[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by bpang1234

More and more the mainstream magazines write about how great the E9X M3 was especially with BMW's decision to install the V8. I think it is for sure heading the way of a car that should be thought of as an investment just like the E39 M5.

Yes, you can have a faster car for the same money but you'd have to weigh that against a pretty special experience in that generation of M3.

I think you are right about the value going up, but only the immaculate garage queens. EAG or whatever the dealer is has some cherry examples well below 10K miles that I think would be good buys if not at that dealer considering their insane markups.

The driving experience really is spectacular, even my cammed 1LE wasn't quite as enjoyable and that is saying A LOT! Little things just add up, and there are a lot of those things included in the design of the e9X M3. From the 8300 redline S65 and that spectacular exhaust note, to the feedback from the hydraulic steering to the DCT....it's just awesome to drive daily.

I can't stop driving mine enough to keep the value up as a result HAHAHA, worth it!

[MRREVINTO7]

i cross hoped my 16 A8 2SS vs M4 as far as I'm concerned the camaro did mechanically as well as the m4 and interior is an 8 out of 10 in BMW but Not 35k better i could buy a 2ss and a 1ss for BMW=Big Money Wasted

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by MRREVINTO7

i cross hoped my 16 A8 2SS vs M4 as far as I'm concerned the camaro did mechanically as well as the m4 and interior is an 8 out of 10 in BMW but Not 35k better i could buy a 2ss and a 1ss for BMW=Big Money Wasted

Agreed, no soul in the new M cars. I would choose a 1LE over any modern M car personally. Like you said, not worth the price gap anymore.

The M4 looks good....wide, low, and aggressive. Once you start it and it farts, they lose me entirely.

[RobC2]

I had a '17 M3 before the 1LE and the cars are very comparable performance-wise. The BMW was obviously nicer all around and more comfortable. The Camaro is sharper and feels more "alive" to me. I have also driven an M2 and M4 at length at the BMW M school. I don't think the BMW Ms are worth the price difference unless you are looking for the ultimate Swiss Army Car. One that is fast, comfortable, practical and will also impress your friends and neighbors. Great cars, just not a great value if you are just looking to go fast and have fun.

[JK001]

For those that owned a E9X M3 and switch to SS 1LE, would you go back to the M3? If so, why?

I'm still thinking of the not so old days...

[oldman]

My first BMW was a 2000CS then a 2800 CS with triple webbers then 2002 Tii.... This is what I've learned: If you can't afford a new BMW, you can't afford an old one for sure. Still like them.. but.

[JK001]

Not about affording...It's more about space here and practicality. I have 4 vehicles plus a motorcycle. When would one have the time to drive each is the question I'm asking myself.

[Bow Tie Affair]

Originally Posted by JK001

For those that owned a E9X M3 and switch to SS 1LE, would you go back to the M3? If so, why?

I'm still thinking of the not so old days...

I came from a e92 m3 to a 2017 ZL1 and would not go back. While i loved 8,400 rpm s65, i could not stand the idea of the rod bearing issues and i like the feeling of the American car scene over the German car scene.

[JK001]

Originally Posted by Bow Tie Affair

I came from a e92 m3 to a 2017 ZL1 and would not go back. While i loved 8,400 rpm s65, i could not stand the idea of the rod bearing issues and i like the feeling of the American car scene over the German car scene.

Yeah. I also had one, still have several BMWs, but keep going back to the all around goodness of the e90 m3 sedan. I'm realizing my problem is I want to have number of cars at the same...

[WhyUMad1LE]

Originally Posted by JK001

Yeah. I also had one, still have several BMWs, but keep going back to the all around goodness of the e90 m3 sedan. I'm realizing my problem is I want to have number of cars at the same...

Who doesn't have that problem?

[Bow Tie Affair]

Originally Posted by JK001

Yeah. I also had one, still have several BMWs, but keep going back to the all around goodness of the e90 m3 sedan. I'm realizing my problem is I want to have number of cars at the same...

Have you looked at the Chevrolet SS sport sedan?

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by Bow Tie Affair

I came from a e92 m3 to a 2017 ZL1 and would not go back. While i loved 8,400 rpm s65, i could not stand the idea of the rod bearing issues and i like the feeling of the American car scene over the German car scene.

This is a reality that anyone interested in a s65 or s85 has to accept and deal with.

I was at the crossroads of sell my e92, or keep it long term and change the rod bearings.

Just got the car back a few weeks ago from getting the bearings replaced, and the weight off my shoulders feels great.

For me, there are no cars that interest me enough, except the overpriced GT350, to get rid of my M3 at this time. It's a future classic and they just don't make them like that anymore. To each their own, you certainly cannot go wrong with a 1LE. I am almost certain I will snatch up a used one for high 20's in a year or so. Such an insane value that car, sad whats happening to them in the used market but no car is immune to that in this used car market.

[JK001]

Originally Posted by Bow Tie Affair

Have you looked at the Chevrolet SS sport sedan?

The SS sedan does nothing for me. But fair competitor on paper

[JK001]

Originally Posted by ST1LE

This is a reality that anyone interested in a s65 or s85 has to accept and deal with.

I was at the crossroads of sell my e92, or keep it long term and change the rod bearings.

Just got the car back a few weeks ago from getting the bearings replaced, and the weight off my shoulders feels great.

For me, there are no cars that interest me enough, except the overpriced GT350, to get rid of my M3 at this time. It's a future classic and they just don't make them like that anymore. To each their own, you certainly cannot go wrong with a 1LE. I am almost certain I will snatch up a used one for high 20's in a year or so. Such an insane value that car, sad whats happening to them in the used market but no car is immune to that in this used car market.

The rod bearings don't bother me much. Oil analysis will be able to tell you the wear. And repair isn't that bad in M standards. If catastrophic failure happens, BMW is fairly likely to replace your engine ( a decent may be).
I'm not looking for the sound alone or the handling alone, the E9X M3 has this superb balanced feel and build quality, the GT350 or 1LE don't have. Anyway, I'm stopping here, I don't work for BMW. I'm keeping the 1LE