BMW M3 and M4 - The Icons
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
home
G80 BMW M3 and M4 General Topics BMW M3 (G80), M4 (G82), CSL and 3.0 CSL General Forum

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-19-2021, 09:39 PM   #1
razman
First Lieutenant
332
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: blah
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

To daily drive or not, that is the question

I'm debating what to do with my current car (frs 6mt) when my g80 6mt arrives. I can either keep it and use it as my commuter car to work 3-4 times a week (40 miles rt), or sell it.

To help me decide it would be good to know just how well suited an m3 (or really any 500 hp sports car) is for daily driving. I understand it can be done, but if I have the option of keeping a cheap, low maintenance car around and using that for routine, rush hour traffic drives, is that preferable?

While I don't really need the money, I will say that the idea of being able to sell my whoopdie for almost $20k when I paid just $25k for it 9 years ago is pretty tempting just on sheer principle alone.

Last edited by razman; 09-19-2021 at 10:57 PM..
Appreciate 2
      09-19-2021, 10:06 PM   #2
Mar48
Colonel
Mar48's Avatar
1098
Rep
2,108
Posts

Drives: '22 M3 Comp xDrive - Atlantis
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MN

iTrader: (1)

I'm getting AWD for that exact reason, to daily drive the car, I think it's too expensive of a car NOT to daily drive imo.... I had a 2018 F80 ZCP as a summer car and put on 2400 miles in 14 months and felt like I was wasting the car.

So my plan is AWD G80 for daily and buy an older M car 6 Spd (probably another Z4MR) for the summer car. #winwin
__________________
IG: SirLanzelotte
Individual Atlantis Metallic G80 M3 Competition xDrive
2015 Audi Allroad P+ Brilliant Black/Black

Past: F80 M3/Z4MR/E46 M3/Z4MC/Z3MR/335Xi
Appreciate 2
      09-19-2021, 10:29 PM   #3
nathanm4
Captain
nathanm4's Avatar
United_States
681
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: Aston Martin Vantage
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

iTrader: (0)

I would sell FRS while the market is still hot. The current trend in used car market won't last forever.
__________________
Appreciate 3
      09-19-2021, 10:57 PM   #4
BMWRacer523
Lieutenant Colonel
BMWRacer523's Avatar
2519
Rep
1,773
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 Competition xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Sell FRS
Appreciate 2
      09-19-2021, 10:59 PM   #5
akkando
Major General
akkando's Avatar
5860
Rep
6,631
Posts

Drives: 17 M2 DCT LBB,11 e90 M3 ZCP IB
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (1)

I really don't understand the point of an m3 that's not really a daily driver. If you want a Sunday sports car isn't there a better option for about 80k or whatever your out the door price is? To me the whole point of the M3 is it's a jack of all trades. It's pretty nice, you can fit 4 people in it, normal trunk, fold down rear seats, it's not bone jarring on the road, but you can also take it to the canyons, the track, or be an ass on your commute rowing your own gears just the same as sports car. It also doesn't quite draw the same attention as a Corvette or similar for better or worst.

Do you need your sports car Sunday driver to also haul the family to a cabin or beach or something?
Appreciate 10
sleepdoc256.50
Jmpascual687.50
Salespunk1741.00
chicagofan0018923.00
AlterZgo1537.50
par__m3451.00
W///7434.00
      09-19-2021, 11:07 PM   #6
razman
First Lieutenant
332
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: blah
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by akkando View Post
I really don't understand the point of an m3 that's not really a daily driver. If you want a Sunday sports car isn't there a better option for about 80k or whatever your out the door price is? To me the whole point of the M3 is it's a jack of all trades. It's pretty nice, you can fit 4 people in it, normal trunk, fold down rear seats, it's not bone jarring on the road, but you can also take it to the canyons, the track, or be an ass on your commute rowing your own gears just the same as sports car. It also doesn't quite draw the same attention as a Corvette or similar for better or worst.

Do you need your sports car Sunday driver to also haul the family to a cabin or beach or something?
Well the frs is already practically a two seater so the m3 would actually be the sporty family car, but I see your point.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2021, 11:09 PM   #7
razman
First Lieutenant
332
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: blah
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanm4 View Post
I would sell FRS while the market is still hot. The current trend in used car market won't last forever.
True, good time to sell that's for sure.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2021, 11:14 PM   #8
RockinPA
Lieutenant Colonel
RockinPA's Avatar
No_Country
4848
Rep
1,534
Posts

Drives: '22 Mexico Blue G80 xDrive, '2
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: The Orange County, Socal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I would commute in the FRS.

I know the M3 isn't a Ferrari, GT3 RS, or McLaren, but it sure is to me.

I have a plug in Prius prime to do my 18,000 - 20,000 miles a year worth of commuting in. It's comfortable, economical, solo occupant carpool lane friendly, and gets roughly 800 miles to a tank with tons of driving assistance to make long commuting doable.

