I'm struggling.... Boxster S / Impreza STI / E46 M3?
Discussion
Shaoxter said:
It's not like a consumable item or anything, once it's been reinforced it shouldn't ever crack. Obviously make sure the work has been done by a reputable garage.
Agreed. Strengthening plates and the like should hopefully mean it'll not happen again or alternatively if you manage to pick up one with an original, uncracked and unreinforced floor BMW also offer a resin injection reinforcement service for around £300 which apparently will stop cracks from occurring in the first place. I went through the same dilemma as you re: boot floors when buying mine, and read for hours about all the horror stories and potential pitfalls and almost put myself off completely. In the end I decided life was too short and picked up a clean late 05 plate on ~65k with an unreinforced boot floor. The car is within the BMW goodwill period until later this year so I plan to get it inspected and either resin injected or the boot floor done under (hopefully) goodwill. Either way, I've not lost any sleep over my decision and if it needs done I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
As for the car itself, I went from a remapped 330cd to the M3 and they're a different animal entirely. As you said in your OP, the 330 is a capable car, but it's nowhere in the same league in terms of really any aspect of the drive (especially noise!). Personally I felt the effortless torque of the diesel engine probably detracted from the driving experience when pressing on and personall it's something I never miss in the M3. You will have to work the S54 harder to get the performance from it, but when it's as rewarding as it is to do so I don't really have a problem with that
Patrick Bateman said:
It's more that some people still read RMS and think disaster!
It's a weeping seal, well, unless you ignore it forever.
Ha ha! Yes, very true. It's a weeping seal, well, unless you ignore it forever.
Mine had a slight leak from when I picked it up (RMS...) and meant a very small spot of oil under the car whilst parked for a few days. I had it replaced when the clutch was done seeing as it was accessible and only a few quid to do it at the same time. The RMS never gave me the shivers, only the IMS that did that.
I was looking at the same list and bottled out for the same reasons and bought a 350Z, I do like it but am still wondering about the M3, I have a friend who has one who may be changing soon and that one has been looked after.
the problem is that M3's have this problem, along with the occasional Vanos issue and a significant number have a fairly chequered history, they are all pretty old now with high mileages so it is the recipe for a potential money pit if you get it wrong.
Any really minty E46's with low mileages tend to be garages who put them up at 15k or more, then you end up looking at overpriced ones, ropey ones and ones being sold from a demilitarized zone.
I saw this and it put me right off !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scKLdW3x6oY&no...
the problem is that M3's have this problem, along with the occasional Vanos issue and a significant number have a fairly chequered history, they are all pretty old now with high mileages so it is the recipe for a potential money pit if you get it wrong.
Any really minty E46's with low mileages tend to be garages who put them up at 15k or more, then you end up looking at overpriced ones, ropey ones and ones being sold from a demilitarized zone.
I saw this and it put me right off !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scKLdW3x6oY&no...
On the subject of the boot floor issue on the e46 M3.
As others have said, just buy one that had the work done. There should be some sort of guarantee if it was done by BMW, and should be good for another 10 or so years at least. and the Redish (BMW specialist in Bristol) repair is meant to be a lot stronger than the original set up too.
As others have said, just buy one that had the work done. There should be some sort of guarantee if it was done by BMW, and should be good for another 10 or so years at least. and the Redish (BMW specialist in Bristol) repair is meant to be a lot stronger than the original set up too.
I'm on my second 'old' Boxster. First was a 2000 S 3 years ago from 58-75k and current one a 2004 from 105k to 112k so far. I've spent plenty of money replacing stuff that hasn't failed yet but I would say a £4k bill in one hit or even year is the exception rather than the norm. These are though old cars now so parts will wear out.
Op, I made the change from a modded bigeye wex to a 2004 m3 coupe in August last year as, for the same reason as you, I had to have an e46 m3 at some point.
The m3 is a hugely different car! Don't underestimate that fact.
Having said that, I wouldn't swap my m3 for anything! It's a great car in all respects - most notably the build quality over the Subaru. It's a lovely place to be. It has all the toys and is a comfy daily driver.
I'm averaging 20 mpg in the m3, was getting 23-24 in the Impreza so it's a little bit thirstier. The first impression I had was that the m3 really wasn't as quick as I hoped but due to the lack of turbo kick, it's not a violent acceleration. The m3 just goes, and goes, and goes!! You really don't realise how quick you are going until you look at the speedo.
Happy to help with any questions, and if you are ever in North west London, I'll show you what it can do. Best kept standard - too many Chavved m3s floating around! Mines individual in techno violet, genuine CSL wheels and an eisenmann exhaust and is almost perfect - just needs some induction noise but can't justify buying a Geoff Steele carbon intake at £1k!!
The m3 is a hugely different car! Don't underestimate that fact.
Having said that, I wouldn't swap my m3 for anything! It's a great car in all respects - most notably the build quality over the Subaru. It's a lovely place to be. It has all the toys and is a comfy daily driver.
