[truekumar]

Has anyone cross shopped these two? I’m in a tricky scenario where I have a four year old and 8 year old, so me and Mrs decided we need a weekend car that can just about manage to seat all four of us. We have a different more economical car for weekdays.

I’ve drilled it down to two possible options. A brand new G80 M3 XDrive with all the goodies and options and maybe in an individual colour. OR an Aston Martin DB11, maybe a 2017 model year with around 25k miles on the clock.

Obviously the M3 will be more practical, more agile and probably more engaging to drive. The M3 will obviously be more reliable and the infotainment will be top notch. BUT the underdog in this decision, the Aston will most likely feel alot more special, rear seats could be a bit of a squeeze and the infotainment system is very dated (an old 3 generation old merc system with no Apple play) but the looks are drop dead gorgeous.

Opinions please??!

[Nate.G82]

Hi friend, since the choices are to be your weekend car, what do you value most for a weekend car besides the necessity of being able to seat you and your family? Do you enjoy the agility, engagement, new tech? If so, I'd go with the M3. Or do you prefer the luxury GT, v12 sound, and brand of Aston Martin?

This is a particularly interesting cross shop, since they do get pretty close in pricing. I personally think both cars look very good in different ways. The M3 is polarizing and aggressive, very stand out-ish. The DB11 is much more elegant, refined-looking vehicle. James Bond-like!

If I were in your situation, I'd probably pick the DB11. With your family in the car, I feel like you'd have to restrain yourself from really getting that driver engagement. Throwing the car around and what not. I already have the wife nagging me to slow down when I end up on a fun road. Your family may be different, and I'd have to say bravo on having a family that enjoys the adrenaline! But assuming that they want to feel safe and you don't want to get yelled at every time you want to have fun; the DB11 has that image of prestige, and the sound and design to back it up. If I'm going to have to tame my driving a bit for my family, then I'd rather have a more unique vehicle.

Of course, if the budget allows it.. why not get both and make the M3 your new daily?

[Vic55]

A 6 year old Aston with archaic steering and tech (no warranty) vs the G80... what a comparo LOL

Ive borrowed a DB11 for week- the looks is pretty much where it ended for me (this was a 17). The steering was floaty, the cabin was dated with a garmin Nav... and just overall it felt like a 5/10 vs what it looked like. So if your goal is to get the gawks and stares then the DB is the car but if you want to really be engaged with an amazing new driver that will perform and has a warranty to boot; the G80 is the one.

Just a non owner's opinion on a car that I would never buy... Now full disclosure when the Vantage fire sales were going on (1600 a month leases) that car piqued my interest with the AMG hot V setup.

Edit-- the DB is also rwd so enjoy the slip and slide although the v12 is bad ass.

[truekumar]

Thanks guys for the two very differing opinions. I agree with the both of you in many ways. Yes the DB11 is very dated both interior wise and tech wise, yet the looks are gorgeous and as i'd probably have both kids and the wife with me in the car most of the time, I can handle letting go of some of the engagement that the M3 would bring. In regards to the crappy nav in the DB11, i'd probably have to switch it up with an aftermaret one that has Apple Carplay. Very difficult decision to make but looks wise and specialness, im swaying towards the DB11......if only BMW facelifted the M3 at some point soon and got rid of that snouty grill....i'd be all over the M3 instead......hmmmmm...

[Gfit]

Yeah but many of us like the grill. Anyway, sounds like your mind is made up. Good luck!

[rak299]

With th DB11, you need to buy two: one to drive and one to have in the shop.

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by rak299

With th DB11, you need to buy two: one to drive and one to have in the shop.

This. My friends can all afford Astons, but friends don’t let friends watch their Astons sit in the shop.

[brava09]

You need a DBS superleggera to hold a candle to the G80.

When they deploy the Aston safety car in F1, pilots complain it is too slow and they lose heat in tires

[HNSKP]

Be honest, how much spirited driving will you be doing with the whole family in the car? It sounds like you want a car that feels like an "event" both in and out of the car, in which case I'd go with the aston. Reliability falls much further down the list when you're talking about a weekend car. An M3 for weekends doesn't make much sense to me.

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by HNSKP

Be honest, how much spirited driving will you be doing with the whole family in the car? It sounds like you want a car that feels like an "event" both in and out of the car, in which case I'd go with the aston. Reliability falls much further down the list when you're talking about a weekend car. An M3 for weekends doesn't make much sense to me.

My thoughts exactly! 👍

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by truekumar

My thoughts exactly! ��

Post up pics when you get it as I know you asked about the GTS prior and a Maserati too.

My best guess is you still get the G80 because its new and even with my stable, the G80 is quite an amazing weekend car. The sheer steering, chassis dynamics married with X drive and even the inline 6 rips. There is no denying the optics but the feel is strong (have you driven one yet??) And this is comparing to an R8, GTS, C63 BS, M8, and Plaid (not listed).


Sorry I jinxed you LOLOLOL.

[Nate.G82]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Post up pics when you get it as I know you asked about the GTS prior and a Maserati too.

My best guess is you still get the G80 because its new and even with my stable, the G80 is quite an amazing weekend car. The sheer steering, chassis dynamics married with X drive and even the inline 6 rips. There is no denying the optics but the feel is strong (have you driven one yet??) And this is comparing to an R8, GTS, C63 BS, M8, and Plaid (not listed).


