Talk me out of trading my M3 for an RS5 Sportback

[mjames]

First, a little history. I owned a 2004 M3 in my earlier life and have very fond memories of it, taking it to the mountains, group drives, driving it like it was meant to be driven. When I bought my 2017 M3 ZCP in May 2017, it was with a fond memory of my original E46. I had been driving a 2010 Audi S4 that was good, but did not compare to the M3.

So I bought the F80 in May 2017, and here we are 2.5 years later and I went from no kids to two kids under the age of 3. This means those mountain group drives and getaways are history, at least for a few years. So now I have my F80 and I mostly used it for my hour-long commute in stop-and-go traffic.

It feels like I'm wasting it. The DCT is jerky in downshifting at slow speeds. The ZCP suspension is overly harsh. I regret buying white on red (my second straight car like this), I miss features like adaptive cruise control and seat massagers, and my sunroof (there, I said it).

In short, I have fallen out of love my once-beloved M3. It doesn't fit me like it used to, I'm a family man now.

But before you say it, I'm not really interested in a 5-Series or something like that, because I think it would be boring and old man-ish. I'm 33. I do want something more comfortable, but still fast and fun with a few more features I'm missing in my M3. I don't know if I'm ready to settle down with a boring 5-Series. And an M5 is out of my budget and overkill; and I don't want anything used.

Adding to this, I bought my wife a 2019 Q7 with all the options and we absolutely love it. I love the ride quality, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist (great for a commute), seat massagers, huge sunroof, and full-screen CarPlay. It's made me realize my M3 has none of these.

When I bought my F80, the only other car I considered was a C63, there was no Audi equivalent in 2017. Now there is in the RS5 Sportback. So I test drove an Audi RS5 Sportback and S5 Sportback. The S5 felt cheap and was boring, so that's out. I really like the RS5.

So talk me out of it. Why shouldn't I trade my M3 for a new RS5 Sportback?

Pros:

* Somewhat smoother ride quality for commuting in comfort mode. My M3 is way too harsh.
* Automatic transmission is smoother, DCT is jerky in stop-and-go.
* Newer, more unique Sportback design. F80 generation is now 5 years old and in boring sedan shape.
* More features I would appreciate: adaptive cruise, sunroof, love the quilted leather seats, smoother transmission for DD, full-screen CarPlay, seat massagers, way more cargo room for those future sports practices and games for the kids.
* I figure when the next M3 comes out in 1-2 years, my F80's value will plummet further. Now is time to sell, no?

Cons:

* I owe 29k on my M3, so I would be taking a big financial hit. If figure trade-in around 54k (20k miles), so with 24k in equity, I'd have to fork out 16-20k in a down payment to keep my monthly payment similar on a finance. So I'd take on 10k in more debt for the loan, but lose the 16-20k downpayment. All in all, it's like a 25-30k loss I take for doing this. That is substantial.

But still ... doing so could allow me the car I'm convinced I want with the same or similar payment, so little disruption in my life. Why would I keep my M3 car payment for a car I don't love anymore when I could have a car I think I would love for a similar payment?

* M3 is lighter, sportier, I get it, but would I really miss that? RS5 is plenty fast and fun.

Thoughts? What would you do if you were me?

[EricVR4]

My friend recently got an 2019 RS5 Coupe....not quite the same but still similar. I think they're fun cars, the AWD is great down low. The interior build quality and materials are better than the F80 (the interior is actually silent with no rattles lol), it's got a lot of nice tech in it.....but I just didn't have the fun factor feeling. It felt a little numb/boring to me compared to my ZCP. Much more refined though.

But at the same time if that's what you're looking for, then go for it. If you're over the harshness of a street/track car, then I'd say the RS5 Sportback is probably a good substitute, especially with young kids.

As for the financial side of it, that's a tough one. No car is ever a good investment, especially when it comes to kids/family, but I don't know what you're finances are like so I can't really say one way or the other. If getting out of the M3 and into an RS5 isn't going to impact your family/kids/savings/etc then who cares, do what makes you happy.

[gatorfast]

Just curious, why do you insist on a new car? You could prob find a CPO rs5 for much less than new which would reduce the financial impact of trading up.

Cost aside, it seems like your mind is already made up and a more comfortable and feature heavy car is better for you right now.

[nicknaz]

“$30k hit” you wrote about should be all the talking out of that you need

Just keep the F80 for now and use the Q7 when you’ve got your family to haul

[icegrill]

Boo hoo, just trade it in get the car you think you want. Repeat cycle.

[AlterZgo]

Sounds like you need an X3/4M. Those SUVs are blisteringly fast and super practical and seem to drive very well.

[VeeralS05]

I'd you're going to sell it. Do it now before the new M3 goes on sale.

Either way a car is a depreciating asset, not worth taking a finance hit unless you're totally sold on the RS5, which I don't think you are.

[IRMthree]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Sounds like you need an X3/4M. Those SUVs are blisteringly fast and super practical and seem to drive very well.

+1

[Humdizzle]

why not a c63 ? smoother, luxurious, better interior (than the M3), and a v8tt on top of all that.

[AO08BAS]

OP it seems like you've already made your mind up as many others have pointed out. At that point no one can talk you out of downgrading to an RS5.

I hope it makes you very happy and meets your needs. Be sure to post some pics after you've picked up the car as I do like the look of the RS5.

[DocL]

Trade in is going to be closer to $49k. That may change your decision.

