I think BMW's interiors are on the whole rather ugly for the level of the car. The GTR isn't pretty either, but I would have a hard time saying I prefer the M interior to the GTR interior. The GTR doesn't flow and looks very playstation, but it seems like it would be neat/fun to play with all the gadgets (g-meters and such). If they put the computers together well, it would bring out the 6-year-old in me and make me smile.

I agree with the OP on the whole--why would a true sports car enthusiast get an M3 with a few options when the GTR can be had for another $5000-$7000? And how about a Z06?

Obviously BMW does not think they are playing to the same market. For such a similar price, it doesnt perform in the same league as GTR/Z06/etc, so they must be planning to sell the M on something other than performance alone (the high-revving engine, the badge/BMW enthusiasts, luxury/GT appeal, who knows). Otherwise, BMW won't see a lot of sales.

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And the Aston Vantage may be outperformed, but I would NEVER cross-shop a Z06/GTR with any Aston Martin. For the Aston, performance is part of the package, but with a Z06/GTR, performance IS the package. And as an aside, if I was in a position to cross-shop an Aston Martin with any car, I'd probably just buy both.

 

Before I get flamed, let me edit that to make my meaning clearer:

Why would a true PERFORMANCE enthusiast get an M3 vs a GTR/ZO6.

I understand that the BMW is not all about the numbers, it's about the feeling/etc. But if someone just wants the fastest street/track car for the money, I'd think the M3 would be out.

 

You make a lot of valid points that I agree with. The one thing that boils me up inside is the whole GTR pricing thing!! Its not a 70k car. It wont even be an 80k car for a looong time. The price difference between a base M3 and base GTR will easily be over 20k IMO. When Chevy came out with the C6 Z06 the pricing wasnt lower. That car got a price hike quick, fast, and in a hurry.

 

I wonder if/when the GTR will cool off as far as price hikes. Right now we don't know how many Nissan plans to make, for all we know it could be limited or it could be just like a Z06 meaning after a year it's not hard to find.

I recall cars like the NSX and S2000 were in short supply for a time. I don't think this went too long. Even cars like the 911 turbo or Elise were in high demand for a while. Nothing lasts forever. I imagine one year from now we won't be talking about $20K mark-ups.

Not to mention with $4 gas and credit crunch and people watching their pennies, I don't think this is the best time for GTR (etc.) not saying they will be hard to sell, but this is not the same economy it was 15 months ago.

 

The C6 started off at 65k when they first came out. Now the base is 72k. Go Figure. Nissan will adjust their GTR pricing accordingly.

I'm sure the gouging will settle in a year or so. I remember there was a 9month waiting list for the 335i's when they came out.

 

way 2 much hairsplitting/whining going on here - some of you sound like amateurs as if options/packages is a new ordering concept debuting with the E92 M3.

if any of you actually ponied up and paid cash for this bad boy, i'd congratulate you whether the car was base or optioned up to the hilt.

it's an awesome car just like the GTR - both have its own unique set of strengths and weaknesses and i'd totally understand why one person would pick the nissan over the bmw and vice versa.

so quit yer whining, save your money and let your reality speak for itself v. complaining/moaning/b!tching about a problem that doesn't exist.

and pls stop with the 335i comparison. it's no where near as special as the M3 and the moment you do anything to that 335i's engine management, your lovely bmw factory warranty is gone for the most critical/expensive components of the vehicle. making a car go fast in the straights is an easy/lazy proposition. making the entire car better is very expensive and the M3 absolutely is the special breed out of the 3 series line-up with the rest commuter cars that your momma/grandma would enjoy driving.

 

m3's gets more powerful and expensive with each generation. bmw has no problems selling them.

 

It was never any different for the e46 BMW. Back when I bought my C5 Z06 I had the choice of the old M3 for a few bucks more ($46K for that new Z06). But I wanted as much performance as I could buy, in the sense of rolling up to a stop light and knowing I was driving the bigger beast.

Was there ever a time when the M3 was a performance king at its price point? Doubt it.

 

So don't option it that high. They're options for a reason.

 

GT-R production is supposed to be about 1200-1500 units per year. Just a fact of interest is that Z06 production is around 6000 units per year. So unless Nissan opens up production this car might be constrained for a while.