Is there an alternative to an M3?
Discussion
sjc said:
My mate has just been offered a 53 plate M3 manual 17000 miler full spec in grey for £28K seems like a hell of a lot of car for that price. Surely the new shape 3 is not affecting reiduals yet as the M3 replacement is yonks away, or is there another reason?
Is that a private sale price? If so, it is very cheap .. I sold my 03 full spec (+SMG) with more miles than that back to a dealer for £30k..
M3 replacement probably not going to be around in the UK until 2007. We haven't even seen "proper" spy shots of the new 3-series coupe yet.
For the record, after owning M3s for the last 2 yrs, I could count one hand the amount of problems I've had with other road users. One person tried to race me off the lights a while ago, and people tailgate me quite regularly (although I assume they'd do that no matter what the car!) but to avoid the car because of the negative image to/from other road users would be a big mistake. This is in Bucks/London where there are lots of M3s so maybe it's different in other parts of the UK..
shadowninja said:
3-door sporty coupe alternative to M3 that can sit four adults and is just as practical? If you can live with a 'lesser' badge, then try a Skyline. Best bit is, when you're used to the speed/power it is relatively cheap to tune...
I have considered a skyline on many occasions, I love the cars, but I've always had three big turnoffs about them - no idea how true they are tho
a) the image to other road users (every max power kid wanting to race)
b) relative rarity means they're a target for thieves
c) small number of dealers - I get used to a good level of support from (say) BMW and you know they will deal with a problem relatively quickly - but with the Skyline you're forced to use independents(?)
Might buy one as a second car one day, tho. Cracking car for the money as you say.
GetCarter said:
Any Skoda, at least it isn't a BMW.
Seriously Jag S type R. The world's best sports saloon. Better made than a beemer. Far more comfortable. Infinitely superior cabin. The more powerful Germans cannot really use their extra power because they are sprung too hard for British roads.
M3 is bad for you image as a human being. Just don't go there.
Hey bruciebabie
This is absolutely nothing to do with this thread (sorry people)... but I've been reading your posts for a while now, and wondered what you drive (your profile doesn't enlighten)... put me out of my misery!
Ta
Steve
Peugeot 405 GRD.
Range Rover 3.9 manual.
Caterham Super Sprint.
Jaguar XJR V8.
TVR Cerbera 4.5. Sunset pearl.
Ferrari Mondial T.
Jaguar E type S1 (being restored).
bruciebabie said:
Any Skoda, at least it isn't a BMW.
Seriously Jag S type R. The world's best sports saloon. Better made than a beemer. Far more comfortable. Infinitely superior cabin. The more powerful Germans cannot really use their extra power because they are sprung too hard for British roads.
M3 is bad for you image as a human being. Just don't go there.
LOL @ the t
t! How about : the Jag is a great suggestion if you have just passed your test, or are drawing your pension.
Ownership of said product between these ages just looks deeply sad.
robdickinson said:
I'm not a fan of the S-Type at all, but woul djump at a chance of owning/driving an S-typeR. 400bhp RWD v8 with all the luxuries of home, a well sorted motor.
Exactly. The Jag has a fantastic interior whereas beemers are low rent. The Jag has vastly superior suspension which allows it to put it's power down better and still be comfortable. Whist the amazing torque of the supercharged Jag engine is a mind blowingly potent real world tool. The beemer may be OK if you want to play the boy racer on trackdays but the Jag is a hugely better tool on British roads and it is really well made. Jag S type R = world's best sports saloon. I suggest you actually try one.
TimJMS said:
Any Skoda, at least it isn't a BMW.
Seriously Jag S type R. The world's best sports saloon. Better made than a beemer. Far more comfortable. Infinitely superior cabin. The more powerful Germans cannot really use their extra power because they are sprung too hard for British roads.
M3 is bad for you image as a human being. Just don't go there.
LOL @ the tt!
How about : the Jag is a great suggestion if you have just passed your test, or are drawing your pension.
Ownership of said product between these ages just looks deeply sad.
You cannot get any sadder than driving any beemer at any age. The image sucks worse than anything else on the road and the cars are not that good.
The Jag just reeks of class, good taste and superior British engineering. Whilst the BMW is symptomatic of aspirational, designer label, arrogant, self centred yuppies. It is the default company car for the ill informed.
My dad has a Jag S-type and it's forever going wrong. Dashboard creaks like I don't know what, airbag and ABS lights have a mind of their own, cup-holder mechanism has already broken and the leather is already starting to wear when I would expect better.
Not really fitting for a £40k car in my opinion. Any car can suffer from bad workmanship in individual cases; there are rotten grapes in every bunch.
Plus the image is very much 'old man' - he's actually had people commenting on his 'nice Rover' before. He was not a happy chappy! Still, he likes it, it's a fantastically smooth ride, and pretty nippy.
If it were my money, I'd have the M3. I'd actually have the M5 if it were my money, but then its horses for courses just like most other car-buying decisions.
Not really fitting for a £40k car in my opinion. Any car can suffer from bad workmanship in individual cases; there are rotten grapes in every bunch.
Plus the image is very much 'old man' - he's actually had people commenting on his 'nice Rover' before. He was not a happy chappy! Still, he likes it, it's a fantastically smooth ride, and pretty nippy.
