M3 or C55
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c32
M3 or C55
I am a proud c32 owner, had it about 2 years now, i love the car but I am either going to have to do a bunch of mods or get a different car while I can get the best resale value of the car. I am thinking since the current m3 is the last bmw that hasn't been touched by that ***** bangle its a good choice. let me know what you think.
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sounds like you should have gotten the m3 instead of the C32. Ive passed on the M3 4 times now, each time it attracts me, but there are things I dont like about the car. rough ride, loud engine, high strung, small int, small trunk, 2 doors, etc, etc...some of these factors are the very things that make people want the m3. C32 beats the M3 in any straight line performance number, the C55 will do the same, maybe slightly better in the top end. track wise, the MB;s will never match the M3, because its a car much more focused on track performance. The MB is speed with comfort. Both are difficult to do, and both marques choose seperate paths.
Im personally waiting for the new M4 with a v8. The C55 is hardly a better car than the C32. When you talk about resale, the C32 is at its worst resale point NOW. Ive seen with the last 5 cars ive owned that if you can hold onto a carfor at least 3 years, you will see the resale value stabilize. The C32 is $60k new. Used ones with high miles are around $40k now. You just see, that $40k price will stay there for a while, regadless of what other C model is released. If you get impatient easily or simply want a new car, then jump ship now.
Im personally waiting for the new M4 with a v8. The C55 is hardly a better car than the C32. When you talk about resale, the C32 is at its worst resale point NOW. Ive seen with the last 5 cars ive owned that if you can hold onto a carfor at least 3 years, you will see the resale value stabilize. The C32 is $60k new. Used ones with high miles are around $40k now. You just see, that $40k price will stay there for a while, regadless of what other C model is released. If you get impatient easily or simply want a new car, then jump ship now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
C32 sale
Agree with S4iscool. C32 owners have already "panicked" at the prospect of a new AMG C-Class, and have underpriced their C32s. I thank the sheep out there for 'knee-jerking.' I bought my C32 a month ago with 29K miles for $34,500.
I made the same mistake a few years ago in selling my 1997 740IL. As soon as word came out (in roughly 2001) of the new 745 body style, I ''fire-sold' my 740. After the 745 came out, and the critics railed on the new body style and "I-Drive" (or more properly "I Don't Drive"), the value of my (now sold) 740IL went up by about 10%. I'm sure that the guy who bought my car is pleased.
In other words, you would not be "ahead of the curve" by selling now. By all indications, the C55 will be, at best, a slight dynamic improvement over the C32. I find it highly unlikely that the critics will treat the C55 kindly. As I have previously pointed out in another thread, the C55's main improvement is to MBZ's bottom line (one less low-production engine to build). Were you to sell your C32 now, you would be selling at the bottom of the market. Instead of doing the "lemming over the cliff" thing, enjoy your car for another year or two, with little or no additional depriciation.
IMO the only potentially impressive sedan coming on the market in the next year or so is the new M5 (500 HP, 6 or 7 speed tranny). If I were in your shoes, I would drive my C32 for another year and shoot for the M5 or a used E55 (which will probably drop in price after the new M5 kicks its butt in magazine testing).
As for the M3: The M3 is the perfect car for trust-fund 20-somethings and divorced 40-somethings. For us happily married 30-somethings (with kids and similarly-aged wives), the M3 sucks.
I made the same mistake a few years ago in selling my 1997 740IL. As soon as word came out (in roughly 2001) of the new 745 body style, I ''fire-sold' my 740. After the 745 came out, and the critics railed on the new body style and "I-Drive" (or more properly "I Don't Drive"), the value of my (now sold) 740IL went up by about 10%. I'm sure that the guy who bought my car is pleased.
In other words, you would not be "ahead of the curve" by selling now. By all indications, the C55 will be, at best, a slight dynamic improvement over the C32. I find it highly unlikely that the critics will treat the C55 kindly. As I have previously pointed out in another thread, the C55's main improvement is to MBZ's bottom line (one less low-production engine to build). Were you to sell your C32 now, you would be selling at the bottom of the market. Instead of doing the "lemming over the cliff" thing, enjoy your car for another year or two, with little or no additional depriciation.
IMO the only potentially impressive sedan coming on the market in the next year or so is the new M5 (500 HP, 6 or 7 speed tranny). If I were in your shoes, I would drive my C32 for another year and shoot for the M5 or a used E55 (which will probably drop in price after the new M5 kicks its butt in magazine testing).
As for the M3: The M3 is the perfect car for trust-fund 20-somethings and divorced 40-somethings. For us happily married 30-somethings (with kids and similarly-aged wives), the M3 sucks.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C32, Durango R/T, 3200GT
Re: C32 sale
Originally posted by Vomit
As for the M3: The M3 is the perfect car for trust-fund 20-somethings and divorced 40-somethings. For us happily married 30-somethings (with kids and similarly-aged wives), the M3 sucks.
As for the M3: The M3 is the perfect car for trust-fund 20-somethings and divorced 40-somethings. For us happily married 30-somethings (with kids and similarly-aged wives), the M3 sucks.
Here is what the M3 is for, Any age!
If you get a M3, this is what you should do with it (ok, maybe racing seats and cage is overdoing it, but atleast, use it for the track!)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Nice Car!
