E46 M3 as a daily driver?

E46 M3 as a daily driver?

Author
Discussion

somynameiswhat

Original Poster:

277 posts

128 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
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Hi guys

My E39 is starting to look a little bit tired, and I'm thinking to replace. As the E39 is a daily driver for my wife (7 miles a day), I'm thinking of changing it for an M3, as she does little mileage.

Would this be a good idea? Also what MPG does it get around town?

mmm-five

11,225 posts

283 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
somynameiswhat said:
Hi guys

My E39 is starting to look a little bit tired, and I'm thinking to replace. As the E39 is a daily driver for my wife (7 miles a day), I'm thinking of changing it for an M3, as she does little mileage.

Would this be a good idea? Also what MPG does it get around town?
It's the same engine as my Z4MC, and I get 15mpg around London (slow & stop-start), or 20mpg around Liverpool (more free flowing).

A 7 mile trip won't be doing the car any favours though as it will barely manage to get up to normal operating temps.

essayer

9,008 posts

193 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
It's possibly one of the greatest daily drivers ever made hehe



somynameiswhat

Original Poster:

277 posts

128 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
mmm-five said:
It's the same engine as my Z4MC, and I get 15mpg around London (slow & stop-start), or 20mpg around Liverpool (more free flowing).

A 7 mile trip won't be doing the car any favours though as it will barely manage to get up to normal operating temps.
Her commute is very rarely stop-start, so it looks like 20mpg for her, which should be good enough.

As for the car warming up, don't worry, it'll be warm at the weekend - when I'm driving! driving


goldblum

10,272 posts

166 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
essayer said:
It's possibly one of the greatest daily drivers ever made hehe
Designed for rattling around town, the high revving low torque engine will be perfect for darting in and out of traffic.smile

siovey

1,632 posts

137 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
quotequote all
Its perfect for daily driving. I do 7 miles each way to work every day, mainly quiet country roads driving
I rarely use it at the weekend so it's pointless me owning one now. I used to do double the mileage during the week until changing my job (through redundancy) and also go for a drive every Sunday in it but I really can't be a*sed nowadays..When I do though, it's immense. So utterly competent, looks fantastic too cool
That's really why it's up for sale. It'll be sad to see it go as it's my dream car , but hey ho. Shed here I come!! lol

No idea on mpg as never been bothered by that. Waste of time on an M car imo!

Captainawesome

1,817 posts

162 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
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Use mine each and every day. MPG is not too bad really considering what the car is. I spent today doing town driving and then some very spirited b road blasts and got about 15mpg. I do a lot of long runs to scotland and usually get 30-33mpg at a steady 80. I'd imagine the mpg could be a lot better but I've just had a carbon air box fitted and can't resist making noise all of the time.

Servicing costs really aren't that bad and mine has only ever needed a new alternator (she didn't let me down, just got a warning light and got it fixed). My biggest expense seems to be tires although that my be due to my love of sliding. biggrin

I use mine for long journeys with the wife and baby as there seems to be more room than in my wife's sport back audi.

Definitely a good daily driver.


benny.c

3,472 posts

206 months

Wednesday 16th July 2014
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Use mine every day too. Mainy A & B road short journeys with the odd bit of motorway, and I get an indicated 25.2pmg although I've never actually calculated it manually. It makes me happy seeing it parked up with all the boring dross when I drop the kids at school smile

NotNormal

2,357 posts

213 months

Timbuk2

1,953 posts

154 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
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Captainawesome said:
I've just had a carbon air box fitted and can't resist making noise all of the time.
Any videos or recordings?!

VinceFox

20,566 posts

171 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
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not exactly the same, but i have the e36 evo and it's a great daily.

BalhamBadger

1,159 posts

172 months

Thursday 17th July 2014
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I wouldn't hesitate to use my e46 as a daily. They are not so special / rare to be worth preserving or saving for the odd drive. The interior is good, the seats are highly adjustable and a well-specced model has most of the gadgets you would need.

The mpg is surprisingly good on a cruise, but really takes a hammering when you add some town driving into the equation.

JsyM3

98 posts

136 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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The only problem with using it as a daily driver is that you or the Mrs will always be home later than usual as the temptation to take the long scenic route is almost impossible to overcome...

stevethegreek

533 posts

192 months

Friday 18th July 2014
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Had mine since end of March and done 7,500 miles since then...it's a great daily! smile averaging 27mpg - mainly motorway, with some A roads and 3 or 4 trips in to London.

little328ci

27 posts

168 months

Saturday 19th July 2014
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Ive been using mine as a daily since getting it in sept last year ,and its great, bit heavy to drive if you do a lot of town driving and its a manual.Its pretty good on fuel for what you get in return , never bothered working out the figures but it seems as good on fuel as the 330ci I had before it, which is a bonus.