BMC vs Argon 18. Need real human input.

Hey everyone,

I’m currently choosing between two deals for a fast city commuter/urban sprinter and I’m in need of some help. I tried asking the AI "experts," but they’re just completely contradicting each other.

Here are the two deals I’m looking at:

Option A: 2020 BMC Teammachine SLR01 Three

• Price: €2,500 (~$2,700 USD)
• Groupset: SRAM Force eTap (Electronic)
• Wheels: DT Swiss PRC 1650 Carbon
• Pros: Comes with solid carbon wheels out of the box.
• Cons: It’s 6 years old at this point. Will have to pay extra for assembly.

Option B: 2024 Argon 18 SUM

• Price: €2,450 (~$2,650 USD)
• Groupset: SRAM Red AXS (Top-tier wireless)
• Wheels: Basic Miche Aluminum (but the seller offered a swap to 50mm EliteWheels carbon for an extra €450 / ~$485 USD, bringing the total to €2,900 / ~$3,135 USD).
• Pros: Newer frame and tech.
• Cons: Worse wheels. Worse frame?

1. Snap vs. Compliance: I love to hammer it when the road is clear, and my city doesn´t have a lot of rough patches. I’ve been "told" by ChatGPT that the BMC SLR01 is better for its "liveliness" and "snap." But Gemini assures that the Argon SUM is a 2024 frame and supposedly much more compliant for potholes. Can anyone who's ridden both tell me if the BMC’s "alive" feel and actually beats the modern comfort and flagship SRAM Red of the Argon? Or is the 4-year gap in frame tech and newer + better SRAM a bigger deal than the "soul" of the bike?

2. The Carbon Wheel Question for Stop-and-Go: Has anyone here actually made the jump from basic aluminum to 50mm carbon wheels, mostly for city riding? I’m talking about red lights and such. One AI says the drop in rotational weight makes acceleration way snappier, while the other claims aero is useless under 30km/h and I should stick to alum for the potholes. What’s the real-world verdict? Do you actually feel that "launch" at every green light, or is it mostly just looks (valid still)?

3. The Wheel Deal: If I go with the Argon, is the €450 EliteWheels upgrade (plus free alum spares) a no-brainer for having fun, or should I just take the bike on aluminum and hunt for a better wheelset on the used market later if I feel like it? (LBS prices in my city are insane, so that's not really an option).

I want a bike that feels rewarding when I push it. Would you pick the nice carbon out of the box and the 2020 BMC frame, or is fresher = better in my case?

Thanks for any help or tipps!