M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

all im asking is your honest opinions...
ive been researching for a new bmw for the last 6 months or so. ive been back and forth on the 2 cars ive narrowed it down to. i want an '06 M3 or an '06 330ci. but here is where it gets a little hairy. im 25, and my father is in the US from europe to visit me. ill spare you all the details, but it boils down to this. he wants me to start settling down and thinking about my future, etc... a car with 4-doors, "no race car", seats for 5, etc...a "family" car. i totally understand where he's coming from, but i just cant see myself in that position yet. not for at least 5 years. i want my last foolish youthful "hurrah" in the form of an e46 M3. i LOVE driving and i think the M3 will satisfy that part of me. anyways, im torn on what to really get. i cant stand the e90 3 series, so those are not in the equation for me. the e46 ZHP sounds good at a reasonable price and it looks darn good too. in my heart i want the M3 but i know father will flip out about it. in a common sense way, i see the 330ci being the smarter choice. i can pretty much afford either car. any honest opinions would help. thanks.

ps-while the this car loan is being payed off, i will be saving money for my 1st house at the same time. i know its backwards but it's a factor.

Reply » M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

Two things for you...
If your father pays for it- then he rules in your choice of car.
If you pay for it- then- you make the choice. Ask yourself this question-- who are you buying this car for?

Reply » M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

I would say don't discount what your dad has to say. The car is for you, but there are far worse things than not "arriving" in an M3. Parents (esp. angry ones) can singlehandedly reduce all the good feelings you might have about your newly purchased $50k automobile, will remind you on a regular basis how you are a bad person for purchasing one, and will not let you live it down if anything ever happens to it.

Reply » M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

Two good replies above, but I'll go to the other side. If the M3 is the car you really want, you'll always be wishing you had spent the extra cash and got it.

There is nothing wrong with the 330, it's a great car. But the M3 is pretty sweet.

Sounds like you need to sit down with your dad and talk about it.

Reply » M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

If your Dad gets too pushy trying to control your purchasing decisions, buy him a book called Toxic Parents. It's totally ok for him to give advise, but it's wrong for him to get upset if you make up your own mind at age 25. Time to put your foot down, or your parents will control you the rest of your life.

Reply » M3 or 330ci : My dilemma

My vote: neither car. Get an E39 M5--it'll split the difference between what you want and what your dad wants. 4 doors, room for 5, "sensible" car. Just don't tell him about the 400hp under the hood and de-badge that sucker!

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