M3 Touring Stopgap
Discussion
Previously I have been running a two-vehicle stable; a Mk7 Golf GTI for daily duties and a Vauxhall Vivaro for transporting mountain bikes and wakeboards etc at the weekend.
My thinking here is that having the van, whilst unbelievably convenient for transporting and getting changed in after activities (and tip runs), was probably a bit of a luxury when you consider separate servicing, RFL and insurance. Whilst it had been incredibly reliable, it was starting to cost a bit of money, replacing worn out parts etc.
So, I had the idea that I would combine two vehicles into one and get a fast estate. This is where things went a little sideways.
I looked at all the obvious choices: RS6, C63, E63 etc, but nothing really floated my boat and then I started thinking more and more about the new M3 Touring. This could be the last opportunity to have a great petrol engine before the format dies and this really is a car you could keep forever, on the basis that it covers pretty much all bases.
I convinced myself that they were fairly limited supply and therefore probably all sold out, so thought I was fairly safe enquiring to my local dealer. To my surprise I was informed that I could still order a new one, but that I wouldn’t get it until the end of 2024. This worked well for me as I have no idea how I will be able to pay for it – order duly placed and (refundable) deposit paid. Worry about the financials later!
I have tried to keep the spec sensible, but this is what I have gone for:
- Tanzanite Blue
- Tartufo Leather
- Visibility Pack
- Technology Plus Pack
- Comfort Pack
- Black Calipers
Thought process was that I love Tanzanite, so this wasn’t really open for debate. I would have liked an individual colour, but the cost is nuts. I have always loved a tan/cinnamon interior, so was fairly set on that. I can’t deal with light interiors when they age and black is a bit boring. I think the car looks better with the lazer lights, so that box was ticked.
I will say it before anyone else does - clearly, it’s not a looker, but I do think the Touring looks purposeful. I also believe the darker colours help here. I also know black alloys are not the vogue these days, but I like them against the dark body. I have gone for black calipers, so it is bit less obvious.
This then got me thinking about what I would do in the meantime. Sensibly, I would keep what I had until the M3 came thought, but you and I both know that this was not going to happen, not now that I started looking at the classifieds. So, I thought about doing the consolidation now.
I started looking at used estates, but my wife then suggested that she already had the sensible car and why didn’t I get something smaller and more fun. Clearly, at this point she is not aware of the M3 deposit!
I also wanted to make sure that anything I bought would not lose a fortune over the next 12 months. My view is that most (fun) cars are over-priced at the moment and will inevitably take a hit at some point.
I wasn’t really looking at Porsche, but this car caught my eye and I thought that it was well priced for a 991. It’s a boggo Carrera 2 and is also a manual which makes it pretty rare these days. I could not find a single manual on the Porsche GB website and wonder whether Porsche dealers have actually stopped buying them in?
I took the view that this would be fun for 12 months and hopefully wouldn’t depreciate too much. The car was serviced by the dealer as part of the deal and the brakes were changed, so (in theory) shouldn’t need too much spending over the next year. I did consider a Vantage, but was concerned about the maintenance side.
Early impressions are that it is a really nice car. Its not hugely fast, but does get going as you get towards the top of the rev range. I wasn’t a fan of the wheels initially, but they have grown on me. Definitely not a big fan of the blue interior (why would you do it?), but that’s the downside of buying used cars and I appreciate my spec of the M3 will not be to everyone’s taste.
I started this to share the journey with the Porsche, but also to share more about the buying and ownership process with the M3. I am not aware of anyone else posting about that particular model and I do realise that it will definitely not be as entertaining as some of the wonderful projects on here (like the amazing R32 GTR Grp A build), but thought it might be something a bit different.
My thinking here is that having the van, whilst unbelievably convenient for transporting and getting changed in after activities (and tip runs), was probably a bit of a luxury when you consider separate servicing, RFL and insurance. Whilst it had been incredibly reliable, it was starting to cost a bit of money, replacing worn out parts etc.
So, I had the idea that I would combine two vehicles into one and get a fast estate. This is where things went a little sideways.