The M3 is my fun car. My weekend car. My "Ferrari". There's no way I would put 20,000 miles a year on a $100,000 car. Everyone's situation is different, though.

When I had my 2016 M3, I had a cheap Chevy EV I would use in carpool lane for carpool access here in CA (and also had my raptor).

My two cents anyway.
Appreciate 6
nathanm4681.00
Salespunk1741.00
BGM-M3COMP2326.50
Swappy531.50
JDR_G80209.00
262Hou49.00
      09-19-2021, 11:17 PM   #9
KiloCo
First Lieutenant
United_States
252
Rep
319
Posts

Drives: Toyota// 22 G82 M4 Comp
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

My M4 Comp was purchased for the weekends to drive around in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
Appreciate 1
Limegrntaln13014.00
      09-20-2021, 02:08 AM   #10
HNSKP
Second Lieutenant
HNSKP's Avatar
United_States
312
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: '21 M3 base
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 BMW G80 M3  [8.00]
Former ‘13 FRS 6mt and new G80 6mt owner here. I’d say the FRS felt closer to my 997.2 911 gts than the G80 does. More low-slung, quick-on-its-feet sports car sensations. Don’t get me wrong the G80 has great turn-in but the car just feels huge and refined but not as raw. Plus I’d take the subaru shifter over bmw anyday. I’d love to pick up an FRS again and mod it for weekend fun.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 05:27 AM   #11
barryc365
Major
1947
Rep
1,377
Posts

Drives: BMWM3
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: NYC

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if you care about filling up the tank often or not but this car is so bad on gas it's comical. No idea what your other car is like on gas but the M3 is such a thirsty pig!

If you don't care about the gas, just drive it! Such a nice place to be
Appreciate 2
      09-20-2021, 06:05 AM   #12
NightWriter
Colonel
NightWriter's Avatar
4837
Rep
2,744
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 Pure
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

When my 340 lease ended a few years ago, I decided to get an Acura RDX for a daily driver (and shuttling kids around), and then an M240i 6MT convertible for the weekends.

The good thing about this arrangement was keeping the miles (and dirt) off the 240, and the fact that driving it felt more special after commuting all week in the SUV.
The down sides were taking up another garage spot, and the (shocking) realization that driving the RDX is not nearly as engaging or fun.

There's no right or wrong here, but I agree with akkando: What makes the M3 special is that it's an all-around package. If you aren't planning to DD it, you might as well get a Cayman or something instead.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 06:49 AM   #13
nathanm4
Captain
nathanm4's Avatar
United_States
681
Rep
738
Posts

Drives: Aston Martin Vantage
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Salt Lake City, UT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by RockinPA View Post
I would commute in the FRS.

I know the M3 isn't a Ferrari, GT3 RS, or McLaren, but it sure is to me.

I have a plug in Prius prime to do my 18,000 - 20,000 miles a year worth of commuting in. It's comfortable, economical, solo occupant carpool lane friendly, and gets roughly 800 miles to a tank with tons of driving assistance to make long commuting doable.

The M3 is my fun car. My weekend car. My "Ferrari". There's no way I would put 20,000 miles a year on a $100,000 car. Everyone's situation is different, though.

When I had my 2016 M3, I had a cheap Chevy EV I would use in carpool lane for carpool access here in CA (and also had my raptor).

My two cents anyway.
I have 19,000 miles on my G82 🥲
__________________
Appreciate 5
      09-20-2021, 07:05 AM   #14
LuvMyE92
Occasionally frequent poster
LuvMyE92's Avatar
2994
Rep
2,742
Posts

Drives: CT5V-Blackwing
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RTP NC, USA

iTrader: (0)

Don't save it for the next guy.

I did not DD my M2 because it was such a loud, miserable ride. The M4 (and M3) are so comfortable, so capable, that it became a no-brainer for me, and I got rid of my G30 540i.

The only caveat to that, is that the PS4s are not so great in the rain, and I suspect, not so great in the cold. Neither are likely a concern for the OP, in LA.
__________________
Current inventory:
F22 & G05
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals
Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 07:29 AM   #15
GixY2K
Lieutenant
United_States
515
Rep
570
Posts

Drives: '19 GLA45AMG(his) / '21 X3M40i
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

iTrader: (0)

40mi RT in LA traffic can get old with a MT. But that's me.

If you were in Santa Maria commuting to Vandenberg AFB or Santa Barbara, it would be a different story.

