M4 vs e90 M3 vs Megane RS
Discussion
So I am a prolific and addicted car researcher and may well not make a decision any time soon but the last 9 months or so has seen my "next car" research fly through:
Monaro VXR
v8Vantage
E46 M3
RS4
E55 AMG
and many others
I really dont know what price point I am going to decide on but seem to have ended up with a different car at each price point and lots of pros and cons.
1. A looked after Megane RS 250/265/275 ideally tuned to about 300 - Would be looking at 9-12k and this could become a track car in the longer term once I "graduate" from my clio 182
2. and e90 M3 (manual) seems a range of cars between 12-16k but I imagine I would end up paying 14k+ for a half decent one - this car would be more of an exciting daily and appeal to my shallow vanity but still not break the bank
3. M4 - this is a car (in manual) that I do lust after and there seems to be a range of cars getting down as low as 20-25k - whether these would be safe purchases I do not know. This is by far the most exciting option but I am slightly hesitant to stretch myself.
Interested in general thoughts but also specifically in any M4 buying advice and how reliable a motor it is.....also whilst I 100% think it is a much better looking car than the e90 m3 part of me wonder whether a manual v8 m3 is actually a better experience than a modern turbo charged BMW??!
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks
Monaro VXR
v8Vantage
E46 M3
RS4
E55 AMG
and many others
I really dont know what price point I am going to decide on but seem to have ended up with a different car at each price point and lots of pros and cons.
1. A looked after Megane RS 250/265/275 ideally tuned to about 300 - Would be looking at 9-12k and this could become a track car in the longer term once I "graduate" from my clio 182
2. and e90 M3 (manual) seems a range of cars between 12-16k but I imagine I would end up paying 14k+ for a half decent one - this car would be more of an exciting daily and appeal to my shallow vanity but still not break the bank
3. M4 - this is a car (in manual) that I do lust after and there seems to be a range of cars getting down as low as 20-25k - whether these would be safe purchases I do not know. This is by far the most exciting option but I am slightly hesitant to stretch myself.
Interested in general thoughts but also specifically in any M4 buying advice and how reliable a motor it is.....also whilst I 100% think it is a much better looking car than the e90 m3 part of me wonder whether a manual v8 m3 is actually a better experience than a modern turbo charged BMW??!
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks
As you have an E55 on the list, how about an E63 (W211 or W212) and a F10 M5 too? And I'd throw a VXR8 on there too for good measure.
I think (if it were me) I'd look at a M2 before I'd consider a M4. But that's down to personal taste. There are plenty out there that haven't been ragged everywhere/remapped/modded, but you do run the risk. Seems BMW can tell if a car has been remapped, but the dealer never seems to know when the car appears on their forecourt as an AUC.
I think (if it were me) I'd look at a M2 before I'd consider a M4. But that's down to personal taste. There are plenty out there that haven't been ragged everywhere/remapped/modded, but you do run the risk. Seems BMW can tell if a car has been remapped, but the dealer never seems to know when the car appears on their forecourt as an AUC.
I'd go for the M4 for its performance/torque/looks, but there is something special about the E9x M3's engine though with it being the last NA M3. Plus a V8 engine and a manual gearbox is a fairly rare combination.
I've always also fancied a Megane RS and you never read a bad word about them in terms of the way they drive.
I've always also fancied a Megane RS and you never read a bad word about them in terms of the way they drive.
I've had 2 x E92 M3's and 3 x RS RS Megane (250 mapped and 2 x 275s).
Flame suit on, but you'll have more fun in an RS than a E92 on a B-road. The power is more exploitable and as FWD chassis' go it is an absolute stormer. Ohlins make a massive difference, but they are rare.
The M3 counters with kudos, character and of course the V8. I came to hate the clunkyness manual I had in one of mine. I liked how it allowed the engine to 'breathe' a bit more than the DCT I had beforehand, but if I had my time again I wouldn't look twice at another manual.
Both my M3's were far more problematic and temperamental and my Renaults!
I haven't tried an M4 but am curious about them too. It's their size that puts me off a little.
Oh, and think carefully about mapping an RS. 300 is easily achievable but the torque goes up significantly (mine was somewhere around 330ft lbs) which in combination with the aggressive diff can make them a bit more unruly, and spoil their balance a touch.
