"His & Hers" 1-Series, or... a 1er AND an M3?

[TagMan]

My wife told me last night that she likes my 1-Series so much that she is thinking about getting one of her own. Holy Smokes! Well, if she does, quite frankly, I'm not so sure I'd be thrilled with having two of them in the garage.

So... the solution?

1. Go ahead and live with "his and hers" 1-Series.
2. She drives her 1er, and I go back to driving my 911 Carrera S again.
3. She drives her 1er, I sell the Porsche, and I get an M3 convertible.

comments / suggestions / advice / solutions?

TM

[Novator]

If you like your 1er, why give up yours? It would be pretty cool to have two ones. Your wife's could remain bone stock and you could modify yours to your taste. I like the new M3, but it just seems really big in person. Don't get me wrong, an M3 is awesome and well engineered and beautiful car. For me I just couldn't justify $70k for it after optioned the way I wanted it. That's just my opinion. If you do get an M3 you should get it in a hardtop, saves weight and will be sportier since the coupe has a carbon fiber roof.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Novator

If you like your 1er, why give up yours? It would be pretty cool to have two ones. Your wife's could remain bone stock and you could modify yours to your taste. I like the new M3, but it just seems really big in person. Don't get me wrong, an M3 is awesome and well engineered and beautiful car. For me I just couldn't justify $70k for it after optioned the way I wanted it. That's just my opinion. If you do get an M3 you should get it in a hardtop, saves weight and will be sportier since the coupe has a carbon fiber roof.

Hey, Novator...
Which island is home for you? I lived in Maui years ago... between '88-'91. On Keawakapu Beach, if you know where that is.
I miss it so much.

BTW, thanks for the perspective. Until the wife makes a firm decision, nothing will happen anyway. So, it's "wait and see".

[ben14142001]

M3 is overpriced. Stick with your 1er or drive the 911.

-Ben

[Robert]

What's wrong with the 911, why don't you drive it.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by robert

What's wrong with the 911, why don't you drive it.

Crazy as it sounds, I've liked the 135i so much, I've had the 911 available for sale. And I like the extra rear seats in the 135i. They are a bit tight, but can be used very well. The rear seats in the 911 are nearly useless. And the BMW is much more comfortable in the driver's seat.

I've just been thinking today that an M3 would give me the best of both worlds.

Hopefully some of the members here can offer some suggestions and ideas, and I'll be able to sort it all out a little easier. For starters, I'll go check out the M3 again. It's been a while.

TM

[ky_soldier]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Crazy as it sounds, I've liked the 135i so much, I've had the 911 available for sale. And I like the extra rear seats in the 135i. They are a bit tight, but can be used very well. The rear seats in the 911 are nearly useless. And the BMW is much more comfortable in the driver's seat.


TM

my thoughts exactly. sell the 911 and buy an R8. you'll never look back! I sold my C4 cab last year to make room and barely miss it. the 135 is much more useful for half the price. If price gets in the way i'd opt for an S5. they are stunning and go like hell.

[PUREPHAZED]

I agree with ky_soldier on the R8. But the S5 compared to M3. M3 hands down.

enjoy your dilemma. next year i will need to find my wife something to drive.
3 series combi or X6 (which she hates and i truly like) sigh!


M

[3toM]

Not a terrible dilemma to be in, but a tough choice. I can say that I am loving my M3 sedan. Was going to get a 1er, and with 0.9 financing, steep discounts on 08 M3's and a need for a larger backseat, the M3 was the choice. And it's been a fun choice. I have about 1 week until my 1200 mile fluid change, and then the break-in period is over and I can really have more fun (although there is a second break-in period to about 3000 miles where you aren't supposed to go over 137 mph). The car just loves to be over 4000 rpm, handles great, sounds great!

Tough choices. I guess just wait and see what the wife does, and then maybe go drive an M3 and see what comes of it. And of course you have to get the cab instead of the coupe as suggested previously, since we know your love of cabs.

[Tradical]

The deals on an 08 M3 are very good at this time. If you are patient probably 10 to 12 percent off of MSRP and .9% financing. I purchased a 1 but looking back an M3 would have been a better choice for me.

[PrimoM3]

Definitely good deals to be had right now on new M3's... with that said, you may lose a few bucks selling a car right now, even a P car will take a hit and/or may be diffcult to sell.

135i and M3 (coupe) would be my choice if finances allowed it.

[Notion-Za]

why not get her a 330i convertible and you keep your 1'er!

im sure she will love the hard top instead of the cloth! also not as pricey as the M3 or 335..

