[dchen2]

So I am going to be moving from the chilly midwest to Arizona soon and can finally think about getting a hi-po rwd car.

Once I get my 335xi coupe lease transferred I will have to decide on what other car to get.

Right now my future choices are:

New 2010 335i coupe ~$55K-
E92 is my favorite 3 series bodystyle by far. Hopefully in 2010 BMW will make available the DCT and msports pack that is on 09 couple/converts in Europe along with the coupe refresh. I played with the new nav as well and that is also a significant improvement.

New/used 2008-09 M3 coupe $55-65k
Gotta put this up as well for consideration as well though I am more of a torque fiend.

Used 2007-08 Infiniti M45 sport $22-28k
The value leader in this group... though I drive by myself or with one other person 95% of the time having the 4door and big rear seats will be nice. Plus the Infiniti relative relability and lux touches such as cooled seats and lexus like leather is a plus. The 335hp 4.5L V8 is also quite up to par. Biggest downside is the 5speed auto the M45 is still using... I don't mind the lower gas mileage but 3k rpm at 75mph can be wearing for such a big engine.

New/used 2008-09 Mercedes C63 AMG $55-65k
The engine and especially the exhaust note is a great. The cons are the lack of a LSD (the largely unavailable perf pack which includes the LDS has a super punishing suspension I heard) and lack of lux touches such as interior looking bleh, lack of keyless go, lack of cooled seats (will be very nice in the 120degree AZ summers).

Used 2007-08 Merces E63 AMG $55-65k
This definitely has both the luxury and straightline power. The airmatic suspension is quite good. I love the exterior and interior, has all the lux interior trimmings, the panaromic and alcantara headliner is sweet as well. Biggest con is price, mythic AMG depreciation (I plan to buy used after 2010 E class official release so it won't be quite as bad as buying a new E63 now), high cost of upkeep, and to a lessor note, the exhaust sounding much less subdued than the awesome C63 exhaust.

Any of you guys want to weigh in here?

[Year's_End]

My vote is for the C63. Don't worry about the lack of an LSD (you can buy the PP package). It's a fun car.

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

If your into modifying your car go with the 335i or 135i since you can make it go fast for relatively cheap and still have the luxury and status aspect. Maintenance is not as expensive as AMG.

M3 is a great car too and holds its value well.

The m45 not a fan of.

The C63 AMG is very tail happy, a buddy of mine has one and its fun to drive but at times can be a little touchy, like you said AMG cars have a higher rate of depreciation and maintenance costs are higher then most other cars.

E63 is fast no doubt but also not a car that I would go with since I’m not a fan of the body style.


At the end of the day only you know which one gets your heart beating. Have you ever looked into a used Porsche 996 TT?

[footie]

The C63 is probably the best choice if you love the kick your 335i already gives you, the M3 may be quicker but without the sensation of the speed (until you check the speedo that is). Also C63 are available with the LSD minus the PP suspension, it's the car of choice but might not be available in the US without the complete package.

[nmulax]

Welcome to the sunny SW. Are you moving to the Phoenix area?

Are you still keeping the GS in your sig?
If so, do you really have a need for another sport-sedan?
I'd say go with a coupe for the second car. Either a 335i, M3, or 135i.

Originally Posted by Vince@ V K Motorwerks

If your into modifying your car go with the 335i or 135i since you can make it go fast for relatively cheap and still have the luxury and status aspect.

3er or 1er doesn't have much status value in the Phoenix area. Then again, a C or even E class blends in. Not ragging on the car's but being honest. My E90 got compliments around Detroit, but when I moved to Arizona it's just another near luxury sedan.

[flyinb501]

If you don't like the price of the E63, how about an E55?

[dchen2]

Originally Posted by nmulax

Welcome to the sunny SW. Are you moving to the Phoenix area?

Are you still keeping the GS in your sig?
If so, do you really have a need for another sport-sedan?
I'd say go with a coupe for the second car. Either a 335i, M3, or 135i.