If it were my money, I'd have the M3. I'd actually have the M5 if it were my money, but then its horses for courses just like most other car-buying decisions.
fishtek69 said:
My dad has a Jag S-type and it's forever going wrong. Dashboard creaks like I don't know what, airbag and ABS lights have a mind of their own, cup-holder mechanism has already broken and the leather is already starting to wear when I would expect better.
Not really fitting for a £40k car in my opinion. Any car can suffer from bad workmanship in individual cases; there are rotten grapes in every bunch.
Plus the image is very much 'old man' - he's actually had people commenting on his 'nice Rover' before. He was not a happy chappy! Still, he likes it, it's a fantastically smooth ride, and pretty nippy.
If it were my money, I'd have the M3. I'd actually have the M5 if it were my money, but then its horses for courses just like most other car-buying decisions.
How old is this S type? The car has been through two extensive engineering revisions to get to be the finely resolved sporting saloon that the current model is.
francisb said:
audi s4. esp the 2.7tt. few grand at the engine and youve got a car that'll take an m3 apart in a straight line and round the corners. admitedly not as involving a drive.
Agreed, find one that's been breathed on by MTM and it's a great motor. Drive one when it's pi$$ing it down with rain. There's not much will come past you. You do have to drive them hard to find a
though. The new 4.2V8's handle better IMHO but are still not as involving as the BM. I had them over M3's cos of the 5 doors, although rear leg room is not much different.
RS4's are still holding good money. Now they are worth a look!
bruciebabie said:
You cannot get any sadder than driving any beemer at any age. The image sucks worse than anything else on the road and the cars are not that good.
The Jag just reeks of class, good taste and superior British engineering. Whilst the BMW is symptomatic of aspirational, designer label, arrogant, self centred yuppies. It is the default company car for the ill informed.
You couldn't get any more bitter at any age.
Jags reek of cigars, slippers and old people.
A 318 is for the ill informed. Get a decent straight six under the bonnet and you've got a fine car, no two ways about it.
Were you seriously offended by a BMW driver at some point? Turned down on finance for one perhaps? That's the only way I can possibly reason why you are so embittered towards BMW's and their drivers.
bruciebabie said:
bruciebabie said:
Any Skoda, at least it isn't a BMW.
Seriously Jag S type R. The world's best sports saloon. Better made than a beemer. Far more comfortable. Infinitely superior cabin. The more powerful Germans cannot really use their extra power because they are sprung too hard for British roads.
M3 is bad for you image as a human being. Just don't go there.
LOL @ the t
How about : the Jag is a great suggestion if you have just passed your test, or are drawing your pension.
Ownership of said product between these ages just looks deeply sad.
You cannot get any sadder than driving any beemer at any age. The image sucks worse than anything else on the road and the cars are not that good.
The Jag just reeks of class, good taste and superior British engineering. Whilst the BMW is symptomatic of aspirational, designer label, arrogant, self centred yuppies. It is the default company car for the ill informed.
Yeah but the M3 is a little more special than the usual 320 /330d's etc.
My old M5 (admittedly 1985 E28 model) was great!! Still my second favourite car after my current TVR.
And im sure the guy whose asking already knows this but loads of people tried to put me off getting a TVR and at the end of the day, i think its great so stuff 'em!
I think for an Every day car the latest M3 takes some beating and it is a pity that certain Rep BMW drivers have given them a bad name!
(Saying that Golf TDi drivers seem to be taking on that mantle now!)
crazydave said:
Jags reek of cigars, slippers and old people.
A 318 is for the ill informed. Get a decent straight six under the bonnet and you've got a fine car, no two ways about it.
The sad part about this is the cracking straight six should actualy be IN the Jag...
You cant get away from the fact that BMW do have a certain image which puts people off.
fishtek69 said:
My dad has a Jag S-type and it's forever going wrong. Dashboard creaks like I don't know what, airbag and ABS lights have a mind of their own, cup-holder mechanism has already broken and the leather is already starting to wear when I would expect better.
Any car can have issues tho. Brother in laws 53 plate M3 has just lost it's diff at 30k miles. The auto close on the windows doesn't work either. Neither have taken the smile of his face since he's had it though. He's had his de-badged in a vain effort to avoid the kinda thing mentioned....it won't work though !
He looked at TVR, Audi, Jag and Porsche. Decided the M3 was the best all rounder. As an Audi fan I immediately hated it.......then I drove it. Ooops, it's a great car, utterly brilliant!
robdickinson said:
Jags reek of cigars, slippers and old people.
A 318 is for the ill informed. Get a decent straight six under the bonnet and you've got a fine car, no two ways about it.
The sad part about this is the cracking straight six should actualy be IN the Jag...
You cant get away from the fact that BMW do have a certain image which puts people off.
Most cars have an image of some sort which makes them undesirable in one way or another. I can't argue that seems to be a popular stereotype and the image is becoming more questionable. I just don't like to be tainted by the same brush and I know there's plenty of BMW drivers on here that feel the same. We're not all company car driving morons who buy a car just because of the image. I have a BMW because I like the car. It's the right size for what I want, rear wheel drive and has all the luxuries and comfort I could want.
Plus it goes like stink
My most disappointing drive ever was in a Jag XK8, I couldnt believe how dreadful the handling was, like an old barge. Compared to a BMW (and any one) the handling was light years behind. But plenty of nice leather and walnut (very homes and gardens in my opinion) to keep the old set happy.
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