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      05-30-2018, 10:23 AM   #1
gemini.m3
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Help me decide: Lease M3 or finance '18 M2?

I know some of you guys will heavily lean one direction, but thought I'd post as I'm struggling with this one and want some opinions

My lease on my 335i M sport is up next month. I've been shopping between the M2 and the M3.

This would be my first 'm' car. I've wanted an M3 my entire life, back since the E46 when I was driving an S2000.

I have two deals I'm working on and I'm frankly torn. I've broken out the pros and cons like this:

M2 (Finance)

Pros

-Fun little car, great for track, spirited weekend driving, this piece is important as this will be my weekend car.
-Leased my last car, find attraction in "buying" and owning the car this time. It'll probably be my final purchase for awhile
-Special ordering the last allocation to my exact liking - DCT, color, etc

Cons

-Fearful of M2 LCI depreciation with incoming M2 comp (however price hiking and availability may drive m2 lci value up or at least keep it the same for the first year or two of the m2 comp)
-Any depreciation vs a lease
-Had a 135i with N55, concerned this engine won't feel that much faster than my FBO 135i

M3 (3 year 10k/36)

Pros
-Wanted the M3 as long as I can remember
-Higher quality vehicle than M2, especially interior
-Faster than M2 at least in a straight line
-More modability and higher ceiling

Cons

-Limited availability for the exact car I want with production ending
-Looking at a MG Gray M3, which is the same color of my 335i
-Competition package one I found was manual.. kind of like the DCT, but I'm sure I won't mind the manual.
-The thought of renting another car for 3 years when my goal is to "own" an M car. I guess I can eventually finance the residual
-This will be the outgoing model and replaced with a new one in 2020, suppose I can trade in then, but maybe not
-After driving an F30 335i is the f80 m3 going to feel like a completely new car like the M2?


I know this is a decision only I can make, but would love some feedback or if any of you that own an m3 were dealing with a similar decision.
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      05-30-2018, 10:27 AM   #2
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go drive them both then go from there (if you have not already done so)

both are great cars. There are DCT M3s out there you dont have to settle on a 6mt if you dont want that.

also I would recommend you post the full breakdown of the M3 quote in the pricing thread so they can weigh in
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      05-30-2018, 10:44 AM   #3
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This is kind of an odd way to come up with your options. I know that it's likely driven by final monthly payment, but i think you should figure out which car you want first, then think about how to pay for it
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      05-30-2018, 10:48 AM   #4
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The current M2 will take a big depreciation hit once the M2 competition is released and IMO it's not a real M car, No real M engine, (it has the N55), no M buttons on the steering wheel, horrid seats with the dakota leather.

If it were my money, I'd wait for the M2 Competition and finance that as it is a fun little car with a real M engine and very zippy since it's a bit smaller than the M3.

Last edited by Super Spartan; 05-30-2018 at 11:09 AM..
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      05-30-2018, 10:51 AM   #5
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The utility of the extra 2 doors on the M3 is something to consider too. The back seats in the M2 are really only functional for small people/children.

Like you I had a 135i except with the N54. I find the power delivery of the M3 to be a bit like the N54 except that the power doesn't roll off over 5000 rpm. It just pulls and pulls.

If you want a DCT keep looking. It's really a great transmission and a lot of fun to drive. I don't miss my manual at all, especially since I do occasionally get stuck in commute traffic.
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      05-30-2018, 11:05 AM   #6
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Unless you are getting a substantial discount on the 18 M2, I wouldn’t touch it. Since the Comp got such a small price bump and I see many having msrp deals in place. Even if a few dealers are doing price hiking, it will have zero affect on keeping 18 M2 values up. The fact you are at the end of model year is bad enough, compound that with basically a whole new car.
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      05-30-2018, 11:13 AM   #7
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OP, ultimately I would recommend you get what you can afford. Figure what works best for you in regards to leasing or owning. Both have the pro's and con's listed at nausea on this site.

Regardless of which car you get, either will be awesome to have!!

Remember though: The M2 will have some capacity limitations, better handling, is cozy, will have room for a purse in the back seat, but depending on your skillz can outdrive the M3.

The M3 will be more expensive, powerful, is better looking, more mod-able, bigger, (did I mention better looking?) and is just better than the M2 or M4, especially if you don't lease it.....and get SSII, with SO Full Leather, 18" Wheels, DCT......you know basically the car I have, well because it simply is the best.

Good luck!!
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      05-30-2018, 01:02 PM   #8
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Why not buy a pre-owned M3? You can likely find one with the options/colors you want, still have it be under warranty, and save a substantial amount of $$ over a new one.
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      05-30-2018, 04:19 PM   #9
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The M2 is a car for people who can't afford M3's. Sorry, unpopular opinion, but I call a spade a spade. They're cheap, ugly, and scream "consolation prize".

Secondly, I would never purchase an M3 as the resale values of these cars is dismal, approaching Mercedes-levels of laughable. I lost my shirt on my last M3 and won't do anything other than lease one again. With the next-gen M3 2 years or so out, this argument is reinforced and italicized.

Lease the M3. Make sure it has DCT and try to get the competition package. Don't settle on color or transmission, shop around nationally to get the car you want. It is "your car", if you decide to buy it at the end of the lease you can make that decision then.