3er or 1er doesn't have much status value in the Phoenix area. Then again, a C or even E class blends in. Not ragging on the car's but being honest. My E90 got compliments around Detroit, but when I moved to Arizona it's just another near luxury sedan.

I actually recently sold my GS430 and just have my 335xi coupe as my daily driver. I will be moving to the Phoenix area, SE valley. I know up in the north side, Scottsdale and there abouts the car scene is close to LA's level in terms of expensive cars.

Originally Posted by flyinb501

If you don't like the price of the E63, how about an E55?

A used, low mileage 07 or 08 E63 is still within my price range. I was just stating on a general basis the AMG cars tend to depreciate at a faster rate than the M3/M5s.

E55 has crazy amounts of torque and I heard is easily tunable. However, I heard some stories of the E55 (supercharged) having reliablity problems plus they tend to be older. Since I want to use this as a daily driver I would like a longer factory warranty in place. Plus though this sounds silly, the 6.2 V8s sound so much meaner (well basically like a Corvette with a exhaust) than the 5.4 supercharged.

Originally Posted by footie

The C63 is probably the best choice if you love the kick your 335i already gives you, the M3 may be quicker but without the sensation of the speed (until you check the speedo that is). Also C63 are available with the LSD minus the PP suspension, it's the car of choice but might not be available in the US without the complete package.

Unfortunately in the USA the LSD is not available as a single option, its either the entire performance pack or nothing. If only the C63 had cooled seats, keyless go, and the panaroma roof available along with a single LSD option it'll be a sure thing for me.

The M45 with the sports 19" wheels and suspension is decent as well. The M45 is so much more fun to drive than my old Lexus GS430 and even the Audi A6 4.2 S-line and Merc E550 sport.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by dchen2

Plus though this sounds silly, the 6.2 V8s sound so much meaner (well basically like a Corvette with a exhaust) than the 5.4 supercharged.

It's not silly. The 6.2 sounds far better than the 5.4. We went from a CLK55 to a C63. The sound is leagues better.

Originally Posted by dchen2

Unfortunately in the USA the LSD is not available as a single option, its either the entire performance pack or nothing. If only the C63 had cooled seats, keyless go, and the panaroma roof available along with a single LSD option it'll be a sure thing for me.

You really don't need the LSD unless you're tracking the car.

[rubber_ducky]

Are you anti CTS-V? That's in the same price ballpark as some of the other cars.

[dchen2]

Originally Posted by rubber_ducky

Are you anti CTS-V? That's in the same price ballpark as some of the other cars.

Thats a good point... the CTS-V sports 550hp and is $60-70k right?

Only prob is for that price the prestige factor is definitely not quite as good as the Ms or AMGs. Plus the depreciation on a Caddy with all stuff GM has been going through is kind of scary.

Except for BMW (which has heavily subsidized leases), buying most lux cars 1-2 years used is the way to go. the CTS-V should be a steal 1-2 years later once its down to the $35-40k range.

[rubber_ducky]

Originally Posted by dchen2

Thats a good point... the CTS-V sports 550hp and is $60-70k right?

Only prob is for that price the prestige factor is definitely not quite as good as the Ms or AMGs. Plus the depreciation on a Caddy with all stuff GM has been going through is kind of scary.

Except for BMW (which has heavily subsidized leases), buying most lux cars 1-2 years used is the way to go. the CTS-V should be a steal 1-2 years later once its down to the $35-40k range.

Agreed. Though something tells me they'll be some on the used car market at the same time you're shopping for a 2010 3 series. The cadillac name is somewhat tarnished, but having poked around the CTS-V (not having driven one yet though), the quality appears to be up that of it's german rivals.

[Ender514]

C63 FTW!!

[amgthis]

Used E63, slap an exhaust. You're good.

