So not only that the Nissan GT-R has been proven to be faster than the M3, but according to MotorAuthority, the GT-R has a better resale value after 12 months. The 84% residual value is significantly higher than the BMW M3 residuals, which tends to be around 60% after year passes.

But in BMW’s defense, the M3’s were never known for holding their value too well, and according to the latest residual values published in January, the BMW M3 Coupe has a residual value after 24 months set at 56% and at 36 months, 50%.

The convertible M3 does even worse: 24 months – 51%, 36 months – 47%. In contrast, the more expensive BMW M5 has higher residuals than the M3, but still short of the Nissan GT-R, 24 months – 60% and 36 months – 55%.

All the above numbers are based on 10,000 miles limit. So, the Nissan fans have another reason to brag about their GT-R, especially since it also beats the classic Porsche 911 Carrera and the new supercar from Audi, R8, with residual values set at 73% respectively, 73%.

But, we need to take in consideration the amazing BMW lease program, with the subsidized APR, a program that can give the consumers a better monthly lease payment when compared to its competitors.

We won’t be getting now into lease details, but I thought I will share this with you.

Nissan GT-R beats the BMW M3 and BMW M5 in residual value

 

personally, i would go with the m3. it might not be as fast as the gtr but it will still provide fun while being more practical as a daily driver

 

M3 will be a heck of alot more fun than the GTR to mess around with.

And it's comfy, a little to comfy, but perfect for a daily.

Make sure you def. get the 18's, they look much better.

 

Thanks again for all the info. I need to go drive them back-to-back (and bring my wife). She is definitely NOT onboard with me dumping the 911. That will be a challenge. The big downers with the GT-R are 1) no manual trans and 2) the crappy dealership experiences I've had in my two previous attempts to buy one.

I PM'ed you right after I posted this thread. Check your PMs, jarhead.

Yep, I'd definitely get 18s. They'd be my winter wheels and I'd probably get CH-Rs or LM-Rs for summers.

 

^Your wife is NOT fond of you replacing your 911 with something more practical? Quite a catch you've got there

 

As Russ (Mexico Blue) says, I've married up.

 

Why not replace the GTI?

 

Ha ha - that's another ball of worms. Currently it's my wife's car since we sold the A3. I'm planning on getting her a TT-S (or similar) in the late fall. If I got an M3, I'd probably still keep the GTI as a cheap, fun trackday car. The GTI is seriously fun...

 

I don't doubt the GTI is fun, but so is the 911 I assume I guess it comes down to lowering your auto-upkeep costs as you mentioned in the original post. Nothing against the TT-S, but isn't in the $40-$45k range? No interest in other cars in that same category/price range?

 

the only problem for me, personally, is feeling like some teenage kid driving around in an M3 all day...