M3s...

[Latters]

After considering numerous possibilities for my next car, I think I've settled on buying an M3; probably early next year. It's a car I've wanted since being a passenger in my friend's e46 when I was about 20. I came close to getting one when I bought my current FN2 Civic Type R, but couldn't quite justify the fuel expense of the Beemer while I was doing a daily 90 mile round trip as my commute, plus some business mileage on top.

I've since changed jobs and my new office is just 6 miles from home, making sub 20mpg much more plausible. I've weighed up a few cars, namely C63 (just too expensive, but lovely), IS-F (too hard to find a decent one), RS4 (most I've seen have been tampered with) and supercharged Range Rover Sport (the odd one out. I still like these but think I prefer the M3. My wife has a 4x4 that we can use for the practical stuff and to get about if it snows heavily).

Anyway, apologies for the long winded build up. The crux of my inner turmoil is which M3 to go for. I like the E46 and the E92 in equal measure. My budget will likely be in the region of between £16k and £20k. I'd like some advice on whether to get a top notch E46, or a leggier, but not hammered E92.

[av185]

E90 is recommended..saloon cheaper and better handling than the coupe..E46 waay too expensive now for such an obsolete car.

Buy the right car with 'manuel' gearbox and prices will strengthen....last of the proper pre ponsy n.a. M3s with hydraulic steering.

[Latters]

av185 said:

E90 is recommended..saloon cheaper and better handling than the coupe..E46 waay too expensive now for such an obsolete car.

Buy the right car with 'manuel' gearbox and prices will strengthen....last of the proper pre ponsy n.a. M3s with hydraulic steering.

Thanks. I do like the saloon but can't find any in budget within reasonable viewing distance. It also has to be from a dealer of some description because I'll be taking finance and part exchanging the Civic.

I've seen a lovely phoenix yellow e46 with just under 50k miles on the clock and a full history, but £17k for a 13 year old car with a dated interior is a turn off.

I am open to suggestions for other alternatives but imagine I've considered everything imaginable.

[rich12]

Raise the budget slightly and get a nice E9X. £25k will get you a lovely saloon M3.

Make sure throttle body actuators have been replaced and a good history.

[Latters]

rich12 said:

Raise the budget slightly and get a nice E9X. £25k will get you a lovely saloon M3.

Make sure throttle body actuators have been replaced and a good history.

Hmm, if I up my budget to £25k, some more exotic options come into play...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

At the moment it is easier said than done though.

[rich12]

Latters said:

Hmm, if I up my budget to £25k, some more exotic options come into play...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

At the moment it is easier said than done though.

There would never be any consideration for that from me. IMO there isn't a single redeeming feature over the M3.

[ZX10R NIN]

OP don't be afraid to travel, ask the right questions & do your checks before you leave I've travelled all over the UK to find the right car some didn't workout others did but I'd rather have gone to find out.

M3
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

IS-F
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or if you wanted something less sharp but every bit as special then the Gransport are really worth looking at.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Or if it has to be a saloon then the Quattroporte:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Latters]

Well, after careful deliberation and searching, I completely bottled buying an M3 of either variety and ended up purchasing something a lot more sensible. Well, I say a lot more sensible, it's a hatchback and running costs compared with the full fat M cars are a lot more palatable, but it's still a 3 litre turbo in a smallish car. Anyway, long story short, after being told I wasn't allowed a new car by the wife, a quick trip to my local BMW garage last November resulted in me buying this...







Although not a proper M car, I've yet to find a situation where I have felt short changed by the M lite and it is a huge step up from the FN2 I traded in in terms of both quality and speed. The engine note doesn't disappoint either, though could do with being a little more audible in the cabin.

Anyway, just to rain on my parade, somebody with a lovely M140i has taken to parking next to me at work. Thanks for that, whoever you are!



Who knows, maybe I'll be tempted to go for a full on M car when the time comes to rid myself of the M135i, but in the meantime I'm going to enjoy what I've got, because I think it's a great car. Very pleased ??

[Stu-nph26]

Latters said:

Well, after careful deliberation and searching, I completely bottled buying an M3 of either variety and ended up purchasing something a lot more sensible. Well, I say a lot more sensible, it's a hatchback and running costs compared with the full fat M cars are a lot more palatable, but it's still a 3 litre turbo in a smallish car. Anyway, long story short, after being told I wasn't allowed a new car by the wife, a quick trip to my local BMW garage last November resulted in me buying this...







Although not a proper M car, I've yet to find a situation where I have felt short changed by the M lite and it is a huge step up from the FN2 I traded in in terms of both quality and speed. The engine note doesn't disappoint either, though could do with being a little more audible in the cabin.

Anyway, just to rain on my parade, somebody with a lovely M140i has taken to parking next to me at work. Thanks for that, whoever you are!



Who knows, maybe I'll be tempted to go for a full on M car when the time comes to rid myself of the M135i, but in the meantime I'm going to enjoy what I've got, because I think it's a great car. Very pleased ??

Looks lovely mate haven't seen many in that colour. I think the 135 is the pick of a pretty strong hot hatch market ATM. What put you off the M3 in the end?

[Latters]

Stu-nph26 said:

Looks lovely mate haven't seen many in that colour. I think the 135 is the pick of a pretty strong hot hatch market ATM. What put you off the M3 in the end?

Thanks. The mineral grey is a bit different to the usual white or estoril blue ones you tend to see. I like the subtlety of it.

To be honest, it was pretty dull reasons that drew me to this rather than an M3. I could get a lot newer car with a lot fewer miles for my money and not compromise too much in terms of performance. As it's a daily commuter, the slightly softer edge on the 135i makes it a bit easier to live with on Sheffield's terrible rutted roads. It seemed to strike a good balance between comfort and enjoyment and I'm less concerned about parking this in undesirable areas than I would be an M3!

Overall, the compromise of missing out on an M3 seemed worthwhile for now.

[Stu-nph26]

Latters said:

Thanks. The mineral grey is a bit different to the usual white or estoril blue ones you tend to see. I like the subtlety of it.

To be honest, it was pretty dull reasons that drew me to this rather than an M3. I could get a lot newer car with a lot fewer miles for my money and not compromise too much in terms of performance. As it's a daily commuter, the slightly softer edge on the 135i makes it a bit easier to live with on Sheffield's terrible rutted roads. It seemed to strike a good balance between comfort and enjoyment and I'm less concerned about parking this in undesirable areas than I would be an M3!

Overall, the compromise of missing out on an M3 seemed worthwhile for now.

Congrats it makes sense I'm sure you won't be disappointed.