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

[fusionchicken]

I was going to suggest the OP to just lease a new M3

If the new M3 is 6mt for me it's an even more obvious choice over the S4. The slight increase in cost per month would not deter me, otherwise I wouldn't be shopping these kinds of cars to begin with IMO.

The new S4 is a great car but it's just not terribly dynamically involving and I could see a former M3 driver get bored with it pretty quickly, even if the car is tuned and can go quick with a proper launch.

[UGADawgFan]

Originally Posted by armani335

I think S4's depreciate faster than m3s. If you don't need the awd, I'd say just put less down on the m and add 6-12 months to the loan term. This would keep payment low and you'd have the option of getting a next gen in 2-3 years as you'd have positive equity.

Disagree- S4's (and Audi's) in general hold their value well up here, at least in the PNW due to the weather and mountain roads we have here.

And considering the way F80s are tanking in value, it's probably about the same.

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by UGADawgFan

Disagree- S4's (and Audi's) in general hold their value well up here, at least in the PNW due to the weather and mountain roads we have here.

And considering the way F80s are tanking in value, it's probably about the same.

Really? S4s hold their value and f80s are tanking? Really?

S4s depreciate at a relatively steady state. They neither hold their value well nor lose it particularly fast. They are a competitor to a BMW 335i/340i x-drive and have very similar depreciation.

M3s are a little different. They tend to lose 1/3rd of their MSRP very quickly (i.e. within 2-3 years, pretty standard) and then they tend to level off.

For example, my 2015 stripper f80 m3 nearing 4 years of age and 50k miles is probably worth about $38-40k right now. MSRP was ~$63k. That's a fairly standard depreciation curve.

However it will level off now and retain it's value fairly well over the next ~4 years or so until it gets closer to 100k miles, and then it'll take another sizable depreciation hit.

One thing with M3s historically is that they tend to have very good reliability records. Besides scares with e46 and e9x m3s and rod bearing issues, they don't tend to scare people with huge repair bills frequently. That is different than multiple generations of s4.

[UGADawgFan]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Really? S4s hold their value and f80s are tanking? Really?

S4s depreciate at a relatively steady state. They neither hold their value well nor lose it particularly fast. They are a competitor to a BMW 335i/340i x-drive and have very similar depreciation.

M3s are a little different. They tend to lose 1/3rd of their MSRP very quickly (i.e. within 2-3 years, pretty standard) and then they tend to level off.

For example, my 2015 stripper f80 m3 nearing 4 years of age and 50k miles is probably worth about $38-40k right now. MSRP was ~$63k. That's a fairly standard depreciation curve.
.

And a typical S4 from 2015 is around the low to mid 30k mark with the same mileage...and it likely had a lower new car price.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by armani335

loan term. payment

Man... those words together would deduce my enjoyment of any car

Cash paid e36 m3 would make me way happier

[Jaymax85]

This thread makes very little sense, financially if 13000 down is a huge problem for you as you have recently gotten divorced maybe you should downsize to a gti for a few years and save up.

[Fuller]

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's rare to get a good deal buying a car off lease. Why not look into other gently used or cpo m3/m4 where a better deal might be possible?

[e92ben]

Go for the s4. Try something new.

[djburkeen]

well im glad you passed OP...

I inked a deal for that black m3 end of last week, hopefully pick up by friday

[jmg]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

I got the ACTUAL numbers from the guy, and now that pen was almost on paper, the numbers are actually a little different

1) M3: $6000 down (not $5000), and $669/mo

2) S4: $5000 down, and $534.19/mo... AND, they will take care of my last month of the M3 (~$600) and will cover disposition fee for end of lease ($350), so that's another $1000 off.

I think I'm gonna go S4.... that's $135/mo less, $2000 less up front overall.

IMHO you are making this more complicated that it has to be with these down payments. Why are you putting anything down on a lease? The whole point is to keep your money liquid?!

$0 down. Just pay the drive off.


S4: (534*35)+5000-600-350= $22,740
Fees: $800
1st mo: $534
5000-800-534=$3666
$3666/36=$101
$101+$534=$635/month

M3: (669*35)+6000= $29,415
Fees: $800
1st mo: $669
5000-800-669=$3531
$3531/36=$98
$98+$669=$767/month


$767-$635=$132

Forget all the ancillary bs down payment, upfront costs etc... those are all distractions. We're talking about cost of ownership here. $22k vs $29k. End of story.

You live paycheck to paycheck? Your monthly is a $132 difference between an M3 and an S4. Whether or not you can afford it is up to you. You ask me, that's a small price to pay for a much much better car.

[Takumi587]

Update on thread? I thought OP went with the S4. Here to see more pics of it!

