Daily Drive/Weekend Warrior

[jonboy21t]

Evening all.....i've been running a mapped mk5 Golf GTi as my daily hack for sometime...it's fast, furious but front wheel drive...
i've got a £8k-£10k budget & am thinking of a couple of options....
1: E46 M3 (a dealer friend of mine has offered me a 2003 low miles silver M3 with good history & no mods etc for £8k)
OR
2: 996 Carerra 4 (2000 model - again with full history - no mods etc)for £9k..
Now, i've always fancied both cars....can anyone offer me an insight into daily drive useage....??
I do 40-50 miles round trip a day 7 it's a mix of A,B&C roads.......
I look forward to any comments/pointers etc.....
Thanks in advance...

jon

[jonboy21t]

V8GEE said:

tbh i would steer clear of the m3.. as nice as they may look and sound their not all that fun to drive. they dont feel as powerfull as you would expect as opposed to an e36 m3 they feel much more fun..

Thanks for the advise...i'm due to visit & have a test drive so i'm sure that will answer any questions regarding the drive etc.....

To be honest the golf pulls really well but i'm bored of wheel spin - especially in the wet.....

Maybe the 996 deserves a test drive...

[jonboy21t]

The 996 is a Carerra 4 - so good for the commute on B&C roads.......
I was thinking of a 996 as an entry level into 911 ownership...i'd like a 997 but can't afford one...so a low mileage 996 example with good service history would fit the bill & my wallet..
I have a local independant specialist who only works on Porsches & he's offered to go with me for a second viewing if so required..

As for the M3, i'm test driving that tomorrow....hopefully the rain will hold off enough....

[jonboy21t]

shentodj said:

A friend recently bought a tidy 996 with good history, just under 100K miles.
Within 6 months it needed a complete engine rebuild (which they've just had done by specialist in Yorkshire for >£10K).
I'd look for one with a newly rebuilt (warranted) engine to be safe - there seem to be plenty going wrong/being fixed.

Regards,
Shentodj

Thanks.....advise duly noted..!!!!

[jonboy21t]

Zebrs said:

What did you think of the M3 or did rain stop play?

The weather was shocking & rain did stop play.....
My dealer friend is a couple of hours to the north & i didn't fancy the drive there or a test drive in the rain....so we've rescheduled for this weekend....

I will report back......am now planning to drive/test the M3 before looking at 996's....

[jonboy21t]

Bugger, the link the "wild card" has gone.........i've been off the radar for sometime.....i never did get to my buddies garage to test some cars but am heading there next weekend - he has various options in stock (M3's, Boxster & 996) & hope to decide which way to go..

so, what was the "wild card"......

[jonboy21t]

well, just got back from a weekend in Staffordshire - walking today & test driving yesterday....

The 996 had already been sold to was limited to a 2003 SMG M3, a 2004 manual M3 & a 2.7 Boxster, after test driving all 3 i went for the manual M3 - i didnt get on with SMG & Mrs Cooke said she'd prefer to drive the manaual as and when required - the Boxster was ok but only 2 seats so not really a contender..

He's taken the GTi in part-ex & i'm heading back up in two weeks to pick up the M3....& i can't wait...
i had an 1 hour test drive (A&B roads & a blast along the A38....cracking car..)

2004
Silver
100,000 miles
3 owners
BMW history
NO rust
Recent inspection 2 (5000 miles ago)
Continental sports on all 4 corners
New brakes discs/pads on all 4 corners
black leather
Harman Kardon stereo
etc......

just needs a pistonhead smiley..!!

I can't wait to pick it up...

Just need to work out how to upload a photo or two.......any pointers please...??

[jonboy21t]

[jonboy21t]

Sorted the upload....used the iPhone....happy days..!!