I looked at all the obvious choices: RS6, C63, E63 etc, but nothing really floated my boat and then I started thinking more and more about the new M3 Touring. This could be the last opportunity to have a great petrol engine before the format dies and this really is a car you could keep forever, on the basis that it covers pretty much all bases.
I convinced myself that they were fairly limited supply and therefore probably all sold out, so thought I was fairly safe enquiring to my local dealer. To my surprise I was informed that I could still order a new one, but that I wouldn’t get it until the end of 2024. This worked well for me as I have no idea how I will be able to pay for it – order duly placed and (refundable) deposit paid. Worry about the financials later!
I have tried to keep the spec sensible, but this is what I have gone for:
- Tanzanite Blue
- Tartufo Leather
- Visibility Pack
- Technology Plus Pack
- Comfort Pack
- Black Calipers
Thought process was that I love Tanzanite, so this wasn’t really open for debate. I would have liked an individual colour, but the cost is nuts. I have always loved a tan/cinnamon interior, so was fairly set on that. I can’t deal with light interiors when they age and black is a bit boring. I think the car looks better with the lazer lights, so that box was ticked.
I will say it before anyone else does - clearly, it’s not a looker, but I do think the Touring looks purposeful. I also believe the darker colours help here. I also know black alloys are not the vogue these days, but I like them against the dark body. I have gone for black calipers, so it is bit less obvious.
This then got me thinking about what I would do in the meantime. Sensibly, I would keep what I had until the M3 came thought, but you and I both know that this was not going to happen, not now that I started looking at the classifieds. So, I thought about doing the consolidation now.
I started looking at used estates, but my wife then suggested that she already had the sensible car and why didn’t I get something smaller and more fun. Clearly, at this point she is not aware of the M3 deposit!
I also wanted to make sure that anything I bought would not lose a fortune over the next 12 months. My view is that most (fun) cars are over-priced at the moment and will inevitably take a hit at some point.
I wasn’t really looking at Porsche, but this car caught my eye and I thought that it was well priced for a 991. It’s a boggo Carrera 2 and is also a manual which makes it pretty rare these days. I could not find a single manual on the Porsche GB website and wonder whether Porsche dealers have actually stopped buying them in?
I took the view that this would be fun for 12 months and hopefully wouldn’t depreciate too much. The car was serviced by the dealer as part of the deal and the brakes were changed, so (in theory) shouldn’t need too much spending over the next year. I did consider a Vantage, but was concerned about the maintenance side.
Early impressions are that it is a really nice car. Its not hugely fast, but does get going as you get towards the top of the rev range. I wasn’t a fan of the wheels initially, but they have grown on me. Definitely not a big fan of the blue interior (why would you do it?), but that’s the downside of buying used cars and I appreciate my spec of the M3 will not be to everyone’s taste.
I started this to share the journey with the Porsche, but also to share more about the buying and ownership process with the M3. I am not aware of anyone else posting about that particular model and I do realise that it will definitely not be as entertaining as some of the wonderful projects on here (like the amazing R32 GTR Grp A build), but thought it might be something a bit different.
I applaud the man math’s applied to these decisions!
Interestingly I was playing around on the M3 configurator the other day and ended up with Tanzanite and Tartufo, will you go for extended or the full leather option? I quite like the full option for the extra £1700 and the bottom of the dash is in Tartufo too.
I went with 825M wheels as I prefer them to the 826M’s.
Interestingly I was playing around on the M3 configurator the other day and ended up with Tanzanite and Tartufo, will you go for extended or the full leather option? I quite like the full option for the extra £1700 and the bottom of the dash is in Tartufo too.
I went with 825M wheels as I prefer them to the 826M’s.
I bet the 911 doesnt go anywhere when touring delivery becomes imminent!
Totally get the van - I often find myself on a Sunday, stood in my shorts in a freezing forestry comission car park with a filthy bike, shoes, jacket etc, getting changed whilst standing in an ikea bag, looking longingly at the VW bros and all the tradies using their vans as weekend MTB transport.
However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport. I cannot imagine doing all my weekday daily driving in a bloody awful van, carrying around air. The VW lot in particular forever amuse me with 'it drives just like a car', well clearly you have only ever driven awful cars.
I match this up with a proper sportscar too... hence... I dont think you will sell the 911!
