[Theruleslawyer]

If you have a m340 now, and are looking at a M3, I think you'd probably find the is500 a disappointment dynamically. Its just a high power GT cruiser. If you want a v8 and care about dynamics, pick up a mach 1 or SS 1le. If luxury is important you probably have some decisions to make.

[G30M]

i've always wanted an M550i to keep company the M340i ...

[TupperBMW]

M550i is also one I've considered, unfortunately lightly used 2022 models seem to be rare, and I think they are priced high.

Plus, it is a turbocharged V8 which isn't as sexy as a NA V8

Still, something I've considered. It will give me more space, as this car also often lugs my family around.

[NYG]

Tupper, you're giving me an aneurysm because I can never remember which forum I responded to you on.

Get an M5 and pass on these beta options or keep the M340i.

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by NYG

Tupper, you're giving me an aneurysm because I can never remember which forum I responded to you on.

Get an M5 and pass on these beta options or keep the M340i.

LOL, I like the different perspectives I get on different forums, that's why I asked this question in all 3 that I visit: Bimmerpost, R8Talk, and Rennlist.

At R8Talk people seem to back the M3
Here, people are mixed, and throw in the CT5-V
At Rennlist, like 2 people responded because everyone there is like "If it's not a Porsche, it's not worthy" (j/k)

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

LOL, I like the different perspectives I get on different forums, that's why I asked this question in all 3 that I visit: Bimmerpost, R8Talk, and Rennlist.

At R8Talk people seem to back the M3
Here, people are mixed, and throw in the CT5-V
At Rennlist, like 2 people responded because everyone there is like "If it's not a Porsche, it's not worthy" (j/k)

At Bimmerpost: Get a NA Ferrari or go buy a Corolla.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

LOL, I like the different perspectives I get on different forums, that's why I asked this question in all 3 that I visit: Bimmerpost, R8Talk, and Rennlist.

At R8Talk people seem to back the M3
Here, people are mixed, and throw in the CT5-V
At Rennlist, like 2 people responded because everyone there is like "If it's not a Porsche, it's not worthy" (j/k)

I mean, I'll repeat what I said on R8talk - NA V8 is awesome but loses the appeal when you realize how poorly the Lexus performs.

The CT5-V is one of my favorite cars ever but if you've ever had a ZL1 Camaro or a Z06 Corvette, you know damn well it's not a sensible daily driver. Those cars are too powerful - which isn't a bad thing but having 2390752305235 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm makes driving in adverse conditions a bit harder.

Originally Posted by AlexFL

At Bimmerpost: Get a NA Ferrari or go buy a Corolla.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by G99M5

i've always wanted an M550i to keep company the M340i ...

That’s one option I’m debating on once this m3 lease is over. I’ll have my c8z by then so not sure if I want a full m car as a secondary toy. Maybe the m550 will get one more hp bump before it downgraded to a small hybrid engine or go fully ev. I want that v8 lol

[ntg44]

I'm currently cross shopping the IS 500, 340i, and RS3. I'm leaning heavily towards the Lexus, but can't seem to be able to get one, brand new anyways. No salesman I've contacted locally has seen one in a long time. Kind of embarrassing really. Lexus just announced a new model and can't build them - what's the point?

That being said, if I had a 340i already, I probably wouldn't trade it in on the IS 500. But a single turbo I6 is on the same level as a V8 for me - I love the way they sound.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by ntg44

I'm currently cross shopping the IS 500, 340i, and RS3. I'm leaning heavily towards the Lexus, but can't seem to be able to get one, brand new anyways. No salesman I've contacted locally has seen one in a long time. Kind of embarrassing really. Lexus just announced a new model and can't build them - what's the point?

That being said, if I had a 340i already, I probably wouldn't trade it in on the IS 500. But a single turbo I6 is on the same level as a V8 for me - I love the way they sound.

I love how all the R8 guys end up in the same thread all the time.

[AlexFL]

Originally Posted by ntg44

I'm currently cross shopping the IS 500, 340i, and RS3. I'm leaning heavily towards the Lexus, but can't seem to be able to get one, brand new anyways. No salesman I've contacted locally has seen one in a long time. Kind of embarrassing really. Lexus just announced a new model and can't build them - what's the point?

That being said, if I had a 340i already, I probably wouldn't trade it in on the IS 500. But a single turbo I6 is on the same level as a V8 for me - I love the way they sound.

