stop since yesterday, and found a pretty fucking sweet deal on a 2018 M3 :bowdown:


- 2018 F80 M3,Black Sapphire exterior, Silverstone full merino leather interior, extended leather
- 6 Sp MT
- convenience package, lane assist, brake control assist, blah blah
- does NOT have M-DCT nor HUD (no exec package )
- $5000 down (only $800 out my pocket, since I have $4200 MSD), $650/mo x 36, 10k per yer











So...it's either:

A) 2018 Audi S4, grey/red, loaded, $5k down, $535/mo

OR

B) 2018 BMW M3, black/white, 6spd, $5k down, $650/mo

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

*** UPDATE ***

well, I discarded keeping my car...just doesn't make financial sense. HOWEVER, I shopped non-stop since yesterday, and found a pretty fucking sweet deal on a 2018 M3 :bowdown:


- 2018 F80 M3,Black Sapphire exterior, Silverstone full merino leather interior, extended leather
- 6 Sp MT
- convenience package, lane assist, brake control assist, blah blah
- does NOT have M-DCT nor HUD (no exec package )
- $5000 down (only $800 out my pocket, since I have $4200 MSD), $650/mo x 36, 10k per yer











So...it's either:

A) 2018 Audi S4, grey/red, loaded, $5k down, $535/mo

OR

B) 2018 BMW M3, black/white, 6spd, $5k down, $650/mo

Nice! Excellent choice.

[clutchdj]

Thank God.

Glad the numbers worked out for you. Audi’s are like all season tires they do everything fairly well and they’ll get you through the year. The don’t hold their value like true ///M cars though. Good choice.