[josephr25]

My friend had an M45 and it was a really good car. Black on black, fully loaded. He test drove a 550i and didn't think it was worth the price, plus the Inifiniti dealership was much nicer to him. He said he had no problems with it as well; the 5-speed doesn't really help with gas mileage but you still have enough torque to get around.

Go w/ an M45... from the prices you listed above you are saving quite a bit. Then you can spring for the new E AMG later

[oldaccount]

if you manage to option out a 335 to 55k then you need a fucking babysitter to make sure you dont make any more horribly retarded decisions.

m3 if you want to shift.

c63 if you want auto.

done.

[wakeboarder109]

Maybe I missed it above but would you not consider a used M5. A slightly used 06 or 07 would definitely fall in your price range.

[dchen2]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

if you manage to option out a 335 to 55k then you need a fucking babysitter to make sure you dont make any more horribly retarded decisions.

m3 if you want to shift.

c63 if you want auto.

done.

I am not sure if you priced out a 09 335i coupe yet but a fairly well loaded (no active steering, active cruise, sunshade, or sat radio) runs $54k. Thats without the DCT or m-sport package.

On the big if that BMW does offer a DCT and the M-sport pack on the 335i coupes for 2010, I assume the DCT will cost ~ $1,000 more than the current auto (M3 dct is $2900, 6AT is $1325). Plus the M-sport will likely cost a bit more than the the $1600 sport pack and $1195 areo kit (since it has all the m-tech bits such as wheels, steering wheel etc).

If you can't tell by my posts and the cars I am comparing it to... I am not exactly looking for a stripper base car that goes fast. I prefer some amenities too.

Otherwise I would just go with a new $25k 361HP Pontiac G8 or a $32k 420hp Camaro SS.

Other than letting me start up the engine, my local Merc dealer won't even allow a test drive of their single C63 they have in stock. (well they'll let you take a drive if you draw up a purchase contract with them but that sorta defeats the point) I am sure the power is very satisfactory and as I noted, it sounds great. However, other than the excellent quality nappa leather seats, the lack of lux touches and small interior hinders it.

Originally Posted by amgthis

Used E63, slap an exhaust. You're good.

Quite tempting! Unfortunately the thought of modding a $95k car with most of its new car warranty remaining is a daunting proposition. And truthfully, if I get a E63 or C63, (or even a 335i), once the warranty runs out then out the car goes. Call me biased but when it comes to luxury cars I am only willing to keep the Japanese brands past warranty... hence my main reason for ruling out the E55 supercharged.

Originally Posted by wakeboarder109

Maybe I missed it above but would you not consider a used M5. A slightly used 06 or 07 would definitely fall in your price range.

Unfortunately for whatever reason I just can not warm up to the exterior design of the 5 series. I test drove a 550i sport a couple years back and while the car drove very well, even with the areo kit the cars still looked bleh. Otherwise a 550i sport lease would definitely be in the running for me.

Originally Posted by Kampfer

My friend had an M45 and it was a really good car. Black on black, fully loaded. He test drove a 550i and didn't think it was worth the price, plus the Inifiniti dealership was much nicer to him. He said he had no problems with it as well; the 5-speed doesn't really help with gas mileage but you still have enough torque to get around.

Go w/ an M45... from the prices you listed above you are saving quite a bit. Then you can spring for the new E AMG later

I might end up going with a M45 first and use that to tide me over until the 2010 E92 order info comes out. If the M-sport and DCT is not released for the 335i then either stick with the M45 or upgrade to the C63/E63. By that time lightly used C63s will be more plentiful and since the redesigned E class will be out, I imagine used E63s will have become even cheaper.

[JW-Tuning]

C63 is the bomb!

[noodles]

Audi S5 or M3..

[TwinTurboXI]

I'd go E63

[dexter]

i just found a black E63 with 13,000 miles for 49,900. quite the deal, i would never buy a benz new, the depreciation is disgusting

[Hula-Hula]

I say C63 with PP... I'd have fun with that diff in the snow here in SWEDEN!
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