[spta97]

Hello,

Kind of a strange title but here goes. I currently have a 2005 BMW M3 and a 2000 Ford Explorer. I always like to have a sports car and a truck for my daily driver. The M3 was (is) very expensive ($60k) and the Explorer has been paid off. The other day I hit a pot hole in my M3 and busted my rim and tire to the tune of $800. It really made me think if the M3 is a reasonable car in NY with the poor quality of our roads.

So then I started thinking about how much I like the Armada. I was figuring I might sell the M3 and the Explorer and get the Armada as my only vehicle. Of course I would miss the manual transmission so I was also thinking I could perhaps just get an old mustang that I could beat on when needed.

So am I crazy? I got the M3 in September and really like the car but it just is not worth $60k to me. The Armada on the other hand seems like a great value for the money. I have been checking the used car listings and the Armada can be had for pretty cheap.


Here are some reasons why I don't like my current cars:

M3:
- Expensive
- Poor service
- Not worth the money (people will debate me on this)
- Lack of torque
- Spartin interrior

Explorer:
- Poor gas mileage (V8 AWD - 8 MPG is not unheard of for me but I average 12 MPG)
- Old technology (the AWD system slips too much in the snow - I miss the 4x4 button of my Durango. No limited slip or DSC)
- Rough ride
- Not crazy about the looks


I realized I hate German electronics and I thought that I was going to get all this great service from BMW but I was mistaken. Actually, I had better service with my 03 Maxima. I have not had the M3 over the summer yet so I will hold off on any decision until I get to do some warm weather cruising.


I wanted the M3 my whole life and I guess I just expected too much from it (although it handles great). Here is a pic of the M3 to further complicate my dicision.

So am I crazy or what?

 

[jsciullo]

yes you are crazy. Keep the BMW and get rid of the ford and buy the Armada.
Jim

 

[ggeorgie]

Welcome to both og you, I also have a 2001 ford explorer sport trac 6 cylinder next to my Armada for daily work

 

[shirleyujest]

I had an BMW X5 (with a 5 spd.) before the Armada. The service I experienced was top-notch and definitely better than my experience with the Nissan dealership.

I love the Armada because of its size (2 kids, 1 wife and 1 dog) and power, but it definitely is not a BMW.

Keep the M3. I know I would love to be able to switch from brute horsepower to brute horsepower with the mark of German engineering!

 

[spta97]

yes you are crazy. Keep the BMW and get rid of the ford and buy the Armada.
Jim

That's exactly what I want to do, but that will be about 4 years away

 

[Armado]

yes you are crazy. Keep the BMW and get rid of the ford and buy the Armada.
Jim

I second that!

You now have your dream so why get rid of it.

Seems to me your asking the M3 to do the winter job when the Armadas are perfect for it! The pot hole would have got the worst of it if you were in the Armada.

 

[spta97]

I second that!

You now have your dream so why get rid of it.

Seems to me your asking the M3 to do the winter job when the Armadas are perfect for it! The pot hole would have got the worst of it if you were in the Armada.

Perhaps I will have to suck it up and wait until I have paid off the M3 and then get the Armada. I'm not real good at waiting for things

 

[TopazM3]

Get both!! My M3 sits in the winter ......

and my 04 Armada becomes my winter car. It's also used for towing and long trips. I like my armada alot, but every time I get back in the M3, it's like a miracle. I'm thankful that for most of the year I don't have to drive a truck! If the Exploder suxs, find a used Armada if cash is the issue.

 

[ftnssn]

What's your monthly on the M3?

 

[ZUL8R]

Armada + Z = M3

I know it is not a M3 but I have a 350Z and an Armada. The Z is paid for but normally both payments would equal that of the M3. I get pretty good performance from the Z but like I said it is not an M3. But I will say that no matter which one I drive I love every minute. The Armada is one hell of a truck. I have tested many others and had a Montero Sport (no comparison). If you could keep the M3 and get an Armada, bonus. If not you have options. Test drive a Z see how you like it. I have a hard time using all it has to offer. And I have to say I love to look in my driveway.

 

[spta97]

What's your monthly on the M3?

It works out to be about $800.

 

[spta97]

and my 04 Armada becomes my winter car. It's also used for towing and long trips. I like my armada alot, but every time I get back in the M3, it's like a miracle. I'm thankful that for most of the year I don't have to drive a truck! If the Exploder suxs, find a used Armada if cash is the issue.