[mfurse]

Spend the 30K on a family hauler that's comfy and has tech, keep the M3? Spend $5K on tractive suspension and 19's which will make it ride better?

TBH having owned an RS3 they are nice items to own like an iPhone or a nice watch, but they don't challenge or engage you in any way. I lost all emotional engagement after 6 months with mine despite all the engine noises and started looking around again.

It's like a fast lounge, nice place to sit but not one you'd get the itch to go drive for fun. With that in mind perhaps a well specced S5 will be all the car you'd ever need? I am not convinced (and neither are the reviews) that extra the RS5 provides is enough to mark it out as the "special one" in the range. It's really that much and it's like a slightly faster S5 not something from another stable.

[ntg44]

OP, you shouldn't need to be talked out of anything. I've been eyeing the S5 and RS5 sportback for a while now. It's a great car for what it is. Don't let the luxury features blind you - even modern Ms (at least the cheaper ones) are pretty hardcore compared to 90% of the cars out there.

My M3 will never compare to my previous S4 after a long drive. I could go all day in the S4 - the suspension was much better tuned for normal roads and the seats were far more comfortable for my wider frame. By contrast, I drove the M3 once for a ~180 mile road trip, and I secretly couldn't wait to get out of it. The thigh bolsters just don't work for my larger frame, and it's not something to be ashamed of. Now that I had coil overs installed in an attempt to improve the boatiness - road trips are out. I'd rather drive my R8 for road trips now.

There's a lot of great things about the M3, but daily comfort just isn't one of them for me. It's "good enough," and if it was my only car, I'd need to seriously weigh the fun factor against the other 95% of the time when I'm not driving spiritedly. But in my opinion, you can't beat an Audi as a highway cruiser/missile. They're basically built for it. I'd probably have one by now, if I had any actual reason to buy it. Just trying to restrain myself from buying a new car just for the sake of it.

[cotmfk]

I agree with most of the comments on here.

The RS5 is boring to drive. It's a techno toy. IMO, if you want a techno toy, just go full bore and get a Tesla 3 Performance.

[NYBulldog]

Move along to the next car... BUT I don't think the RS5 is the one. C63 at least.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

...The RS5 is boring to drive...just go full bore and get a Tesla 3 Performance.

While I don't share the opinion that the RS5 is boring to drive, I do think that you should at least test-drive the Model 3 Performance...

[mjames]

Originally Posted by DocL

Trade in is going to be closer to $49k. That may change your decision.

KBB tells me 53-54k, my car is pretty fully loaded except for carbon ceramics. Even full leather. But you're right, it might.

Not interested in C63, I dislike the interior, I test drove it when I bought the M3. Too small, and also many say the C and E AMG cars still have harsh suspensions, which defeats the purpose.

Hell no to any SUV, we have that for my wife, I am not interested in my DD being an SUV. I'm a car guy.

Not interested in trading my M3 that I purchased brand new for a used car, I just can't see myself doing that. I'm very OCD with my cars and don't want used.

No interest in Tesla. I profusely dislike the interior design with the huge tablet mounted on the dash.

Again, I'm looking for more comfortable and a few features the F80 platform is missing (adaptive cruise, massaging seats, etc.). So I am willing to lose some of the sports car edge.

And I'm not trying to hate on BMWs or M3s. I love my M3 in many ways, I just don't get to use it like I should due to where I am in life now with family.

[ZCD1]

Originally Posted by mjames

...No interest in Tesla. I profusely dislike the interior design with the huge tablet mounted on the dash.

I understand where you're coming from. Still and all, given what you said you're looking for in a vehicle plus the total $$$ involved, you honestly owe it to yourself to go drive it.

The center screen becomes a non-issue within a couple of days, and the car does everything else incredibly well. No massaging seats, but the adaptive cruise is second to none.

In any case, good luck with your decision. The RS5 is a really nice car, if a bit overpriced IMO.

One more thought: CPO Audi S6.

[Taco_Bueno]

Unless you're wiping your ass with $100 bills I just can't fathom why anyone would buy either car brand new.

CPO and give it a shot. What's the worse that happens? You're stuck with it for a while? I'm not going to lie OP I've had similar temptations

[Maitre_Absolut]

Originally Posted by mjames

The S5 felt cheap and was boring, so that's out. I really like the RS5.

That's odd, the interiors are the same. That's what put me off the RS5, there's no real difference between it and the S5 except for power. That and the option packages suck too. I test drove the 2 door before buying my M3, was really hoping to like it since AWD would have been a plus.

The B7 RS4 was worth the premium over the S4, much more bespoke.

[chicagoshark]

Con number one is your answer. That is way too much of a hit to make that make any sense at all. At least to me but then again I love the F 80. And I was under impressed for the RS5. And I don't love that front grill. I personally love the way the FAB looks. I hope I come around to the G80, Because right now it looks ugly.

I personally don't mind the jerkiness of the DCT. It sounds stupid but I feel like it give that car character and set apart from boring automatic transmissions. But I pretty much love everything about the F 30, maybe the exhaust could sound better.

Personally I think you have a better car than what you would loose a lot of money to trade up to.

[damnitBobby]

I don’t get how the RS5 would be any more practical or beneficial in your situation. It just seems like you’ve got an itch to get a new toy.

Had a 2018 SQ5 that I kept for only one year (unusually short for me). It was boring. I traded it in for the ‘18 M3 ZCP. I feel much better now and plan to keep this the usual 4-5 years like I’ve kept my other cars.