I know purist like the MT, but when it comes to bumper to bumper traffic... well, that commitment is put to the test

I'd get a cheap automatic. If not, a Focus ST (still stick shift, but lot of fun tq to drive), as a DD.
__________________
Currently: '19 GLA45AMG grey (his) & '21 X3M40i DGM (hers) w/ JB4@Map1
Previous cars: 2022 M4 xDrive in Mexico Blue with Silverstone/Black interior
2014 BE GTR FBO/e85
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 07:52 AM   #16
jailonacs99
Captain
jailonacs99's Avatar
484
Rep
793
Posts

Drives: 2022 M4 xDrive Competition
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
I daily drive my M4 and that's exactly why I got it. I hate it when I have to drive our SUV. Same reason I used to own a manual E46 when I commuted in LA traffic. If you're going to be stuck in a car, be in a car you don't feel stuck in but thrilled to drive.
Appreciate 1
sleepdoc256.50
      09-20-2021, 08:15 AM   #17
Delmoney335
Captain
Delmoney335's Avatar
906
Rep
858
Posts

Drives: 2021 BSM G80 comp
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: South FL

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2015 BMW M4  [0.00]
2012 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
You're paying for the car. Might as well use it , enjoy it daily. I don't have to drive as much anymore since working from home and I just find reasons to go out and drive.
__________________
2021 G80 Comp
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 08:33 AM   #18
Gotta_Go_Fast
Enlisted Member
Gotta_Go_Fast's Avatar
United_States
62
Rep
39
Posts

Drives: 22 M4C xDrive, 13 STI (Hatch)
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (0)

To daily drive or not, that is the question

I'm having a hard time with this to OP and everyone's situation is different. Like RockinPA, a $100k car is a bit much for a daily driver for me. I wish I had the income for that but the truth is this may be the best I can get, and that's not a bad thing.

The other issue for me is location. I can't drive the car for half the year because of winter and road salts. Currently I'm keeping my 13 STI for that but thinking of trading it in for a Jeep as a daily driver. I may drive the G82 more daily in the summer but then the Jeep with the top off may tip the scales too…

The bottom line for me is I bought the G82 to drive fast and have fun. Depending on what daily driving means to you in the covid era and beyond, personally I'd rather not be stuck in traffic with the G82. Not able/willing to drive fast in heavy traffic…
Appreciate 4
RockinPA4848.00
GixY2K515.00
Swappy531.50
2len78.50
      09-20-2021, 08:53 AM   #19
Geektechlive
Captain
Geektechlive's Avatar
United_States
1188
Rep
826
Posts

Drives: 2022 M3 Competition
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: milwaukee , WI

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
I will be DD my M3 AWD when I get it. I live in a cold climate as well.
I had a m235 convertible a few years ago and for the first year I garaged it and drove a cheap car for winter. I hated it every gosh darn day.

Is the G80 expensive? Yup. Not Ferrari expensive but it is a 90-100k car with most/all options.

I am either going to do a winter summer tire swap or (gasp) All seasons on the stock rims and call it a day. I'm getting the car wrapped in Xpel die stone chips and the bottom of the car is pretty well sealed for salt/snow creep. Im in Wisconsin and with the way the weather is going we really don't get that bad of snow like we used to.

Life is too short to buy something nice then "keep it in the box" to keep its value unless that is your exact game plan. Im buying my M3 and will keep it for years. I ordered it with individual paint and the options I want. Yes it's a 500hp monster but when it's snowing out I'll be in comfort and driving "normal" and enjoying my car.
Problem solved.
__________________

--
Owner of a 2022 M3 Competition AWD in Individual Voodoo Blue and Fiona Red leather
Appreciate 2
      09-20-2021, 09:02 AM   #20
razman
First Lieutenant
332
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: blah
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HNSKP View Post
Former ‘13 FRS 6mt and new G80 6mt owner here. I’d say the FRS felt closer to my 997.2 911 gts than the G80 does. More low-slung, quick-on-its-feet sports car sensations. Don’t get me wrong the G80 has great turn-in but the car just feels huge and refined but not as raw. Plus I’d take the subaru shifter over bmw anyday. I’d love to pick up an FRS again and mod it for weekend fun.
What a coincidence. Having test drove a manual g82, I came to a similar conclusion as to the difference between the frs and bmw. The frs feels more raw/gritty, while the g82 6mt felt like I was driving an automatic by comparison. I'm hoping I'll feel more "connected" once I turn off rev matching and lower the windows.

One fleeting thought I had was to keep the frs and mod it for the track, but I know I wouldn't make it out there more than once a year, which I might as well use the m3 for.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 09:07 AM   #21
razman
First Lieutenant
332
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: blah
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by barryc365 View Post
I don't know if you care about filling up the tank often or not but this car is so bad on gas it's comical. No idea what your other car is like on gas but the M3 is such a thirsty pig!

If you don't care about the gas, just drive it! Such a nice place to be
My frs gets 31 mpg combined and so the m3's consumption is going to come as a real shock to my system I'm sure. I can't imagine only getting 280 miles on the m3's 15.4 gallon tank.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2021, 09:09 AM   #22
M0J0
Lieutenant
United_States
191
Rep
415
Posts

Drives: XM3C '22 JKUR '13
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Houston,TX

iTrader: (0)

I find this to be a strange question to even ask. I am debating if I can daily drive a Lotus Emira. The M3 is just a 3 series.
Appreciate 1
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:35 AM.




g80
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST