E92 BMW M3 or VXR8
Discussion
Evening all. I reached out for advice and general thoughts last year before making my car purchase and thought I'd do the same again. I enjoyed the variety of discussion and points made by people with different experiences. I'm going to need to save for about 9 months so this is early research, but I'm always thorough.
I plan to give myself a budget of about 20k, which is a lot of dough for me, hence the saving. I've done V6 and straight 6 engines and really want a V8! Both cars offer everything I need in terms of practicality and toys. Styling is obviously very different between the two but I like both cars in different ways. For my budget I can see that I'll get a fresher VXR8 and probably an 09 M3 with about 60k plus mileage. I only do about 6k a year and am well aware that neither is the sort of car to be run on a budget.
So I'd love to hear thoughts, opinions, owner experiences and some genetally interesting discussion amongst like minded petrol heads.
I plan to give myself a budget of about 20k, which is a lot of dough for me, hence the saving. I've done V6 and straight 6 engines and really want a V8! Both cars offer everything I need in terms of practicality and toys. Styling is obviously very different between the two but I like both cars in different ways. For my budget I can see that I'll get a fresher VXR8 and probably an 09 M3 with about 60k plus mileage. I only do about 6k a year and am well aware that neither is the sort of car to be run on a budget.
So I'd love to hear thoughts, opinions, owner experiences and some genetally interesting discussion amongst like minded petrol heads.
I wanted to like the VXR8. I really did. It certainly went well and sounded great but the interior just wasn't a great place to be. I didn't find the gear change was all that great either, but that may have been the example I tried? The E92 is a bit too quiet but that engine is simply awesome. It just needs to be worked a little harder to get the best from it.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hi mate
I have had both of these cars so I should be able to help!
It really depends on what you like with your cars. I went to the vxr8 from the e92 but that was because my m3 was a bit of a lemon. If you're happy to admit that B road blasts aren't for you then the vxr8 could be your winner. The engine and the torque it delivers is more rewarding, where as in the e92 you really have to work the engine. I have seen a comment about the ls3 being a better engine, not sure about that, the s65 won engine of the year quite a few times in a year. But you need to keep it above the 5k revs to feel it.
However, if you're into B road blasts then the m3 hands down. Their chassis is fantastic and has little body roll, get the edc, so you can stiffen up the suspension. The interior on the m3 is much better. It does look better (depending what spec you get). The vxr8 is very heavy and doesn't give you much confidence on the back roads, especially if you're used to taught cars. For the budget you have then you'd definitely be able to get a newer/less used vxr8 as you said. But if you get an m3 from a main dealer then you can rest easier for a year at least. If you want to buy a vxr8 go to the elite car company in Hampshire area. Their a specialist in vxr8s.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any more questions as I have had both!
I have had both of these cars so I should be able to help!
It really depends on what you like with your cars. I went to the vxr8 from the e92 but that was because my m3 was a bit of a lemon. If you're happy to admit that B road blasts aren't for you then the vxr8 could be your winner. The engine and the torque it delivers is more rewarding, where as in the e92 you really have to work the engine. I have seen a comment about the ls3 being a better engine, not sure about that, the s65 won engine of the year quite a few times in a year. But you need to keep it above the 5k revs to feel it.
However, if you're into B road blasts then the m3 hands down. Their chassis is fantastic and has little body roll, get the edc, so you can stiffen up the suspension. The interior on the m3 is much better. It does look better (depending what spec you get). The vxr8 is very heavy and doesn't give you much confidence on the back roads, especially if you're used to taught cars. For the budget you have then you'd definitely be able to get a newer/less used vxr8 as you said. But if you get an m3 from a main dealer then you can rest easier for a year at least. If you want to buy a vxr8 go to the elite car company in Hampshire area. Their a specialist in vxr8s.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any more questions as I have had both!
mercer868 said:
Hi mate
I have had both of these cars so I should be able to help!
It really depends on what you like with your cars. I went to the vxr8 from the e92 but that was because my m3 was a bit of a lemon. If you're happy to admit that B road blasts aren't for you then the vxr8 could be your winner. The engine and the torque it delivers is more rewarding, where as in the e92 you really have to work the engine. I have seen a comment about the ls3 being a better engine, not sure about that, the s65 won engine of the year quite a few times in a year. But you need to keep it above the 5k revs to feel it.
