we're not overly wealthy enough to allow me to have both... i wish that were true

they already bought me the GS430 and i don't plan on adding an M3 to my roster... it's either one or the other...

if i decide to keep the GS i can supercharge it with the money i saved up and stuff..

if i decide to go the M3 route, i'll sell the GS and put the money i saved up along with the money made from selling the GS and get the M3.

i could've SC'ed my GS430 a long time ago when i first purchased it, from the money i made from working... orignal plan was to pay for half the car and ahve the parents pay for the other half.. but they told me to save it for college life cash and that they'd support the payment in full... im really grateful for that... don't get me wrong... it's not like im trying to just jump on their money and spend it as a i wish.. the M3 idea was theirs and they really want me to switch... (something about korean parents and watching their kids drive bimmers?). i just wanted to SC my 430... but i wanted to hear everyone else's opinion first.

 

I started to think that if I was in your shoes I'd go for the

M3...........................................................................................................................................................

 

hahaha adrian i still don't understand what you're trying to say!?

hahah im strongly considering it...

 

yezzirrr

 

i would get an m3 as well

 

now thats just mean man putting pics like that in front of people like me

the silver with those mesh wheels and the front splitter is pure bliss.. damm thats hot

 

M3 The Ultimate Driving Machine :d

 

haha i know....


but those LM's ARE the hottness!

 

YO BRIAN SEEN JIMMY M3 WITH THE IFOREGES 4'' LIP (SICK)

 

That m3 is ready for Lemans.

 

I think this is the case also....damn vultures...lol

 

I would say M3 also, but one word you said makes me hesitate...luxury.

Asthetics aside, there are TONS of things you should consider. Let me try just off the top of my head...

Insurance prices/difference
Maintenance (don't you have to take BMW's back to the dealer for scheduled maintenance?) = $$
College life = friends, girls riding with you to me equates to a 2 door vs 4 door.
Maintenance = $$
Where are you going to school? Are you leaving your city? Will you be commuting back and forth to visit home? I'd take the GS over the M3 on long drives.
Maintenance = $$

But, if you went SC on the GS, I'd be worried about reliability, which you wouldn't have to worry about with a stock M3.

Oh, and back to the word "luxury". I'm not sure I would consider an M3 as a luxury vehicle. I don't know if you're buying new or used, but if you still wanted a 4 door, sporty, and still have luxury, someone else said it, I would go with the M5!

Good luck

 

Easy choice...buy the M3 then supercharge it. This way you and your parents get everything y'all want.

 

You might check the insurance rates on the M3 before you jump- you might be surprised. If mom & dad are footing the bill, it's probably not a concern...

M3s are a dime-a-dozen here in Southern California (just drive around the UCI campus or any high school). I respect the performance of the M3, but to me it'sbasically a car that's the size of a Civic with a big engine. In PA, my guess is that the M3 is not as ubiquitous, so it might have a little more status appeal than here in SoCal.

Maybe it's just me, but 'round these parts there is a certain stigma about M3 owners I don't really care for- perhaps it's because I'm a "self made" guy (mommy & daddy never bought me a car; I bought my own, started detailing cars at 13 years old to save for the car, insurance, gas, etc.) and the M3 seems to be a rich 20-year old's car.

I know a few people with modified M3s, and I would have to say my modified GS generally gets more looks - and more respect when I 'pull up at the club." The M3 is a fairly cool car- I could easily afford one of I wanted one - but I like the 'uniqueness' of the GS. And with forced induction... what a sleeper.

One more note; you're a young guy with relatively little driving experience- before getting the M3 or making the GS faster, I'd recommend attending a performance driving school (would be a great holiday gift from your folks). A powerful car can get you in trouble very quickly- and I'm not just talking about with Johnny Law. The life you save could be mine!

 

I like the aggressive look of the M3, but I seldomly see any on the roads as eye catching as this one!!! It seems the general consensus is for the M3, but Id keep the GS if were up to me, even if money wasnt an issue. It just seems the GS is more of a mature, luxury car, even when modded out. Then again, I have years on you (Im 35), so maybe the appeal is just different for me at this stage in my life (plus I drive like a grandma, so the M3 speed would be wasted on me ).

Good luck whichever way you end up going....