Flame suit on, but you'll have more fun in an RS than a E92 on a B-road. The power is more exploitable and as FWD chassis' go it is an absolute stormer. Ohlins make a massive difference, but they are rare.
The M3 counters with kudos, character and of course the V8. I came to hate the clunkyness manual I had in one of mine. I liked how it allowed the engine to 'breathe' a bit more than the DCT I had beforehand, but if I had my time again I wouldn't look twice at another manual.
Both my M3's were far more problematic and temperamental and my Renaults!
I haven't tried an M4 but am curious about them too. It's their size that puts me off a little.
Oh, and think carefully about mapping an RS. 300 is easily achievable but the torque goes up significantly (mine was somewhere around 330ft lbs) which in combination with the aggressive diff can make them a bit more unruly, and spoil their balance a touch.
That is basically what I had assumed having driven neither.
I imagine the Megane is actually a more involiving driver car and would probably tempt me to go to the ring after watching about a million videos of meganes beasting 911s
But then my commute is throuhg london and I rarely hit country roads these days.
Which do you own now? and if you dont have either now, if you had to buy another one which would you buy, Megane or M3?
I imagine the Megane is actually a more involiving driver car and would probably tempt me to go to the ring after watching about a million videos of meganes beasting 911s
But then my commute is throuhg london and I rarely hit country roads these days.
Which do you own now? and if you dont have either now, if you had to buy another one which would you buy, Megane or M3?
Z4MCSL said:
That is basically what I had assumed having driven neither.
I imagine the Megane is actually a more involiving driver car and would probably tempt me to go to the ring after watching about a million videos of meganes beasting 911s
But then my commute is throuhg london and I rarely hit country roads these days.
Which do you own now? and if you dont have either now, if you had to buy another one which would you buy, Megane or M3?
I own neither. After selling the last 275 due to redundancy I went 986 2.7 Boxster > 987.2 Cayman S and now in an Elise.I imagine the Megane is actually a more involiving driver car and would probably tempt me to go to the ring after watching about a million videos of meganes beasting 911s
But then my commute is throuhg london and I rarely hit country roads these days.
Which do you own now? and if you dont have either now, if you had to buy another one which would you buy, Megane or M3?
I don't think there's much else I want to experience in a Meg despite adoring them. They are incredibly capable but firm riding without Ohlins, and still ultimately a hatch back rather than a sports car.
Both my M3's were short term due to reliability and paint issues, so they feel more 'unfinished business' to me despite me knowing their limitations in terms of power delivery, thirst, seating position and size.
But yeah, i'd go M3 between the two, but LCI, DCT and a few choice options. The Individual Audio is worth seeking out.
Ironically the last drive in my second M3 was simultaneously the best and one of the worst. I took it up to Scotland to trade in for a 275 RS with Ohlins, and stayed in the Lakes on the way. On the fast roads around there it did sort of come alive...but then after a few more miles on the M6, another brake caliper stared binding (I'd just had one replaced), EML came on etc and I was just happy to chop it in.
Sold my E92 M3 DCT for Loaded Cup-S Meg 275.
By sold I mean swapped.
Agree with other poster. I kept mine std I think torque may affect handling to much.
Meg better car. M3 better engine.
Would go back to M3 if my pockets get deeper. But I don't know I would ever get rid of Meg.
Meg can be tricky to find as are pretty rare.
By sold I mean swapped.
Agree with other poster. I kept mine std I think torque may affect handling to much.
Meg better car. M3 better engine.
Would go back to M3 if my pockets get deeper. But I don't know I would ever get rid of Meg.
Meg can be tricky to find as are pretty rare.
I went from an z4m to a meg 275 cup s with ohlins due to practicality reasons. The meg will handle the average b road better than the z4m though i do find it harder to thread down a narrow road. Power wise its not far away from the zed but you cant beat the s54 for power delivery.
I had an e92 m3 for a day and although fantastic when you can open up the engine those occasion can become rare and you start questioning 15-18mpg when driven normally. Its a hard one and im thinking of going back to a z4m or something rwd na as im not having to do the commute as often for the forseeable future.
I had an e92 m3 for a day and although fantastic when you can open up the engine those occasion can become rare and you start questioning 15-18mpg when driven normally. Its a hard one and im thinking of going back to a z4m or something rwd na as im not having to do the commute as often for the forseeable future.