Sorry I jinxed you LOLOLOL.

I always wondered, where does your M8 sit in your fleet? I can't imagine when I'd opt to drive it over your other cars.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by Nate.G82

I always wondered, where does your M8 sit in your fleet? I can't imagine when I'd opt to drive it over your other cars.

Longer term drives and full expressway crushing --- its a GC and has that long wheelbase and comfort. And it actually can turn reasonable for all the heft. Its tuned and is faster than my G80 but speed isnt the end all of course.

and I might get a frozen black one LOLOL

[Nate.G82]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Longer term drives and full expressway crushing --- its a GC and has that long wheelbase and comfort. And it actually can turn reasonable for all the heft. Its tuned and is faster than my G80 but speed isnt the end all of course.

and I might get a frozen black one LOLOL

Frozen on the M8's look drop dead gorgeous. When I was going back and forth between the two, I loved Frozen white with carbon accents around!

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

A 6 year old Aston with archaic steering and tech (no warranty) vs the G80... what a comparo LOL

Ive borrowed a DB11 for week- the looks is pretty much where it ended for me (this was a 17). The steering was floaty, the cabin was dated with a garmin Nav... and just overall it felt like a 5/10 vs what it looked like. So if your goal is to get the gawks and stares then the DB is the car but if you want to really be engaged with an amazing new driver that will perform and has a warranty to boot; the G80 is the one.

Just a non owner's opinion on a car that I would never buy... Now full disclosure when the Vantage fire sales were going on (1600 a month leases) that car piqued my interest with the AMG hot V setup.

Edit-- the DB is also rwd so enjoy the slip and slide although the v12 is bad ass.

Thanks Vic, I am again leaning more towards the M3.

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Post up pics when you get it as I know you asked about the GTS prior and a Maserati too.

My best guess is you still get the G80 because its new and even with my stable, the G80 is quite an amazing weekend car. The sheer steering, chassis dynamics married with X drive and even the inline 6 rips. There is no denying the optics but the feel is strong (have you driven one yet??) And this is comparing to an R8, GTS, C63 BS, M8, and Plaid (not listed).


Sorry I jinxed you LOLOLOL.

Not driven the M3 yet but I do own a M340i which i currently enjoy driving on a daily. My preference has always been to upgrade to a 992 base but it just isn't practical with two kids.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by truekumar

Thanks Vic, I am again leaning more towards the M3.

Originally Posted by truekumar

Not driven the M3 yet but I do own a M340i which i currently enjoy driving on a daily. My preference has always been to upgrade to a 992 base but it just isn't practical with two kids.

Sir by all means please, if you can, drive the car- its exponentially more dynamic than a M340i which is no slouch. Its proper M engineering from the chassis, steering, to overall feel (Ive had many a loaner M340i and M440i drives).

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Sir by all means please, if you can, drive the car- its exponentially more dynamic than a M340i which is no slouch. Its proper M engineering from the chassis, steering, to overall feel (Ive had many a loaner M340i and M440i drives).

Thank you Vic. I really appreciate the info and your knowledge. Now the question is….Isle of Man Green over Kyalami Orange or Tamzanite Blue over Fiona Red? Considering that I live in the UK and most days are fairly overcast…hmmmm…but need to colour combo that will age well as hoping to keep the car for around 7-10 years.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by truekumar

Thank you Vic. I really appreciate the info and your knowledge. Now the question is….Isle of Man Green over Kyalami Orange or Tamzanite Blue over Fiona Red? Considering that I live in the UK and most days are fairly overcast…hmmmm…but need to colour combo that will age well as hoping to keep the car for around 7-10 years.

My thoughts are highly subjective but Im not into green for a long owner period. To me the novelty will wear out but its a very nice color optically (IOM). Tanzanite is cool- my good friend has an M4 in this color and I see it weekly. Its bright and stellar during the day but pulls in the ominous appearance at night as it darkens up well.

I think Tanz over red will be brilliant.

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

My thoughts are highly subjective but Im not into green for a long owner period. To me the novelty will wear out but its a very nice color optically (IOM). Tanzanite is cool- my good friend has an M4 in this color and I see it weekly. Its bright and stellar during the day but pulls in the ominous appearance at night as it darkens up well.

I think Tanz over red will be brilliant.

Thanks Vic, yes thats what im leaning towards too. I think the green is nice right now but just not sure I could live with it long term as I and also the car ages. Im hoping that the Tanzanite blue will still pop enough though!

[truekumar]

Originally Posted by Vic55

My thoughts are highly subjective but Im not into green for a long owner period. To me the novelty will wear out but its a very nice color optically (IOM). Tanzanite is cool- my good friend has an M4 in this color and I see it weekly. Its bright and stellar during the day but pulls in the ominous appearance at night as it darkens up well.

I think Tanz over red will be brilliant.

Vic, another option im looking at would be the Aventurine Red in similar vain to yours buddy. I love the colour of your car when the sunlight hits it but just not sure it would pop enough in overcast skys over here in the UK.

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by truekumar

Vic, another option im looking at would be the Aventurine Red in similar vain to yours buddy. I love the colour of your car when the sunlight hits it but just not sure it would pop enough in overcast skys over here in the UK.

some views of the diverse paint

overcast



in the bright