However, if you're into B road blasts then the m3 hands down. Their chassis is fantastic and has little body roll, get the edc, so you can stiffen up the suspension. The interior on the m3 is much better. It does look better (depending what spec you get). The vxr8 is very heavy and doesn't give you much confidence on the back roads, especially if you're used to taught cars. For the budget you have then you'd definitely be able to get a newer/less used vxr8 as you said. But if you get an m3 from a main dealer then you can rest easier for a year at least. If you want to buy a vxr8 go to the elite car company in Hampshire area. Their a specialist in vxr8s.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any more questions as I have had both!
Hi mate and thanks for the response. Great to hear from someone who has owned both. I live out in the country with lots of twisty country roads. Very rarely would I do much motorway driving so really I'm looking for something that sounds epic, can frighten the sh!te out of me when I'm in the mood and for spirited driving on quiet country roads. Also going to be my DD so needs to be pretty easy to live with. I have had both of these cars so I should be able to help!
It really depends on what you like with your cars. I went to the vxr8 from the e92 but that was because my m3 was a bit of a lemon. If you're happy to admit that B road blasts aren't for you then the vxr8 could be your winner. The engine and the torque it delivers is more rewarding, where as in the e92 you really have to work the engine. I have seen a comment about the ls3 being a better engine, not sure about that, the s65 won engine of the year quite a few times in a year. But you need to keep it above the 5k revs to feel it.
However, if you're into B road blasts then the m3 hands down. Their chassis is fantastic and has little body roll, get the edc, so you can stiffen up the suspension. The interior on the m3 is much better. It does look better (depending what spec you get). The vxr8 is very heavy and doesn't give you much confidence on the back roads, especially if you're used to taught cars. For the budget you have then you'd definitely be able to get a newer/less used vxr8 as you said. But if you get an m3 from a main dealer then you can rest easier for a year at least. If you want to buy a vxr8 go to the elite car company in Hampshire area. Their a specialist in vxr8s.
Hope this helps. Happy to answer any more questions as I have had both!
I live in Northern Ireland so cars like these aren't as readily available to go and drive but there is a nice M3 just round the corner at a local dealer so I'm going to go and try it out and see what I think. Appreciate your words and I will be sure to pick your brains when I think of things.
Thanks for the replies so far guys, all interesting points. Definitely not a badge snob although I'd probably change them for Holden badges if not already done. I like the rarity of the VXR and the 'fu@k you' vibe it gives off. The M3 has the history and heritage though and I suppose it's always been on my wish list. I know ultimately it will come down to me driving both but I love talking about it too lol.
In that case definitely go for the m3 with edc. Comfort will be suitable for your DD. The vxr8 really isn't designed for those sort of roads.
The m3 will scare the s
t out of you. But if you're not used to BMW high revving engines then it give it some time to get used to how to drive it.
Good luck!
The m3 will scare the s
t out of you. But if you're not used to BMW high revving engines then it give it some time to get used to how to drive it. Good luck!
mercer868 said:
In that case definitely go for the m3 with edc. Comfort will be suitable for your DD. The vxr8 really isn't designed for those sort of roads.
The m3 will scare the st out of you. But if you're not used to BMW high revving engines then it give it some time to get used to how to drive it.
Good luck!
I had a 3L e86 Z4 coupe recently and that has been my only BMW experience. I really liked that engine. The EDC is adjustable?The m3 will scare the s
t out of you. But if you're not used to BMW high revving engines then it give it some time to get used to how to drive it. Good luck!
Benzo26 said:
I had a 3L e86 Z4 coupe recently and that has been my only BMW experience. I really liked that engine. The EDC is adjustable?
The EDC has three settings comfort/normal/sport, I found comfort offered a lovely ride and I used normal if I wanted to push on, sport I found too harsh for our roads and I felt it just wanted to bounce me off the road. cerb4.5lee said:
The EDC has three settings comfort/normal/sport, I found comfort offered a lovely ride and I used normal if I wanted to push on, sport I found too harsh for our roads and I felt it just wanted to bounce me off the road.
Cheers Lee that sounds perfect. I thought I noticed an EDC button when I was watching YouTube videos.
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