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Update on thread? I thought OP went with the S4. Here to see more pics of it!

yep, i picked her up saturday

i'll post pics soon.... some thoughts:

PROS

• The interior is TO DIE FOR! I'm sorry, it may not be an M3 (see CONS below), but the interior is just plain FANTASTIC. The virtual cockpit is amazing, the ambient lighting is beautiful, the seats...OMG, the seats! they have better bolstering than my M3, the leather is classier and feels better, and they even have Massage features!
• The electronics on this car are years away than the 3-series. Setting up the garage opener, the connectivity to the phone, the apple car play implementation, the streaming of media content from your phone to the car, you name it, it's just done better. I'm a 2 decade old BMW fanatic, and I still am and will never likely be an Audi/Merc driver long term, but interior wise, Audi truly has done great with this latest batch of cars
• Power is not in the same ballpark as the M3 (see below), but off the line with Quattro and in stock form, this car has some pep. It really feels faster than the 340i. I imagine once they crack the ECU, an APR or similar flash will take care of this in no time.

CONS

• Obviously the power (compared to the M3) and the driving dynamics are not in the same ballpark. That's not to say it's anemic...it actually feels faster than the 340i i drove for 2 weeks a few months ago. But the M3 just has more power, more balance, and it's a more raw of a drive. A true driver's car in this segment.
• The wheel offsets are pretty pathetic in this car. I can barely fit a 265 width tire with some after market rims. Even on a 340i you can easily put some 275 rears with the correct offset wheels, but this thing lacks that. The fenders should be more bulged in my opinion
• it doesn't have the presence of the M3. The stance, the looks, the overall lines of the M3 is obviously much more aggressive and eye catching

Overall, I know I will miss the M3's performance and presence, but for a DD it is incredible so far. It's only been a couple of days, and I'm still learning the car, but for saving $2k up front and $135/mo, as a temporary stop-gap until the G80 M3 comes out and I get my feet under me post-divorce, I think I made the right choice


just couple of cell pics of two of my favorite features:

audi logo puddle lights when you open the door:

[nittany]

congrats on the S4, look forward to more pics! check out unitronic too when looking for the ecu tune, it's nice to flash at home rather going to the shop

[nicknaz]

Congrats OP

[Golfster]

Congrats, OP.

[f80er]

Audi S4s just so bland nowadays, nothing set them apart. Hell I saw a new A4 the other day with black wheels/polished lips and red brakes (all stock) that looked better than a new S4.

I have had 3 S4s in my day and its sad that Audi just doesn't seem to give them much love anymore.

[Negtvions]

Originally Posted by 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

After reading a few posts I'm going to agree with Darth on this one. The M sounded like a good deal, until I found out you had to pay $14k at the end.

I'd probably go with the S4 lease, and then get the new M3 model in a few years.

Save a bunch of cash for all the dates you'll be going on now that you are single...

[georgere]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

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

Look given your other comment, get Camry (or the like, Honda for instance as they drive better or even some SUV which will be easy to sell), save money and get 911 in 3 years.... given your specific dilemma I'd stay in m3. U know the car, u like it, so why save 20$ a month but still be paying hefty sum for a mediocre in performance and not a fun car? About technology, I have no idea why led tv in a car makes people excited. I think if you are into driving you don't need all this. Tv is probably for people who hang out in parking lots... or stay in traffic all day long....

[criderman]

Originally Posted by djburkeen

well im glad you passed OP...

I inked a deal for that black m3 end of last week, hopefully pick up by friday

Congrats! Did you buy it in Lafayette, IN? If so I almost bought it myself in March!

[djburkeen]

Originally Posted by criderman

Congrats! Did you buy it in Lafayette, IN? If so I almost bought it myself in March!

well I priced it with them (Lafayette), then went to my local dealer (bluegrass bmw) talking to them about it. sales manager there beat their price substantially even after procuring it from Lafayette.

so it was a win-win. I got the car I want and got to purchase from my local dealer.

now if the damn transport would hurry up and pick it up....its been 2 weeks today since I signed the papers and still waiting. im close to just green lighting someone driving it back to me, ha

why you pass on it criderman? and thanks for passing on it btw, lol.


guess its time to update my sig as well...

[criderman]

Originally Posted by djburkeen

well I priced it with them (Lafayette), then went to my local dealer (bluegrass bmw) talking to them about it. sales manager there beat their price substantially even after procuring it from Lafayette.

so it was a win-win. I got the car I want and got to purchase from my local dealer.

now if the damn transport would hurry up and pick it up....its been 2 weeks today since I signed the papers and still waiting. im close to just green lighting someone driving it back to me, ha

why you pass on it criderman? and thanks for passing on it btw, lol.


guess its time to update my sig as well...

I passed because they didn't really want to negotiate the price. I had two cars on the radar and I chose a MW/SO at the price I was a little more comfortable with. I was at the dealership this past weekend and I took a look at your new ride...she's sweet! The Silverstone interior really pops!

[djburkeen]

Originally Posted by criderman

I passed because they didn't really want to negotiate the price. I had two cars on the radar and I chose a MW/SO at the price I was a little more comfortable with. I was at the dealership this past weekend and I took a look at your new ride...she's sweet! The Silverstone interior really pops!

that's surprising to hear, they were pretty aggressive on the price with me.

awesome glad to hear that! yeah im pumped, local dealer has a black f90 m5 with the Silverstone interior and it looks great, the silverstone interior was a large reason I honed in on this m3. and to me black is best color for that interior.