BMW M3 (F80): PH Carpool
Leasing, manual M cars and new versus used in one Carpool!
Car: BMW M3 F80
Owned since: May 2016
Previously owned: Toyota Auris, Rover 416i x 2, MG ZS, VW Golf GTI Mk4 and BMW 325i E92
One week in and this PHer is loving it
"My first 'proper' car, after a lot of graft, was my E92 325i. I absolutely loved it and had some great adventures in it, but it always left me wanting more power. Also, with a wedding imminent and plans for kids just round the corner, I felt like a two-door would soon become tedious. I also - very luckily - have a fiancee that understands why I think practicality and an M3 go hand in hand.
"I have been a BMW and M3 fanboy since I was about 10 years old. Seeing the first pictures of the new M3 two years ago only intensified by yearning for one. Ever since then, I was religiously checking the BMW approved used site tracking the prices of secondhand versions. Once the decision was made to sell the 325 a budget was set and the search began.
"After making a few enquires and chickening out of some deals (an M3 is a big step from a 325!), one particular dealer suggested leasing and ordering a brand new one. Initially this seemed completely insane but I found by happy accident that by dragging my heels the price just kept tumbling down. Initially the first dealer I spoke to was £350 over my monthly budget, but after some haggling I got the monthly cost down to only £30 over my original target.
"Leasing among my friends is a controversial issue, but I have always believed if you are well within your means and it's something you are passionate about then do it. I would say to anyone out there considering this kind of thing that you will be surprised at what deals you can do. Yes, it is still an extravagant purchase, but it is not as expensive as you might think.
"It is also worth noting I went for the manual. I know the DCT is probably a better match for the engine given that it can be a little tricky to shift smoothly and fast enough. I decided I will always try to go for a manual for as long as I possibly can. I am petrified that in the next 15 years we will all end up being driven around by Google and motoring journalism will be more like consumer advice for fridges."
Silverstone a late swap from Yas Marina blue
"This will be obvious to more seasoned readers, but almost all of the insurance companies I spoke to expected me to have been driving for five years, to be over 30 years old and have a tracker fitted to the car. I was just about OK on the first two points, but that could've turned out to be very expensive otherwise! I had not budgeted for the tracker, the cost of which made a mockery of my original man maths budget."
Things I love:
"I haven't driven a huge array of cars, but I have driven a Nissan GT-R and Ferrari 360 Modena at Silverstone for a couple of laps. The acceleration is intense, really intense. As a true greenhorn performance car owner idiot I nearly drove it straight across a T-junction two miles from the dealership! It definitely feels quicker than a 360 by a long way; it's not quite as rapid as a GT-R but it's not far off! I can't even take it past 5,500rpm yet and it picks up speed in such a relentless manner. I can't wait to get the rev counter flashing.
"I love the sound. There. I said it. Yes it is slightly odd at times, but overall I think it sounds awesome and only adds to the intensity of the experience. I love how anti-social and angry it sounds at a cold start. I will accept that it sounds a little better on the outside than the inside, but for me leaving the throttle in Sport mode is more than enough. Tunnels and underground car parks have become very fun indeed! I also like the faint hissing of the turbos and blow off valve under heavy acceleration.
"I went for the M3 over the M4 partly because of practicality, but also because I think it doesn't have to try as hard to look special. The swollen wheelarches with the rear wheels just tucked under snugly look perfect to me. I initially had my heart set on the Yas Marina blue, then at the last minute I went with Silverstone which, to my eyes, is sublime."
Things I hate:
"The default driving modes when the car starts are a bit odd. It starts with efficient throttle and the suspension and steering in sport. Then the M1 button on the steering wheel inverts that so the throttle is sport but the suspension and steering are in comfort. God knows what kind of meeting decided on that. I personally would rather it started all in comfort and then leave the M1 button for spirited drives rather than being my go-to button when the car starts. First world problems though I suppose.
"The tyre roar is intense, especially at motorway speeds on the awful southern stretches of the M25. It was a bit unexpected if I am honest and detracts from the refined nature of the car. But, again, first world problems."
Costs:
"There are no real costs other than petrol and tyres to worry about for the next couple of years. It has a warranty which includes breakdown and I included a service pack which covers the first five years or 50,000 miles of servicing. The service pack and a 4.5 per cent APR (less than half offered on approved used) swayed me over from considering secondhand versions."
One of Adam's favourite angles!
"I've only had it a week or so and it's nearly ready for its first 1,200-mile service. Mostly it's been from London to the coast and back again. I took it straight from the dealership to a weekend away for a wedding in Suffolk, which was a nice opportunity to wake up early and enjoy some amazing country roads! I've also been to the south coast through Surrey and Sussex for no good reason other than the pursuit of fun. And the completely unnecessary road trip to Whitstable for fish and chips... I'm finding it hard to stay away at the moment!"
What next?
"I'm vaguely considering the titanium Akrapovic system but I just don't think that the sound is anywhere near as bad as some people make out to justify the £2-£3K cost of fitting.
"I really want to take a road trip around Europe, including a pilgrimage out to the Nurburgring - although I think I will be booking a 'ring taxi rather than driving round myself.
"I'm considering quite seriously the BMW driver training reviewed on PistonHeads recently. I am very much aware my driving talent will run out quite quickly if I am not very careful!"
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