M Coupe or Exige
Discussion
both fine, fine cars.
urm, not sure (havent got an Exige
), but the prices are bound to drop with the new one imminent, no?
id go for the Exige. its rarer, different, looks like j-los ass (
) and is stupidly quick.
everybody has to experiance a TVR or Lotus at some-point in their lives!
urm, not sure (havent got an Exige
), but the prices are bound to drop with the new one imminent, no? id go for the Exige. its rarer, different, looks like j-los ass (
) and is stupidly quick. everybody has to experiance a TVR or Lotus at some-point in their lives!
Two more disparate versions of cars you are ever likely to meet.
Whilst the Beemer is a leather clad luxury motor with "all the bells and whilstles guvner" and does have some serious urge what with its M3 powerplant, the Lotus is a stripped out racer for the road.
Suppose it really depends on his previous mode of transport. If he is used to leather, aircon, PAS, ABS, electric everything etc, then the possible move to such a spartan and extreme car as the Exige may come as something of a shock to the system.
In so far as the relative pace is concerned, Id say that the Exige just had the upper hand in so far as the (totally irrelevant) 0-60 dash is concerned, though at anything above the 70/80 mph mark I personally would expect the M coupe to pull clear on account of its greater grunt (321 bhp ?)
The fact remains though that the Beemer looks like a hearse, so on aesthetics alone Id go for the Exige.
One final note though, since presumably the fella isnt short of a bob or two, has he thought about something like the ubiquitous 911 such as a K or L plate Carrera 4 ? Whilst the servicing would probably be more than the Exige, I would expect it to be quite simlar to such a car as an M coupe. Either way, wouldnt mind having such a choice myself.
Whilst the Beemer is a leather clad luxury motor with "all the bells and whilstles guvner" and does have some serious urge what with its M3 powerplant, the Lotus is a stripped out racer for the road.
Suppose it really depends on his previous mode of transport. If he is used to leather, aircon, PAS, ABS, electric everything etc, then the possible move to such a spartan and extreme car as the Exige may come as something of a shock to the system.
In so far as the relative pace is concerned, Id say that the Exige just had the upper hand in so far as the (totally irrelevant) 0-60 dash is concerned, though at anything above the 70/80 mph mark I personally would expect the M coupe to pull clear on account of its greater grunt (321 bhp ?)
The fact remains though that the Beemer looks like a hearse, so on aesthetics alone Id go for the Exige.
One final note though, since presumably the fella isnt short of a bob or two, has he thought about something like the ubiquitous 911 such as a K or L plate Carrera 4 ? Whilst the servicing would probably be more than the Exige, I would expect it to be quite simlar to such a car as an M coupe. Either way, wouldnt mind having such a choice myself.
Both cars are a hoot. Looked and tried an M3 coupe - excellent and was v impressed, but choose the Exige because I intended doing lots of trackdays where it excels (and those looks ). For everyday road use the BMW would have the edge I imagine although put 17k miles on the Exige in last 12 months...
Everytime you get into the Exige you get a sense of ocassion something which I've never experienced in previous cars owned..
It will be interesting to see if the S2 Exige affects residuals - from sketchy info so far - it may even increase S1 Exige residuals
). For everyday road use the BMW would have the edge I imagine although put 17k miles on the Exige in last 12 months... Everytime you get into the Exige you get a sense of ocassion something which I've never experienced in previous cars owned..
It will be interesting to see if the S2 Exige affects residuals - from sketchy info so far - it may even increase S1 Exige residuals
Have driven the M3 when thinking of buying the S2
Yes its quick but just awful to drive - honestly find the Elise easier to drive - the M3 needed constant correction and would try to flick the wheel from your hand when it came across even small undulations in the road.
Aside from that - it’s got the leather and soundproofing that says it’s a BMW.
Still but no sense of occasion .....
Yes its quick but just awful to drive - honestly find the Elise easier to drive - the M3 needed constant correction and would try to flick the wheel from your hand when it came across even small undulations in the road.
Aside from that - it’s got the leather and soundproofing that says it’s a BMW.
Still but no sense of occasion .....
