Monaro vs. M3 choice ?
Discussion
I'll probably be replacing my E36 M3 sometime later this year. The "obvious" path is an E46 M3, since these are becoming a lot more affordable these days. I don't really want 4 doors, so an E39 M5 isn't really an option although they are temptingly cheap now...
I've seen lots of positive reviews of the Monaro, and it strikes me as being an interesting performance alternative. I'm not worried about fuel consumption, and I quite like the idea of a bigger car too (I'm tall, and find headroom a problem in many cars). I don't really want to go the HSV route as I prefer the idea of an official UK imported and warranteed car.
So, can anyone give me an idea about how the Monaro compares to the M3 from a driving and ownership point of view ?
"straight sixes are for hearses"?
Contraversial....
They are chalk and cheese those vehicles. The sentiment behind each is similar but the execution is poles apart. I actually love both of them and have driven your model M3 and the Munro.
Personally, if money was no object Id have the M3 or M3 CSL. For me, it makes less compromises out of the box (and you pay for it of course!). If funds are more of a consideration, the Monaro is on of the great performance bargains of the UK car market in the last 15-20 years. They have different plus points and tick different boxes.
Its a tough choice Id love to be faced with!!
PB
Contraversial....
They are chalk and cheese those vehicles. The sentiment behind each is similar but the execution is poles apart. I actually love both of them and have driven your model M3 and the Munro.
Personally, if money was no object Id have the M3 or M3 CSL. For me, it makes less compromises out of the box (and you pay for it of course!). If funds are more of a consideration, the Monaro is on of the great performance bargains of the UK car market in the last 15-20 years. They have different plus points and tick different boxes.
Its a tough choice Id love to be faced with!!
PB
Hi Outnumbered
There are at least two people who have come across from owning E43 M3's, Mose (paul) and Agh (andy) and the smile has not come off ther faces since doing it. They both changed for ther own reasons which they will post when the read this.
I am also quite tall and can say the the driving position in the Monaro is the best that I have had in any car. I have no idea of your budget but at the moment there is one of the tastiest vxr monaro's around available with all the mods done on the piston heads classified site,
The cars as stated are quite different beasts in alot of ways, but the Monaros deliver all the goods Performance wise with out any of the large tech 2 inspection bills and servicing cost are fraction of the M3. Plus far more exclusive a great conversation piece and you get let out at junctions!!!!!
Hope you make the right choice.
>> Edited by P7VXR on Friday 17th February 20:40
There are at least two people who have come across from owning E43 M3's, Mose (paul) and Agh (andy) and the smile has not come off ther faces since doing it. They both changed for ther own reasons which they will post when the read this.
I am also quite tall and can say the the driving position in the Monaro is the best that I have had in any car. I have no idea of your budget but at the moment there is one of the tastiest vxr monaro's around available with all the mods done on the piston heads classified site,
The cars as stated are quite different beasts in alot of ways, but the Monaros deliver all the goods Performance wise with out any of the large tech 2 inspection bills and servicing cost are fraction of the M3. Plus far more exclusive a great conversation piece and you get let out at junctions!!!!!
Hope you make the right choice.
>> Edited by P7VXR on Friday 17th February 20:40
One does most of the driving for you, one will give your enjoyment back. One will get lots of (nice) attention the other ? One will cost you an arm and some if it goes wrong(Vanos anyone), the other will surprise you with its (small for the type of car)running costs. One will always be a bit different, rare and for those in the know, the other will be for the person who can't see past a badge(no offence).............oh and one comes with indicators
This is the revolving door syndrome all over again innit?
There is no doubt that the M3 is a very desirable car with massive driver appeal, I loved every minute of DRIVING mine, but I cursed every moment of OWNING it. But that is down to a very bad experience with BMW themselves over a car that was delivered in a shoking state, had countless electrical faults, was in BMWs hands more than it was on my driveway and there was no way on Gods earth that BMW would accept it as a rejected car.
The M3 is now very affordable, has depreciated like a brick over last 12 months but sadly as affordable as the car might be, they are becoming increasingly more common and unfortunately ending up in the wrong hands. The M3 was mass produced and BMW sold a shed load of them in the UK.
On the other hand, there is the Monaro, in its CV8 or VXR guise and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the M3 isnt a patch on the Monaro and it never will be. You need to drive both cars. But the Monaro will almsot definately make you smile bigger.
There is no doubt that the M3 is a very desirable car with massive driver appeal, I loved every minute of DRIVING mine, but I cursed every moment of OWNING it. But that is down to a very bad experience with BMW themselves over a car that was delivered in a shoking state, had countless electrical faults, was in BMWs hands more than it was on my driveway and there was no way on Gods earth that BMW would accept it as a rejected car.
The M3 is now very affordable, has depreciated like a brick over last 12 months but sadly as affordable as the car might be, they are becoming increasingly more common and unfortunately ending up in the wrong hands. The M3 was mass produced and BMW sold a shed load of them in the UK.
On the other hand, there is the Monaro, in its CV8 or VXR guise and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the M3 isnt a patch on the Monaro and it never will be. You need to drive both cars. But the Monaro will almsot definately make you smile bigger.
If money is no object, theres a German tuning house that rebuilds a stock M3 with some nice touches including a rip snorting V8. Cant remember their name, saw it on Men and Motors (sad, sorry) the other night. Had the one thing all BMWs lack, individuality.
Still think the Mon is an all round better choice, Its an absolute hoot !
Still think the Mon is an all round better choice, Its an absolute hoot !
outnumbered said:
I don't really want to go the HSV route as I prefer the idea of an official UK imported and warranteed car.
So, can anyone give me an idea about how the Monaro compares to the M3 from a driving and ownership point of view ?
Hiya
The HSV GTS and GTS-R are UK cars, i.e. official imported UK cars. all then insurance companies recognise them as UK cars. a warranty can be bought for a few hundred pounds.
I will be happy to talk to you about how good they are. As for comparison with an M3, just test one and see.
Richard
Looks like the Monaro then ! Dont know where you live, but if you are ever in the Bagshot area, I'll take you out for a spin.
Get one of the Monaro variants, and enjoy it while you can. The tree huggers and whale savers have already got such cars in their sights. You can always sell it if you hate it, but I bet you five curries you will still have it after a year HeHe He..........
Get one of the Monaro variants, and enjoy it while you can. The tree huggers and whale savers have already got such cars in their sights. You can always sell it if you hate it, but I bet you five curries you will still have it after a year HeHe He..........
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