What is the highest base price you are willing to spend on the E92/E90/E93 M3?

[ruff]

And if the base price exceeds that number, what car would you purchase instead?

[DirtBag335]

I don't want to see it get over 60K. I won't be getting one until the lease ends on my car so it's hard to say what I would get instead. I would probably consider another 335 though.

[SS32]

Yeah, I think anything upwards of $60k base would be a bit ridiculous; considering how BMW rapes us on options.

What was the E46 M3 base? Couldn't you get one practically loaded for ~65k?

[lucid]

If the base goes over $65k I'd have to give it serious thought, unless BMW throws in that lovely puke...I mean...mustard yellow M3 color in the mix for the US, which I would not be able to refuse!

[NavNurs]

One I have asked myself quite a few times. I guess it comes down to how you justify spending the money in the first place.

I figured a decent "cheap" performance car, if one existed, would run into the mid 40's. An example, if a replacement for the S2000 was created and was as capable as the M, it would probably be around that price point with tax/options. Therefore, spending ~15K more for a car that is as capable as a 911 and as practical as an accord seems reasonable in my book.

When I placed my deposit, the expected price increase was given as 5%. Then 8% was kicked around before the magazines started with their 30% figures. So...............

I guess a military sales price of ~50K base puts me at a 60K ceiling after 5k options/tax/Gax Guzz fine, and is where I am unable to move higher with a clear conscience.

The only car I would buy in place of it is..........most likely a used one with 10K miles on the clock. For me, once we start talking about 60K for a car, the 911 looks attractive for just a bit more. Certainly it wouldn't be a new one, but the 911S would be a fun car to drive.


Additional info for the logic stated above, while I feel overpaid for what I do, San Diego homes are running into the 900s for an acceptable unit. It would be difficult to justify spending +100K on vehicles for my girl and I while waiting for home prices to fall.

[mkoesel]

E90/E92: 60k
E93: 67k

Very likely I will decide against the E93 due largely because of price. Well that and that the thing will likely crest 4000lb.

Edit: And if I decide against the M3, it will likely be a 335i instead, with a chance for S5 or G37 as well

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

What was the E46 M3 base? Couldn't you get one practically loaded for ~65k?

At the time of debut the price was about $44k, I believe. $65k will have bought you a nicely equipped (though not loaded) convertible, nevermind the coupe.

[masmole]

I think I'm drawing the line at $65k base. Anything over $60k base would already be too much for an M3. At $65k base making a well optioned car at over $75k, I think I'd just keep my RS4 for another year until my name for an R8 comes up.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by lucid

If the base goes over $65k I'd have to give it serious thought, unless BMW throws in that lovely puke...I mean...mustard yellow M3 color in the mix for the US, which I would not be able to refuse!

+2

I was one of the few that owned that beautiful puke yellow ///M3. Ohhhhhhh how I adored my PY w/ IR leather!

In any case, to answer the original question....

....If the base price exceeded 60k for the sedan, I would simply just keep my 330i. I am not interested in the E92 ///M3.

[Epacy]

$200k. I don't care, I'll pay anything just as long as it's a BMW. I'll buy anything BMW makes.

<isn't this what you wanted to hear, ruff?>

[Rockhurst]

My walk-away point somewhat depends on the C63's base and equip. Those two are neck-and-neck for me. With my expectations on what the C63 might run vs. the options I'd want on top of the M3's base, I'd say $58k might push me back to the 335xi/S5.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by ruff

And if the base price exceeds that number, what car would you purchase instead?

This is not the way I am focusing on my new M3 purchase. I choose to see a price that I can easily afford.

[NavNurs]

If the base price is not something you can easily afford, what then?

[ruff]

Originally Posted by Epacy

$200k. I don't care, I'll pay anything just as long as it's a BMW. I'll buy anything BMW makes.

<isn't this what you wanted to hear, ruff?>

I didn't know you were such a fan boy, could this statement possibly confirm it? Not a bad thing on an M site now is it? Moving to the Rockies huh? Look out Colorado, the high priest of BMW is about to invade your state in a tricked out Maxima.

[jpm3]

drawing a line @ $63K-$65K

Considering:
- GTR Skyline (2nd in line)
- C63 (oh well)

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Epacy

$200k. I don't care, I'll pay anything just as long as it's a BMW. I'll buy anything BMW makes.

<isn't this what you wanted to hear, ruff?>

Even though I am not really interested in the C63 AMG nor IS-F because of looks and their automatics (although given the performance those trannies are offering, that is a diminishing concern). I will still want to see where these cars end up for base price for comparison purposes. Just sort of a value comparison. Some outrageous dollar figure for the M3 base price may push me toward a 335, maybe somewhere in the $63k base range, but again depending somewhat on the IS-F and C63 base. I would like a used 997S but it is just too small for me. I would consider a used RS4 as well. IMO either would be a huge sacrifice compared to the M.

The bottom line is that (unfortunately) nothing on the market entices as much as the E92 M3.

[JEllis]

With my Military Sales discount my threshold for pain be a little higher. If base US MSRP is over 65K I would probably start considering my options. While I think the new M3 is worth another 15K to 20K over the base price of a 335i. I do not believe that it is worth 25K over the base. One reason why I find the 65k base price estimates ridiculous.

After about 62K MSRP a Procede 335i starts looking more attractive. I perfer to have my performance coupe a speed demon out of the box with BMW reliability and a secure warrenty. However, to save 25K, I could be swayed in the direction of the 335i, S5 or ISF.... We'll see.

I am still confident that worst case scenerio the stripped down M3 will come to the states with an MSRP south of 60K.

Jason

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by NavNurs

If the base price is not something you can easily afford, what then?

Like I said I am focusing on it at a price I can easily afford.

[Mx3]

58k Base, 70k w/options max.

I bought my 2003 M3 at 48k base, $60,600 loaded. I could not imagine having to pay more than 10k above what I paid for my last fully loaded M3.

If it went beyond 70K I would consider a used M5.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by westwest888

$52k is my max for base. It's a 3 series. They start at $29,000 (or did in 2005). You don't change the engine and double the price.

Looks like the ///M3 is out for you. Time to start looking at a 335i.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by westwest888

$52k is my max for base. It's a 3 series. They start at $29,000 (or did in 2005). You don't change the engine and double the price.

Say ciao to the M3 then!

My limit for the base is $59k. I'm looking to build mine with only iDrive and the iPod adapter.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by westwest888

$52k is my max for base. It's a 3 series. They start at $29,000 (or did in 2005). You don't change the engine and double the price.

You could not be any more wrong to believe that the only difference between a totally base 328 and an M3 is the engine. Something like 80% of the car is different based on an actual part by part basis. Sheet metal does not the car make!

Furthermore what sense does it make to compare a base model in 2005 to a 2008 model?