M3 to Exige

Author
Discussion

Blowfish

Original Poster:

298 posts

146 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Has anyone gone from an E92 M3 or somthing similar to a Lotus Exige S? My mileage has dropped significantly from 12k a year to more like 2k a year due to having to comute 3 times a week on a train so all my M3 gets used for is a 3 mile run to my local office and back a couple of times a week plus the odd fun drive. At the weekend we now use my g/f car to cart around the kids, shopping etc. So I am starting to think I would like something a bit more special than the M3 and am thinking the Exige S ticks the box. I would like to start doing 3/4 track days a year in my own car and the Exige would be ideal for this (me and a friend hire a caterham a couple of times a year at the moment). Should I be considering anything else? What would the exige be like on a long run? Whats the exige likely to cost on tyres/brakes if used on trackdays?

simpo555

560 posts

163 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Just do it. Once you've got it I just can't imagine that you'll do less than 2K miles per year. Cant comment on your current car or trackday expenses but simply for smiles per mile I've never known anything better. In addition, prices seem to have calmed down a little. Some nice cars out there in the £23/£26K band.

gizard

2,249 posts

282 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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I went 2008 e92 M3 DCT to 2010 Exige S 260BHP then back again to 2012 e92 M3

All depends on what you want from the car - I have not tracked the M3 (either of them) I don't think it would stand the punishment - or rather it would go through tyres, brakes and pads in minutes compared to the exige purely cause of the weight - The exige is much more fun on the right road (and any track imo) but for comfort obviously the M3 is much nicer place to be but if your not doing any distances and not needing to take little ones then the Exige is the one to have - with the added bonus it'll cost less to run in every respect.

will_968

2,138 posts

263 months

Thursday 24th April 2014
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I went from a e36 M3 GTR race car to a S1 Motorsport Elise race car. I suspect my use case is of little relevance though. wink

johnyt993

21 posts

151 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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I went from a 993 to an exige NA
Not really the same but...
The exige is brilliant but personally I would not want to have to use it regularly, even if it was just to drive a few miles to te station... Each to there own but I think it would get tiring, it's best kept for weekend fun if possible.

PKZ4M

184 posts

147 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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Hi I went from a manual V8 M3 to a Mk II n/a Exige in 2008. Clearly comfort, build quality and torque take a major step back, but in terms of attention, that special feeling, steering feeling, grip (in the dry), and general race car feel, the Exige is awesome. Fit a noisy exhaust and as a weekend / track day car it takes some beating.

I currently have a 1M as my weekend car, but I still find myself looking at Lotus adverts. Prior to Exige I had previously owned a MkI Elise a VX220, M3 CS and a couple of Z3 M Coupes.... So different as they are both M's and Lotus track cars tick my box!!! Lotus much cheaper on brakes and tyres on track due to weight. Exige is ok on a long run although my wife never understood it! It is noisy and raw, but that's part of the appeal.

Do it!

Edited by PKZ4M on Saturday 26th April 20:58


Edited by PKZ4M on Sunday 27th April 20:32

Blowfish

Original Poster:

298 posts

146 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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Still undecided at the moment. Been offered a cracking deal on a new exige s and had a test drive the other day of which blew me away. Don't think torque will be an issue as the new one has bundles in every gear! And to make it even more tempting they would take my M and I don't pay anything for two years shoot

PKZ4M

184 posts

147 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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Yeah I guess a supercharged V6 is a very different animal to the 4 cylinder n/a wheezer that my Exige had. Torque clearly won't be an issue. Can I ask how cracking a deal you've been offered? You've now got me thinking......

irish boy

3,519 posts

235 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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I'm in exactly the same boat, have an e92 m3 edition, weekend use only, and have been eyeing up the 0% finance deals lotus are offering at the minute. Took my car for a good spin last night and the problem is that it does drive so well when pushed on, had a very enjoyable run. And it's nice to be able to offer to drive when taking friends/customers out for dinner etc.

Very much enjoyed my 08 exige tho for the time I had it....


Decisions.....

Frimley111R

15,533 posts

233 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Evora could tick both boxes?

irish boy

3,519 posts

235 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Frimley111R said:
Evora could tick both boxes?
Was actually just looking them up at the weekend.....never seen one in the flesh but may be worth more investigation!!

Blowfish

Original Poster:

298 posts

146 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Personally I am not a fan of the evora. It's either stick with my frozen edition m3 or a new exige.


Frimley111R said:
Evora could tick both boxes?