Well, having owned an M roadster (modified with hartge 18x8.5 front and 18x10 rear, sports exhausts, CPU reprogram..)I can say it was a wild & woolly ride- and fun to slide, though as a drift car it would snap oversteer when you tried a "feint" or "power over" style drift (see best motoring "drift bible"). My current Hamann modified (19x8.5 front, 19x10 rear, muffler, chip, airbox, coil over suspension) e46 M3 drifts beautifully... and is a easy car to drive.. M roadster had very little feel in a corner- steering was vague, the current m3 has superior roadholding and has adhesion limits on a winding mountain road that are simply amazing... and CATAPULTS out of corners- especially if you trail brake.. the elise is SO much MORE work to drive the same winding mountain road.. but is more rewarding because you FEEL the car work... the M3 just has awsome grip (tyres) and you really CAN feel the weigh shift in transitions between sharp left/right switchbacks... but is actually VERY easy to hustle along.. kind of detached... but the speed carried is phenomenal... and there it is- the bread VAN is a hoon (very similar to M roadster) but I would get the exige- the choice between an e46 M3 and an exige would be MUCH harder- unless you are a full time track nut! then, EXIGE, EXIGE, EXIGE... also, for what its worth, the beamers are easier for ladies in stilleto's and tight skirts/dresses for egress/ingress.... hey that's improtant on a saturday night... I have more of those saturday nights than track days... but hey that's why I have an elise and a beamer..
PS Harmon Kardon sound system is pretty average bit of kit- had/have it in all my Beamers (yeah, I tick all the options) - its main problem is the subs distort at not very high volume levels... yes I listen to J-wess... no I'm not an Ali-G/max power disciple..
>> Edited by sydneyse on Tuesday 27th January 23:52
PS Harmon Kardon sound system is pretty average bit of kit- had/have it in all my Beamers (yeah, I tick all the options) - its main problem is the subs distort at not very high volume levels... yes I listen to J-wess... no I'm not an Ali-G/max power disciple..
>> Edited by sydneyse on Tuesday 27th January 23:52
beechy, I,ve got reasonable knowledge of both. I currently own a 2002 M Coupe and an Elise 135R (just waiting for the immanet HGF!!) I've also driven quite a few Exiges. It's almost impossible to compare the two, you have to ask yourslef what you want or what your friend wants? Both are hugely entertaining and well worth the money.
I don't need to list all the positives, I'm sure you know them all. I'm very fortunate to own a Breadvan and a Liz, although i will say this. I wouldn't trade either!! The Exige is a dream around the track, just ask anyone who's ever had the chance. If he's looking for a track car, it has to be the Exige.
If all he wants to do go sideways, then the M coupe is the car! 321bhp, DSC off, and very old semi-trailing arm suspension, can be very entertaing!
Thanks beechy for posting a topic i could contribute to at the wee hours of the morning!
I don't need to list all the positives, I'm sure you know them all. I'm very fortunate to own a Breadvan and a Liz, although i will say this. I wouldn't trade either!! The Exige is a dream around the track, just ask anyone who's ever had the chance. If he's looking for a track car, it has to be the Exige.
If all he wants to do go sideways, then the M coupe is the car! 321bhp, DSC off, and very old semi-trailing arm suspension, can be very entertaing! Thanks beechy for posting a topic i could contribute to at the wee hours of the morning!
Both of these cars a a little compromised for me. The BMW is too detached, whilst the Exige is too damn raw! The halfway house between these two cars IMO is the new 111R elise / toyota variant.
After driving a few S1's I found it far too harsh to live with everyday. The exige must be a nightmare on bumpy UK roads in our winter. I just couldn't go there.
On the other hand, I would tire of the BMW quickly as well. Yes it's fast and has toys (like my Alfa GTA) but it's just not a proper sportscar. The handling and steering are just so dull by comparison.
If you fall between these two camps like myself, I suggest you check out the new 111R with all the kit, like touring pack, hard top etc. Pretty good compromise IMO.
After driving a few S1's I found it far too harsh to live with everyday. The exige must be a nightmare on bumpy UK roads in our winter. I just couldn't go there.
On the other hand, I would tire of the BMW quickly as well. Yes it's fast and has toys (like my Alfa GTA) but it's just not a proper sportscar. The handling and steering are just so dull by comparison.
If you fall between these two camps like myself, I suggest you check out the new 111R with all the kit, like touring pack, hard top etc. Pretty good compromise IMO.
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