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Primo135

Definitely good deals to be had right now on new M3's... with that said, you may lose a few bucks selling a car right now, even a P car will take a hit and/or may be diffcult to sell.

135i and M3 (coupe) would be my choice if finances allowed it.

Whoa! That's gorgeous. Very tempting indeed.

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Notion-Za

why not get her a 330i convertible and you keep your 1'er!

im sure she will love the hard top instead of the cloth! also not as pricey as the M3 or 335..

Yes!... But that's how the whole thing started. She test drove a 328i convertible. She liked it, but said she likes my 1-Series so much that she's thinking of getting one of her own. So... it's "wait & see" what she decides. Then, I'll figure out whether we'll have two 1-Series or if I'll drive something else, like the M3.

Thanks.

[BerkTechnology]

Go for the M3! :thumbup:

[Novator]

Hey TagMan, I am actually stationed out in Oahu (in the Marines). I haven't visited Maui yet, but its on my to do list before my term ends. I live out in Kaneohe Bay, its pretty nice. Originally I am from NJ, sort of wish I was still there, my car would have been in my hands right now. Unfortunately I am in North Carolina training and will most likely not be back in Hawaii when my car arrives (the dealer will leave it covered and watch it for me until I return). I hope whatever your wife decides that you both will be happy.

[Notion-Za]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Yes!... But that's how the whole thing started. She test drove a 328i convertible. She liked it, but said she likes my 1-Series so much that she's thinking of getting one of her own. So... it's "wait & see" what she decides. Then, I'll figure out whether we'll have two 1-Series or if I'll drive something else, like the M3.

Thanks.

+1 for m3 then
you'll get a better sound track from the engine

[TagMan]

Originally Posted by Notion-Za

+1 for m3 then
you'll get a better sound track from the engine

Yeah, the more the wife wants the 1-Series, the more I'm really starting to think seriously about the M3 for myself.

If possible, I'm going to arrange a test drive later this week or early next week.

I'll post my impressions.

[Heinzftw]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Yeah, the more the wife wants the 1-Series, the more I'm really starting to think seriously about the M3 for myself.

If possible, I'm going to arrange a test drive later this week or early next week.

I'll post my impressions.

Tagman trust me you will love the damn thing. Few months ago I went over to the local dealership during their BMW event I was invited to. I sat in the M3 coupe' for a few minutes. The sales manager walks over to me and says "you look pretty good in that kid, keep your hopes up." Five minutes later I started up that 4.0L V8 and I just knew. Well you can understand the rest. :wink:

[Notion-Za]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Yeah, the more the wife wants the 1-Series, the more I'm really starting to think seriously about the M3 for myself.

If possible, I'm going to arrange a test drive later this week or early next week.

I'll post my impressions.

Im sure u'll enjoy! are you going to keep the stick or move over to the DCT gear box? if you do test drive one with the DCT please let us know how it is! bmw's smg in the E60 is brutally fast and epic! but in traffic its a killer with the jerks!

[VFX]

As a Porsche guy I'd prefer to have two 1ers & a 911 over one 135 & M3.

An M3 wont talk to you like your 911.

But then again, some people may want to drive in silence.

.

[adc]

Originally Posted by TagMan

Hopefully some of the members here can offer some suggestions and ideas, and I'll be able to sort it all out a little easier. For starters, I'll go check out the M3 again. It's been a while.

Here it goes then, for whatever it's worth.

I think the M3 is a MUCH more capable car right out of the box. It's faster, it sounds a lot better and the interaction between engine, chassis and controls is even better and more exciting than in the 135i.

Awhile ago I had the opportunity to try out the M3, 135i and 335i (modified) back to back. I definitely liked the 135i more than the (even modified) 335i, but the M3 simply blew me away. I could not get over how much more sorted the chassis is, no understeer and better damping, and how much more traction it can muster over any type of road.

Then a few weeks ago at Oktoberfest I was able to drive the 135i and M3 again, this time in the rain, and compared them both to my 335i. As before, I much prefer the feel and exuberance of the 135i over the 335i, but think that for my purposes it would need a few upgrades - suspension, wheels and exhaust mainly.

And as before, the M3 transported me to another plane of driving pleasure - except this time on gnarly wet roads the difference was even greater. I swear if they had a BMWFS loan desk out there, I wouldn't have gotten out of their demo car.


Of course, in time the cooler perspective will likely prevail and next year I'll go for a 135i ED instead of an M3 sedan - I'll probably be perfectly happy with a modified 135i but in my heart of hearts, I'll always lust after the M3. (Just cannot rationally justify it).

I hope this helps you a little with your decision. Just make sure the M3 has the EDC option.