///M5

Somehow I have a feeling that your 'afford' and the dealerships 'afford' are on slightly different levels... Yep, mine is simple. I won't pay a dollar more than what work is willing to pay. I'll eat the snow tires, but that's it.

Suggestion. Don't use a black font. Most of us use a black background. And as for your answer, that is up to you. If you listen to Kenny G all day it'll be fine, but that doesn't mean carte blanche it'll be fine. And no, if you are burping a continuous 1900w while driving down the street it won't even come close.

Can't

Of course if I could just afford the M in the first place it'd be golden

/ probably not actually certified...

Hmm, perhaps I just need to buddy up with the dealership. Get them to have it put in, certify the car and I'd be okay. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=07001&modelCode1=M3&makeCode1=BMW&listingType=certified&searchRadius=100&listingId=327002450&Log=0

V8 is 5200lbs with a 51.1/48.9 weight distribution. Explains the handling.

I've read 4.6 on the 50i which is actually pretty close to the AMG. Not quite as quick. Funny thing is it feels like the AMG has more turbo lag. LOL

You drove the 8 I drove or you drove the I6. Maybe it was the I6. It felt... not quick. 300hp & 300ft lb versus 400hp and 450ft lb 6.3 to 60 versus 5.2 (BMW spec so both should be rather conservative)

Technically you cannot void a warranty through a chip unless they can prove without a doubt that the chip caused the failure. If it throws a rod and it's chipped they will draw that conclusion, in particular on a boosted car. Of course, if it's easy to remove...no problem. They are now keeping movies of all parameters. Chances are, the computer will retain it in it's memory and once they scan it, you're fucked. They just make it impossible to have fun nowadays. Movies? How do I search for the guy who gets around those? I am conveniently buddies with the service writer at BMW, but I'd like to have a hypothetical discussion with him about it.

You drove the 8 I drove or you drove the I6.

Technically you cannot void a warranty through a chip unless they can prove without a doubt that the chip caused the failure. If it throws a rod and it's chipped they will draw that conclusion, in particular on a boosted car. Of course, if it's easy to remove...no problem.

Yikes, with just a chip 495 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 573 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm from the non-M. Uh-oh. It's a $3k chip but hmm.... also wondering if I can hide it from BMW and still have the car be CPO'd.

But if I were to get a car, it'd be a Panamera. Can't afford the Turbo though and don't think I could "settle"

Even moreso on the used market.

I'd take an Alpina B7 over a S63 I was in one! benz fits fat dudes like me better. Again I 4-5 years ago so maybe i would feel different. i do love the massage seats in AMG...... Are those 2 at similar price points? Maybe a Brabus S would do you right. Alpina is $15k cheaper than the AMG

The TT v8 was not in what I drove... Huh? You drove the 6 cyl? 50i is a 4.4L TT

Stop applying "underpowering" or over or right or power at all to changing box sizes.

I'd take an Alpina B7 over a S63

I didn't for once look at the idrive, nor those controls on either car. The M was a 2010 so the newer one which I noticed but that isn't actually important to me. Power, handling, capability to tow, and seat both kids are what I need. Not so confident the M will fit in my budget, but I think I'm okay with just the TT V8.

Then you'd hate my AMG. A shit load.

And he gives props to the POS Land Rover that passes it. ROFL.

Ah, just watched it. Drove with the old idrive which was terrible. Replaced in 2010. The paddles are actually easy to use, just not intuitive at first. Personally I like one handed controls. He also complained about the suspension on tough roads and well, it's WAY better than the ML for that. Why he didn't like it on smooth roads confuses the shit out of me. He does claim that it isn't comfortable since it's tall. His performance concerns were with the little diesel and again about the size. I can't get smaller and still tow... As for the offroad problems, he is bugged by no low, no locking diff, and no ride height. None of which would do me any good. As for his tire problems off road, that's laughable.

Clarkson ripped the non-M version to pieces, Motorweek gave it horrible reviews, and Edmunds only favored it for it's speed. As compared to what? Not the first time I've disagreed with Clarkson, but I seriously don't understand why you wouldn't like it. I didn't actually expect to, but it does everything that the GT cars of old offered in a much more utilitarian package. I fully expect to like the P car more, but considering the price difference I should. Sure he wasn't ripping the X5? That I'd agree with. May have been nice 10 years ago or something when it was released, but it's a dinosaur now.

Stefan, I'll mail out your card here some time this week. Finally have time to think and want to make sure I give you some choices.