[Ceros15]

So just as the title says I'm planning on getting either a f30 335i or even an n54 335i 2 door and dump money into modding it making it possible 600hp+ monster or get a f80 m3
I live in California in Orange County so prices for both cars are a bit higher than most places, if im lucky I can get a f30 for around $15k-$20k or the older n54 for $9k and an f80 costs around $43k
Just curious on which would be more worth getting and if a lot of money has to be spent to make the f30 into a car like that

[alohasurftoad]

F80

[TheJungatron]

If you plan on racing the car I would go f80

[T5viggen]

Not BMW's, but basically the same ideal...I had both an Audi RS4 and S4 and there really isn't enough money to get the S4 to the same level in all dynamics as the RS. If you can afford the F80, get it. Otherwise you'll just be chasing a dream to make the F30 as close to the F80 as you can...but it never will be.

[AlpineX]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

So just as the title says I'm planning on getting either a f30 335i or even an n54 335i 2 door and dump money into modding it making it possible 600hp+ monster or get a f80 m3
I live in California in Orange County so prices for both cars are a bit higher than most places, if im lucky I can get a f30 for around $15k-$20k or the older n54 for $9k and an f80 costs around $43k
Just curious on which would be more worth getting and if a lot of money has to be spent to make the f30 into a car like that

Depends on if you are doing the work yourself or hiring it out. I'd be tempted to go for the E92 with N54 if you do your own work. Savings purchase price, insurance premiums, etc.
True almost across the board that a stock car will be more reliable (less down time) than a built car.

[Zanity]

F80 all day long, you need proper mods for 600HP N55 or N54 engines, or you'll risk blowing it up, strong engines, but lots of crap plastic parts, not worth the hassle if you can afford F80.

[bqik]

do you need xdrive?

[Ceros15]

Xdrive doesn't really matter to me.
I guess the only thing that I'm considering is that getting an m3 used I'd be paying around $700 a month for 84 months while an f30 would be like $200 a month. I'm a student and get paid a little over $2k a month so for me the payment is definitely something to consider

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

Xdrive doesn't really matter to me.
I guess the only thing that I'm considering is that getting an m3 used I'd be paying around $700 a month for 84 months while an f30 would be like $200 a month. I'm a student and get paid a little over $2k a month so for me the payment is definitely something to consider

Uh.. I would never spend 35% of my monthly income on a car. That's just asking for trouble. Get the F30.

[_tlink]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

Xdrive doesn't really matter to me.
I guess the only thing that I'm considering is that getting an m3 used I'd be paying around $700 a month for 84 months while an f30 would be like $200 a month. I'm a student and get paid a little over $2k a month so for me the payment is definitely something to consider

With that type of income you should not logically be buying an F80. Assuming since you are a student you are under 25 which will demand a high insurance rate (unless you go under you parents coverage). Still regardless you are looking at $800 (payments) + ~$300 (insurance) + ~$300 (gas) which is $1400 in just basic payments not including your life expenses and possible upgrades/issues you may want or run into later on.

E9X 335 and F3X 335/435 are much better daily options in your case from a cost perspective. I was in a similar position when looking around and got a great deal on my 435 which to daily has been amazing. Save the M for when you get a little more cash flow. Typically most will say if your car payment is over 10%-15% of your monthly income you are spending too much. Just do what feels right in the gut, you will always want an M if you don't get it, but that just gives you something to work towards!

[MONSTAR]

With your income, an F80 is not a realistic choice.

Why don't you call your insurance company and get a quote for 6 months of coverage with the F80 and work out what your monthly payment would be for that, and your monthly payment for the car. Start putting that amount into savings every month.....for a year. Will you be able to get by without touching that money? If yes...maybe consider purchasing (BONUS, the f80 will be cheaper by then). If not, guess what, you have like $12k in the bank now for emergencies or you could outright buy a 328i cash

[MacklinUSOB]

Reading this thread is like watching someone dig a grave.

Do not buy a car worth more than 50% of your yearly income unless you are prepared to live in it, let alone 200%.

"m3 used I'd be paying around $700 a month for 84 months" - The interest on that note alone can buy you a 335i.

MONSTAR has the right idea, you've got to save either enough to buy a car outright or make a tremendous (>50%) down payment.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Financial advice aside (you're an adult, you have to figure that out or learn on your own), I think getting an F30 or E92 335i is not a bad option. You can make some big power with the N54 and even with the N55. Also, working on a car is more fun that just buying something like an M3 and calling it a day. Also, if you're just looking for mostly a straight line speed machine, then you'd be wasting your money on an M3. Also, a used S55 is probably a lot more expensive than an N55 if you ever have to swap motors for some reason.

That said, the M3 does have some benefits for more power like the LSD, wider track and wheels, twin turbos, and a closed deck block, stronger transmission. It of course costs a lot more, too, though. I don't know too much about getting past 400hp on the N55, but I imagine you'll need some work on the bottom end to support that much power.

Personally, I think a clean F30 M Sport can look better than the F80 M3. I am just not a huge fan of the bumpers on the M3. The fenders and quarter panels look nice on the M3, but the bumpers just look a tad overstyled for my taste. An F30 M Sport with simple lips or front splitter and new diffuser look really sharp and what a nice semi sleeper should look like.

So I don't think it's as clear cut of a decision. You can start with a lower investment on the F30 and you'll have money to start working on the car right away. You'll also have the sense of accomplishment of doing a bunch of work on your car. Or you can start off poor with an M3 and not really be able to do anything until you've saved up more money. Just another guy in a used M3 (not that that's a bad thing).

