Is there an alternative to an M3?
Discussion
ICSD said:
I'm assuming that you want an M3 for the following:-
Speed & acceleration
Handling
Fun factor
4 seats
Quality & durability.
I've looked long and hard and I can tell you of one car that will exceed all of your expectations here.It has all of the above, plus far superior exclusivity, cheaper insurance and maintenance and virtually zero depreciation however high your anual mileage.
Buy yourself a 911!!
A 3.2 Carrera - the last real 911 will set you back about £16k but is much harsher than an M3
A good 964 will cost you between £18k- £20k.
But for your money you'll get a reasonable 993 and I promise you that you'll never look at another BMW - I know I haven't.
I think you're missing the point here.
I've owned both an e30 and an e46 M3 and whilst they are both superb performance cars they are infinitely more practical, comfortable and possibly faster than my current 993. I have had 3 passengers in all 3 cars and whilst no one complained in either BMW during trips around Europe and to Le Mans, the two passengers in the 993 did start to complain after an hour.
Depereciation needs to be taken into context too. Neither of the M3's have lost money or cost me much to run but that was simply due to trawling the ads for cars below market prices that were in good, original condition. I don't think I'll be so lucky with the 993 but I doubt I'll lose more than £2k if I come to sell it.
As for calling an M3 a maxxed up rep mobile lets not forget that any 911 is essentailly a big engined Beetle
ICSD said:
if you need perfectly useable back seats then 911 can do that as well.
Hmmm... Interested to know which 911 that is. I just sold a 996 turbo and my wife (slim 5'8") had to put feet on the second back seat when we gave a friend a lift.
Steve
>> Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 19th April 14:31
The thing is, I've always said that I won't buy another bike with a fairing because 100mph just seems boring and I know that my license will disappear in a second with current anti-speed technology.
Well an '88 911 has the same effect as an unfaired bike, it's quick enough but best of all it feels closer to the limit at acceptable road speeds than more modern cars.
Putting aside my predjudice towards the M3 - and I do dislike them intensly, it has the same problem as the above mentioned faired bike - you have to be really silly in one to have any fun!
Well an '88 911 has the same effect as an unfaired bike, it's quick enough but best of all it feels closer to the limit at acceptable road speeds than more modern cars.
Putting aside my predjudice towards the M3 - and I do dislike them intensly, it has the same problem as the above mentioned faired bike - you have to be really silly in one to have any fun!
Monaro's a great care - more mechanics than electronics and much closer to a real drivers car than the electronically assisted M3.
Just to put to bed the back seat issue, my experience is having a couple of strapping 10 year olds in the back with few complaints. Hardly adults I know, but my point is merely that the 911 offers this and not that it can in any way be considered an alternative to a true 4 seater like a Land Rover or, eh hem!, an M3.
Just to put to bed the back seat issue, my experience is having a couple of strapping 10 year olds in the back with few complaints. Hardly adults I know, but my point is merely that the 911 offers this and not that it can in any way be considered an alternative to a true 4 seater like a Land Rover or, eh hem!, an M3.
ICSD said:ICSD, come on. The electronics in the M3 can be switched off. I know several people who have moved from 911s to M3s and vice-versa and even people who have had more than one of each.
Monaro's a great care - more mechanics than electronics and much closer to a real drivers car than the electronically assisted M3.
Just to put to bed the back seat issue, my experience is having a couple of strapping 10 year olds in the back with few complaints. Hardly adults I know, but my point is merely that the 911 offers this and not that it can in any way be considered an alternative to a true 4 seater like a Land Rover or, eh hem!, an M3.
As for the Monaro, we did that on page 1! Most of the rest of the thread has been bruciebabe babbling and people poking him with a sharp stick.
A 911 is no doubt a great car to drive, but compromised on the usability factor (small back seats, tiny "boot"). For some people this is an issue.
At least with the M3 you can put in two suitcases and take two people to the airport, etc.
Also running costs - haven't seen them posted, but what are the 996 service intervals, likely service costs and warranty situation? (Remembering that the OP wants to get an M3 that's approx 2 yr old and so will still have a year of warranty remaining)
Some very insecure people in this thread. I wouldn't criticise other people's choice of cars at all, even if they were liable to pitch me off backwards through a hedge at the first corner I came to...
>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 19th April 15:22
At least with the M3 you can put in two suitcases and take two people to the airport, etc.
Also running costs - haven't seen them posted, but what are the 996 service intervals, likely service costs and warranty situation? (Remembering that the OP wants to get an M3 that's approx 2 yr old and so will still have a year of warranty remaining)
Some very insecure people in this thread. I wouldn't criticise other people's choice of cars at all, even if they were liable to pitch me off backwards through a hedge at the first corner I came to...
>> Edited by john_p on Tuesday 19th April 15:22
ICSD said:Well, I just got my PSCs put back on the CSL yesterday and it's been raining today....
Sorry, missed the Monaro bit earlier, just comenting on previous post.
Of course you can turn off the electronics on an M3, and of course you could put slicks on in the wet if you wanted - that would make it even more exciting - I bet no one does though!
ICSD said:
911
An interesting thought and I have no kids, no do I plan to have any, so it could be an option. The only thing is that they've got so ugly compared to the original. The 997 seems to be getting back on track, but I can't afford one of those. Good shout though.
>> Edited by vladd on Tuesday 19th April 15:39
I myself do like M3's a lot. A friends' Dad has had a few in his time, and currently drives a Yellow E36 M3 Evo Cabrio. I can vouch for its cross-country ability (only as a passenger, sadly), as well as its extreme practicality (if you knew the family, you'd know what I mean) and would think it to be a perfect all-round car for me. I will own one at some point in the future.
But....
Do I stand alone in not particularly liking the CSL? Don't get me wrong, I realise they are immensely composed and able vehicle's, that'll give many genuine 'supercars' a run for their money. But to me, they just seem ever so boring. I love the M3 because it is comfortable, well equipped, fast and good looking. The CSL seems to lose a little bit of the 'jack-of-all-trades' feeling for me, seeming a little bit too focused on performance.
Just my opinion, and I realise lots of people love them. As I say, I know they're great cars, just not my cup of tea. I did, however, once witness a bit of a battle between a CSL and a Porsche, heading down the hill on the M1 towards Sheffield. I don't know what model the Porsche was, and I don't know the abilities and driving states of the drivers, but the Porker certainly seemed to be kicking the M3's arse!
But....
Do I stand alone in not particularly liking the CSL? Don't get me wrong, I realise they are immensely composed and able vehicle's, that'll give many genuine 'supercars' a run for their money. But to me, they just seem ever so boring. I love the M3 because it is comfortable, well equipped, fast and good looking. The CSL seems to lose a little bit of the 'jack-of-all-trades' feeling for me, seeming a little bit too focused on performance.
Just my opinion, and I realise lots of people love them. As I say, I know they're great cars, just not my cup of tea. I did, however, once witness a bit of a battle between a CSL and a Porsche, heading down the hill on the M1 towards Sheffield. I don't know what model the Porsche was, and I don't know the abilities and driving states of the drivers, but the Porker certainly seemed to be kicking the M3's arse!
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