Hi peeps,

 

I known I have kept my head down lately, especially after very reluctantly parting with my zed :(

 

I need a car that is RWD 300bhp+ has back seats, is an auto with manual option (and is quick on the changes), is noted for being reliable and good handling (relative to the size of vehicle), good fuel range cos I hate spending time in the gas station (this has rules out Evos!!!, they're great but will only do 14mpg with me, and they have a small fuel tank).

 

I have 25-30k to spend so have been looking at newish M3's with the SMG gearbox thingy, going to a BMW dealer tomorrow for a forrege around on the running costs etc.

 

Any opinions? experiences of these cars?

what advice do u need

what advice do u need

Sorry mate my PC went spastic on me and somehow submitted the post before I finished it... DOH!!

Hi peeps,

 

I known I have kept my head down lately, especially after very reluctantly parting with my zed :(

 

I need a car that is RWD 300bhp+ has back seats, is an auto with manual option (and is quick on the changes), is noted for being reliable and good handling (relative to the size of vehicle), good fuel range cos I hate spending time in the gas station (this has rules out Evos!!!, they're great but will only do 14mpg with me, and they have a small fuel tank).

 

I have 25-30k to spend so have been looking at newish M3's with the SMG gearbox thingy, going to a BMW dealer tomorrow for a forrege around on the running costs etc.

 

Any opinions? experiences of these cars?

 

Well, the E46 M3 matches your description perfectly. MPG is going to be in the Low 20's average, but has a good sized fuel tank.

 

I could'nt recomend any other vehicle....except perhaps a Skyline GTR (not strictky RWD, but certainly more RWD Orientated than the other jap 4x4 taxi)...but tbh I'd prob take the M3 over the Skyline.

Well, the E46 M3 matches your description perfectly. MPG is going to be in the Low 20's average, but has a good sized fuel tank.

 

I could'nt recomend any other vehicle....except perhaps a Skyline GTR (not strictky RWD, but certainly more RWD Orientated than the other jap 4x4 taxi)...but tbh I'd prob take the M3 over the Skyline.

 

I had considered the GTR, but looking for the auto/manual option. Nearly considered the R34 GTS as some of those seem to have the Auto, but concerend about local servicing etc.

 

The BM is top of my list so far. Although I haven't driven one. I might hate it loads and hang onto my Civic. Is there anyone on here that has driving experience of one?

I had considered the GTR, but looking for the auto/manual option. Nearly considered the R34 GTS as some of those seem to have the Auto, but concerend about local servicing etc.

 

The BM is top of my list so far. Although I haven't driven one. I might hate it loads and hang onto my Civic. Is there anyone on here that has driving experience of one?

 

 

not exactly but i know someone with a mustard colour m3 e46 power increased no limiter,he reckons it will do 175mph no probs

 

performance wise slighty quicker than a z handles very well with all that modern traction control fuel economy not sure but again depends how you drive,if you can afford a m3 e46,then fuel shouldnt be a problem

 

if i was in to buying a fast motor and i had some money then id go for an smg m3 apart from getting common,there isnt much bad you can say about it,id go for it! seems the best buy apart from an m5 being a saloon :)

 

good luck

you considered that vauxhall holden thingy ??

 

regards,

 

alex

Yeah the Monaro :cool: V cool and not as common as a beemer. The 5.odd litre engine model might not be v economical though :D

you considered that vauxhall holden thingy ??

 

regards,

 

alex

 

One of the SXOC boys suggested that. I have seen one up close, but call me a snob, the griffin badge puts me off. Shame cos it might actually be a good car.

 

BTW - M3's are all over the place in Essex. I work in Brentwood, and it must be the home town to drug dealers and phat rappers cos they all have em. Which makes me feel safe ... my M3 would blend into the crowd. Although I am pale and thin-ish!!!

 

I guess i'd stand out, cos I'd be drifting it at every opportunity :nana2: and not listneing to some wonky rap stretching my 4kw sub to it's limits :xxx:

 

I have 25-30k to spend so have been looking at newish M3's with the SMG gearbox thingy

 

LOL fookin ell Edds,last time you were posting you were skint and your Mrs was making you sell the Z,you just won the lotto? :rofl: ;)

 

As for the New M3 my mates got one I will ask him about it.

E46 M3 good car, just make sure the one you buy, if an SMG, has been recalled for the software issues. Also SMG is pricey if it goes wrong, you can't buy the clutch slave cylinder on its own if it goes, you need to buy a complete gearbox. Having said that they are very responsive and a very good drive.

 

I beleive some E46's also needed a bottom end adjustment and recalled a lot.

 

The manual is fairly notchy in gear changes, obviously you wont get that prob in the SMG!

 

The power on both the E36 and E46 comes in at around 4k, so dont expect mega torque like the Z below that. However, once in the revs it will pull all the way into 8k with no drop off in power at all, it will just pull more and more the more you give it!

 

The more superior car is the E39 M5, much better looking IMHO, more rare, more power, and cheaper! I would defo test one of these along with the M3.

 

Price wise 24k is rock-bottom for an E46 M3, and for that you will be buying at the very very bottom of the price bracket, so be careful.

 

With the E46 bear in mind that the market is at its best ATM, but within the next 12 months it is expected to drop to around 17k for the lowest example, compare that to 24k for the lowest now and you will loose around 7k in 12 months :S

 

The E46 M3 is the latest incarnation of power, comfort, good emmissions and all the rest of modern day requirements. As far as M owners and clubs go, they are good cars, but for the cash, everyone prefers a good M5, better performance, drive and everything really.

