[Multimodal]

There has been a lot of discussion on this forum and by YouTube reviewers about how expensive the new M3 is. It seems like everything is getting more expensive so I looked into how true it was that the G80 chassis was pushing the M3 into a new class price-wise. And it's not true at all - the M3 has always cost $70K in 2021 dollars.

I looked at the base price of the M3 sedan (if offered) in manual and auto/DCT over the last ~15 years and adjusted the "nominal" price each year for inflation to calculate comparable "real" prices in 2021 dollars. When you adjust for inflation, the 2021 M3 is just about the same price that M3s have been since 2005. It's only 2% more expensive than the 2008 M3 and it's less expensive than the 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2018 M3s.

If you want to know why BMW removed the $4,000 carbon fiber strut tower brace from the engine bay or didn't mold the rear doors to the fender bulges or didn't engineer a unique Digital Key for the low-volume Base sedan or didn't update the DCT for a new generation - this is why. BMW wanted to hold the M3 to the same price point it has had for three generations and they succeeded.

P.s. for financial wellness, do not add $10K in carbon fiber options to your vehicle.

[Jagu]

Makes sense.

[M3AWD]

Facts, even without looking at the numbers!!

[02M3ForMe]

Good analysis. If you’re disciplined on options, you can easily keep the pricing right there. Aesthetics preferences aside, it seems like a brand new well-equipped G80 for $70-75k is a very compelling option next to a $55-60k 2018 F80.

[xlover]

shocking that bmw market planning folks know what they are doing......

Also off topic but OP opened the can of worms, despite the savings opportunity I feel pretty confident that if you asked the M designers they would tell you in their hearts that the M3 rear doors are feature not a bug. Even if they had budget for bespoke doors they wouldn't do it (maybe they did, its only those that don't like the design that accuse them of cost cutting). Many, including myself, prefer the hot rod/steroid look of the abrupt transition.

[Multimodal]

That would be interesting to hear. Personally I think it would look much better with bespoke doors. Competitors like the RS4 and RS6 all get them. This is so good:

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

There has been a lot of discussion on this forum and by YouTube reviewers about how expensive the new M3 is. It seems like everything is getting more expensive so I looked into how true it was that the G80 chassis was pushing the M3 into a new class price-wise. And it's not true at all - the M3 has always cost $70K in 2021 dollars.

I looked at the base price of the M3 sedan (if offered) in manual and auto/DCT over the last ~15 years and adjusted the "nominal" price each year for inflation to calculate comparable "real" prices in 2021 dollars. The new 2021 M3 is less expensive than the 2018 M3 on a nominal dollar basis and, when you adjust for inflation, the 2021 M3 is just about the same price that M3s have been since 2005. It's only 2% more expensive than the 2008 M3 and it's less expensive than the 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2018 M3s.

If you want to know why BMW removed the $4,000 carbon fiber strut tower brace from the engine bay or didn't mold the rear doors to the fender bulges or didn't engineer a unique Digital Key for the low-volume Base sedan or didn't update the DCT for a new generation - this is why.

Amen.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by xlover

Many, including myself, prefer the hot rod/steroid look of the abrupt transition.

Agreed. It only makes the hips look wider and the car appear angrier.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

That would be interesting to hear. Personally I think it would look much better with bespoke doors. Competitors like the RS4 and RS6 all get them. This is so good:

SWEET!!!!!! I need that damn Z06 to come out already. Not sure how much longer I can wait till I pull the trigger on an RS6

[Pantagathus]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

SWEET!!!!!! I need that damn Z06 to come out already. Not sure how much longer I can wait till I pull the trigger on an RS6

I love the thought of an RS6, but the thought of paying $130k for a wagon, never mind the $180k that most dealers seem to actually be asking, makes me nauseous. I'd probably rather go for an RS Q8 and not have to pay the mark-up. That said, if the RS6 is a garage queen it'll probably hold its value well, there are so few of them around.

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by Pantagathus

I love the thought of an RS6, but the thought of paying $130k for a wagon, never mind the $180k that most dealers seem to actually be asking, makes me nauseous. I'd probably rather go for an RS Q8 and not have to pay the mark-up. That said, if the RS6 is a garage queen it'll probably hold its value well, there are so few of them around.

That's the main reason I want one. Going to be supper rare and hold value. Plus, I will have my golf clubs, groceries and beach chairs and still smoke all the new M's.

[killhour]

Originally Posted by xlover

shocking that bmw market planning folks know what they are doing......

Also off topic but OP opened the can of worms, despite the savings opportunity I feel pretty confident that if you asked the M designers they would tell you in their hearts that the M3 rear doors are feature not a bug. Even if they had budget for bespoke doors they wouldn't do it (maybe they did, its only those that don't like the design that accuse them of cost cutting). Many, including myself, prefer the hot rod/steroid look of the abrupt transition.

