Help me decide!

[downshiftapex]

Hi Guys,

I need some advice here.

Backstory:
My brother and I own a e60 m5 back home on the east coast (I moved to Seattle for work). I don't know where to begin, but it has to be one of the most amazing cars I have ever driven. The sound of an v10 with a muffler delete in a tunnel is simply intoxicating and it makes me smile like a kid in a candy store. The cold starts, the reactions of people when they see the m5, hitting xxx mph (in Mexico of course), and waking up on a Sunday to go to Cars and Coffee has made it very enjoyable. Its our first BMW and the M community has been amazing and very welcoming.

Having moved to Seattle, I currently have a DD. However, I miss speed, I miss the sound of a loud exhaust, I miss waking up early to cruise or going on late night drives to clear my mind, and I need it back in my life!

I simply can't decide on what my next car should be and need some input here.

Choices:
- 2015-2018 competition m3/m4 - Ideally SMB or Black on SO interior.
- C63 AMG 6.3L with the 507 package - NA v8 that sounds amazing
- 2015-2018 c63 AMG S
- Wait 1-2 years G80 M3 AWD (European Delivery)
- Tesla Model 3 Performance

I know the Tesla Model 3 Performance shouldn't be a contender but I had some free time this weekend and decided to test drive one. I was completely blown away by the instant torque of an electric motor. I hit triple digits multiple times and surprised how easy it can go 60-100. The technology is amazing. However it doesn't have the look I want in a "sports car," and the interior is lacking. Most importantly, theres NO SOUND! I also wasn't allowed to test drive auto-pilot which was a bummer. Going on an extended test drive this week. I'm not sure what to think.

What do you guys think?

[jmg]

If you are going for that V10 sound, you are going to be disappointed in the F80, which is notorious for having not the most inspiring sound unless you go the M Performance Exhaust Route. Having said that, I think it sounds good, not great. Here's a 130mph flyby someone took of my car with the MPE:

Here's a video bomb with some burbles:

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by jmg

If you are going for that V10 sound, you are going to be disappointed in the F80, which is notorious for having not the most inspiring sound unless you go the M Performance Exhaust Route. Having said that, I think it sounds good, not great. Here's a 130mph flyby someone took of my car with the MPE:

Here's a video bomb with some burbles:

Wow it actually sounds pretty good.

I know most of the newer platforms won't have a sound as close to the v10, but I'm trying to look for something thats a perfect blend of everything I want in a car. I can make some compromises

[nicknaz]

do that euro delivery on m3. My m3 is long gone but the euro delivery was the best thing ever.

[Humdizzle]

cars with power, and only power, get boring over time. Its like riding a rollercoaster, the first time its fun, but after 10-20x you get used to it. GTRs run better times than the model 3p... yet nearly everyone mods them because it gets boring after a while.

So i'd skip the model 3 unless you also need a good commuter car and are in stop and go traffic a lot.

if you are big on sound then an E92 M3 might be up your alley. Its basically the v10 with 2 cylinders chopped off. Prices are rock solid right now. You could buy one, run it for a year or two, hardly lose any money... and then sell it for a G80

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

cars with power, and only power, get boring over time. Its like riding a rollercoaster, the first time its fun, but after 10-20x you get used to it. GTRs run better times than the model 3p... yet nearly everyone mods them because it gets boring after a while.

So i'd skip the model 3 unless you also need a good commuter car and are in stop and go traffic a lot.

if you are big on sound then an E92 M3 might be up your alley. Its basically the v10 with 2 cylinders chopped off. Prices are rock solid right now. You could buy one, run it for a year or two, hardly lose any money... and then sell it for a G80

Honestly thats not a bad idea. I've watched some videos of the v8 m3 and its music to my ears.

The thing that gets to me about the tesla m3 is that for 65k the quality of the build and interior is probably worse than a Honda civic. The interior feels so cheap.

I reached out to my local bmw dealership if they had any additional information on the g80 and they don't. They said I could place a deposit/reservation for one.

[nicknaz]

Price in rod bearing refresh for your e9x m3 deal

Also, you mentioned wanting a “sports car”, so why are you shopping 4 door sedans?

Get a 2 seater or at most a 2+2 so you get the low seating position, lighter weight and other intangibles.

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Price in rod bearing refresh for your e9x m3 deal

Also, you mentioned wanting a “sports car”, so why are you shopping 4 door sedans?

Get a 2 seater or at most a 2+2 so you get the low seating position, lighter weight and other intangibles.

I prefer a coupe but I'm willing to compromise on a m3/c63 4-door. Going to go test drive the e92 m3 this weekend.

[Laostuh]

M3 because I'm bias.

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by downshiftapex

I prefer a coupe but I'm willing to compromise on a m3/c63 4-door. Going to go test drive the e92 m3 this weekend.

My bride and I recently got a Christmas gift from our two sons in the form of a 2017 C63 sedan. Yeah, we can't believe it either, but the reason I mention it is because the sounds it makes are to die for. Unadulterated V8 rumble/burble right from startup, with a delicious snarl as redline looms.

Plus enough torque to straighten the Tower of Pisa.

It's also available as a coupe.

Just sayin'.

Bruce

[AlterZgo]

Originally Posted by downshiftapex

Wow it actually sounds pretty good.