I'm averaging 20 mpg in the m3, was getting 23-24 in the Impreza so it's a little bit thirstier. The first impression I had was that the m3 really wasn't as quick as I hoped but due to the lack of turbo kick, it's not a violent acceleration. The m3 just goes, and goes, and goes!! You really don't realise how quick you are going until you look at the speedo.
Happy to help with any questions, and if you are ever in North west London, I'll show you what it can do. Best kept standard - too many Chavved m3s floating around! Mines individual in techno violet, genuine CSL wheels and an eisenmann exhaust and is almost perfect - just needs some induction noise but can't justify buying a Geoff Steele carbon intake at £1k!!
paulmoonraker said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXWZDt4l0jA
Get the Scooby. Its the cheapest to fix, and if properly sorted it will mince the other two
We are keeping the Wagon we've got now so that rules out having two so similar cars really.Get the Scooby. Its the cheapest to fix, and if properly sorted it will mince the other two
TroubledSoul said:
paulmoonraker said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXWZDt4l0jA
Get the Scooby. Its the cheapest to fix, and if properly sorted it will mince the other two
We are keeping the Wagon we've got now so that rules out having two so similar cars really.Get the Scooby. Its the cheapest to fix, and if properly sorted it will mince the other two
No, definitely not. There would be no conversation to have if I could, put it that way.
In all honesty, we could afford £10k but I'm struggling to come to terms with spending any more than 8. At £8k I can get a 70k Boxster S but can only get a 100k-ish M3 SMG. But then we are talking about cars which are of an age where condition is arguably more important than mileage numbers.
I've found both a Boxster and an M3 that are within desired budget and within 50 miles of me, so I may very well see about having a drive of both. The M3 is a pre facelift though, but from the looks of things that's not a huge deal so long as it's had some sort of engine related recall in its past.
There was a time I would have bought the most expensive car I could physically afford, but these days I am scared of debt. I don't want to take on anything that I couldn't pay off quickly and easily should the need arise.
In all honesty, we could afford £10k but I'm struggling to come to terms with spending any more than 8. At £8k I can get a 70k Boxster S but can only get a 100k-ish M3 SMG. But then we are talking about cars which are of an age where condition is arguably more important than mileage numbers.
I've found both a Boxster and an M3 that are within desired budget and within 50 miles of me, so I may very well see about having a drive of both. The M3 is a pre facelift though, but from the looks of things that's not a huge deal so long as it's had some sort of engine related recall in its past.
There was a time I would have bought the most expensive car I could physically afford, but these days I am scared of debt. I don't want to take on anything that I couldn't pay off quickly and easily should the need arise.
Well chaps, it appears I've been knobbled.
I have contacted my insurer this morning to see what they come up with on both the Boxster S and the M3. Guess what? They won't touch either!! They no longer insure ANY BMW car and they are very selective on Porsches.
Disappointed by this development as they have always been very good to me. If I can't insure with them, I can't get mirrored NCB from my primary policy with the Subaru.
The one shining light is that my Impreza policy is due for renewal on the 27th of Feb. So not the end of the world, but a little frustrating.
I have contacted my insurer this morning to see what they come up with on both the Boxster S and the M3. Guess what? They won't touch either!! They no longer insure ANY BMW car and they are very selective on Porsches.
Disappointed by this development as they have always been very good to me. If I can't insure with them, I can't get mirrored NCB from my primary policy with the Subaru.
The one shining light is that my Impreza policy is due for renewal on the 27th of Feb. So not the end of the world, but a little frustrating.
With experience of both, my advice would actually be to have a close look at a 2007 onwards 350Z. I never gelled with the engine on the earlier model but the revised model revved far more cleanly and was a lovely car and if you are on a budget should prove a lot cheaper in upkeep.
Just depends how much you care for a premium badge on the nose.
Just depends how much you care for a premium badge on the nose.
Shnozz said:
With experience of both, my advice would actually be to have a close look at a 2007 onwards 350Z. I never gelled with the engine on the earlier model but the revised model revved far more cleanly and was a lovely car and if you are on a budget should prove a lot cheaper in upkeep.
Just depends how much you care for a premium badge on the nose.
Might have to at this rate, but I doubt it would drive as well as either the Porsche or the BMW? Just depends how much you care for a premium badge on the nose.
Shaoxter said:
Use another insurer, Greenlight don't insure BMWs at all as you've found out.
Try Adrian Flux, Sky, or Admiral. They're quite BMW or Porsche friendly, and I'm pretty sure they'd mirror your NCB on your other car as well.
That's going to have to be the plan. They used to insure bloody BMWs. Try Adrian Flux, Sky, or Admiral. They're quite BMW or Porsche friendly, and I'm pretty sure they'd mirror your NCB on your other car as well.
Will need to see what's what.
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