Swapping M2 for M3

[James_B]

As per another thread, I think I need a larger car than the M2, and probably a four door. I bought a very well-specced M2 for just short of £52k in April, and BMW will pay £43k to buy it back. A painful hit, yes, but I don't see that I'll achieve much more if I sell it privately.

I'm looking at getting a one year old M3; has anyone owned both, and can they offer any advice on the comparison?

I need to decide pretty soon, so don't think I'll get the chance to drive an M3 first. Much though I love the M2, it doesn't feel as fast as I'd hoped, and the interior feels a little bit low rent.

Any thoughts people have, I'd be happy to hear them.

[as7920]

James_B said:

.......Much though I love the M2, it doesn't feel as fast as I'd hoped, and the interior feels a little bit low rent..

My thoughts exactly which is why I'm hoping the M2 CS will rectify these shortcomings (IMHO).

Love the M3, borrowed a CP for the day. Completely different experience, however I prefer smaller cars.

[James_B]

Thanks.

Being an impatient sort, I just closed the deal, so get the M3 next week.

This leaves me with a very first-world problem; I was going to be taking the M2 down to Champagne this weekend, returning with a boot full of bottles. I now have to take the R8, and settle for 36 bottles at best.

[Robbidoo]

lol 45 minutes from post to finalising the question. Nice work.

[JMBMWM5]

James_B said:

As per another thread, I think I need a larger car than the M2, and probably a four door. I bought a very well-specced M2 for just short of £52k in April, and BMW will pay £43k to buy it back. A painful hit, yes, but I don't see that I'll achieve much more if I sell it privately.

I'm looking at getting a one year old M3; has anyone owned both, and can they offer any advice on the comparison?

I need to decide pretty soon, so don't think I'll get the chance to drive an M3 first. Much though I love the M2, it doesn't feel as fast as I'd hoped, and the interior feels a little bit low rent.

Any thoughts people have, I'd be happy to hear them.

I would bite there hand off mate thats top dollar.
I have had an M2 for a few days and as you say not that fast, I have the 2017 M3 CP and that is fast.

Edited by JMBMWM5 on Thursday 3rd August 16:11

EDIT just asked him, His was unreg brand new Paid £42K DCT, sun pro glass, folding mirrors,but no sun roof, full LED adaptive lights,but no electric seats or heated, but did have HK sound, so not quite what I said but not far off.

Edited by JMBMWM5 on Thursday 3rd August 16:37

Edited by JMBMWM5 on Thursday 3rd August 16:38

[ftypical]

But, noting that he's going to be using the Isofix mounts, he's not going to be fast - at all - in the M3...

[DMC2]

James_B said:

As per another thread, I think I need a larger car than the M2, and probably a four door. I bought a very well-specced M2 for just short of £52k in April, and BMW will pay £43k to buy it back. A painful hit, yes, but I don't see that I'll achieve much more if I sell it privately.

I'm looking at getting a one year old M3; has anyone owned both, and can they offer any advice on the comparison?

I need to decide pretty soon, so don't think I'll get the chance to drive an M3 first. Much though I love the M2, it doesn't feel as fast as I'd hoped, and the interior feels a little bit low rent.

Any thoughts people have, I'd be happy to hear them.

I've owned both and if I were you I'd be VERY reluctant to take that sort of hit to go into an M3. The LCI model is more sorted than the original car and the competition is better again. But I REALLY didn't like the M3. I found it had dead steering (much worse than the M2), it skipped and jumped over bumps, to the extent I could only drive it fast with traction off. Don't get me wrong, the interior was nicer (I had full leather, head up display etc) but I never enjoyed driving it. On the other hand I think my DD M2 is a hoot. Small, compact, chuckable, rarely scary and out of control (unlike the M3) and sounds better. I have a bike rack on my roof and regularly take 3 kids and bikes all over the place. Just my opinion though!

The crazy thing is, when you have kids and want a sports car there are very few options. I find Audi's boring to drive and I don't like the type of people who buy the C63. Not many other options!

[James_B]

Thanks for the detailed response, but I made the switch.

I remembered how much I loved the practicality of my B7 RS4 saloon, and am very happy to be getting back into a practical, "normal" car again.

I'm left wondering if a CLA 45 could have also been good, or an RS6 Avant, but I'm happy with my choice.

I'll have it chipped up to 500bhp+, and hopefully run it for a few years.