Get the RS3. It’s a fun little beast. And you will need that AWD in Chicago!

[TupperBMW]

Originally Posted by ntg44

That being said, if I had a 340i already, I probably wouldn't trade it in on the IS 500. But a single turbo I6 is on the same level as a V8 for me - I love the way they sound.

Yeah, I think I'm kind of past the IS500 when I think about it further (and I commented to that effect further up). But now the M550i has me interested. Again, another car that's hard to find a 2021 or newer, low mileage model.

Interesting that you say you like the sound of the inline 6 over the V8. I guess BMW V8's don't sound that bad ass, but V8's in other cars can certainly raise the hairs on the back of one's neck....

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Get the RS3. It’s a fun little beast. And you will need that AWD in Chicago!

Haha, I know. My salesman can get me one too with no markup BS, which makes it almost too easy. But for some reason the Lexus makes me want to hold out for a while. It would be nice to get into something different this time around. I REALLY like the IS 500. The RS3 looks like a riot, and the 340i is the logical choice, but idk, the IS speaks to me.

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Get the RS3. It’s a fun little beast. And you will need that AWD in Chicago!

It only has half the cylinders of the audi you should buy.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Yeah, I think I'm kind of past the IS500 when I think about it further (and I commented to that effect further up). But now the M550i has me interested. Again, another car that's hard to find a 2021 or newer, low mileage model.

Interesting that you say you like the sound of the inline 6 over the V8. I guess BMW V8's don't sound that bad ass, but V8's in other cars can certainly raise the hairs on the back of one's neck....

You guys have a 5.2 V10 and a 4.2 V8.

Sound should be the least of your concerns..... Unless it's an S55. I still have nightmares of what my M4CS sounded like.

[Alfisti]

IMHO the answer in this market is the same as it has been for some 14 years, E92 M3. Done.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

IMHO the answer in this market is the same as it has been for some 14 years, E92 M3. Done.

I'm patiently waiting for prices to rebound on these so I can build a race car with one.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

M550i is also one I've considered, unfortunately lightly used 2022 models seem to be rare, and I think they are priced high.

Plus, it is a turbocharged V8 which isn't as sexy as a NA V8

Still, something I've considered. It will give me more space, as this car also often lugs my family around.

Just order a new M550. If you are willing to look around discounts are available.

[billnchristy]

ISFs sound great when they're getting dusted by my m440i. It's really a lateral move to the Lexus but I can't argue that they sound amazing.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by billnchristy

ISFs sound great when they're getting dusted by my m440i. It's really a lateral move to the Lexus but I can't argue that they sound amazing.

My 440ix with the M-Performance Tune/Exhaust was one of the sickest daily drivers I ever had - so damn fast and could launch it in any condition.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by TupperBMW

Yeah, I think I'm kind of past the IS500 when I think about it further (and I commented to that effect further up). But now the M550i has me interested. Again, another car that's hard to find a 2021 or newer, low mileage model.

Interesting that you say you like the sound of the inline 6 over the V8. I guess BMW V8's don't sound that bad ass, but V8's in other cars can certainly raise the hairs on the back of one's neck....

Full disclosure, I am a 100% 90s era JDM fanboy. Single turbo I6 is probably my favorite sounding engine of all time, especially RB26. It's just so harmonic and angry sounding. I enjoy V8s as much as the next person, but I hear them all the time around me so I tend to not care as much about them. Says the guy with a V8 R8 haha, oops.

But I like the IS 500 for many reasons, and the 5.0 N/A V8 is just one of them. I love the design, the fact that it's Japanese and nobody else is doing it at the price point, and it's a solid upgrade to my current STI with no third pedal. My clutch knee is starting to get some discomforting tingles, and my R8 is already manual, so I'm looking for something automatic from now on to save whatever I have left in it. I am a manual purist, but my knee comes first

TT V8s have no character to me, they're just stupid fast. I've driven my neighbor's AMG GT-C and while it's bonkers, meh, I like my R8 better. The exhaust has no personality. Most TT V8s I've heard tend to sound the same way. I'll sacrifice speed for ASMR tingles while running through the revs. I'm not looking to be the fastest on the block anymore, just want to really enjoy the drive.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by ntg44

Kind of embarrassing really. Lexus just announced a new model and can't build them - what's the point?

Crying over my 8 months and counting wait time for my M3