So before proceeding, I know the decision rests on me, and at the end of the day, I need to make a choice.

I've owned a handful of cars, of all different makes. But at heart, growing up in Germany, I've always been particular to BMW's, specifically any M series lineup. And at one point (my previous car) owned a 2006 BMW M3 Championship Edition. I felt I reached the top of what I felt was the pinnacle of my car game/my heat/my holy grail.

But I did have some serious issues with the BMW M3. Specifically the SMG trans I had was on its way out, and got numbers from the dealer, and private shops for changing it out, and I decided it wasn't worth keeping since we were dealing with 5 figure numbers and an aging 100,000 mile car.

I ended up choosing my 2013 Evo X MR. And it's a great car! Awesome to drive, and the amenities like sunroof, leather, auto (I know 'purists' could care less for this) brought me back to the BMW feel.

In the end, I still keep thinking of getting back into a BMW from time to time. I've had some luck and blessings and got better advancements in my career and can maybe get back into a BMW M again.

Problem is, the Evo is a great car, but more importantly a NEW car! My first new car actually which is awesome! I really can't fathom purchasing a car over $60-$70k. It just doesn't makes sense to me (This is just my opinion). So if I did move over back to the BMW M world again, it would be in a USED model. And with 2015 on the horizon, BMW will have phased out the e90/e92/e93 M model cars. I'd be in 2014 with an old car.

Thoughts??

First world problems I know

 

You seam like your heart is set in the M. You can't compare the M to the evo, the M3 is such a better all around car especially for what your looking for. I would love to own an e92

 

All I'll say is my 135i has roughly the same power and tourqe as my evo (VIII mind you). And the 135i is way faster in a straight line, and around corners. On top of that its much more fun to drive. As for absolute control though (this is the reason I have the evo) it is unbeatable in any condition (snow, rain, gravel, dry). But even with about 2000 into the suspension of the evo (bilstein HD's and Swift spec R's sway bars and bushings) it rides so much rougher than my BMW that has about 8k into the suspension (complete M3 component swap plus coil overs, camber plates, and an LSD). So what I'm saying is buy a cheaper older BMW strip it make it a race car, and keep the evo as a DD for what ever the world throws at you.

 

I was thinking about E92 M3 vs Evo actually, and I am coming from a 2008 550i m-sport.

I ultimately chose the Evo because I am ****ing sick of fixing BMW problems even on newer models. The Evo makes so much more sense financially (as far as a sports sedan that costs a **** ton in fuel and insuranec can be) than getting a 2008-2010 M3 in comparable price range.

When I can afford to swing a newer M3 with more warranty, then I would choose that.

 

Which one will be faster is directly proportional to the amount of money you plan to invest in it. Id stick with the Evo X imho. Cheaper to own overall and is utalitarian. Try driving any M in the wet. Or any other condition other than dry tarmac. My boy couldnt keep up with my stock X this damp weekend doing hot laps in njmotorsports lighting course in his 335...

Now if I have the money, I'd keep the X and get me a E92 M3 sedan. I'd have the best of both worlds. I'm going to miss that V8.

 

+1 to utilitarian. It's made to handle damn near everything you throw at it. With less than a few thousand you can make it scary fast.

 

Can't beat Japanese reliability.

 

Very interesting reads and comments. Thanks guys. It's definitely nice to have the perspective of fellow Evo owners. Even if I did pull the trigger on getting into a BMW, it wouldn't be until Spring, but I thought I'd see what you all thought prior to that.

So far to be honest, I'm 50/50 on deciding

 

Yeah, the M3 with a V-8 is one of my dream car highlights.... Such a beautiful car, beautiful sound and its quick!

I love the Evo's and doubt i will ever get out of one, been out and years later, here I am building another one.

Thats a tough call - my boss who owns a 97 M3 Track Car is torn on selling his baby, at the end of the day, his car is faster around the track than a evo in simliar trim and power levels and its rwd which can be a bit more fun to drive on a track.

I know unfair comparison but m3's are amazing cars and super well balanced.

Good luck, but if you get a chance, post pics of the M3 if you decide to transfer...

 

If I were you, I'd keep the Evo. While it sounds like you do miss being in a BMW from time to time, you didn't point out any gripes of owning your X MR. That's not to say that you don't have any, but whatever gripes you may have with the car obviously weren't significant enough for you to mention. Your Evo is still pretty new, and you might as well get your money's worth out of it over a few years of ownership before just getting rid of it.

But personally, I'd rather get a C63 over an M3. That M156 is a beast of a motor, even in its "weakest" tune as it is in the C.

 

You are definitely right that I haven't listed any gripes with the Evo, because put quite simply, I have little to no gripes. It is a great car! Only complaint would be stock for stock, I was thinking it would've been more power, but mods definitely address that

The other possible gripe I have is a non-telescoping wheel. When you have short arms like me, it just makes it somewhat uncomfortable, but you learn to deal with it.

Either way, I'll be happy in 2014 with either a Evo or M3....or both