 

For true enthusiast driving tho, you are far better off having a DD and having an older M for track / weekend use.

 

Cheers

 

Steve

the convertable m3 is lovely if you get the chance go for that, you will sort the men from the boys in essex with it :smash: - the Z of course :x: :)

M5. Seriously good car.

Audi RS?

I like the E46 M3 but it doesn't look that much different from the regular coupe to stand out from the crowd.

 

I'm still hankering after a Cerbera or an XKR myself. Then I remind myself that the TVR breaks down all the time and a high proportion of 70K mile XKRs for sale for under £24K seem to have new engines for some reason.... :confused:

 

I therefore can't think of another replacement for the ZX at present (unless I can find a very low mileage very late model Pork 928GTS 5.4 auto) so I'll just keep it a bit longer........

 

Richard :smw:

Ive driven both the M3 and M3 CSL round a race track and did not like the SMG boxes, they are really harsh on gearchanges. I prefer a proper Alpina Auto.

I had the pleasure of driving a brand spanking new M3 about 3 months ago, its was the 6 speed manual though.

 

Have to say I loved it, damn fast, serisouly responsive, handling was absolutely spot on, and I kerbed the very expensive alloy cos im a tw@t ! :)

 

not much help.. sorry

i think i read somewhere that a certain batch of m3 engines were being warped or big ends or something similar happening cant remember what it was exactly but might be worth finding out what it was before buying one hope this helps sorry there isnt more detail

LOL fookin ell Edds,last time you were posting you were skint and your Mrs was making you sell the Z,you just won the lotto? :rofl: ;)

 

As for the New M3 my mates got one I will ask him about it.

 

 

Things are working out with the missus mate, but I have got to move to the are she lives in. She hates Maldon!! This means, I can sell the house, buy a cheaper one and treat myself to a nicer car. For some strange reason she likes BM's so I thought I could get an M3.

 

Edds.

E46 M3 good car, just make sure the one you buy, if an SMG, has been recalled for the software issues. Also SMG is pricey if it goes wrong, you can't buy the clutch slave cylinder on its own if it goes, you need to buy a complete gearbox. Having said that they are very responsive and a very good drive.

 

I beleive some E46's also needed a bottom end adjustment and recalled a lot.

 

The manual is fairly notchy in gear changes, obviously you wont get that prob in the SMG!

 

The power on both the E36 and E46 comes in at around 4k, so dont expect mega torque like the Z below that. However, once in the revs it will pull all the way into 8k with no drop off in power at all, it will just pull more and more the more you give it!

 

The more superior car is the E39 M5, much better looking IMHO, more rare, more power, and cheaper! I would defo test one of these along with the M3.

 

Price wise 24k is rock-bottom for an E46 M3, and for that you will be buying at the very very bottom of the price bracket, so be careful.

 

With the E46 bear in mind that the market is at its best ATM, but within the next 12 months it is expected to drop to around 17k for the lowest example, compare that to 24k for the lowest now and you will loose around 7k in 12 months :S

 

 

Cheers for the heads up Steve, I have just been to the dealership and they mentioned nothing about the recall. Got a nice shiny M3 brochure though :dance:

Cheers for the heads up Steve, I have just been to the dealership and they mentioned nothing about the recall. Got a nice shiny M3 brochure though :dance:

 

Np's just read it back I didn't mean be careful as you are buying at the bottom of the price bracket like it sounded :wack: came out a bit wrong, I just meant make sure you spend a few k over 24 if you do get one :duffer:

 

Wish I had 30k lying around lol!

 

Try giving a specialist like Munich Legends a call down near East Grinstead. Last time I took my car there thay had some seriously lush motors! including an Alpina B10 an M6 :D and a lush E46 M3 convertible (not to mention loads of race prepped E30 EVO's) :D. They only ever sell top top used bimmers that are like new from the factory, even the older ones, and really do know their stuff! I think if you go to a main stealer you may pay a little over the odds.

 

I would certainly say to buy one that still has the BMW warranty, and if it doesn't get the stealer / specialist to put a propper BMW warranty on it B4 even thinking about buying.

 

A looked after E46 should really still be covered under BMW warranty, most people who keep the E46 up to date, pay to keep the car pristine and pay everytime to extend the BMW warranty and keep it in the loop.

 

All the best in the buy mate :dance:

 

p.s do take an M5 for a test drive either way mate you will love it ;)

Do like the M3's, I walk past a Beamer main stealer

 

Love the new 6 series coupes aswell especially the cabriolet, my proper dream car has always been an 850 CSi which I believe is the M power lump. Still want one! ;)

I have a friend in the trade who has driven a number of luxury cars including loads of E46 m3's and he is not a fan of the SMG gearbox so maybe an idea to test drive with and without.

 

HTH

 

Justin:)

call me a snob, the griffin badge puts me off.

 

Take it off ;)

 

No one will know your driving a Vauxhall, much the same as many do not realise we have Nissan's.

I have a friend in the trade who has driven a number of luxury cars including loads of E46 m3's and he is not a fan of the SMG gearbox so maybe an idea to test drive with and without.

 

Justin:)

 

The dealer I spoke to on Saturday didn't like the SMG either (fairly honest of him!!). As I am in no rush for one, I have asked them to give me a call if they get one in. I will give it a try and see how I get on.

 

Thank you everyone for your advice. :)

If you do go for a M3 or M5 eddie if you can get to Munich Legends you won't regret it. They are the top dealer for BM's. Just going in the showroom will blow your mind. They really are the best, well probably the best in the country.