I really want to do that, but can't due to financial constraints. I really like the Explorer (because it is a truck) for commuting and long trips (being 6' it is easier for me to get in and out of). I can't think of taking on another car payment while I am still paying off the M3. Between mortgage, gas, heating oil, insurance, etc. money does not flow as freely as when I was renting.

 

[spta97]

I know it is not a M3 but I have a 350Z and an Armada. The Z is paid for but normally both payments would equal that of the M3. I get pretty good performance from the Z but like I said it is not an M3. But I will say that no matter which one I drive I love every minute. The Armada is one hell of a truck. I have tested many others and had a Montero Sport (no comparison). If you could keep the M3 and get an Armada, bonus. If not you have options. Test drive a Z see how you like it. I have a hard time using all it has to offer. And I have to say I love to look in my driveway.

I test drove the G35c and liked the car for what it was (a great value) but it did not make me feel much different than the performance in my 03 Maxima. So I was leaning toward a 330Ci. Then I realized there was no way I was paying +$15k for the 330 to only get 10% more performance than the Maxima. I waited a year and got the M3.

If I did not own the Maxima, the G35 would have been a great car for me.

 

[Hecdog]

Funny you should ask that question.

I have an E46 M3 and an Armada. I love that combo. This M3 is the last of the great M3s. The new M3 due in 2008 based on the E90 chasis will NOT look as good, though it'll perform better. Looks like yours is a ZCP. I'd keep it. It'll be sought after in the years to come. I wouldn't sell your large SUV just to buy another large SUV, even though the Armada is much better. It makes little business sense. And speaking of business, if you really had to, sell the M3 and invest the money cause you aint getting much for that Ford!

 

[GasDoc]

are u nuts

yo potential armada brother,


I have an 02 Porsche Targa 6 speed with cold air intake. I also have a new 06 Armada LE 4x4. Both cars serve different purposes. I use my porsche as my daily driver and my armada on the weekends to haul the family and dog around. the armada is awesome but it aint no m3 which is the bar for which all other sports sedans are measured against save the m5 which i hope will be my next car.

eat the $800 on the busted rim and reacquaint yourself with the feelings you had when you bought the m3.

just my 2 cents worth

 

[spta97]

Funny you should ask that question.

I have an E46 M3 and an Armada. I love that combo. This M3 is the last of the great M3s. The new M3 due in 2008 based on the E90 chasis will NOT look as good, though it'll perform better. Looks like yours is a ZCP. I'd keep it. It'll be sought after in the years to come. I wouldn't sell your large SUV just to buy another large SUV, even though the Armada is much better. It makes little business sense. And speaking of business, if you really had to, sell the M3 and invest the money cause you aint getting much for that Ford!

I am not willing to give up on the E90 until I see it, but if the other E90s are any indication I won't like the way it looks.

Mine is a ZCP...I don't think that it will be worth any more since most people are just getting the rims elsewhere, and I lost the steering wheel controls as a result of the option.

I agree that I will probably not get much for the Ford.

 

[spta97]

yo potential armada brother,


I have an 02 Porsche Targa 6 speed with cold air intake. I also have a new 06 Armada LE 4x4. Both cars serve different purposes. I use my porsche as my daily driver and my armada on the weekends to haul the family and dog around. the armada is awesome but it aint no m3 which is the bar for which all other sports sedans are measured against save the m5 which i hope will be my next car.

eat the $800 on the busted rim and reacquaint yourself with the feelings you had when you bought the m3.

just my 2 cents worth

I hear you. I figure I will keep the M3 for at least a year (september) then make my decision from there. I guess I was expecting more from a car that costs $60k.

 

[shaft2k]

Dont do it

Dont give up the M3!!!! The wifey "talked" me into getting rid of my 88 M6 last year and I regret it daily. I cant wait until I can get another M car. That was the most fun I've every had driving a car, and I've driven everything (I used to be a valet in college). I remember "cruising" doing 150mph!!! and the car still had more that it could have done. I beat I dont know how many people in races, they would ride next to me in Mustang GT's, Impala GT's, Camaros and get smoked. It was the best of both world's, luxury and speed. The only thing I didnt like was the maintenance ($$$), but there is a price to pay for what may be the perfect car......

 

[spta97]

Wow, the overwhelming responses from an Armada board to keep the M3 has me thinking. Perhaps I am better off waiting to get my Armada until the M3 is paid off. In the mean time I'll just do my research.