Next car after F80 M3, AWD only: M550i, RS5, X3M, X4M

[Mako]

My previous few cars:

2006 BMW M Coupe
2009 Mercedes C63
2013 BMW 335i xdrive
2016 M3

driving in Chicago area winters are hit and miss, last two haven't been bad (this one has been awesome, lots of 30-40 degree dry days). I am used to driving sports cars in the winter with snow tires (as you can see above), but did love having the AWD 335i.

I wish I could add the new M5 to my list but a little out of budget and figured these cars should all be in that $70K-$80K range.
My personal situation is 2 young kids in boosters and usually at least one of them is in my car every day, this is why the X3M and X4M are on the list...

[mkoesel]

Among those you listed, I would get the RS5 Sportback, unless it turns out to be a complete dud. Won't be here until 2019 though, so that's a long way out.

I would also consider RS3, CLA45, GLA45, and the upcoming GLC63 (in either coupe or standard form).

[Carl L]

As mkoesel said, the GLA 45 is worthy of your time. It's a blast and 188bhp/liter from the factory is a fantastic achievement.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Among those you listed, I would get the RS5 Sportback, unless it turns out to be a complete dud. Won't be here until 2019 though, so that's a long way out.

I would also consider RS3, CLA45, GLA45, and the upcoming GLC63 (in either coupe or standard form).

personally I don't like the styling of the GLA/GLC, I don't like how rounded Mercedes is going, GLA looks like a tiny minivan to me. RS3 is a great little car but "little" is the problem, I think the M3 is a great size if you need 4 doors and have kids.

I am really looking forward to the RS5 (although the A5 sportback commercial was a bit curious during the superbowl, not sure what they were trying to do with that spot), I really wish BMW made the M4 GC with AWD, I wouldn't even consider another car if that was an option. Problem with Audi RS line is that its normally a decent amount more $$$ than the M equivalent, I seem to remember the last RS5 coupe costing a good $5K+ more than the M3 coupe.

[James0518]

I would check out Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 4MATIC. The E63 4MATIC really peaks my interest. Guess Mercedes wanted to beat the BMW M5 "XDrive" to market.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mako

personally I don't like the styling of the GLA/GLC, I don't like how rounded Mercedes is going, GLA looks like a tiny minivan to me.

I'm not convinced at all by the looks of the sedans, but I do like the SUVs. Have you seen the GLC43 coupe? To me it looks great - not at all homely and ungainly like the X4 M40i. Sure, it's possible the G02 X4 might look a lot better than F26 does, but that's completely unknown at this point. Also, to my eye the spy shots of the GLC63 in both coupe and standard form look great too. It's going to be tough for the X3 M and X4 M to outdo them I think, although we shall see. The GLC63 pair will debut this year and be on sale in about 12 months or so, beating BMW to market.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by James0518

I would check out Mercedes-Benz AMG E43 4MATIC.

With 390hp in that size car, its not going give the performance IMHO. If I were dropping out of M/AMG/RS land, I'd skip the E43 for the M550i the OP already mentioned. Or better yet, I'd look at an S6 which is probably the smallest and lightest of the three.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I'm not convinced at all by the looks of the sedans, but I do like the SUVs. Have you seen the GLC43 coupe? To me it looks great - not at all homely and ungainly like the X4 M40i. Sure, it's possible the G02 X4 might look a lot better than F26 does, but that's completely unknown at this point. Also, to my eye the spy shots of the GLC63 in both coupe and standard form look great too. It's going to be tough for the X3 M and X4 M to outdo them I think, although we shall see. The GLC63 pair will debut this year and be on sale in about 12 months or so, beating BMW to market.

See I prefer the X6 (which is why thats what my wife drives) I have seen a few GLEs and think they look silly, like bubbles. I also like the X4 but it does need refinement, I think the new Fxx X4 will be better.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

With 390hp in that size car, its not going give the performance IMHO. If I were dropping out of M/AMG/RS land, I'd skip the E43 for the M550i the OP already mentioned. Or better yet, I'd look at an S6 which is probably the smallest and lightest of the three.

agree 100%, E43 is way underpowered, claimed 0-60 of 4.5, and same MSRP as the M550i, what were they thinking?