I know most of the newer platforms won't have a sound as close to the v10, but I'm trying to look for something thats a perfect blend of everything I want in a car. I can make some compromises

Don't kid yourself. My friend had an E60 M5 that I've driven many times and I have an F80 w/ Remus cat back exhaust. That E60 M5 is one of the most badass, exotic, high revving, sweet silk ripping exhaust sounds ever (as you know) and the F80 - even with exhaust - is no where even close to that badass V10 in sound.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Don't kid yourself. My friend had an E60 M5 that I've driven many times and I have an F80 w/ Remus cat back exhaust. That E60 M5 is one of the most badass, exotic, high revving, sweet silk ripping exhaust sounds ever (as you know) and the F80 - even with exhaust - is no where even close to that badass V10 in sound.

An ‘09 e60 m5 is a $15k-$20k used car all day long these days.

Anyone can access that v10 engine for civic money these days thanks to the wonder of depreciation

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by AlterZgo

Don't kid yourself. My friend had an E60 M5 that I've driven many times and I have an F80 w/ Remus cat back exhaust. That E60 M5 is one of the most badass, exotic, high revving, sweet silk ripping exhaust sounds ever (as you know) and the F80 - even with exhaust - is no where even close to that badass V10 in sound.

I hate all these regulations. I'm trying to find a c63 with the 507 package local to me that I could hear in person. Can't wait to test drive the v8 m3 this weekend.

Originally Posted by nicknaz

An ‘09 e60 m5 is a $15k-$20k used car all day long these days.

Anyone can access that v10 engine for civic money these days thanks to the wonder of depreciation

This is true. But its hard to find one that is in good condition that doesn't have 7+ owners or a shady maintenance history. When we purchased our m5 we specifically got a 3rd party warranty and set aside funds to cover anything major that comes up. Most people buy these then realize they can't afford rod bearings. We bought ours with 44k miles and now it has 65k in less than 2 years.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by downshiftapex

I hate all these regulations. I'm trying to find a c63 with the 507 package local to me that I could hear in person. Can't wait to test drive the v8 m3 this weekend.



This is true. But its hard to find one that is in good condition that doesn't have 7+ owners or a shady maintenance history. When we purchased our m5 we specifically got a 3rd party warranty and set aside funds to cover anything major that comes up. Most people buy these then realize they can't afford rod bearings. We bought ours with 44k miles and now it has 65k in less than 2 years.

I agree with you on costs and risks for the older cars, especially used. I stopped commuting in my old 911 turbo when I started to drive 40-50miles a day to commute and see clients. Maintenance adds up Fast on the older German cars

My neighbor used to have a c63 with a bunch of weistec exhaust parts and the sound was wonderful. We would talk often about the track readiness out of the box of my f80 vs the sounds and street car fun of his c63

He used it fairly rarely and did comment on maintenance adding up.

I think that’s a theme!

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I agree with you on costs and risks for the older cars, especially used. I stopped commuting in my old 911 turbo when I started to drive 40-50miles a day to commute and see clients. Maintenance adds up Fast on the older German cars

My neighbor used to have a c63 with a bunch of weistec exhaust parts and the sound was wonderful. We would talk often about the track readiness out of the box of my f80 vs the sounds and street car fun of his c63

He used it fairly rarely and did comment on maintenance adding up.

I think that’s a theme!

The 3rd party warranty company told us they won't ever cover another e60 m5 again lol.

Its a tough trade off because I firmly believe a sports car should sound like one. But with all these regulations I think those days are over. Now its just trying to find which one will sound the best with an aftermarket exhaust.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by downshiftapex

I simply can't decide on what my next car should be and need some input here.

Choices:
- 2015-2018 competition m3/m4 - Ideally SMB or Black on SO interior.
- C63 AMG 6.3L with the 507 package - NA v8 that sounds amazing
- 2015-2018 c63 AMG S
- Wait 1-2 years G80 M3 AWD (European Delivery)
- Tesla Model 3 Performance

For a DD, Tesla M3P, hands down. Nothing comes close.

If you are shopping for a track toy, or a real *sports car*, then all of the above are needlessly large and porky.
I would re-do the list, starting with Cayman 718, GT4, MX-5, and similar.

If engine/exhaust sound is the primary criteria, immediately throw out all I-6 variants.
Run, do not walk, to V8's and above.

a

[TrevorM3]

6.3 AMG V8 baby.

[sausage4]

OP get a 981 cayman s ,and straight pipe the exhaust. Thank me later.

[downshiftapex]

Originally Posted by afadeev

For a DD, Tesla M3P, hands down. Nothing comes close.

If you are shopping for a track toy, or a real *sports car*, then all of the above are needlessly large and porky.
I would re-do the list, starting with Cayman 718, GT4, MX-5, and similar.

If engine/exhaust sound is the primary criteria, immediately throw out all I-6 variants.
Run, do not walk, to V8's and above.

a

At this point as fast as the TM3P is, I'm still so undecided. I need to think hard whether or not I can forgo the sound of a v8. A TM3P lease without autopilot is $603 a month (including savings), which isn't too bad.

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

6.3 AMG V8 baby.

Trying to find a 507 package is so difficult. Especially one in good condition that doesn't have more than 1-2 owners.

Originally Posted by sausage4

OP get a 981 cayman s ,and straight pipe the exhaust. Thank me later.

Will look into this.