We stopped by Global Imports today to see if the Z4 was out yet, my wife may trade in her 328i on one, and my wife's parents were with us.

My father-in-law started talking with a sales person about the M3 convertible especially about the SMG transmission. After a few minutes they start getting information down about trading in the SC430 (he wasn't driving it at the time, driving his ‘35 Chevy rod). They also worked up numbers on a new M3 convertible, nearly $66k with basically all options.

So now they are working up a price on the SC430 which is in pristine condition. If they can get him $45k - $50k it looks like he'll do it.

He is considering the M3 since it has significantly more room in the rear seat and the trunk is still decent even with the top down. The SC430's rear seats are a joke and with the top down the trunk is worthless. Plus, he is fascinated with the SMG transmission. He wants a manual but my mother-in-law can't drive a stick so this would be a nice trade off. Not to mentioned the increased performance in this M3…

I'm just wondering if he will really do it as I would certainly take advantage of that. They live only a few minutes away and offer the SC430 to us which I really don't like driving. It looks nice but is too much of a cruiser. Now the M3 vert would be a different story, I would definitely borrow that often.

Would any of you make that deal and drop an SC430 for an M3 convertible??

 

One thing about the SMG tranny : the auto mode still feels like a manual and that is something that most non-stick drivers wont know what to do with. If you accelerate wrong you can make the car hop and the clutch engagement is quite present.....

Would I take an M3 instead of an SC .... well of course but I am not crazy about the vert version of the M3.... a little slow for me....

AdamR

 

why didn't he buy the m3 in the first place???? As fine of a car the M3 is, I still feel it is silly to trade so soon. Why not wait until it's really time to get rid of the SC430....there probably be something better than and the M3 engines will be fixed. Both cars are amazing, but wheter he is filty rich or not, it's a waste to trade up. BTW what year sc430?

 

in a heartbeat.

 

Get the //M

 

It wasn't available when he set his mind on the SC430. The SC430 is a '02 which he has had for about 1.5 years. BTW, the SC430 was paid for in cash which the difference on the trade will also be cash. He certainly has the money to do this and any loss is irrelevant when it comes to the comparative enjoyment factor.

 

Obviously for my own enjoyment I'm puching for the //M...

 

i have driven the sc430

and it is nice

reverse is so freakin smooth it makes my cl drive like crap

i think its a nice roadster

but the M3 is so much more practical

sidemarker

 

Hrmmm, They just offered him $50k on the '02 SC430... That is better than I expected!!

 

Looks like it won't take much arm twisting to get the M3, huh Steve?