BMW M3 as a daily vs i4 M50

glenimp617

glenimp617

glenimp617

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I keep going back and forth with this one (head vs heart maybe).

Trying to weigh up the pros and cons.

Little bit of back story. I currently own an Audi ETron EV which I get through work as it's cheap as chips. Like really cheap! but that will end this coming September unless I extend it for another year which I think I'll do. I'm trying to decide what my next car will be and make sure I get my order in plenty of time.

My first thoughts were to buy something as a daily drive for me and the family, with a second car for the weekend. Due to my driveway/garage situation which I won't bore you with, and a builders quote for £15k I've now decided to stick with one car.....so basically I'm looking for a car to do everything with.

Since I have an EV now, I started looking at the i4 M50. Enjoyed the test drive, but can't help think it's not really anything special.

When you look into the price differences between that and an M3 Comp xDrive, taking into account BMW dealer discounts on the M3, they are around the same price to buy (but obviously not to run).

Pros/Cons for the i4

Cheap to tax and run (octopus go is really cheap)

Super fast in a straight line

EVs I still think are generation 1, and my fear is in a few years a newer model which is way better will come out and mine will be worthless?

Not very special? can't help think it's not a car you take out to have a bit of fun in

Pros/Cons for the M3

It's an M3, I'll smile everytime I get in it (which you can't put a price on)

Running costs, £100+ to fill a tank of petrol (I won't be similing at this!!), Servicing, Tax and all the stuff which comes with owning one (will be under warranty, and I'll no doubt extend when the time comes)

I did look at the M340i, but nope. If I'm buying another petrol I'm going all in (no half measures). This very well may be my last ever petrol car, so might as well make it a good one.
 
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TheOracle said:
When you look into the price differences between that and an M3 Comp xDrive, taking into account BMW dealer discounts on the M3, they are around the same price to buy (but obviously not to run).
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Are the M3 discounts really that good at the moment, or are you assuming you're adding options to the i4 (assuming it needs them to be equivalent spec?)?

I thought an M3 Comp xDrive was the best part of £15,000 dearer than an i4 M50 in terms of RRP.
 
Kenai said:
Are the M3 discounts really that good at the moment, or are you assuming you're adding options to the i4 (assuming it needs them to be equivalent spec?)?

I thought an M3 Comp xDrive was the best part of £15,000 dearer than an i4 M50 in terms of RRP.
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Little bit of both in fairness. There are some toys I did add on to the i4. I know the deals aren't as good as they were a year ago which is annoying, but such is life.
 
Sounds like you have no real desire for the i4, in which case you should be going for the M3. You'll kick yourself in the future if you don't take the chance now.
 
Cleisthenes said:
Sounds like you have no real desire for the i4, in which case you should be going for the M3. You'll kick yourself in the future if you don't take the chance now.
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I do want the M3, but knowing me....will the novelty of paying petrol prices wear off? The M50 is still a great car (no M3 though). This is what I'm like, a constant battle in my head.

They are both expensive cars, so ideally I want something which represents the better value for me. I can't see the M50 being something you take out on a weekend just because you want to drive it.

That said, I do know of people on the BMW forums who are changing from an M3 to an M50, so maybe the running costs are starting to add up to the point people have just had enough.

I want the M3 :D:D:D
 
You should go for the M3, there's going to be plenty of time to buy a brand new electric car.

The same can't be said for a petrol.

The i4 M50 is a serious bit of kit but nothing beats the start up sound of a powerful petrol car.

With regards to the new gen BMW's like many I thought the front end looked horrendous, but after seeing many in person I think they look really good, quite aggressive too.
 
TheOracle said:
It's an M3, I'll smile everytime I get in it (which you can't put a price on)
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Yeah, my smile was wiped off everytime time I filled up (E92 M3) .... and that's when it was £1/litre. Saying that I would still get one over the M50 every day of the week. You are right about costs, I spent a fortune on rear tyres ;)
 
TheOracle said:
Since I have an EV now, I started looking at the i4 M50. Enjoyed the test drive, but can't help think it's not really anything special.

It's an M3, I'll smile everytime I get in it (which you can't put a price on).
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You have answered your question. If money is not a concern it must be the M3
 
Buy the one you like the most.

I'm not sure anything anyone here can say makes any real difference which brand new car you should order.
 
TheOracle said:
I always appreciate everyones advice. There's people far more knowledgable about these cars than I am.
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The problem is that these cars are quite different and therefore which is best is purely a matter of subjective personal opinion.

For a start if you do have a work car scheme the i4 will be very cheap on this so there is a potential here for it to be considerably less expensive. It is, however, just a normal 4 Series that is quite quick in a straight line. An M3 is a completely different experience. You either want that experience or you don't. Personally, I'd have an i4 M50 over an M3 because little of the additional capability offered by the M3 is something I'd find particularly useful but you may well think differently.
 
[TW]Fox said:
The problem is that these cars are quite different and therefore which is best is purely a matter of subjective personal opinion.

For a start if you do have a work car scheme the i4 will be very cheap on this so there is a potential here for it to be considerably less expensive. It is, however, just a normal 4 Series that is quite quick in a straight line. An M3 is a completely different experience. You either want that experience or you don't. Personally, I'd have an i4 M50 over an M3 because little of the additional capability offered by the M3 is something I'd find particularly useful but you may well think differently.
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Thanks Fox, I value your opinion more than most as you are the BMW expert around these parts.

Unfortunately the work scheme doesn't seem to be that brilliant on the M50, although I will take another look just to be certain.
 
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