[Ceros15]

I actually have been saving about $600 a month and on top of that paying $300 a month for my current car which I would be selling. I don't have any expenses other than my car and eating since my parents don't mind me not paying rent. I don't think it's that unrealistic considering I have no other expenses

[Ceros15]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Financial advice aside (you're an adult, you have to figure that out or learn on your own), I think getting an F30 or E92 335i is not a bad option. You can make some big power with the N54 and even with the N55. Also, working on a car is more fun that just buying something like an M3 and calling it a day. Also, if you're just looking for mostly a straight line speed machine, then you'd be wasting your money on an M3. Also, a used S55 is probably a lot more expensive than an N55 if you ever have to swap motors for some reason.

That said, the M3 does have some benefits for more power like the LSD, wider track and wheels, twin turbos, and a closed deck block, stronger transmission. It of course costs a lot more, too, though. I don't know too much about getting past 400hp on the N55, but I imagine you'll need some work on the bottom end to support that much power.

Personally, I think a clean F30 M Sport can look better than the F80 M3. I am just not a huge fan of the bumpers on the M3. The fenders and quarter panels look nice on the M3, but the bumpers just look a tad overstyled for my taste. An F30 M Sport with simple lips or front splitter and new diffuser look really sharp and what a nice semi sleeper should look like.

So I don't think it's as clear cut of a decision. You can start with a lower investment on the F30 and you'll have money to start working on the car right away. You'll also have the sense of accomplishment of doing a bunch of work on your car. Or you can start off poor with an M3 and not really be able to do anything until you've saved up more money. Just another guy in a used M3 (not that that's a bad thing).

I get what you're saying and that's where I'm stuck. Money wise I really don't think either of them are that bad I just don't know if I should get an f30 and mod it up or get the f80 and not really do much to it. That's where I'm stuck because I've actually never had a bmw before so I really don't know how much power an f30 can make with upgraded turbos and a few other mods

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

I get what you're saying and that's where I'm stuck. Money wise I really don't think either of them are that bad I just don't know if I should get an f30 and mod it up or get the f80 and not really do much to it. That's where I'm stuck because I've actually never had a bmw before so I really don't know how much power an f30 can make with upgraded turbos and a few other mods

I guess I'd personally get the F30. I like working on cars and would use it as a learning experience. I also probably wouldn't be tracking the car, which is where the F80 really shines. It'd also be YOUR car. I wouldn't want to track a newish M3 anyway. It can get pretty expensive.

[Kailec]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

I actually have been saving about $600 a month and on top of that paying $300 a month for my current car which I would be selling. I don't have any expenses other than my car and eating since my parents don't mind me not paying rent. I don't think it's that unrealistic considering I have no other expenses

You asked for advice, everyone is unanimous in saying you should get an F30. It sounds more like you're looking for reassurance from random internet people that you should get the F80. I don't think you'll get that from anyone here. I'll say it again, get an F30. If you have extra money, use it for maintenance (if financing), or invest your money in something. You'll be able to afford that F80 before long. Aside from the outright price, gas and insurance costs, the maintenance costs are more expensive on the M3 too. Everything is more expensive 'because M3', so you need to take that into consideration. I would say you should be looking to buy a house before buying an M3. That house will generally only appreciate in value, whereas for that M3 to appreciate in value it'll take decades and won't go as high as a house would.

[mlev]

Stick to the F30 and start putting that potential F80 money towards moving out of your parents house...don't know how old you are, but that should probably be your top priority in life. Wait until your life is more stable and you can support yourself then build up. WHEN you decide to finally move out like a grown man, you will want to be able to afford rent. And paying off an F80 will not help that situation in Southern California.

[Beek]

I'm ALWAYS the guy saying get the M .... get the F30. Other's have posted all the reasons.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Ceros15

Xdrive doesn't really matter to me.
I guess the only thing that I'm considering is that getting an m3 used I'd be paying around $700 a month for 84 months while an f30 would be like $200 a month. I'm a student and get paid a little over $2k a month so for me the payment is definitely something to consider

General rule of thumb:

60 months is the absolute ceiling as far as financing. You are going to be so upside-down by the end, it's going to really really hurt.

6-7% gross monthly income is the cap for a car expenses. That's $160/mo for you.

Do with what you will with those numbers, only you can decide what you an afford.

That being said, the F80 is good out of the box, and it will last much longer and drive better than a significantly modded F30 simply because it's lighter and has a wider track. And you might even have a CPO warranty on the F80. You better because they are much much more expensive to maintain. I ran over a rock that damaged my underbelly and a bunch of components in my F80. Total cost of the repair was $38k. Insurance covered it, but it just goes to show how many expensive things are on this car.


On a side note, I drove a POS in college because that's what I could afford. I took a low paying job out of college in the field I wanted to be in because I wasn't tied down to a monthly car payment I couldn't make if I took said job. I think I made the right decision.

[NYG]

F30 is the right option given your financial constraints. Yes, an M is an M but you'll be getting a whole lot of bang for your buck. Would I rather have an M4 over my 440? 100%. Do I regularly piss off M4/M3s off the line? Very regularly. Do they still have a better car? Yes.

That is, until they're done building my M5C.

[TF3090]

FBO F30 is a good middle-ground. 400-450 hp + 500 lb-ft tq + great sounding exhaust (even if they don't admit it, M3 owners know the N55 sounds better than the S55 ) and without additional reliability issues. If that's not enough, you're better off buying the M3 than going through the effort of big turbo's and then dealing with fueling issues and whatnot.