Is the M3 that good?

[jpierst]

It maybe time for me to say a temporay goodbye to the TVR world, whilst I become more practical (getting married etc) and until I get back into the realms of the luxury of second cars.

I currently have a Tuscan and before that a Chimera 450, I need to get something more reliable, practical and that the other half can drive with confidence.

I was thinking of a M3, any views, suggestions?
thanks

[spartacus]

Go wash you mouth out sir, think you will not get constructive answer to that question on a TVR forum!

[HarryW]

If you must then an M5 would be my preference

[vixpy1]

Yes.. M5 is much better.

[E2DJH]

Piers, don't do it.
I bought a 2003 M3 conv, with the SMG II gearbox (nice flappy paddles). I loved it, and loaded almost 25k miles in 12 months. The automatic blip of the throttle changing down was fantastic, power and accelleration awesome - but with all of the intelligent electronics, i felt i was going to end up killing myself (too confident). I know i could have turned the DSC off, but it felt very unstable when i did. I eventually chopped it in for a sensible Range Rover.

Missing the speed, i had been hankering for a Tiv, and once i had a test drive in a Chimaera 450, I instantly knew that i had to have one.

IMHO the Tiv is about raw, exciting driving. And don;t you just lurrrrve the noise. I've never heard of a Beemer Grin, but have been wearing a Tiv Grin since buying it.

I'm investing in the Ride Drive and Ultimate Car Control courses so that i can get the most out of her.

To sum up, i feel that the Tiv is more of a lifestye, the M3 is a fast car.

PS
I've nothing against Beemers, i've run them for years, and Mrs H currently runs a 540!

[kevin63]

A mate of mine has one and it has been less reliable than a TVR at the moment, diff and engine mainly, but as with TVR there are good ones too.

[shadowfax]

Audi A8 4.2 is all a man could wish for in those circumstances.

[rocket]

Getting married doesn't mean you have to get practical!
Having kids means you have to be practical....so you buy a Cerbera.

If you must have something more practical than a Cerb, get a Monaro.
If you must buy German, get an RS4 or RS6.
If you must buy a BMW, get an M5.

[Don]

rocket said:

Getting married doesn't mean you have to get practical! Having kids means you have to be practical....so you buy a Cerbera.

There's man who is thinking!

I got married and we went out and bought two two seater sports cars! One each (just in case of a clash).

Avoid the cost of change and hang on to your current car until it becomes clear what your married motoring requirements really are. That's practical.

If you really are about to drop two sprogs you may well find an M3 doesn't cut it in the luggage stakes...most people I know have a full on Estate or large hatchback. And not a "nice" one either - remember little feet getting in and out ain't so careful with the paintwork...who wants to be worried about stuff like that!

Whilst you don't have kids the Tuscan has a cavernous boot for two people to go on holiday and so on. The only thing it isn't so good at is furtinure moving and dump trips - the M3 would be rubbish at that too. For those occasions HIRE A VAN! Why let the needs of the odd day dictate the car you drive EVERYDAY?

Keep your car.

[97octane]

Quick, get the Tiv written into the pre-nuptial agreement! (I did!)
Alan

[richb]

rocket said:

Getting married doesn't mean you have to get practical!

Must confess I don't understand kids today when I got married I had an MGA, which was great as the last thing I wanted to do was cart mates around. When our first son arrived I swapped or an MGCGT - the back bench was ideal for the carry cot! As our second was on the way I got a Porsche 924 Turbo, 2+2 and a decent turn of speed. Finally swapped this for a 944 when they were about 4 and 6 years old. Did have to get a 4 door saloon eventually but then got my TVRs. I just don't understand this Oh my God I'm getting married I must buy a tank philosophy. Rich...

>> Edited by richb on Tuesday 28th March 08:57

[TT Tim]

Got married; bought a 500 Chimaera.

Had a son; chopped the Chim' in for a Cerbera.

Job done.

Tim

[optimal noise]

Marry the Tiv, im sure its legal in America.

[TT Tim]

optimal noise said:

Marry the Tiv, im sure its legal in America.

It's probabally legal in Brighton too!

Tim

[the pits]

Why oh why does it have to be an M3?

Personally I wouldn't recommend an M5 either. I test drove one, thinking it must be great from what I've read but it was awful (nb I'm talking about the V8 M5, not the new V10 one). It was incredibly boring and numb to drive after a proper sports car. It's an impressive 4 seater in a straight line but so is an E55 mercedes or an XJR jag. Don't be fooled into thinking it's a sports car, it's way too heavy and bulky for that and it's so dull to drive I ended up going flat out everywhere just to feel some feedback. This being bad for my licence and health so I walked away and got a proper sports car.

Alternatives to an M3?

Mitsubishi Evo's are deeply impressive, as are the Subaru Imprezas which are much cheaper (than an M3), just as quick and can now be bought without the battle dress if so desired. My personal favourite would be a Nissan skyline GTR. I had one before the Sagaris and with one of those you have a full four seater plus an option to tune it reliably to virtually any level of performance you can imagine. And that includes M3 and M5 crushing performance. Unlike the other jab 4wd cars the skyline handles like a rear driver (it is rwd until the front needs torque). They are great cars for going sideways in and brilliant (for a road car) on a track too.

Come on man, use your imagination!

>> Edited by the pits on Tuesday 28th March 10:00

[Duke Thrust]

rocket said:

Getting married doesn't mean you have to get practical! Having kids means you have to be practical....so you buy a Cerbera. If you must have something more practical than a Cerb, get a Monaro. If you must buy German, get an RS4 or RS6. If you must buy a BMW, get an M5.

Wot he said