Time for a decision... MS3 or....

[solomr2]

Time has come to trade in my 2003 MP5. It's been pretty reliable, but it just rolled over 80K miles, and with my 100 mile/day commute I want something a little more fun.

My list of possibles at this point includes:

MS3
MS6
Audi A4 2.0T
VW GTI 2.0T (4-door)

I may also wait for the new BMW 128, but I doubt it.

My MP5 has been giving me an average of 25mpg, so I with the miles I drive I hope I can still get that kind of mileage.

Please share your thoughts with me on any of these vehicles, and please let me know if there are any special deals that can save me some $$$.

I'm also particularly interested in how the MS3 drives and sounds. My MP5 is pretty tight and all, but those little rattles, the wind noise and that buzzing just drives me crazy. Have they gotten any better at keeping them quite?

Thank you.

 

[Rotary_Powered]

Volvo C30?

 

[///M Compact]

I also looked at the cars you're considering, and I went with the MS3. I have no regrets whatsoever. I might have waited for the 135i if they were bringing over the five door, but I don't need another coupe.
As for build quality, my M3 has 2500 miles on it and there are no squeaks or rattles at all. It feels pretty solid overall. It makes me smile everytime I get behind the wheel.

 

[Maxxpwr]

those are all really good choices, I like ur taste. first think of whether fwd or awd is important to you. personally I had an msp and went to an evo and absolutely love awd now. I'd say the audi 2.0T is a great choice, a friend of mine just got one with the black wood grain instead of the standard and its awesome, very capable car too. but I like all those cars so I am not very much help I guess, go test an evo too, once you drive one you'll never look back! muhahahaha. or at least you'll have a fun test drive.

 

[Maxxpwr]

actually if your waiting. bmw 1 series all the way

 

[I vtec do you?]

Go for the MS3.. there is no other car in that category that offers that amount of fun, quality and refinement as the MS3 does [for the price].

 

[MS3ICA]

dude the audi or vw... no give me a break if your taliking evo or sti ok but then i would argue just as good suspension 8min39 sec "nurenburg", around same actual power at the wheels, but the evo and the sti have the jump with the awd, but an fully loaded ms3 with nav is 27,020 what i paid with mine with everyoption with nav, almost 10k cheaper......

 

[UTEGANNOGMI]

I say go with the 135i. =] That would be sweet; but not as a daily commute. Driving 100miles/day to and from work and avoiding the risk of getting into an accident is pretty hard since there are some crappy drivers out there. If it were me, I would seriously be more pissed if someone rear-ended me in my 135i than I would be in my MS3 (would still be really ticked...but a little less than 135i).

 

[Haltech]

I say go with the 135i. =] That would be sweet; but not as a daily commute. Driving 100miles/day to and from work and avoiding the risk of getting into an accident is pretty hard since there are some crappy drivers out there. If it were me, I would seriously be more pissed if someone rear-ended me in my 135i than I would be in my MS3 (would still be really ticked...but a little less than 135i).

i agree. If i had a choice to make now, i would wait for the 135i. Chances are you will be able to get this car for about $34K loaded. It will handle nice, free service, lots of power on tap and some nasty aftermarket support down the line for that engine. With the 6 speed, you should be able to handle the power.

 

[solomr2]

BMW 135i is a little tempting, I admit, but the reason it is low on my list of possible options is because it is a coupe, and price is unknown. I highly doubt the 135 will come in under $35k. The 128i might come in around $30-32.

I guess I would also throw the Acura TSX into the mix, since they offer a 200hp 2.4L with the 6-speed. Having owned Acura and Honda before, I feel comfortable with their quality and reliability.

Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[crystalmeth3]

my limited knowledge... info is close, score is my opinion, score considers price, not trying to start a war

ms3 ~ $23k-$26k excellent value for very good performance... average highway score 9/10
ms6 ~ $25k-$27k (rebates) excellent value for more car, good performance, average highway score 8/10
A4 ~ $28k-$31k best highway cruiser, below average performance, consider A3 score 6/10
GTI ~ $23k-$27k not as good value, electrical problems, squeaks and rattles, average performance, good highway score 8/10
C30 ~ $24k-$28k very good highway, average performance, volvo quality has been good score 7/10
135i ~ $34k-$37k good value for easily best performance, very good highway, limited back seat score 9/10
128i ~ $28k-$30k excellent value for very good performance... very good highway, limited back seat score 10/10

why consider cars that go 0-60mph in the 6 to 7 second range and cost mid $20k and jump to the 135i which will go to 60 in prolly 4.4 seconds but costs $10k more? the 128i will compete with every other car in terms of performance and be a good cruiser and it only costs about $4k more.

128i is the winner (imo) but the speed3 is a close 2nd(second)

 

[iplaythemic]

Volvo C30?

I was starting to wonder when somebody on this board would mention that little fella. That's the only other car I've been flirting with besides the MS3.

 

[solomr2]

C30 = 3 dr.

With 2 kids, a decent back seat and 4 doors are desirable. The Volvo S40 seems interesting, the T5 turbo 5 cyl. motor rated at 230hp for 2008 seems pretty decent.

 

[SPEED305]

those were all my choice too, but the MS3 won by alot. however,i will be getting the 135 in 2 years!

 

[Egprotege5]

Be prepared for the cost of maintenance of the 128 or 135. My friend bought a used 3-series and was shocked at the $100 oil changes. BMW-approved oils are only ones acceptable, others void warranty. Just a thought.

 

[spike blue]

well the ms3 is a great car i was about to get it but i decided to get the G35 S premium package for 36k with all the things and with 300hp 5.6second car 0-60mph!!! So for you i will check the G37 coupe!! O wait for the BMW

 

[solomr2]

Be prepared for the cost of maintenance of the 128 or 135. My friend bought a used 3-series and was shocked at the $100 oil changes. BMW-approved oils are only ones acceptable, others void warranty. Just a thought.

I thought basic maintenance was included.

Besides, I can do most of the basic maintenance myself.

 

[///M Compact]

Be prepared for the cost of maintenance of the 128 or 135. My friend bought a used 3-series and was shocked at the $100 oil changes. BMW-approved oils are only ones acceptable, others void warranty. Just a thought.

Here's my thought:
Your friend is getting hosed. Big time. I hope the shop kissed him and sent flowers the next morning.
You can get BMW LL-01 approved oils at any Autozone or Advance Auto for $6.00-$6.50 per quart(Castrol Syntec 0W-30, Mobil 1 0W-40, Valvoline Synpower 5w-40), while an OEM BMW filter costs $6.00-$7.00 from the dealer. It's an easy DIY to boot. My current 3 Series costs me less than $45 a month to run. And I should point out that not all BMW dealers will try to skin you. My local BMW dealer changed the ATF and the final drive oil on my wife's E39 5er for 110.00 and changed the coolant on my E36 for $85.
And don't forget that BMW pays for all scheduled maintenance for the first four years and 50K miles.
In any event, ask your friend to keep spinning those "BMWs are expensive to repair" yarns. Those stories make it easy for me to pick up used BMWs on the cheap...(drive2)

 

[///M Compact]

I thought basic maintenance was included.

Besides, I can do most of the basic maintenance myself.

Right on both counts. Join BMW CCA and you'll be able to get parts discounts of 20% or better.

 

[Maxxpwr]

dude the audi or vw... no give me a break if your taliking evo or sti ok but then i would argue just as good suspension 8min39 sec "nurenburg", around same actual power at the wheels, but the evo and the sti have the jump with the awd, but an fully loaded ms3 with nav is 27,020 what i paid with mine with everyoption with nav, almost 10k cheaper......

I dont know what you said?. but I was just throwin out there a used evo, mine was 25k with 20k miles on it.. and im not sure what your saying about "just as good suspension" but sorry, the MR stock will go around a corner faster than any other car you will ever find.
- anyways all those cars are great choices, but if your buying new, I would wait for the 1 series, or the audi. or maybe the ms3. but I would never buy a new car, just doesn't make sense to me. but either way, good luck with your buy
-Maxximus