If BMW would make a sedan, I would seriously consider the M3. I just can't see my kid squeezing into the back on a daily basis. IMO the M3's main attraction is to potential buyers of Corvettes and other two-seat sports cars who realize that they can get a back seat and still haul ****. The C32, on the other hand, diverts lazy, kid-laden potential M3 buyers with a real auto, a better ride, four doors, and similar (straight -line) performance. The sacrifice is track performance or canyon carving, both of which are far down the list of most C32 drivers. I suspect that very few C32 drivers have visions of racing harnesses dancing in their head.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,645
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From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
I have Audiphobia
Why no S4? Every person (probably 8 or 10) that I have known who has owned an Audi in the past swears that they will never purchase another. Ask yourself this: How many 15-year-old Audis do you see that are still on the road (and not belching huge plumes of black exhaust)? I see tons of 15-year-old MBZs around. My mother-in-law has a 23-year-old MBZ diesel with probably 400,000 miles on it (and no airbags or other safety items, which is why I encourage her to keep driving it). IMO the Audi is more of a competitor for the Hyundai than for the MBZ. I know what you are all going to say: "But the S4 beat the M3 and C32 in such and such test." I am aware that the S4 tests well when it runs (i.e., when it is new). I suggest that they take examples with 100,000 miles and test them. I think the results would be like this:
First Place: C32. Zero to Sixty in 9.3 seconds (blown supercharger, clogged catalytic converter from air pump constantly failing)
Second Place: M3. Zero to Sixty in 9.7 seconds (block cracked, head gasket blown from years of abuse by 20-something punk-**** driver constantly trying to impress his ho's)
Third Place: S4. DNF. Could not find one still running with 100K on the clock.
First Place: C32. Zero to Sixty in 9.3 seconds (blown supercharger, clogged catalytic converter from air pump constantly failing)
Second Place: M3. Zero to Sixty in 9.7 seconds (block cracked, head gasket blown from years of abuse by 20-something punk-**** driver constantly trying to impress his ho's)
Third Place: S4. DNF. Could not find one still running with 100K on the clock.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Stockholm, Sweden
C32, Durango R/T, 3200GT
You are beeing very unfair to audi.
In the racing scene around here, there are loads of audi S2/RS2. Rolling after more that 50K of hard driving, never stock.
Their quattro is great. Love the gearbox.
Audi has grown to be one of the most popular cars around here, and for the performance models, doesnt seem to be much problems, exept for the 98-99 S4 that had failing headers, which was replaced by audi.
In the racing scene around here, there are loads of audi S2/RS2. Rolling after more that 50K of hard driving, never stock.
Their quattro is great. Love the gearbox.
Audi has grown to be one of the most popular cars around here, and for the performance models, doesnt seem to be much problems, exept for the 98-99 S4 that had failing headers, which was replaced by audi.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Duncanville
Audi A4
why you don't see many older audis
during the audi 5000 scare. audi sales declined due to the car lunging forward unintentionally. audi corrected this problem with the "step on brake pedal to release from park." now all auto cars have this feature. give it a couple of years and you will see more older b5 a4s on the road.
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Back to the question at hand:
I have owned a 2003 M3 and have just taken delivery of a 2002 C32.
As people have already mentioned it really depends on what you want to do with the car. For me the M3 will always be a more "fun" car and teh C32 a more "sensible" car. There are others out there that might think a C32 is not sensible at all and an M3 is just ridiculous.
If you can handle the stiffer ride, smaller ****pit and two less doors, the M3 is a great package. It makes you want to REALLY drive. The SMG is great too, I am a die hard manual fan, but decided to go against my insticts and got the SMG. After about 10,000 miles in it I was in love... It's a great experience.
I'm hoping that with time I have similar feelings about the C32, but right now with the M3 body style going away, it's tough not to stay true to my original love..... BMW M3
As people have already mentioned it really depends on what you want to do with the car. For me the M3 will always be a more "fun" car and teh C32 a more "sensible" car. There are others out there that might think a C32 is not sensible at all and an M3 is just ridiculous.
If you can handle the stiffer ride, smaller ****pit and two less doors, the M3 is a great package. It makes you want to REALLY drive. The SMG is great too, I am a die hard manual fan, but decided to go against my insticts and got the SMG. After about 10,000 miles in it I was in love... It's a great experience.
I'm hoping that with time I have similar feelings about the C32, but right now with the M3 body style going away, it's tough not to stay true to my original love..... BMW M3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 371
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From: Boston/Hartford
I would say mod it.
The c32 can be a very capable handler when modded and will be cheaper than trading in for an m3 or "upgrading" to a c55. If you just mod the suspension your warranty issues should be minimal.
IMO I wouldn't upgrade to a C55.
If you want a track car I would get the m3 because it is lighter and it all things considered will slightly edge out the c32. But if you want a full track car do what I am doing and keep the c32 (with some mods of course) and look for an older e36m3 to sink some money into.
The c32 can be a very capable handler when modded and will be cheaper than trading in for an m3 or "upgrading" to a c55. If you just mod the suspension your warranty issues should be minimal.
IMO I wouldn't upgrade to a C55.
If you want a track car I would get the m3 because it is lighter and it all things considered will slightly edge out the c32. But if you want a full track car do what I am doing and keep the c32 (with some mods of course) and look for an older e36m3 to sink some money into.
