I live in Glendale and I hate BMW's and Merc's more than ever cause of the driversThat was a nice video and hard to argue with any of the points made on both sides. Who doesn't like an E46 M3?!
A few standout comments: "The M3 isn't a $22K car, it's a $50K car beat down to $22K!". That's the reason I don't own one; I don't want to deal with BMW issues (or any "old car issues"). Also, "D-Bags drive them" (along with enthusiasts).Oh yeah, the inline six motor sounds fabulous -- and I love revving it.
A lot of technology has come along since 2003, and the FiST embodies it. I don't mind that people sneer at this car, we get to fly under the radar of conspicuous consumption! Good times.
I hear you, we all do!I live in Glendale and I hate BMW's and Merc's more than ever cause of the drivers
It sounds like you are one of the few exceptions of a bmw owner and thank you for that. I've actually considered a 2004 E46 M3 before I purchased my ST. Bmw cars are amazing though temperamental and expensive to maintain. After reading up on VANOS issues and cracking subframes I turned the other way. Damn glad I did. Just today, I was cut off twice on the way to work on the 55 freeway, one driving a 7 series, the other driving a 5 series. Keep in mind traffic was cruising an average of 35mph but these assclowns think they're saving time weaving in and out of traffic. I don't think they understand the concept of using turn signals either. Even if space is tight but you really have to be in front of me, I'll back off if you use your indicators… but no, like clock work they swoop in and sometimes slam on their brakes. Sorry, I realize that this has become more of a rant. Anyhow, it's sad that these type of drivers have left a negative stigma on these luxury brands.I hear you, we all do!
Disclosure time -- I've owned both BMW and MBs that I truly loved. When driving them, I never escaped the thought that I was being sized up as an a$$ just because of my ride! I hated it.
So, my ex-GF has my BMW 135 (w/Dinan stuff!) and I sold my MB SLK 55 AMG (truly just awesome and underrated in a big way).
Someone actually tried to pick a fight with me when I was just cruising along in my SLK along the coast. It was crazy. I was doing nothing wrong and being rather sedate in my cruise -- but the guy made it clear that my car meant I was a jerk. Fun.![]()
Better yet, drive each other's cars, then compare.Thanks for posting this! My friend has a 2001 M3 and we've talked about making a video response/remake to this. He arguing the points of his car, and me the points of the Fiesta ST! Not that there's really one winner, but to really compare the two by people who spent their own money on one or the other.
Are there any specific points you'd bring up if you were doing this comparison? Maybe they'll make their way into a new video.
Oh yes, we'll be driving them. And likely comparing performance with lap timing and data logging!Better yet, drive each other's cars, then compare.
Seriously! I haven't read the comments since the video aired, but I remember rolling my eyes at their cries of sacrilege. They didn't seem to get that the comparison was based on price, not on class of car. It was simply about, "What can $25K get you new as opposed to used?"...But man, oh man. The pure butthurt in the video comments from the BMW fanboys is hilarious...
I really appreciate the honest feedback and perspective, djdennehy, especially coming from a former M3 owner. I love driving my FiST, and if (for whatever reason) I needed to replace it tomorrow, I'd get another FiST in a heartbeat, with no hesitation. It's not the fastest, most prestigious, or "best" car available, but for me, it checks off nearly all of the boxes of what I personally want in a car. It's inexpensive, sporty yet practical, economical, and holy crap is it FUN! However, I've never owned or driven an M3, nor am I likely to, so I'm certainly no authority to compare which car is "better", but so many of those butthurt BMW fans bashed the FiST simply because it wasn't their beloved BMW, and that kind of elitist fanaticism is so self-limiting. It's so refreshing to see that you're open-minded, and I commend you for that. I have no doubts that the M3 is an amazing car, and can't say a negative thing about it (other than the potential repair and maintenance costs of a 10-year-old M3 would scare me), but I think the FiST is an awesome bargain for what you get, and when it comes to new cars, I'd be hard-pressed to name one that would give you this many smiles per dollar.The e46 M3 is seen to the BMW faithful as the epitome for what a performance BMW should be...