What is it like?

[two+2]

Originally Posted by DBACE

Enjoy what it’s like OP!!

Yes, exactly this.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by LTM_BMW

I'm 27 at the moment; electrical engineer stuck in dead end job building and installing bioreactors. So prospect of owning one of these ///M cars is unfortunately not in the near future

Spend the money on getting out of your dead-end job.

[DS_BMW]

Just lease one. If you can get a decent deal and go low on the options. It will allow you to get out if needed. Heck I sold my one F80 to carmax and made 2k. You would never be able to do that with a non M BMW.

[Roadkiller]

What's it like? That first kid. Man, you're nervous but wait with anticipation. The day arrives and you are ecstatic that you have such a thing in your life. You realize that it's not perfect but it's yours so you'll love it with everything you got. You protect it and hope no one will do attempt to harm it. It will piss you off from time to time but its yours. You always smile at even the little things you learn about it. When it's time to let it go, you'll miss the hell out of it.

Yep, my first M was an E92 and I miss her.

[georgere]

I love it and feels like you get what you paid for; however, it is not a bargain.
My previous car was 325i with manual gearbox. That car was a bargain.

[IDBGOD]

M3 has been my dream car too. Thing is once you finally get it you are already on to the next "better" thing. It's just human nature and we always want more.

I really do like the car. It's an amazing vehicle that puts a grin on my face and I look back parking it every time.

Not quite so sure I really "love" it though. Could also be the color. Alpine White with the black highlights and CF roof looks great but it's just a little too mainstream.

Should have went with Yas or Sakhir lol...Individual has some really nice options too.

I'd have to see what all they do with the next gen M3/4....so far the F80 has been pretty awesome.

I actually prefer the M3 over the M4 also. Much more aggressive stance from the rear.

335/440i would be a nice upgrade from your 320d. Or just Yolo it and go strait for the //M. It's your life do whatever you feel you need to do. Make the decision and don't look back.

[nicknaz]

F80 is great and super fun. But no offense, a lot of cars are super fun compared to a diesel sedan

Get an e36 or e46 m3 or e85/6 z4m and get after it.

You could even get the king of cheap fun... a modded Miata and it would be more fun than a stock 320d...

[///M-er-gized]

In my case, having an M3 was really awesome until I finally realized how bad of a decision it was to not get full leather. Now, every time I get in my car, I just want to kick myself in the ass when I see that cheap plastic dash.


Don't get me wrong...it's an absolutely fantastic car, and that's why it's so frustrating, because the full leather makes it feel a 1000x more luxurious and exclusive.

[Memphis17CPM4]

Originally Posted by LTM_BMW

Sadly the only thing that gives me this feeling apart from my 320D is my Macbook. I guess I still have a long way to go

My laptop gives me that feeling too. But I think it has more to do with the content I am watching and the warmth the laptop provides...

[jmg]

Originally Posted by LTM_BMW

I'm 27 at the moment; electrical engineer stuck in dead end job building and installing bioreactors. So prospect of owning one of these ///M cars is unfortunately not in the near future

Money doesn't matter as much as fulfillment. If you really love your job, that's more than a lot of people can say, and you can FIND a way to move up. Start your own business?

However, it sounds like you hate it. Personally, I would get out of that situation. Luckily you are only 27 so get moving before you weigh yourself down with a mortgage, kids, or an M3 payment. Take that lower paying job that has a future while you can afford to.

[LTM_BMW]

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

In my case, having an M3 was really awesome until I finally realized how bad of a decision it was to not get full leather. Now, every time I get in my car, I just want to kick myself in the ass when I see that cheap plastic dash.


Don't get me wrong...it's an absolutely fantastic car, and that's why it's so frustrating, because the full leather makes it feel a 1000x more luxurious and exclusive.

I think I would be fine without the leather I think the instrument cluster is the only thing that seems a little dated to me. The full LCD cluster looks nice

[Spritztour]

BMW Switzerland configuration of my M3 2018 : $125,000.

I paid $76,000

I can actually afford it in the USA. 😄 Thank you!

[IDBGOD]

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

In my case, having an M3 was really awesome until I finally realized how bad of a decision it was to not get full leather. Now, every time I get in my car, I just want to kick myself in the ass when I see that cheap plastic dash.


Don't get me wrong...it's an absolutely fantastic car, and that's why it's so frustrating, because the full leather makes it feel a 1000x more luxurious and exclusive.

Honestly, for a high performance sports car/sedan I don't really care for the luxury. It's an added plus, not a must. If I wanted a luxury vehicle I'd go for a loaded out S550 or look at Audi...not buy an M3/4. BMW's have never been that luxurious from an interior perspective IMHO and especially not on the 3 series/4 platform.

