2007 E92 BMW M3 - A slight upgrade.
Discussion
So for those who know me, I have been banging on about how great my little GT86 is since I bought it back in September 2015. So why then have I I just traded it in for this? (Apologies for s
tty iPhone pics)
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
Well, there are about 414 good reasons laying under that bulge in the bonnet. But to put it bluntly, I've changed jobs this year and I'm lucky enough to be earning enough to justify something a bit sillier. I also bought that comedy Volvo TDI as my daily, so fuel economy and such things are no longer a consideration. The Mrs and I arent quite ready to buy a house right now, and most of the stuff on the market is garbage anyway. So what you're looking at here is probably the fastest house deposit you've ever seen.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
So the car itself is a 2007 car in "Melbourne Red Metallic". It has the options of 19" wheels, "Pro" Navigation, Heated seats, High Beam assist, PDC and a few other nice little bits like the carbon splitter things on the front. It's done 53,000 miles and is genuinely in better condition than my Toyota was at 25k. The previous owner has clearly cherished it, even doing little jobs like retrimming the steering wheel. It was also at a Main Dealer, so I get a years warranty which is nice.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
How does it drive? Well compared to the GT86, like a f**king rocket ship. The engine is incredible, I finally get what people were talking about with these things. And the noise, my god. It's obviously had the rear silencer "Mod" done as its bloody loud, but quiet enough inside the cabin as to not give me ear ache. I'll just apologise to the neighbours in advance before I start appearing as a menace on the local residents facebook page.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
Plans for it? Well me and the Mrs are going to Lake Como for a week in August. Can't wait to drive it there via the Nurburgring, its home at Munich and a few other choice stops! I see myself keeping it for a year or so before I either sell it for a house, or just try and buy a house and run this and work out how to avoid debt collectors.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on Flickr
In before "Lives at home wker" comments. But so far, so pleasing. Trip down to Bournemouth next weekend to stretch its legs and then I'll decide whether to make changes. I will take some proper pictures soon, but I'm a very busy boy!
tty iPhone pics)Untitled by Jason.Easton, on FlickrWell, there are about 414 good reasons laying under that bulge in the bonnet. But to put it bluntly, I've changed jobs this year and I'm lucky enough to be earning enough to justify something a bit sillier. I also bought that comedy Volvo TDI as my daily, so fuel economy and such things are no longer a consideration. The Mrs and I arent quite ready to buy a house right now, and most of the stuff on the market is garbage anyway. So what you're looking at here is probably the fastest house deposit you've ever seen.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on FlickrSo the car itself is a 2007 car in "Melbourne Red Metallic". It has the options of 19" wheels, "Pro" Navigation, Heated seats, High Beam assist, PDC and a few other nice little bits like the carbon splitter things on the front. It's done 53,000 miles and is genuinely in better condition than my Toyota was at 25k. The previous owner has clearly cherished it, even doing little jobs like retrimming the steering wheel. It was also at a Main Dealer, so I get a years warranty which is nice.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on FlickrHow does it drive? Well compared to the GT86, like a f**king rocket ship. The engine is incredible, I finally get what people were talking about with these things. And the noise, my god. It's obviously had the rear silencer "Mod" done as its bloody loud, but quiet enough inside the cabin as to not give me ear ache. I'll just apologise to the neighbours in advance before I start appearing as a menace on the local residents facebook page.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on FlickrPlans for it? Well me and the Mrs are going to Lake Como for a week in August. Can't wait to drive it there via the Nurburgring, its home at Munich and a few other choice stops! I see myself keeping it for a year or so before I either sell it for a house, or just try and buy a house and run this and work out how to avoid debt collectors.
Untitled by Jason.Easton, on FlickrIn before "Lives at home w
ker" comments. But so far, so pleasing. Trip down to Bournemouth next weekend to stretch its legs and then I'll decide whether to make changes. I will take some proper pictures soon, but I'm a very busy boy!daemon said:
Lovely car - health and strength to enjoy!
Quite bemusing though that a GT86 owner (no, no, its not underpowered, really. Its perfectly balanced) realises that more power is more fun!
Cheers Quite bemusing though that a GT86 owner (no, no, its not underpowered, really. Its perfectly balanced) realises that more power is more fun!
Well I do still love the GT86. I just did the man maths to afford something really, really dumb. Will miss the Toyota, no really! Was a cracker.
LankyLegoHead said:
daemon said:
Lovely car - health and strength to enjoy!
Quite bemusing though that a GT86 owner (no, no, its not underpowered, really. Its perfectly balanced) realises that more power is more fun!
Cheers Quite bemusing though that a GT86 owner (no, no, its not underpowered, really. Its perfectly balanced) realises that more power is more fun!
Well I do still love the GT86. I just did the man maths to afford something really, really dumb. Will miss the Toyota, no really! Was a cracker.
I'm sure you'll have a ball with the M3. Its an itch i'm going to have to scratch at some point too!
LankyLegoHead said:
So what you're looking at here is probably the fastest house deposit you've ever seen.
you only live once and its not like interest rates are at 6%... reality can wait a year 
Whats the driving position and general feel like in comparion to the GT86? Despite the power do they both have that special feel?
economicpygmy said:
you only live once and its not like interest rates are at 6%... reality can wait a year Whats the driving position and general feel like in comparion to the GT86? Despite the power do they both have that special feel?
The GT86 has much better driving position, and overall feel compared. The M3 did feel a little bit like a boat to start with, but anything does after the '86. However the steering is bloody good, very direct in both "Normal" and "Sport" mode with lots of feel. The M3 feels like a point and squirt muscle car in some situations, and others it feels like an agile little sports car. They are complete worlds apart though, and it's going to take some time for me to get used to the change. However, so far I'm adoring it!
LankyLegoHead said:
I'm not ready to Adult yet.
In all fairness, once you buy a house, you might struggle to be able to afford something like this. Considering they're holding their value very well, it's not a bad way to go. Just make sure you don't get stuck in a rut of constantly putting the house off for fast/expensive cars. It will need to happen at some point i'm afraid but it's the sensible thing to do.
But, for now, enjoy being anything but that. Lovely colour and a blissful engine. Definitely one on the "to own" list
Coincidentally I own both the gt86 and the M3.
M3 is fast etc, but at the end of the day it is a big 3 series, annoying details such as the instrument cluster being hard to see from various seating positions.
The GT86 is a properly thought out sports car though, really neat little car.
Both have advantages and disadvantages.
M3 is fast etc, but at the end of the day it is a big 3 series, annoying details such as the instrument cluster being hard to see from various seating positions.
The GT86 is a properly thought out sports car though, really neat little car.
Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Edited by jamoor on Monday 20th February 11:18
yonex said:
There is a way to go yet before they bottom out and the residuals, if you buy an AUC with a view to short term ownership, are average at best. That was my experience anyway.
True but i just meant that they're not going to lose a heavy amount of value any time soon, depending on how long OP has the car for, obviously. It's not depreciation-proof by any means but i wouldn't expect a big loss either.
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