Totally get the van - I often find myself on a Sunday, stood in my shorts in a freezing forestry comission car park with a filthy bike, shoes, jacket etc, getting changed whilst standing in an ikea bag, looking longingly at the VW bros and all the tradies using their vans as weekend MTB transport.
However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport. I cannot imagine doing all my weekday daily driving in a bloody awful van, carrying around air. The VW lot in particular forever amuse me with 'it drives just like a car', well clearly you have only ever driven awful cars.
I match this up with a proper sportscar too... hence... I dont think you will sell the 911!
Edited by snotrag on Friday 28th April 10:30
snotrag said:
I bet the 911 doesnt go anywhere when touring delivery becomes imminent!
However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport. I cannot imagine doing all my weekday daily driving in a bloody awful van, carrying around air. The VW lot in particular forever amuse me with 'it drives just like a car', well clearly you have only ever driven awful cars.
Without risking derailing....I drive a Transporter and it drives absolutely nothing like I car. The ergonomics are good that's about it.However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport. I cannot imagine doing all my weekday daily driving in a bloody awful van, carrying around air. The VW lot in particular forever amuse me with 'it drives just like a car', well clearly you have only ever driven awful cars.
Edited by snotrag on Friday 28th April 10:30
If it wasn't for motorbikes needed to go in the back, I'd be looking at a fast estate.
snotrag said:
...
Totally get the van - I often find myself on a Sunday, stood in my shorts in a freezing forestry comission car park with a filthy bike, shoes, jacket etc, getting changed whilst standing in an ikea bag, looking longingly at the VW bros and all the tradies using their vans as weekend MTB transport.
However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport.
Just curious, how do you transport the bike? Inside or outside?Totally get the van - I often find myself on a Sunday, stood in my shorts in a freezing forestry comission car park with a filthy bike, shoes, jacket etc, getting changed whilst standing in an ikea bag, looking longingly at the VW bros and all the tradies using their vans as weekend MTB transport.
However I quickly remember how much I also enjoy driving, and thus a relatively decent estate car is my chosen transport.
If i'm solo or two up - bikes inside. You can get two modern 29ers inside most medium sized estate cars wheels off pretty easily.
I do have roof rails and a rack for family trips when the back seats are in use but I only use this when there are others in the car and I absolutely do not leave the car alone with the bike on the roof, at all, ever, anywhere (hence it not being practical when alone - how do you nip into the services without the bike getting nicked).
I do have roof rails and a rack for family trips when the back seats are in use but I only use this when there are others in the car and I absolutely do not leave the car alone with the bike on the roof, at all, ever, anywhere (hence it not being practical when alone - how do you nip into the services without the bike getting nicked).
Thanks for all the positive comments - not done this before and wasn't sure how it would be received.
I previously held a first class degree in Man Maths, but this deal has qualified me for a PhD
I will try to answer all questions:
- I have just gone for extended on the interior. I was genuinely trying to be sensible
- I have gone for the 826m wheels in Jet black
- You would all get decent odd's on the 911 staying put! Particularly if I can't see a way to pay for the M3 when I have to confirm the order and risk my deposit
- Having the van is unbelievably convenient, but is a real luxury. My thinking in the interim is to just hire a van if I really need to
- Driving the van is fine and reasonably comfortable, but is absolutely not fun to drive. It is just pure transport
I previously held a first class degree in Man Maths, but this deal has qualified me for a PhD
I will try to answer all questions:
- I have just gone for extended on the interior. I was genuinely trying to be sensible
- I have gone for the 826m wheels in Jet black
- You would all get decent odd's on the 911 staying put! Particularly if I can't see a way to pay for the M3 when I have to confirm the order and risk my deposit
- Having the van is unbelievably convenient, but is a real luxury. My thinking in the interim is to just hire a van if I really need to
- Driving the van is fine and reasonably comfortable, but is absolutely not fun to drive. It is just pure transport
K5tealth said:
trails said:
Porker looks nice, but how are you going to drive it when you wife finds out about the M3 deposit and removed your testes? 
Don't joke - this is a real possibility. I have taken a punt that she has to be in a good mood at least once in the next year
I didn’t realise that the wait times were so long. I think the touring is the best of the bunch looks wise.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff