BMW E92 M3...What else to consider?
Discussion
Hi guys, my lease is up middle of next year on my 330d M sport. car is faultless and perfect in almost everyway.
Leasing a car sounded perfect at the time, but we are constantly watching mileage (have now gone over quota so every mile is costing 14p), that added the feeling that is is somebody elses car detracts from the experience.
So I am going to buy a car, being a huge BMW guy, and with a budget of ~£25k, the V8 M3 goes straight to the top of my list. for that I can get ~40k miles with DCT g/box and some nice options.
But what else could I get for the money that feels/looks as good?
Needs to have 2 pedals, petrol engine, mileage not a big deal but will need to have a very 'well wearing' interior if it has done a few miles. coupe/estate/saloon considered, no cab/suv/crossovers.
I am struggling to think of anything that matches up to the M3, on my list of considerations were:
Audi S5
Audi S6
Jag XK
E60 M5
but for one reason or another I would rather own the M3 than all of those. The only car I can think of that may tempt me is a C63 estate. whats the concensous on V8 M3 coupe VS C63 estate? bearing in mind I do not need the extra bootspace, but love estate cars.
Also, on another note, does anyone have any experience of a F8* 330d and a previous generation C63? would love to know how they compare.
nice dilemna to have I know, but dont want to buy the wrong car! help would be appreciated!
Leasing a car sounded perfect at the time, but we are constantly watching mileage (have now gone over quota so every mile is costing 14p), that added the feeling that is is somebody elses car detracts from the experience.
So I am going to buy a car, being a huge BMW guy, and with a budget of ~£25k, the V8 M3 goes straight to the top of my list. for that I can get ~40k miles with DCT g/box and some nice options.
But what else could I get for the money that feels/looks as good?
Needs to have 2 pedals, petrol engine, mileage not a big deal but will need to have a very 'well wearing' interior if it has done a few miles. coupe/estate/saloon considered, no cab/suv/crossovers.
I am struggling to think of anything that matches up to the M3, on my list of considerations were:
Audi S5
Audi S6
Jag XK
E60 M5
but for one reason or another I would rather own the M3 than all of those. The only car I can think of that may tempt me is a C63 estate. whats the concensous on V8 M3 coupe VS C63 estate? bearing in mind I do not need the extra bootspace, but love estate cars.
Also, on another note, does anyone have any experience of a F8* 330d and a previous generation C63? would love to know how they compare.
nice dilemna to have I know, but dont want to buy the wrong car! help would be appreciated!
C63 - Epic engine, "edgy" handling
E92 M3 - good engine, precise handling.
Think Sledgehammer vs Scalpel. Now if we could just get the engine from the C63 into an E92, that would be perfect
I test-drove both a while ago when car shopping, and preferred the E92 for how precise it was, and how good the engine sounds when you get to the top of the rev band. You have to work it hard, but it's worth it.
Totally off the wall suggestion if coupes are allowed: get the best 997 C2 that you can find. I can promise that you'll be grinning every time you drive it.
E92 M3 - good engine, precise handling.
Think Sledgehammer vs Scalpel. Now if we could just get the engine from the C63 into an E92, that would be perfect
I test-drove both a while ago when car shopping, and preferred the E92 for how precise it was, and how good the engine sounds when you get to the top of the rev band. You have to work it hard, but it's worth it.
Totally off the wall suggestion if coupes are allowed: get the best 997 C2 that you can find. I can promise that you'll be grinning every time you drive it.
Edited by DavidJG on Wednesday 25th November 16:14
I am loving my M3 E92 more each day. It has a little more power than standard at 450 bhp, but it's a very good car for many reasons.
Good space inside, great engine and handling, strong brakes, a lovely sound (even better since the de-cat and sports cat-back) and looks great imo, especially in this white/black colour.
Go for it!
Good space inside, great engine and handling, strong brakes, a lovely sound (even better since the de-cat and sports cat-back) and looks great imo, especially in this white/black colour.
Go for it!
DavidJG said:
Totally of the wall suggestion if coupes are allowed: get the best 997 C2 that you can find. I can promise that you'll be grinning every time you drive it.
actually a very good suggestion, didnt realise the 997 had dropped to my price bracket, straight to the classifieds! although i have a feeling we will need to transport 3-4 adults semi-regularly.DavidJG said:
Totally off the wall suggestion if coupes are allowed: get the best 997 C2 that you can find. I can promise that you'll be grinning every time you drive it.
For that price you are looking at gen 1 with the associated IMS and bore-scoring b
ks.I have no idea whether the scaremongering is justified but there appears to be enough internet chatter to put at least one potential buyer off (me).
And now I find that I am pushing the budget up CONSIDERABLY to get anything close to a step up from the E92 M3.
aponting389 said:
but for one reason or another I would rather own the M3 than all of those. The only car I can think of that may tempt me is a C63 estate. whats the concensous on V8 M3 coupe VS C63 estate? bearing in mind I do not need the extra bootspace, but love estate cars.
If you get the M3 have the 2.5 mod done. It sounds lovely A good friend of mines had both and I've driven them a fair bit,, the E92 was a good car but never made me feel like I wanted one, don't really know why but he sold it after about 6 months.
His current C63 estate 6.2 it's a completely different animal, a bit softer all round but goes like a rocket and makes you grin every time you drive it, not that much different on fuel either
His current C63 estate 6.2 it's a completely different animal, a bit softer all round but goes like a rocket and makes you grin every time you drive it, not that much different on fuel either
If you only want two pedals then the C63 AMG all day long, I have always loved the C63 but wanted a manual so I went for a E92 M3 instead, the C63 sounds better and pulls better and with the M3 its very hard to tell it has a V8 in it at low revs but it does come alive on its top end though.
You will enjoy a C63 far more and for more of the time...a 6.2 V8 versus 4.0 V8...I know some say bigger isn't always better...but in this case though it just is!
You will enjoy a C63 far more and for more of the time...a 6.2 V8 versus 4.0 V8...I know some say bigger isn't always better...but in this case though it just is!
Steven_RW said:
I think as an overall package it is a lovely car.
What sort of mileage do you do? I really liked my E92 DCT M3 but the fuel economy wasn't the best when doing longer trips.
If fuel econ isn't that important it will be hard to come up with a better suggestion.
Steven RW
around 15k PA. what kind of MPG did you see? thanksWhat sort of mileage do you do? I really liked my E92 DCT M3 but the fuel economy wasn't the best when doing longer trips.
If fuel econ isn't that important it will be hard to come up with a better suggestion.
Steven RW
It depends on whether you are any good at driving and/or enjoy B roads. The fact that you want an auto suggests that you are more into speed than involvement and handling. If so, go for the C63. It's a blunt tool compared to the BMW, but it might well be more your cup of tea.
For what it's worth, I think the smaller V8 in the M3 is by far the more interesting and exciting engine.
For what it's worth, I think the smaller V8 in the M3 is by far the more interesting and exciting engine.
ORD said:
It depends on whether you are any good at driving and/or enjoy B roads. The fact that you want an auto suggests that you are more into speed than involvement and handling. If so, go for the C63. It's a blunt tool compared to the BMW, but it might well be more your cup of tea.
For what it's worth, I think the smaller V8 in the M3 is by far the more interesting and exciting engine.
i need an auto because my fiance has to drive it too and she has been cosseted to such a degree by the almost too good 8-speed auto in the 330d for the last 2 years that she simply wont consider manual again!For what it's worth, I think the smaller V8 in the M3 is by far the more interesting and exciting engine.
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