I've read that the BMW x-drive isn't really a performance AWD system, its more of a don't kill yourself in ****ty conditions system. Much unlike audi Quattro, or the Evo or Subara AWD, which is performance minded..

 

I have a F80 and if it didn't have all the power it would not be a fun car to drive truthfully. If you want a more mature and quality car and more Evo like I would recommend the Audi S3 or the 2015 new manual Golf R both are same cars and drives nicely. Trade some performance for everything else we don't have on our beloved evo.

Another great option is to wait for the Focus RS. The E90 is nice but there is a chance it may turn to a money pit since it's older, expensive parts, and maintenance cost (brakes/tires/Etc..). So much $$ for used.

 

Sounds like the kind of swap you do when you've packed on a few pounds. So are you getting fat and old?

 

Old? I'm 28. Fat? Well fatter than usual, but still a slim 180lbs, while being 6'1".

The water pump on my Evo just started making a bunch of noise. So it looks like I gotta fix that, and do a timing belt while I'm at it.

 

There's an m3 sedan locally that is for sale band I know the refinement is enjoyable but the aspect that kills me is that the v8 make such low torque in comparison to my minimally upgraded Evo along with the awd I just know I would lose some of the fun factor. I know rwd would be a blast but 275rwtq is a bit of a let down.

 

at only 350 whp, i can understand the attraction of another car. what is it that you don't like about the evo? some things such as a noisy interior or rough ride can be addressed, but if you want the bmw feel and all the latest creature comforts, forget the evo.

 

The thing about 350whp is, I don't want much more than that. My interest in building a 600-700whp monster has faded, as I enjoy a car that is very drivable on the street, and simply fun. 600-700whp is awesome if the car sees mostly track use, but my cars do not. That much power for street use ONLY is stupid, in my opinion. But that's all beside the point. And I just threw out a random 600whp power figure just for sake of argument.

There isn't much I dislike about the Evo, other than it's just cheap. In terms of performance, There is nothing to dislike. As far as looks go, it looks pretty good. A bit juvenile, but good. Reliability has been average. I've had to put money into it, but the biggest reliability issue had to do with an aftermarket remote start system that I was unaware it had at the time. It would intermittently not start. I tried many things to fix it, until I realized the remote start system.

The interior is cheap. The seats though, I'd hate to give up those seats. Best OEM seats I've sat in. Not sure the M3 could compare. Better quality, maybe more comfortable, But not as race inspired as the Recaro's.

The Reasons I want an M3 is because, I've always wanted one. The look, the quality of a German car (also over engineered, not a good thing), interior is much nicer. I'd be able to listen to my music (Evo's factory radio not compatible with iPod, and the speakers suck). But biggest reasons I want an M3 are the same as most, and it's just because the car is what it is. It's been the benchmark in it's class for as long as its existed. And the 4.0 V8, my god, that engine. The straight line performance in stock form will probably not quite be up to the Evo, but not far off. As far as windy stuff, I've only driven E36 and E46's. I doubt the E90 will have the same nimble feeling the Evo does, probably not as quick either. But I'm starting to wonder if that really matters. It puts me close enough to the Evo's performance, but gives me SOOO much more.

If I could afford to keep the Evo and ad the M3, I'd do it. But it's just not possible.

 

i'm in the same boat as you. I've ALWAYS had my eyes on the E9x M3, one of my favorite cars out there. Now that i'm seeing clean title ones with under 60k miles being listed for 28-32k i've really started thinking about selling my 8 and my daily driver 04 Acura TL to get one. Both cars are payed off and selling both could put me right at the amount i need for a used e9x M3 hopefully.

Like you, i have started to fall out of love with the Evo and desire something a little more classy and comfortable but still badass. I still enjoy driving it and love how it looks but yeah....

 

The evo 8/9 will never go out of style, one day will become a Japanese awd classic. The e90 m3 however..meh. won't be of Any value in ten years. It's not like the old e30 m3 which was such a unique and limited production car. Do what you like but a real car collector/hobbiest would ask Themselves what his/her car will be down the road.

I'm not so young anymore and have grown to love evos and the "toyish raw feel of them. will never let mine go. Not for $30k not for $60k. Then again mine is a garage queen lol.

 

My friend has a 335xi(2007?) and even when it was a bit faster(before I got a tune) his car was just boooooring. He loves BMWs, I like them. The driving experience is completely different, they are pretty boring to me, and I could care less about all the "features" they have.
I have lower back problems, the only thing I would like is better lumbar support in the Evo. I love that I do not have power windows, ABS, power locks, etc in my RS, all the features of BMWs are worthless to me since I never use them. I might end up in one later when I can't daily the RS due to my back issues, but they just are not what I love in a car.

Get the BMW if you want and can afford it, hopefully it suits YOUR needs!

 

Respect, I got a messed up back too, but for now I'm fine on coilovers. I had a crazy leg cramp the other day and thought about people who aren't able to shift due to pain.

I don't think I'd ever go with paddles, I think I'd be done with cars at that point. It's either the Evo or I give up and get on the bus to read a book or something. An automatic just isn't a car to me.

 

a fair number of people on here talk about the e90, but since i'm not much of bmw person, i had no idea what model it is, and i never bothered to find out until now. big draw seems to be the apparently hellacious sounding v8 and great handling (for a 3700 lb car). found a road test that compares the e90, f82, and 1M (whatever its designation is). some interesting differences. although not an e90, a while back i had got to wail on a 1M around town for about an hour. very precise steering, awesome feeling clutch and brakes, felt very comfortable pushing to the limit in corners, but was totally bored by the power. it would seem the e90 v8 is a totally different animal in the power department.

 

Yeah, 250 torque at the wheels. It's V8TEC Yo!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771240

 

Although it doesn't have four doors, why not consider the 2015 mustang gt with performace package. Weight is similar but has more power, and it will come with a warranty. I test drove one when I was shopping for cars and it was very much improved compared to previous years. Interior quality was nice and you can get the optional recaros if you wanted. Coming from a modded wrx I decided to purchase a new 14 gsr, but if I had gone the rear wheel drive route this would have been my choice.

 

because its a mustang... Way to many douche nozzles drive those cars for me to ever consider owning one.