Sold my Modded SS and got a M3(long post)

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

As some already know i sold my camaro on 2/28/13, and a week later picked up a 2013 BMW M3. After month with this car i wanted to share my insight why I ended up with a M3. along with pics and a short exhaust video.

A brand new well packaged M3 is up there with/cost more than Zl1, GT500, corvettes etc....

Why not get a 2013 GT500 or Zl1 ? After owning my camaro and being in different types of cars both foreign and domestic i realized i am not the type of person who only cares about power. But i did learn i love a V8 sound over any 4 or 6 cylinder engine car. While the Suspension on the Zl1 is VERY GOOD, to me the M3 FEELS better. Yes the Zl1 is faster on a drag and track. Its is simply harder to see out of, and steering feel is not as great. IMO the M3 has more of a solid feel to it. While GT500 and Zl1 is more loose feel. But still very sport!

I simply liked the M3 better for daily driving. If i was looking for a weeken car i most likely would not get a M3. Please keep this in mind.
I loved the way it felt, and i was more comfortable. I never complained about the visibility of the camaro, it never really bothered me. Its not until the M3 test drive i realized how bad it really was.The BMW M seats are prefect. The interior is A LOT better than both Zl1 and GT500. The CAMARO interior is PURE plastic! Now a CTS-v interior is much better than camaro and mustang. But i still like the BMW better. The tach is easier to use, and has less plastic feel to everything.

Heres the thing people seem to not understand about a BMW M car. Its a Luxury car and sports car. A Zl1 and GT500 are not luxury cars. Cars like this will always be faster for the money. Also american cars in general seem to be faster for the money.

The M3 is more like a Porsche if anything. Lets not forget about the CTS-V when talking about sports and luxury cars. We have had a non v CTS in our family for years, and i am kind of sick of them to be honest. Wanted something different. I liked the way the M3 felt over the ZL1, i am guessing the CTS-V would be worse than the ZL1. in terms of sporty feel. Although i never driven one. but have sat in one. overall i am just not really into CTS-Vs although they are great cars.

The M3`s 4.0L V8 makes 414HP and 295TQ. as you can see it lacks some torque. BUT the characteristics of this engine is VERY DIFFERENT than most V8s i have driven. Its revvs high and fast. 8400RPM redline which complemented with a double clutch transmission drives beautifully. There are not many engines like this, unless you are buying a super car. Yes a Zl1 or GT500 are power plants, and the supercharger wine is all some. After owning the my modded camaro it was like the same thing, but more power. If i didn't already own a SS the Zl1 or Gt500 would have been much more appealing. I am not trying to say the M3`s engine is better by any means i am trying to say its different. its something i wanted to experience since i already had the raw american muscle. Its also BMW`s last N/A M car right now, hell last N/A engine in general.

The after market for a M3 is stupid expensive, i do not plan big mods. I also do not see my self voiding the warrnety like i did with camaro. I have already modded the exhaust a little which you will hear in the video. Nothing crazy though.

Overall i am very happy. I still do love camaros and mustangs! I learned a lot about camaros and modding. I plan to be a active forum member here like nothing has changed.

Heres she is:

Fixed that for you

Nice car man! But you need to fix those god awful soft white halos...

http://www.bimmian.com/LHU/

[G8GT4now]

Did you look at the AMG C63 black series? Those are nice too.

[Stingray]

Originally Posted by G8GT4now

Did you look at the AMG C63 black series? Those are nice too.

The AMG Black Series are überlegen... but the price is also über high!

[rez333]

Definitely the M3 and C63 AMG black are nice "I'm mature and I've made it" cars. But when I got to that stage I wanted to be immature. :-D

[trewyn15]

Can't go wrong either way, that is one sick car!

[mr_honez]

Very nice car Mike. I know if I had the money for one I buy one too. Congrats!

[Swarm]

why you explaining your choice Mike? the BMW M3 is a great car no matter who ever says

[72MachOne99GT]

My wives cousin has had a 08 or 09 s4, a TT 3 series, and most recently picked up a '13 335 x drive.

There's reasons, as you've stated, that the cost is equal but the performance is not.

I'd love the chance to drive an M3. Didn't get to watch video but holy hell, an 8400 rpm redline? I'd be in love.

[MEDISIN]

Hard to go wrong with a M3! We cross-shopped the M3 last summer before we bought our V sedan. My biggest complaint was the lack of low-end grunt. Once you wind it up, it really comes alive but I don't spend much time above 4000 RPM on the street. My wifes biggest complaint was it felt cramped - especially the back seat (4-door). Gas mileage was a wash - both pitiful. At least the V makes 500+HP and TQ. Not sure why the Bimmer gets such poor mileage. Excited to see what the next M3 will pack under the hood!

[KMPrenger]

sweet car no doubt about it, but not my thing. I have no desire for a BMW, but I respect the car. (not always the same respect for the owner)

[lexlueger]

Hello M brother! Nice ride

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by menendez1293

Looks great but they aren't true manuals right? Not trying to start a manual Vs auto war just wondering

Think of it as an automatic manual.

There is no torque convertor. There are two clutches.

Shifting is lightning fast as the next gear is already waiting.

My Audi S4 has a 7 speed DCT and frankly, if calibrated correctly, it is truly the best of both worlds.

Now one of Ford's big quality problems with the Focus was the original calibration of the DCT. Poorly done and the quality numbers showed it. In fact many of early supercars with DCTs were nearly undriveable in the city or around town. Now? Like I said the best of both worlds.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Think of it as an automatic manual.

There is no torque convertor. There are two clutches.

Shifting is lightning fast as the next gear is already waiting.

My Audi S4 has a 7 speed DCT and frankly, if calibrated correctly, it is truly the best of both worlds.

Now one of Ford's big quality problems with the Focus was the original calibration of the DCT. Poorly done and the quality numbers showed it. In fact many of early supercars with DCTs were nearly undriveable in the city or around town. Now? Like I said the best of both worlds.

The problem with Fords is they didn't allow for manual shifting and it was notchy when shifting. People thought they were getting an automatic and treated it as such... American manufactures rarely have DCTs for a reason. Complexity in both design and calibration.

[Fenderaddict2]

Good luck with the Bimmer, loved mine when everything was working well, but after multiple BMW's including an M3 that all had issues of one sort of another I came back to the domestics after a very long absence. I had trannie issues, then 2 cars with electrical gremlins, a leaky convertible roof, then tire and rim issues all finally topped of with repeated fuel injectors problems. Warranted even, the experience soured me. Not sure I'll ever return to the propeller badged cars if FM and Ford keep upping there game.