E36 M3 saloon or Accord Type-R?

[Strugs]

I know how much you all love this type of thread, but please humour me..

Need a performance saloon (4 door) for 12-18 months..

Criteria:

- Up to £4.5k
- As much 'oomph' as poss (with possibly one track outing)
- Sorted handling
- Minimal (further) depreciation (quite key consideration)
- Not cost it's purchase price to run..
- Not an Impreza/Lancer, and don't really think a T5 would tick enough boxes..

I'm thinking E36 M3 saloon (if I can find one at all, let alone one with good history!) or Accord Type-R..

Any other ideas? Anyone driven both the above?

TIA!

[Strugs]

MissChief said:

E46 330i?

Been there, done that..

Has been on my short list.. Great car.. not sure how the value would hold up for the next year, and I think on balance an E36 M3 would edge the E46 330 (apart from servicing costs, I'd imagine!)?

[Strugs]

morgrp said:

Audi A6 Quattro 2.7 bi-turbo or 4.2 v8?

Hadn't considered an Audi for the lack of handling? But if I could stretch to a B7 RS4.. I wish!

[Strugs]

Good stuff above, folks, thank you..

Drove an ATR today.. nice car (and really nice seller!), but came away somewhat underwhelmed by the performance. I guess I expected it, but you do really need to be in the VTEC zone before it lifts it's skirts (at all) and that's not really to my taste.. I know ATRs are about the handling, but I'm never really going to experience that in a (shortish) test drive in someone else's p&j..

M3 saloons are so rare, I'll probably seek a drive in a coupe just to "get the general idea" and then (if it floats my boat) keep me beady's peeled for a saloon..

[Strugs]

LiamM45 said:

Something a little different?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

For the record I have nothing to do with either advert, and haven't driven either, but the Mondeo certainly looks a lot of car for not a lot of cash.

ST220 doesn't do much for me, but it has got me running to the classifieds for an ST200..

Spotted that GTA, but can't help thinking the ad is somewhat 'lacking'..

[Strugs]

Just noticed a couple of slightly doggy MG ZT 260s in the classifieds that aren't a million miles off my budget.. Mmm.. V8..

[Strugs]

NelsonR32 said:

I've had long term experience owning both. Both have some flaws which will cost you money.

The Accord was superb, best steering i've had in any car and VTEC is addictive. However, many have "modz" and it's hard to find a clean original and low mileage one. As they get older piston ring wear and bulkhead rot are becoming very common which is why you see so many being broken these days.

The Accord was expensive, but the E36 M3 for me has been a whole new level of expenditure on a car. It's certainly a level up on performance though. The steering isn't great compared to the Accord as it has too many turns lock-to-lock, but I'll be sorting this tomorrow with a E46 steering rack. It can also be a pig to drive in traffic (notchy gearbox, stiff accelerator pedal and low clutch bite point are all standard on the E36 M3!) but at the same time hugely rewarding on a weekend morning blast which is what I use mine for.

With both cars unless you spend top money you will be looking at spending at least what you paid again getting them to mint condition if you have OCD like me and I am not exaggerating!

Cracking response.. just what I was after - someone that's owned both! Cheers..

[Strugs]

jezhumphrey75 said:

get the honda, dont be another bmw bellend

Have owned a E36 328 and an E46 330 previously, and currently own a E30 325 'vert so, seeing as I'm already a bell-end, I can't see owning another would hurt..

[Strugs]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

Some worthy suggestions, but no one has come up with the answer yet.

The X308 XJR. Such performance. Such presence. I miss mine. Even nippier with the pulley upgrade too.

Must confess, I have scanned the Jag section of the classifieds for these and the S Type R..