Wills2 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd go for the M4 for its performance/torque/looks, but there is something special about the E9x M3's engine though with it being the last NA M3. Plus a V8 engine and a manual gearbox is a fairly rare combination.
Who are you? And what have you done with Lee? 
I'm not actually sure what came over me!
You may struggle to find many manual M4s to choose from.
There's not a huge amount to worry about in buying one, they're pretty reliable. The M4 would be by far the quickest of the 3, if you're interested in that. The E9x is not in the same league as the F8x in terms of outright performance, but sounds a lot better.
Your selection of 3 to choose from is pretty diverse, I'd say.
There's not a huge amount to worry about in buying one, they're pretty reliable. The M4 would be by far the quickest of the 3, if you're interested in that. The E9x is not in the same league as the F8x in terms of outright performance, but sounds a lot better.
Your selection of 3 to choose from is pretty diverse, I'd say.
I have an M4 (Comp) and it's not easy to exploit all its performance. It feels like it has every one of its 450bhp. It's fast. There a couple of expensive issues you will want to avoid so warranty would provide peace of mind. I've had no issues with mine but it's only six months old and I've done 2000 miles. Noise wise, it doesn't sound great externally and internally there's a load of road noise.
Only driven one E92 M3 and liked it. Needs a good rev to perform and I'd feel more confident pushing one than the M4. You're hit with a huge amount of torque from low revs in the M4, where it builds in the M3. Make sure the expensive issues like rod bearings and actuators are done, or budget for them.
I really like the Meganes and definitely agree you can get more out of one than an M car, safely. I had a 200 Cup 10 years ago and loved wringing its neck at sensible speeds. I have been looking at Renaults again for a track car.
Only driven one E92 M3 and liked it. Needs a good rev to perform and I'd feel more confident pushing one than the M4. You're hit with a huge amount of torque from low revs in the M4, where it builds in the M3. Make sure the expensive issues like rod bearings and actuators are done, or budget for them.
I really like the Meganes and definitely agree you can get more out of one than an M car, safely. I had a 200 Cup 10 years ago and loved wringing its neck at sensible speeds. I have been looking at Renaults again for a track car.
Edited by Mark83 on Friday 12th June 19:10
Because I've got a terrible disease where I'm unable to sell cars, and subsequently spend all my disposable income on maintaining them I can at least comment on a few of the ones in your list.
1. E9X manual, I'm still finding it hard to bond with this car like my E46 M3 (track / fast road car), I think because it's so much faster. There's a feeling these days that the E92 m3 is slow but watch Chris Harris' video when he takes his on the Nurburgring and you'll get my sentiment.
2. E55 AMG, I've only got experience in the SL55 variant, but expect the E55 to be better than any M car of the same era at munching miles and leaving you relaxed and calm when you reach your destination.
3. E46 M3, probably the best all rounder in my opinion. A brake upgrade to CSL discs and some decent pads is all it really needs.
4. Regarding the M4, my friends have an M4 comp and M2 comp, both of which are far more capable than all of the above. I've driven the M2 and it's just fantastic, that S55 engine it's brilliant.
1. E9X manual, I'm still finding it hard to bond with this car like my E46 M3 (track / fast road car), I think because it's so much faster. There's a feeling these days that the E92 m3 is slow but watch Chris Harris' video when he takes his on the Nurburgring and you'll get my sentiment.
2. E55 AMG, I've only got experience in the SL55 variant, but expect the E55 to be better than any M car of the same era at munching miles and leaving you relaxed and calm when you reach your destination.
3. E46 M3, probably the best all rounder in my opinion. A brake upgrade to CSL discs and some decent pads is all it really needs.
4. Regarding the M4, my friends have an M4 comp and M2 comp, both of which are far more capable than all of the above. I've driven the M2 and it's just fantastic, that S55 engine it's brilliant.
Edited by Gouki on Saturday 13th June 09:53
Wills2 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd go for the M4 for its performance/torque/looks, but there is something special about the E9x M3's engine though with it being the last NA M3. Plus a V8 engine and a manual gearbox is a fairly rare combination.
Who are you? And what have you done with Lee? Tony B2 said:
Wills2 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I'd go for the M4 for its performance/torque/looks, but there is something special about the E9x M3's engine though with it being the last NA M3. Plus a V8 engine and a manual gearbox is a fairly rare combination.
Who are you? And what have you done with Lee? Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff