BMW M3

Author
Discussion

cougersafc

Original Poster:

539 posts

243 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Any of the gang had one of these.. We are thinking of upgrading the shopping car and I really fancy one of these, Ive had the 318 saloon and the 318iS coupe and they were faultless and they were J reg and K reg respectively, would be looking at one around 7 to 8K.

SotonS2

14,519 posts

245 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
cougersafc said:
Any of the gang had one of these.. We are thinking of upgrading the shopping car and I really fancy one of these, Ive had the 318 saloon and the 318iS coupe and they were faultless and they were J reg and K reg respectively, would be looking at one around 7 to 8K.


We've had two - both Avus Blue Coupes, one 1994 and the other 1995.

Very reliable but fBMWsh is imperative. Do not go near an M3 without this.

I've always had a company car so the Mrs used to drive the M3 as her daily hack. She absolutely loved it. They cope well with traffic, seat five comfortably, plenty big enough boot and go like stink when you press on.

Be wary of the big service bills though. Inspection 1 (expensive), oil change (cheap), Inspection 2 (expensive). If you are not putting too many miles on the car though, the 'Inspections' won't come around that often and will be less of an issue.

In short - highly recommended and prices seem quite keen at the moment.

jagsy

1,462 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
HSV HSV HSV - far better than a M3.

Give me a shout if you want a closer look.

Richard

tvrbob

11,187 posts

262 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
I've been a passenger in two M3's. I'd have to say I found the suspension a bit jarring. This could be that both cars were fitted with bigger than standard rims.

cougersafc

Original Poster:

539 posts

243 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Forgive me... what is a HSV??

SotonS2

14,519 posts

245 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
tvrbob said:
I've been a passenger in two M3's. I'd have to say I found the suspension a bit jarring. This could be that both cars were fitted with bigger than standard rims.


Schnizter alloys on one and Racing Dynamics on the other - both 18". Standard suspension on both cars. The ride was certainly 'firm' but I didn't find it excessively so. One of the reasons for buying the Ms was their performance - grip and power are available in fistfuls. For me, a firmer ride was a small price to pay for this.

If a more cossetted drive is required, then the 325i would be a better choice. The overall 325i package falls way short of that of an M3 though, IMHO.

SotonS2

14,519 posts

245 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
cougersafc said:
Forgive me... what is a HSV??


Check jagsy's profile - www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/profile.asp?h=0&memberId=24042

Chim_Girl

6,268 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
I have an M3 Evo Convertible. Great car, does exactly what it says on the can. Suspension is a little 'firm' though, but I have got non-standard 18in wheels.

Comments about the service history are very valid too, if you search for M3 in the BMW forum you'll find a number of threads where the Vanos/Nikasil problems have been discussed (to death!).

Also try BM3W.com, they have a forum with some very knowledgeable members.

cougersafc

Original Poster:

539 posts

243 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Has to be an M3 Im afraid, not sure about the HSV I must be getting old Ive never heard of Holden (sorry Jags)thanks Chim girl am going to sign up to the M3 forum, as for stiff and hard suspension wait till you guys get in to my car... he he. Mrs Couger is a bit of a girly racer and my 2 boys are car daft, so the sportier the better.

minimax

11,984 posts

263 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
tvrbob said:
both cars were fitted with bigger than standard rims but da neons undaneaf were jus'wikkid, innit man


so spake bob of tvrness after hanging out near some chavs recently



tvrbob

11,187 posts

262 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
minimax said:


tvrbob said:
both cars were fitted with bigger than standard rims but da neons undaneaf were jus'wikkid, innit man




so spake bob of tvrness after hanging out near some chavs recently




No neons but the pretty young lady driver kept me entertained.

>> Edited by tvrbob on Tuesday 18th January 19:57

jagsy

1,462 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Coug
HSV's have better suspension than an M3, lovely big V8 with HEAPS of torque. Lots of mods to available to take you well over the 400Hp.

4 door super saloon, c'mon give it a go and then make your decision - offer is there if you want a look.

Besides - M3's are as common as - how many HSV's are about - hang on you've never heard of one.....



On a more serious note, the HSV was designed to beat the M5. My good friend owned an M5 and HSV at the same time about 3 years ago - the M5 went as it was not up to the HSV (it was for power, but driveability, charatcer, muscle the HSV won hands down - the BM was refined though).

jagsy

1,462 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
ps
Ask Bob how it travels as he has been behind me on a couple of occaisions - only 'cos I knew the way heheheh

tvrbob

11,187 posts

262 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
jagsy said:
ps
Ask Bob how it travels as he has been behind me on a couple of occaisions - only 'cos I knew the way heheheh
Yes it was a bugger of a job to keep up with the HSV. That's one fine motor. Jagsy, you'll have to come to Croft with us this year. It would be interesting to see what it can do on good flat grippy tarmac.

jagsy

1,462 posts

258 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Bob
Sorry I've not been out with you guys over 2004, our diary dates never seem to match.

I do hope to see you all more in 2005.

As for croft, ooo er, you have to speak to Lynne for me

Richard

docevi1

10,430 posts

255 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Ian, the HSV (or Holden, never sure what it's called) is a Austrailian motor which is making it's way over here in the form of the Vauxhall Monaro and the is also in VXR guise and it's getting rave reviews everywhere. It's also pencilled in to be the new Pontiac GTO.


Very fine motors indeed with as Jagsy says a true, throaty V8 and loads of room. A decent option as opposed to the M3 - I'm betting with the Monaro been about prices will stay fairly stagnant (?) and spares will be plentiful.

tvrbob

11,187 posts

262 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
jagsy said:
Bob
...you have to speak to Lynne for me

Richard
Bring Lynne to Shafto's. I'll have you at Croft, no problems.

docevi1

10,430 posts

255 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
what, like you had me at Croft

chim_girl

6,268 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
tvrbob said:
the pretty young lady driver kept me entertained.


You lookin' for me...

cougersafc

Original Poster:

539 posts

243 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
docevi1 said:
Ian, the HSV (or Holden, never sure what it's called) is a Austrailian motor which is making it's way over here in the form of the Vauxhall Monaro and the is also in VXR guise and it's getting rave reviews everywhere. It's also pencilled in to be the new Pontiac GTO.


Very fine motors indeed with as Jagsy says a true, throaty V8 and loads of room. A decent option as opposed to the M3 - I'm betting with the Monaro been about prices will stay fairly stagnant (?) and spares will be plentiful.


Yes its a fine looking motor.. I love that colour too, will be nice to see it in the flesh sometime