It's all about the drive

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

In my case, having an M3 was really awesome until I finally realized how bad of a decision it was to not get full leather. Now, every time I get in my car, I just want to kick myself in the ass when I see that cheap plastic dash.

Find a junkyard leather dash and swap it - there are plenty of totals just on this forum

[backagain]

Originally Posted by Spritztour

BMW Switzerland configuration of my M3 2018 : $125,000.

I paid $76,000

I can actually afford it in the USA. 😄 Thank you!

The base MSRP starts at $150k in China

[Zero_Cool]

Did you take the prom queen home? Every time I sit down and start my M4 it's that same feeling of excitement... I always look back at it as I walk away. I catch people breaking their necks when I pass by. Sure other cars may have that affect, but for me I'm a bmw guy and I'm content with my M4. Is it the fastest? No. Does is sound like a GT350? No. But for me it gets my **** hard 60% of the time, it works every time.

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Find a junkyard leather dash and swap it - there are plenty of totals just on this forum

Lol

[///M-er-gized]

Originally Posted by LTM_BMW

I think I would be fine without the leather I think the instrument cluster is the only thing that seems a little dated to me. The full LCD cluster looks nice

That's what I thought. Then I sat in my friends Porsche with leather literally everywhere, including the frick'n sun shades and steering column, and then I sat in an M3 with full leather. That was a mistake. Now I always ask myself, what the fuck was I thinking?

Even more frustrating is that the money is a complete non issue. I could have easily afforded it. It's not as if I had budget constraints. If I did, then I'd probably be ok with not having full leather. I just thought I didn't need it...Stupid.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

That's what I thought. Then I sat in my friends Porsche with leather literally everywhere, including the frick'n sun shades and steering column, and then I sat in an M3 with full leather. That was a mistake. Now I always ask myself, what the fuck was I thinking?

Even more frustrating is that the money is a complete non issue. I could have easily afforded it. It's not as if I had budget constraints. If I did, then I'd probably be ok with not having full leather. I just thought I didn't need it...Stupid.

It's more stupid that you are letting that mess with you. and if budget is a non issue get a lambo?

[///M-er-gized]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

It's more stupid that you are letting that mess with you. and if budget is a non issue get a lambo?

Budget is a non issue only up to a point (i.e., Up to about $140k).

Plus, I'd get a Ferrari over a Lamborghini any day.

I actually might go with the new M5 next time.

[dreventador]

It's probably the only material thing I've owned that has never gotten boring. It's weird, it just never ever fails to amaze me, always puts a smile on my face.

[stooker]

OP, my path to the M3 started with first wanting a fully loaded F30, but then the M bug hit. For not all that much more I was in M territory, but I still could not justify the cost at the time. Not that I couldn't afford it, it's just a ton of money for four wheels where I come from (in the US).

So in walked the M2 and I thought that was the answer. It was getting nothing but rave reviews when it was released, it's smaller and cheaper than the F8x, and to me it looked great (although not F8x great). However, the first time seeing one in person was a little underwhelming. I realized that at some point, you can cram all the performance you want into any given platform, but in the end, it's still has the DNA of its root platform and it starts to lose appeal, and that's where I found myself with the M2. Not sure if that makes sense to you, but I see a lot of people here bashing cars like the STI, Civic Type R, etc, so it's along those lines. There's a point where it stops being just about raw performance, as there's so much more to a car. For me, the M2 falls in an odd segment where I think to myself, if you're going to spend that much money anyways, what's the point of an M2? Might as well go bigger. The previously mentioned cars (STI, etc.) actually make more sense to me because the price point is so much lower. Everyone's line in the sand is different though, and with that said, it might be the solution for you if money is the biggest factor keeping you from the M3/M4. Then you can brag to all of us that you're getting similar performance for much less cost.

So fast forward, and I just got my M3 about 3-4 weeks ago. I haven't put many miles on it yet, but I know I made the right choice. BTW, you said the M4 is your dream car and that an M3 "will do", but I can tell you that you would not be settling if you get an M3, just wanted to put that out there. I'll echo IDBGOD in that the M3 has a more aggressive stance... the M4 rear looks droopy and saggy to me.

Going back to your original question, though, what's it like? Others have said it. Puts smiles on faces... can't help but look back after parking it, etc. etc. I don't disagree with any of that, but if budget doesn't allow (factoring fuel, insurance, maintenance, etc.), look elsewhere, or as others have said, grab life by the balls and get a better paying job to achieve your goals.