E46 M3, Reflections and Comparisions Please....

[-Z-]

Thinking of getting rid of the Monaro VXR in favour of a late e46. Wife can't drive monaro plus new job I can't drive a nice car too, plus a little un on the way all dictates this, although by no means am I an unwilling participant!

Haven't test driven one yet but my mental test drives convinced me I'd like it. Love the Monaro but the handling can be a little soft at times, wooly steering, slow turn in etc. I'm expecting (hoping) the M3 will be a whole lot more electric and fleet of foot to drive with brilliant turn in, am I right?

Only considering an M3 CS if it counts, have spotted a Dec 05, 20k mile fully specced (HK, nav, tv, heated seats, sunroof, etc) on BMW AUC for £29k, if I can knock 1k off would that be a fair price?

PS, I am secretly hoping that the M3 will oversteer as easily and controllably as the monaro, is this realistic. Obviously this is only with the TC and ASC off, in case the wife reads this ( hello!).

Sorry for the long post and thanks for any advice recieved.

Edited by -Z- on Thursday 19th June 15:29

[Deniz.S]

"Wife can't drive monaro plus new job I can't drive a nice car too"

I guess that must be a typo, or you're stating a 45k M3 when new isn't a nice car to drive?

You'll find the straight six in the M to feel highly sprung and very responsive. You can oversteer like a yob all day long and it should be as much fun as the VXR, turn off DSC, turn on Sport mode and find an empty, safe bit of road!. I haven't driven a VXR, however I imagine it should feel more alert and responsive. The CS is a great end of edition upgrade, though some might question the merit of spending the extra few thousand over a standard late M3 with similar mileage, specially as dealers will no doubt try to overcharge.

I was looking into a CS myself, however as nice as the few bits of interior CSL trim, steering response, brakes and suspension would be, I can't justify the cost when an extra 1-2k will get me a CSL. I appreciate you need mod cons in it and comfy rear seats for the kids, however I would recommend saving a few k and going for a late standard m3.

Edited by Deniz.S on Friday 20th June 10:06

[-Z-]

Ha ha yeah I had a brain fart there! I meant to say that since I would be leaving the 'sports' car at home, it's only fair that it be one the wife can actually drive. Already bought a Saab to use and abuse driving to work.

Thanks for the insight, CS appeals mainly due to the quicker steering rack and M-track mode. It's also an SMG so I'll have to see if I like that!

Looking forward to going back to a high revving engine with alert respnsive steering, like my old type-r.......

[Deniz.S]

Fair enough. From my recent research into buying a CS, I found a great example. You have mail..

[Dunk76]

Why can't the wife drive the Monaro, but would be OK with an equally bonkers coupe?!?

[-Z-]

Dunk76 said:

Why can't the wife drive the Monaro, but would be OK with an equally bonkers coupe?!?

Erm no more complicated than she's scared sh*tless of it! Unfortunately she's semi into cars and knows exactly how laid back the TC is on the monaro and lack of DSC. Also the sheer size of thing doesn't do much for her confidence. Tried for the CSL but fixed back seats put the kybosh on that

Any views on SMG? It being a late car should be a lot further developed software wise than the early ones, I'll be reassured about its suitability if someone can confirm it's exactly the same system as on the CSL hardware and software wise.

[Deniz.S]

The SMG unit is the same as a standard M3, the CSL one has slightly faster shift times. The SMG system had one software update I believe, though by no means was it constantly fettled and updated during the E46 M's life as it's a pretty good, reliable unit to begin with. I doubt you would notice a difference between an 02 and 06 variation. The only changes between the standard M3 and the CS are:

Bigger brakes
CSL steering rack
CSL steering wheel and handbrake
special CS trim inlays,
Interlagos Blue option,
CSL light alloys
Black painted calipers (although might be standard..)
M-Track Mode...

Drivetrain/engine are all standard M3 fare

Edited by Deniz.S on Friday 20th June 15:48

[jeffm3]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/576800.htm
cs for sale! in my opinion didn't like the smg it was horrible around town and i only found it ok when really pushing the car in each gear and i don't care what anyone says about them being bulletproof coz they go wrong i've heard/read anough stories to put me off, anyway good luck with the purchace! MANUAL 6 SPEED lol

Edited by jeffm3 on Saturday 21st June 21:10

[Deniz.S]

take the lead weights off your right foot and you might find it easier to use

[jeffm3]

Unless you right foot it the box don't operate to its best, when driving at low speeds it would ride the clutch between changes and found it jerks on the way up too, everyone to thier own i suppose and it seems that when you get the hang of it people seem to like it alot, just IMO manual is more satisfying when you say for eg. come into a corner heal & toe drop it down a gear and stick into the corner rather than flick you finger and the computer does all the gear change for you, takes away part of the driving experience,

If you read my post it wasn't the right footing it i was complaining about it was when you don't the box was st IMHO, bit hard to have a lead foot around town hhmmm!!!

Anyway what do i know i drive a manual, bit like st and dirty clay they are very much the same but one is crapp!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited by jeffm3 on Sunday 29th June 23:01

[dadofbud]

jeffm3 said:

Unless you right foot it the box don't operate to its best, when driving at low speeds it would ride the clutch between changes and found it cherks on the way up too, everyone to thier own i suppose and it seems that when you get the hang of it people seem to like it alot, just IMO manual is more satisfying when you say for eg. come into a corner heal & toe drop it down a gear and stick into the corner rather than flick you finger and the computer does all the gear change for you, takes away part of the driving experience,

If you read my post it wasn't the right footing it i was complaining about it was when you don't the box was st IMHO, bit hard to have a lead foot around town hhmmm!!!

Anyway what do i know i drive a manual, bit like st and dirty clay they are very much the same but one is crapp!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree or disagree this post entertained me, and I would agree

[espresso]

I used to have an E46 M3 with SMG.
I drove a mate's Monaro VXR and I have to say, I found it a right hoot.

The interior was a bit bland and yes, the BMW felt a bit more incisive but....

The Monaro's big old V8 was great and the M3's revvy straight six seemed positively anaemic in comparison.
Low tech, but bloody good fun.

Sorry, I guess you don't want to hear that...