Am I downgrading?

[TTmann]

Almost 3 years into ownership of my MK3 Focus RS and starting to look at its replacement when I've noticed a local garage selling an F80 M3. The car in question is 2 years older than my RS with similar miles and will cost me approximately £4k to change.
I've always wanted an M3 so not sure if my heart is ruling my head here!
Has anyone gone from a MK3 RS to an F80 M3 or visa versa?
Would be interested to hear comparisons, particularly in regards to ride quality as I do find the RS to be just a tad too firm.
I'm really considering going for a test drive but worried I'm being silly buying an older car.

[The Selfish Gene]

there will be loads of fan boys for both brands turn up to this - but seriously - an M3 is a massive upgrade from a RS.

I've owned M3s and driven a number of RS - particularly a halo car that was fully specc'd and there is no comparison in my opinion.

Even forgetting RWD for the M3 versus whatever the RS thinks it's doing (they don't work well on the limit in my opinion).

I'd wager you test the M3 and do the deal 1 minute later to swap!

[Ezra]

Go for a test drive - nothing to lose. Doesn't matter what other folks think about the ride...only you know if its too firm or not for you.

[fflump]

Definitely an upgrade! I've gone from a 2016 car to a 2015 car to a 2015 car to a 2014 car and they've been an upgrade every time. Age is just a number ;-)

[charltjr]

I've never understood this upgrading/downgrading thing. Poor is the person who's pleasures depend on the perceptions of another. Get the car you like the most and forget about "status", it's a much better way to live your life in general.

[fflump]

charltjr said:

I've never understood this upgrading/downgrading thing. Poor is the person who's pleasures depend on the perceptions of another. Get the car you like the most and forget about "status", it's a much better way to live your life in general.

One's view as to whether one is upgrading or downgrading need not have anything to do with other people's perceptions. It can be an entirely internal decision and one's private views and perceptions of the car in question.

[Rotary Potato]

fflump said:

One's view as to whether one is upgrading or downgrading need not have anything to do with other people's perceptions. It can be an entirely internal decision and one's private views and perceptions of the car in question.

Very true. But one tends not to post on internet forums asking for outside perspectives on internal decisions based on one's private views. So whilst it can be an entirely internal decision and one's private views and perceptions of the car in question, it would seem unlikely in this instance.

To the OP ... For what it's worth ... no, I would not consider going from a Ford Focus to a BMW M3 (of any age) to be a downgrade. But the criteria I judge cars by might differ to the criteria you do.

[AlexGSi2000]

upgrade... period.

I'm not biased, I swear.

[plenty]

Rotary Potato said:

fflump said:

One's view as to whether one is upgrading or downgrading need not have anything to do with other people's perceptions. It can be an entirely internal decision and one's private views and perceptions of the car in question.

Very true. But one tends not to post on internet forums asking for outside perspectives on internal decisions based on one's private views. So whilst it can be an entirely internal decision and one's private views and perceptions of the car in question, it would seem unlikely in this instance.

+1

Unless it's driven by a need for external validation, then surely only OP can answer this question.

Of course, we may be overthinking this and all OP wants is comparative feedback from people with experiences of both cars. But taken literally, whether anything is a downgrade or upgrade entirely depends on your priorities.

[Xenoous]

I'd love an RS, having owned an ST for a number of years, I loved it. I'd have another in a heartbeat. I may consider getting an RS in a few years time once the little ones have grown up a bit. However out of the two choices, M3 wins every day of the week.

[rawenghey]

Massive upgrade.

Do it.

[TTmann]

Thanks for all responses so far.

Firstly, "Unless it's driven by a need for external validation, then surely only OP can answer this question." No, almost everyone i know isn't into cars and wont even know what it is. I think this is probably why I've come here to ask ... kind of knowing the answer whereas if i ask anyone i know it would be the opposite response!

I'm slightly hesitant to go for the test drive as i somewhat know the owner of the garage and don't want them to think I'm just going for a joy ride but think this is the only true way I'm going to find out.

So if people were in my shoes what's the vote go the M3?

Would still love to hear from anyone who has ownership experience of both cars

[Evil.soup]

It will feel more prestigious and up market, so yes, an upgrade in those terms, 24 months is little time in car terms if the miles are about the same . The big deal is the driving experience though, and no experience or opinion of others will be of any use to you as its personal.

You need to drive it and see if it makes your willy fizz!!

I have owned a RWD car and I loved it, but I wouldn't go back to RWD after having the sure footedness of AWD. That's just my personal preference in driving styles though, PH masses would have you believe the best driving car has to be RWD...

[Ezra]

The M3 is a massive upgrade to the RS. One thing to bear in mind however, if the car is your daily and you use it daily, there will be times in the winter when you will wonder if its RWD was a good idea. I had an M140i and that was a fking nightmare when the weather was bad - the back end was literally all over the place. I chopped it after 3 months as I had to have a car I could use daily. Obvs, the M3 has way more grunt than an M140i.

[The Selfish Gene]

not sure of budget - but I personally do prefer the M2 (Comp) to the M3 - but..........for 20k ish, defo M3 all day long.

for 30k i'd being getting into a M2 comp

I've driven standard RS and 500bhp Rs - and frankly, they're just not very nice.

The BMW products are so far superior (it's not about what people think, fck that, I sold a 911 for a Transit van) - it's more the dynamics of the car, the handling , the power delivery - well basically everything.

[66HFM]

TTmann said:

Thanks for all responses so far.

Firstly, "Unless it's driven by a need for external validation, then surely only OP can answer this question." No, almost everyone i know isn't into cars and wont even know what it is. I think this is probably why I've come here to ask ... kind of knowing the answer whereas if i ask anyone i know it would be the opposite response!

I'm slightly hesitant to go for the test drive as i somewhat know the owner of the garage and don't want them to think I'm just going for a joy ride but think this is the only true way I'm going to find out.

So if people were in my shoes what's the vote go the M3?

Would still love to hear from anyone who has ownership experience of both cars

If you know the owner of the garage just be upfront with him, he may let you borrow it for a bit longer...

[TikTak]

It depends on what you consider a downgrade. If it's an older car for more money, then yes. If it's car spec regardless, then probably not. If you're into brand snobbery then it's an upgrade. All depends on your perspective.

For me I'd probably not go that way because BMWs are so damn common down here, my brother has had three M3s and once you're tootling about it's just another 3 series.

Ultimately only you truly know, once all things that matter to you are considered, if you're happy with it.

[ChocolateFrog]

I wouldn't think of it as up or downgrade.

Running an 'older' M3 as a daily is going to be in another league cost wise though.

[Networkgeek]

Ezra said:

The M3 is a massive upgrade to the RS. One thing to bear in mind however, if the car is your daily and you use it daily, there will be times in the winter when you will wonder if its RWD was a good idea. I had an M140i and that was a fking nightmare when the weather was bad - the back end was literally all over the place. I chopped it after 3 months as I had to have a car I could use daily. Obvs, the M3 has way more grunt than an M140i.

I hate to be that guy on the internet, this only happens when you don't drive to the conditions.

I've been daily driving a BMW M2 for 2 years in all weather conditions, combined with a good set of tyres (Michelin PS4S's), I've not had any trouble with the car stepping out (unless provoked).

Don't listen to this OP, it's nonsense.

[M.F.D]

If you can afford it (along with the running costs) and like the car then go for it. Whether you prefer it to your Focus or not will be a matter of personal preference.

I personally don't think they are in the same league though, in terms of quality and performance the M car will always be superior. Age is irrelevant.