This is what I am going through right now. I have mixed feelings about the both of them. I got to play with a 350 yesterday for about an hour or so and I really liked it. but when I step into the E46 m3 its a totally different ball game. I will be waiting till the 55 comes out then try and make my decision then.

..........I read and re-read the initial post. At first I thought he was talking about an SLK55. M3 vs SLK350 is like BMW 330CI vs SLK55. I didn't really see that the SLK 350 and the M3 were even meant to be compared. Of course it probably costs more to buy an SLK 350 than an M3, but that is as far as the similarity goes. As everyone knows, you can buy a much much better performance car with less money than buying a mercedes. You can buy the new C6 corvette for less money than an SLK 350.


Ted

Automobiles are like computers. Technology keeps improving, and horsepower keeps increasing. Why buy now? Wait till 2012, may be then you can compare the BMW M9 vs. MB SLK950 . You will never be able to keep up with technology, the minute you buy the latest, it is already outdated.

sorry that they are saying you cant change/cancel your order. however, just for reference, before i got my C32 i had a CLK320 on order 4 months prior. and when the car came, i decided i didnt like the color and wanted to change to a C32 amg....and the salewomen let me...as simple as that.

somebody is blowing some seriosu smoke up ur ***

Absolutely I agree, automobiles like computers always advance. Unlike computers the small specification increases do not depreciate previous vehicles of the same body shape, as much as the introduction of a new body shape.. also i think you would agree most advances are introduced with new body shapes.

I want the SLK now I am far from making do! I look forward to growing into the M3 later, when I need 4 seats, and being one of the first to have one on UK roads. Being ahead of the crowd will contribute towards my lead need to justify ownership, the ability to sell it 12 months down the line with less depreciation and total cost of ownership equal to a Ford Mondeo.

I guess in every country there will be variables to residual values, but here in the UK a present model M3 purchased at launch could sell a year later with 12000miles for list price, due to the demand and waiting list.

I don't get your analogy with the M9/SLK950 , in relation to my previous post.

The M9/SLK950 is just a joke. I was just being sarcastic. Model numbers keep getting higher and higher each year, so I was just using imaginary high model numbers for comparison in the future. It could just as well be comparing M90 to SLK990 in the year 2020. Different manufacturer comparison will always be comparing apples to peaches.

My 2cents.

Kimchi does not need to change his SLK350 to M3.

The main reason he found the M3 is more superb than the SLK350 is only because he never driven a super car before. He likes the M3 over SLK350 is only because the super car feel has got into his brain deeply.

What Kimchi forgot is, no matter how super a car feel, one would not feel that great on a fading out model. e.g. Would you buy Ferrari 355 if there is a 360 available if money is not the issue ? ( It seems money is not the issue for Kimchi.)

I was once a little struggling with deciding the C55 and SLK350. Obviously, both cars would not be available for a test drive back August. Nor there would be any test drives offered in HK for new sports cars.
Anyway, I am not talking why I finally got the C55. ( one reason was I did not want to wait for 6 months for the SLK350 while I can get C55 in a month ) Honestly, if time is reversible, would I cry if I have a SLK350 instead of a C55. The answer is no, because I could have more money left in my pocket as the SLK350 here is USD70K and the C55 here is USD108K.

In terms of status, symbol and fun for a 23 yr old, the SLK350 is more than enough and Kimchi will have all the chicks chasing him for a year or two.

The M3 is aged. I could almost imagine I would feel 'ashamed' to be on a old M3 when the new M3 show up. And that I have to pay USD95K here for a fading out old M3 ? BMW models symbol of fashion is not long lasting like MBs.

If Kimchi wants a super car, he can have better ones by just wait a year or two. Why not take the SLK350 , top and talk of the town and have fun with it. Besides , SLK350 is not that slow believe me.

The chicks will love the SLk350 more than the M3 for sure. Why not take a deep breathe and pause on that super car self-centered dream for a while.
Have fun with the SLK350

wow, very impressive i didnt know we have members here that can read people's mind and look into their brains

You lucky old rich UK - I still remember the old days when our economy shoots up the sky like rocket back 1996/7 , where the streets in HK were full of SL500s , 911 Turbo's even these models costed 2 million HKD (USD250K)
I also remember the old days people who ordered Porsche can sell it 10% more if they sell it right away.

Have fun with new 12000miles M3 in UK.

I have to wait but i don;t mind doing that in the 350, both are far more superior than any of my previous cars and if I actually stick to low milage and sell on is another matter.. though I do like the idea of the rumored hardtop boxter for 2008!

Man , do youk know how lucky you are that have a SLK350 ordered!
People here in HK are shipping 0 mileage 'used SLK' to Australia for good profit because Australia allocation is very late and ppl downunder are now hunger for SLK ! There should be no regrets for SLK200K, SLK350 owners because the world is watching you. If you really want to sell , the lost is the most minimal if under reasonably low milege and good condition.

I read about the possibility Boxter coupe but no further information.

I totally agree , the E36 look is dead already.
All models before and including E36 will be pretty 'antique look' by then.

Rule of thumb that you should only get the cheapest model
when it is fading out. e.g. get a 20K 318i if it is really so dead cheap at least you can give it away to your kids.

The new 3 series outlook design is based on a computer programm using elements of 7 , 6(or 1?) and the Z4. I saw it on a mag, it is very different even though you still can tell easily that is a BMW 3 series.

you lucky old ! I wish I can do that sort of thing like a pre-order new M3 , but the pain is dealers here will not offer that and even they do they always take 10% first. I did not get the SLK350 but the C55 because I wanted to replace my W210 first. I am still keeping my Z3 and once the money is easy again I will be struggling again between a SLK350 or a Boxter S :p
Believe me , I am also keeping my one year old Accord 2.4 and until I am too tempted by the 1 series then I will consider to replace it.