If you feel like a gambling man, pick up a used Alfa QF as they're entering the ~$50k range now, and that car will wipe the floor with any BMW made today. Just get the extended warranty.
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      05-30-2018, 10:03 PM   #10
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I agree that you should decide what you want first and work out the finances after that. For example, there are plenty of used F80s out there that are probably the same price as the '18 M2. The general rule of thumb is lease if you goal is short-term ownership (turning it in is much less of a hassle than selling) and buy or finance if you are considering the car long-term. Of course M3 lease rates are are (or were, haven't checked recently) pretty good, so as you state, you could buy it out of the lease. However, depending on how many years you finance the residual, you could be paying for the car for up to 8 years (3 lease, 5 finance), which to me makes no sense.

The 2018 M2 will no doubt take a hit when the M2C is released, but if that is built into the negotiations (e.g, you get a fantastic deal), you plan to keep it long term, and you love the car, then who cares? And if people judge you because you drive a 2018 MC rather than and M3 or M2C because they "assume" you can't afford the others...well trust me, these are not people you likely want to hang out with.

I am looking forward to the M2C and will likely trade in my M3 for that in a year or so. After years of DDs as big as my beloved E39 M5, with the kids grown I'm looking for a smaller DD. If it is not the M2C, I will probably go the 911 route.

GL!
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Last edited by KevinM; 05-31-2018 at 01:54 AM..
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      05-30-2018, 10:15 PM   #11
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Between those two get the M3 especially if you take long distance runs; M3 is a much nicer place to be.
I would only finance an M2 Comp or a USED M2 LCI.
The depreciation is going to be killer on the LCI.
Correct me if I am wrong but the M2 Comp is not a limited run. My 0.02
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      05-31-2018, 07:31 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix View Post
The current M2 will take a big depreciation hit once the M2 competition is released and IMO it's not a real M car, No real M engine, (it has the N55), no M buttons on the steering wheel, horrid seats with the dakota leather.

If it were my money, I'd wait for the M2 Competition and finance that as it is a fun little car with a real M engine and very zippy since it's a bit smaller than the M3.
The S55 is also based upon the n55 engine. When the f80 was first introduced I remember critics lamenting that it was powered by a modified n55, instead of a detuned race car engine based on a design born in the M division. In fact, I've seen e90 m3 owners declare that the s65 v8 was the last "real" m3 motor. Their argument being that the s65 was based on a platform used solely within the m division, and not in any mainstream bmw models. I don't agree that the f80 is any less an m3 than the e90 was, but the e90 fans did have a definable criteria on which they formed their opinion.

It's more difficult to determine which is the "real" m-car when comparing the m2 and f80, even when comparing engines. How do we define which has the real "M engine"? Both the n55 (in its M2 form) and s55 (as found in the f80) are based on the n55 platform that was used in the 335i. Is there a certain number of modifications, or type of modification that set them apart? I don't think we can rely on the naming convention, because we can argue that not renaming the original m2 n55 might be due to marketing strategy, and positioning the m2, m3/4, and anticipated m2 competition within the m-car hierarchy. I think the argument over which is the real m-car falls on shaky ground. I think people have their preferences, but they're both real m-cars.
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      05-31-2018, 04:26 PM   #13
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Thanks to everyone for responses
To those curious I pulled the trigger.. on......

18 bmw m3
Yas marina (fav all time color)
Comp package
Executive package
Driver assistance
Dct
Bonus cf mirrors, roof, and wing

I am on a cloud!! Taking delivery tomorrow
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      05-31-2018, 06:40 PM   #14
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Great choice and congrats!

I like the M2 in theory but after doing a few M-Track Days and driving the M2 and M3/4 back to back I just couldn't get excited for the M2 in comparison.
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      05-31-2018, 07:15 PM   #15
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Congrats! I'm jealous...
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      05-31-2018, 08:07 PM   #16
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i like this. post thread yesterday, make decision and close deal today. no messing around.

enjoy the new car!
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      05-31-2018, 08:28 PM   #17
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You will love it
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      05-31-2018, 11:06 PM   #18
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For me it wasn’t so much the idea if the m2 is a real m or not- I believe it is. It’s the fact that I’ve had 2 n55s already. 135i with dct and fbo and a 335i fbo n55. I thought I was selling myself short if I didn’t experience a new power delivery platform

And the 18 with executive looks absolutely amaze balls

Appreciate everyone’s input - that’s what these forums are all about

Here’s a preview of the car, proper thread to follow

Just call me papa Smurf


Last edited by gemini.m3; 05-31-2018 at 11:17 PM..
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      06-01-2018, 01:46 AM   #19
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You are going to love the M3! I especially like the new Icon headlights.

Plus, with the M3 you get the adjustability for suspension which the M2 does not offer.
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      06-01-2018, 03:45 PM   #20
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Congrats!

Beautiful choice, I'm sure you're going to love it!
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      06-07-2018, 12:10 PM   #21
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Congrats OP! You're story is very similar to mine. I had 2 previous n55s, from a 2012 335i xdrive coupe(6MT) to a 2015 m235(8AT). My current is a 2018 m3 competition in silverstone w exec n driver assistance(DCT). I too was torn between financing the m2, and leasing the m3. After doing the m track day offered at Monticello last year, it was clear the m3 was the car to be in for me. Cool you went the same way also. I am loving mine more every time I drive it and it definitely does not feel like anything I have had prior. Enjoy in good health.
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