All messed up inside.

[Melor]

I have a 2008 335i coupe with 24K miles on the clock. I love the car. Fast, torque up the nose, etc.

So what do I do? Mess with success... Thinking I would enjoy a convertible, I ponder the new SL550. I have always thought these were the coolest cars around. These and Corvettes, and I have already been there and done that with the Vette... All is good until I test drive the SL. It's a beautiful piece of machinery and if I didn't enjoy a sporting good ride, I would have probably gone for it. I, however love tossing a car around and this thing is a German Caddie. Smooth and powerful ( enough ) a great cruiser, but not sporty in it's handling... At all... So, now I have gotten it in my blood to upgrade/update my daily driver. Hey, in the same ballpark money wise is the 911. Also a dream car from my youth. Test drive a 911 S Cab. I thought it would blow my eyes out of their sockets. Yes, it is a nice car, but by comparison, my 335 is still pretty quick and very easy to handle... and my payments are just about half what they would be in the 911. So, now I am thinking with my wallet more and compared to the SL and 911, the M3 looks inexpensive. So off to a BMW dealership ( two actually ). I drove a coupe M3. It goes great. The motor is a joy to put your foot into. The handling and electronic adjustments to the suspension and automatic transmission are a video-game junkies delight. The interface to the map and electronic stuff is a mile ahead of the 08 I am driving now...

Problem with the M3 is that as a daily driver is that the engine needs to be wound out to reach the performance band while the torque laden 335 has a lot of jump at low RPM's, where you can easily dip into the power at daily driver speeds and situations.

So here is the problem. I am all hopped up to buy a new car, but I am thinking that the best car for me is the car I already have. SO I guess I am going to keep it in my pants for now and see what happens over the next 6 months or so. Who knows with this economy. Part of me says take advantage of low interest rates ( BMW 0.9, Porsche 1.9 ) because they may go away. Also the Porsche deal I am sitting on is 10K under sticker on an 09. I am tempted by the Porsche, but if I buy that car I damn well be happy with a capital H. If not, I am quite the fool for giving up a car I love that costs half as much.

Thanks for reading my rant/chat/dump. I don't expect any answers or anything, but please know that typing ( talking ) this out made me feel a little less messed up. In case you are wondering, I don't talk while I type - I haven't descended that deep into insanity yet - but do express that internal dialog where you talk without your lips moving - if you do it yourself you would understand. If not, not.

Paul

[HaloEye]

it seems as if you feel the M3 would be the best deal, the price you are getting a lot with the M3. i personally love Porsche, especially the 911, but as you said the price tag would turn me off. The M3 cost less and you are getting a lot for your money. Is the difference between the M3 and 911 worth paying the extra cash?

You also are in a position to own a car that you loved during your youth. You seem as if you have the money to pull the trigger on your dream car, so why not? and you are getting a good deal

[zinnoberrot]

Originally Posted by Melor

I have a 2008 335i coupe with 24K miles on the clock. I love the car. Fast, torque up the nose, etc....
...Problem with the M3 is that as a daily driver is that the engine needs to be wound out to reach the performance band while the torque laden 335 has a lot of jump at low RPM's, where you can easily dip into the power at daily driver speeds and situations....

...Thanks for reading my rant/chat/dump. I don't expect any answers or anything, but please know that typing ( talking ) this out made me feel a little less messed up. In case you are wondering, I don't talk while I type - I haven't descended that deep into insanity yet - but do express that internal dialog where you talk without your lips moving - if you do it yourself you would understand. If not, not.

Paul

I'd say your 335i is a very nice,fast car. BMW's inline-6 engines are perfect in so many ways.
Are you thinking of selling your 335i in order to buy a new car? If so, buy a new M3. Like you said, the M3 does need to be wound up to go really fast, but that's part of it's charm. A BMW that needs to be worked hard is rewarding, imo.

btw, thanks for posting your 'insanity' through text. You're not the only one who plays dialogue through their head over and over

[Melor]

Insanity Update.

I have put my new car ideas on hold. Given the economy I think I will keep my savings in my pockets for now. What that means is new tires for the 335 ( was holding off in case I traded in ) and am seriously considering the JB+ performance tune chip from Berger Motorsports.

I don't imagine I will keep the 335 past 50K miles, so I will be revisiting this issue in another year or two.

Paul

[aus]

You may want to get a Turbo Tuner used since it makes about as much power as you can make without tripping the internal alarms in the 335's.