E46 M3 Daily driver?
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm after some opinions / real world experiences.
Currently I own an E91 320d. Don't get me wrong; it's a fantastic car, love the way it looks etc, and takes pretty much everything I can throw at it and or indeed in it.
However; after it sailed through the MOT, I noticed I had completed a not to spectacular 4000 miles.
I walk to work, so I don't even need to commute.
This got me thinking, that perhaps I could change the car for the above.
I'm not naive enough to think it won't cost a substantial about more to run, but only doing 4000 a year isn't going to hurt, more so that I don't have to "rely" on it to get to work.
I'm aware of the common faults.
The main plan is to chop in the e91 and drive away in an m3.
I don't really want to add much cash if I can help it.
Driving it "daily" etc, is it a liveable car to live with?
Any thoughts / comments?
I'm after some opinions / real world experiences.
Currently I own an E91 320d. Don't get me wrong; it's a fantastic car, love the way it looks etc, and takes pretty much everything I can throw at it and or indeed in it.
However; after it sailed through the MOT, I noticed I had completed a not to spectacular 4000 miles.
I walk to work, so I don't even need to commute.
This got me thinking, that perhaps I could change the car for the above.
I'm not naive enough to think it won't cost a substantial about more to run, but only doing 4000 a year isn't going to hurt, more so that I don't have to "rely" on it to get to work.
I'm aware of the common faults.
The main plan is to chop in the e91 and drive away in an m3.
I don't really want to add much cash if I can help it.
Driving it "daily" etc, is it a liveable car to live with?
Any thoughts / comments?
Can't comment on E46 but I use E92 M3 daily and it's absolutely superb (approx 7000 miles p/a) costs are high but not outrageous. I have mates that use E46 M3 daily and their costs are slightly less than mine, using main dealers.
They like to be used regularly, go for it!
(I spend approx £200-250 p/m on vmax petrol, av 20 mpg)
They like to be used regularly, go for it!
(I spend approx £200-250 p/m on vmax petrol, av 20 mpg)
Or even wait a few months for the E9X to drop a bit more after the F80 is available.
OP, not Gary per chance?
Have been using mine as a daily for 4 years now, averaging about 10k a year and its been absolutely superb. Carries four people absolutely fine, pootles along fine, can attack a B road with aplomb and when moving house and doing tip runs its amazing how much you can fit in the back with the folding rear seats. Averages around 25/26 mpg according to the trip. I have the standard Nav unit and with updated software and map disc even that is still fine to rely on, not as slick graphic wise as the modern stuff but works a treat throughout Europe.
Mines a manual and other than routine maintenance and service items the only other issues I've had to sort were a starter motor, the bonnet switch (alarm kept going off), replaced Bluetooth microphone (newer BMW item gives better quality). Had two rear springs break over that period and had to replace a front wishbone. Also had the rear floor replaced by BMW under warranty for free.
Overall very impressed and to be honest for the money I struggle to see how to replace it, so for now I'll continue using for the foreseeable future as its a great all-rounder.
Have been using mine as a daily for 4 years now, averaging about 10k a year and its been absolutely superb. Carries four people absolutely fine, pootles along fine, can attack a B road with aplomb and when moving house and doing tip runs its amazing how much you can fit in the back with the folding rear seats. Averages around 25/26 mpg according to the trip. I have the standard Nav unit and with updated software and map disc even that is still fine to rely on, not as slick graphic wise as the modern stuff but works a treat throughout Europe.
Mines a manual and other than routine maintenance and service items the only other issues I've had to sort were a starter motor, the bonnet switch (alarm kept going off), replaced Bluetooth microphone (newer BMW item gives better quality). Had two rear springs break over that period and had to replace a front wishbone. Also had the rear floor replaced by BMW under warranty for free.
Overall very impressed and to be honest for the money I struggle to see how to replace it, so for now I'll continue using for the foreseeable future as its a great all-rounder.
t out of it quite happily. I love it!!
daily driver all day long.
Used mine as a daily for 18 months covered 16,000 flawless miles and raised many many smiles. That is what this car does best imho, truly great all rounder. Where i felt less at home was as a weekend toy. Had it in that capacity for 9 months and i barely used it. My personal opinion of course, but as a daily, its really special.
Genuinely reliable, used mine through the heavy snow two years ago with winters on in deepest darkest scottish grampians. Even in that context it was also remarkable.
Used mine as a daily for 18 months covered 16,000 flawless miles and raised many many smiles. That is what this car does best imho, truly great all rounder. Where i felt less at home was as a weekend toy. Had it in that capacity for 9 months and i barely used it. My personal opinion of course, but as a daily, its really special.
Genuinely reliable, used mine through the heavy snow two years ago with winters on in deepest darkest scottish grampians. Even in that context it was also remarkable.
Yup, another daily driver here. Been using it for the last two and a half years (about 7-8K/yr) and I'll probably have it for a good while yet as I've no idea what could be better for the money. I've had quicker, better looking and more comfortable, but the M3 does all three pretty well.
Only just started using it is a daily driver last month (now into second year of ownership). Best car I have owned and that includes other high performance M products, AMG and RS cars. Cracking car. Only thing that I would change is the Radio set up and maybe go for a Pioneer/Alpine double din. But I do 10 miles a day so radio reception etc not the biggest issue for me. What I will say is that I would budget around £1.5k - £2k a year to keep the car in top tip shape.
My neighbour bought an E46 M3, has a work van as his daily so uses the "M" when he can.
Very reasonable car, is an old 3 series when you need it to be, and an M3 when you need it to be - if that makes sense
Yes it costs a lot more to service than a regular 3, drinks a fair bit more fuel, has more expensive consumables, but for the mileages you're doing it isn't bad and it is perfectly comparable with anything else that has over 100bhp/litre I would think.
Very reasonable car, is an old 3 series when you need it to be, and an M3 when you need it to be - if that makes sense
Yes it costs a lot more to service than a regular 3, drinks a fair bit more fuel, has more expensive consumables, but for the mileages you're doing it isn't bad and it is perfectly comparable with anything else that has over 100bhp/litre I would think.
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