The doors are custom sheet metal, I'm pretty sure, but I still don't like them. Good thing the M4 exists

[dialogical]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

That's the main reason I want one. Going to be supper rare and hold value. Plus, I will have my golf clubs, groceries and beach chairs and still smoke all the new M's.

For a dude that mostly seems interested in "beating" M cars you sure do spend a lot of time kicking around a BMW forum.

Why are you even here?

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

There has been a lot of discussion on this forum and by YouTube reviewers about how expensive the new M3 is. It seems like everything is getting more expensive so I looked into how true it was that the G80 chassis was pushing the M3 into a new class price-wise. And it's not true at all - the M3 has always cost $70K in 2021 dollars.

I looked at the base price of the M3 sedan (if offered) in manual and auto/DCT over the last ~15 years and adjusted the "nominal" price each year for inflation to calculate comparable "real" prices in 2021 dollars. The new 2021 M3 is less expensive than the 2018 M3 on a nominal dollar basis and, when you adjust for inflation, the 2021 M3 is just about the same price that M3s have been since 2005. It's only 2% more expensive than the 2008 M3 and it's less expensive than the 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2018 M3s.

If you want to know why BMW removed the $4,000 carbon fiber strut tower brace from the engine bay or didn't mold the rear doors to the fender bulges or didn't engineer a unique Digital Key for the low-volume Base sedan or didn't update the DCT for a new generation - this is why. BMW wanted to hold the M3 to the same price point it has had for three generations and they succeeded.

P.s. for financial wellness, do not add $10K in carbon fiber options to your vehicle.

Interesting read.

I wonder how much your analysis would change using the average purchase price over time? Maybe not at all.

I would guess that the avg purchase price of an M4 will increase substantially since last generation. Especially when you factor in AWD and it's potential popularity. Further, would inflation over this period fall below historical standards?

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by dialogical

For a dude that mostly seems interested in "beating" M cars you sure do spend a lot of time kicking around a BMW forum.

Why are you even here?

Easy there chief. I have a F82 and love it. It's all in good fun. I'm not the biggest fan of the new one. No problem with saying that. I've had 3 M vehicles now and maybe someday will get another. Just time for a new project. Beating M cars is no big conquest. I;m hoping the AWD ones get built up to compete with the big boys. I want to sell my F82 soon with how the pricing is. Just need to be patient which isn't my best attribute.

[dialogical]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Easy there chief. I have a F82 and love it. It's all in good fun. I'm not the biggest fan of the new one. No problem with saying that. I've had 3 M vehicles now and maybe someday will get another. Just time for a new project. Beating M cars is no big conquest. I;m hoping the AWD ones get built up to compete with the big boys. I want to sell my F82 soon with how the pricing is. Just need to be patient which isn't my best attribute.

No worries brother - my post has me coming off way stronger than I meant to. All the best.

[SickGTR]

All good my friend.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by SickGTR

That's the main reason I want one. Going to be supper rare and hold value. Plus, I will have my golf clubs, groceries and beach chairs and still smoke all the new M's.

The RS6 couldn’t even beat an M5…

[Alumac]

But that 2021 70k bought a car with soul back then. Ground up builds of iconic engines that will remain desired for a long time to come. I lay the blame of the current and previous generation M development on the 1M. 1 series enthusiasts (really fanatics) really loved that platform and wanted more, so a parts bin M fit the bill perfectly. Unfortunately, BMW took that to mean parts bin M engines is what the M buyer wanted and ever since the platform has been decidedly soulless. I’m not saying these cars aren’t great in their own right, but your comparison is in name only.

[Multimodal]

Keep in mind that Audi and other manufacturers have said they're no longer going to develop any new internal combustion engines ever again. At least BMW is still doing it, even if they are sharing them across the M line.

[LOW4LYF]

Originally Posted by Mr. Maboomba

Keep in mind that Audi and other manufacturers have said they're no longer going to develop any new internal combustion engines ever again. At least BMW is still doing it, even if they are sharing them across the M line.

BMW is cutting the V12 and V8 so R6 will be the biggest engine.

By not developing new once there will be still an upgraded version of the current once all over all manufacturer.

The N63 was introduced in 2008 and still available!

[SickGTR]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

The RS6 couldn’t even beat an M5…

Stock, I'm sure. Full bolt on /tune, I think not. Hopefully the BMW ECU will be cracked sooner than later. I'm leaning towards the Audi over the Z06. I use my F-82 for a more comfy ride and grocery getter/ golf club carrier. I can fit the clubs in the GTR but it's rare I do that. The Z06 will just be a slower GTR type of vehicle, but If it sounds as good as I've been hearing, I may get that anyway. LOL Wish I could swing all 3