Is there an alternative to an M3?

[vladd]

Thinking of changing my car in the next 6 to 12 months. My initial thought is to go for a 2 to 3 year old M3, but are there any real alternatives?

Anyone suggesting FWD or diesel will be ignored.

[Smartie]

guessing your budget is £25k ish?

M5
Jag S type R
Audi S4
Volvo S60R
Cerbera

Lots of them really!!

[vladd]

M5 - Interesting but I prefer the smaller M3.
Jag S type R - Do they do it in a manual?
Audi S4 - Audis seem a bit run of the mill.
Volvo S60R - as do Volvos.
Cerbera - I like the idea of all that noise and peformance, but I thing they look a bit streched and my previous TVR experience was a bit of a disaster.

[fq400]

Audi S4/RS4 or Mitsi Evo - btw the new audi's look very good and drive very good, give it a go you might find you like it! Evo driving experience is like no other but going from an M3 you'll find the interior disgusting

[vladd]

I did think about the Evo, but service intervals of 4,500K seem a bit severe. Would be OK for a second car, but no as a main driver.

[goode262]

I really like my RX8.

How does a wankel take your fancy sir?



G

[Killer2005]

R33 GTR skyline?

[mattd]

That sort of money would get you a new Nissan 350z

[greg2k]

Alpina B3?

[vladd]

RX8 - Nice idea. I'll have to test drive one.

R33 GTR skyline - What are they like to live with. Are they import only?

Nissan 350z - Really nice, but only 2 seats.

Alpina B3 - Very nice, but not as fast as an M3 and are they auto only?

[Zod]

Don't buy an S4 without driving it against an M3. It's a completely different car.

[sjc]

HSV, no question....

[tony.t]

Porsche

[Zod]

sjc said:

HSV, no question....

Of course there's a question and the answer is not an Australian tractor.

[GetCarter]

If you want 4 proper seats, a big boot and a fast car for about £25k, M3 E46 is about as good as you'll get. Get it onto track, take the granny button off and it's a real hoot.

Just remember, it's hopeless if you live in a town, as nobody will ever let you in, and every chav with big speakers will try and burn you up at lights.

My tip... buy the E46 and move to a quiet bit of the country.



Steve

[Zod]

GetCarter said:

If you want 4 proper seats, a big boot and a fast car for about £25k, M3 E46 is about as good as you'll get. Get it onto track, take the granny button off and it's a real hoot. Just remember, it's hopeless if you live in a town, as nobody will ever let you in, and every chav with big speakers will try and burn you up at lights. My tip... buy the E46 and move to a quiet bit of the country. Steve

I've had threee M3s in London and never had trouble with being let out of junctions. I let others out and others let me out. I really don't attract this kind of aggression. The bit about chavs is correct, but the best way to deal with them is to drive in granny mode, I find. It confuses them that a fast car isn't being used to burn up and down city streets.

[_VTEC_]

GetCarter said:

If you want 4 proper seats, a big boot and a fast car for about £25k, M3 E46 is about as good as you'll get. Get it onto track, take the granny button off and it's a real hoot. Just remember, it's hopeless if you live in a town, as nobody will ever let you in, and every chav with big speakers will try and burn you up at lights. My tip... buy the E46 and move to a quiet bit of the country. Steve

I'll second this, there really is no alternative. Although you could have an absolute mint R34 skyline for the same money but it's a bit of a different proposition.

[sjc]

Zod said:

sjc said: HSV, no question.... Of course there's a question and the answer is not an Australian tractor.

And you've driven exactly how many?

[greg2k]

vladd said:

Alpina B3 - Very nice, but not as fast as an M3 and are they auto only?

305 bhp (slightly less), six speed manual or slush box option, more exotic, higher residuals, cheaper and no 155 top speed (165mph top).

>> Edited by greg2k on Sunday 17th April 18:29

[bruciebabie]

Any Skoda, at least it isn't a BMW.
Seriously Jag S type R. The world's best sports saloon. Better made than a beemer. Far more comfortable. Infinitely superior cabin. The more powerful Germans cannot really use their extra power because they are sprung too hard for British roads.
M3 is bad for you image as a human being. Just don't go there.