Love the S6 (father has one) but I don't like its size, which is why even though the M550i looks awesome on paper, I think it will be too big for me. I have always been a roadster guy and just went to 4 doors because of kids.

[M3ZING]

If you cant wait for an audi RS5 sportback get an s5 sportback + apr tune

[DocWeatherington]

my Vote M550i, as the others it might be till 2019.

It same too as I would consider all of them.

[nicknaz]

I picked x3m under the assumption it has S55 and a really sporty AWD setup (fixed rear bias, mechanical LSD front and rear axle) and "reasonable" (for a truck) sub 4K lb weight. If it's an n55 based situation or a bunch of open diffs with brake based "LSD" no thanks!

Can your kids fit in the back of a 997? Get a 997 TT !!

[Mako]

Originally Posted by DocWeatherington

my Vote M550i, as the others it might be till 2019.

It same too as I would consider all of them.

I thought X3M was supposed to release fall 2018, same with RS5, as 2019 models, thats really only like 1 1/2 years away.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I picked x3m under the assumption it has S55 and a really sporty AWD setup (fixed rear bias, mechanical LSD front and rear axle) and "reasonable" (for a truck) sub 4K lb weight. If it's an n55 based situation or a bunch of open diffs with brake based "LSD" no thanks!

Can your kids fit in the back of a 997? Get a 997 TT !!

yeah I have looked into it, haha. there is probably a 2-3 year span between boosters and them growing to large that it would be perfect.

[doberzus]

Why no RS3? Yeah it's a bit smaller but that little car is going to be a rocket from a launch. Also, in the $60k range so you can save a little. That 5 cylinder sounds glorious too, think mini Lamborghini V10.

I have an S3, and that thing pulls from a dig/LC launch. It's all stock too, with a JB stage 1($370) it'll pull 3.8-4.1 0-60s all day. The M struggles from a dig in temps under 80. In the summer it's no issue at all, but it gets a bit frustrating on cold days.

[damnitBobby]

I say get the new Audi S4 that's supposed to be releasing soon. At least that's what I'm thinking of doing lol. That will hold me over until the next generation M3 or RS5 sportback.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by Mako

I thought X3M was supposed to release fall 2018, same with RS5, as 2019 models, thats really only like 1 1/2 years away.

No one knows for certain as the common X3 won't be released until late 2017, so who knows when the X3M will start hitting dealerships. IDK

The RS5 maybe introduced in a few months, Geneva ??

Sadly, for some of us 2014 buyers are F8Xs are coming up to the end of lease .

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by damnitBobby

I say get the new Audi S4 that's supposed to be releasing soon. At least that's what I'm thinking of doing lol. That will hold me over until the next generation M3 or RS5 sportback.

I think they are already released, my local dealership has one in transit.

[M3ZING]

Audi Road Map Shows The Reveal Of RS5 Coupe in march (probably geneva) and rs4 in july. Rs5 sportback in end of the year.

[BMWFanatic2008]

I would probably go with 550 out of these options.

[evanescent03]

m550i is under $80k??


i'd be seeing what macan you could build.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mako

I thought X3M was supposed to release fall 2018, same with RS5, as 2019 models, thats really only like 1 1/2 years away.

With the X3M, it depends on how they do this. It's a brand new vehicle for BMW M, so we don't know. If they go the route of the M3/M4 and make them sister models, then you know the drill - the X3M can't release until the X4M can release, and that will obviously be after the X4 Series model debuts. The G02 is not happening until mid 2018, so realistically it would be early 2019 at the earliest for the X3M and X4M. If they do it more like the M5/M6 where they are separate models aesthetically and share only mechanical stuff, then the X3M can release before the X4M is ready to go. I actually hope they start doing that with the next generation M3/M4 too, but I am not optimistic. So similarly, I don't think they will with the X3M/X4M either. And remember the X5M/X6M also release together too.

Regarding the RS5, the coupe is definitely coming in 2018, but the Sportback probably not.

Originally Posted by M3ZING

Audi Road Map Shows The Reveal Of RS5 Coupe in march (probably geneva) and rs4 in july. Rs5 sportback in end of the year.

Even if the RS5 Sportback debuts at the end of the year, and I don't think that's confirmed yet, its still another year until it hits US showrooms. Realistically, I would say early 2019 before they are on US roads.