New Car Advice, E46 M3

[FamilyDub]

I was looking at potentially getting an R32 this year, but I was put off because of (what I thought was) a prohibitive insurance quote for running a group 36 car. Quotes were around £900-975 mark.

As it turns out, basically insurance on any car seems to have shot up, and having a play on Admiral I've managed to find a quote on an E46 M3 for £1.1k!

Somehow to me, £900-975 seems ridiculous for an R32 when an M3 is not that much more...

Anyway, does any happy, friendly PH'er in Western/Central Scotland have an E46 M3 that I could have a reeeaaally good poke around in at a meet/event/run sometime?

Edited by FamilyDub on Friday 15th April 12:44

[Lambchopski]

Shame you're not further north(aberdeen) or I'd have given you a look round mine and a drive.

Brilliant cars imo. Cool, classy, comfortable and reasonably fast.

Plenty people like to slag them because they are a BMW. Jealousy is a terrible thing

[Lambchopski]

PS that's a lot for insurance, how old are you?

I think I pay £550ish at 31, no points.

[FamilyDub]

Thanks for the offer, but Aberdeen is a bit far!

I'm 28 with 4 Years NCB, 1x TS10 and SWMBO on the policy at 35, with 1x SP50 in a crappy post-code, although probably moving to a better one early next year.

To be fair, my GTI was the best part of £800 to insure, so £1k doesn't seem so bad for all that extra power/pace.

[BradleyA]

I have owned both the MK5 R32 and M3.

Both great cars but both very different.

They are both great value for money just now and if i had to buy another i would find it hard to pick between the two.

Power wise the M3 is the quicker car and if you have the b@lls so is the handling.

Alot of dogs out there with the E46 M3 so be carfeull.

Brad

[FamilyDub]

BradleyA said:

I have owned both the MK5 R32 and M3

^^ Care to elaborate on the R32 as an ownership perspective?

[BradleyA]

I had a 2005 Mk5 R32 and it was a great car but mines was stage 4 APS Tuned (300BHP) so i can comment much on a standard R32, i have drove one and as standard i was left a bit dissapointed.

Handling wise they are pretty good and the 4wd is VERY good.

Fuel consumpion was pretty bad with the R32 but it was the same with the M3 (both very low 20s MPG around town).

The R32 with a Miltek fitted is an amazing sounding car and sounds far far better than the M3.

If i was looking for a great all rounder then the R32 would win as the M3 is utter poinless in the snow and bad weather as where the R32 never ever let me down or got stuck in the snow.

[FamilyDub]

Thanks for your input, mate.

Trying to decide between running an expensive(ish) single car (i.e. the R32), or buying a derv stter and keeping something a bit more special (i.e. M3) for weekends and PH hoonage.

The boring part of me wants to stick with the MKV platform, because of the practicality, familiarity and I know what spec to look out for...

[garymorgan]

Post on here there are loads of owners who would allow you a wee poke round their cars.

http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_topics.asp?F...

[knightofni]

I've had an S3 and M3. Wife now almost refuses having a BMW due to the blatant abuse from some folks. The M3 was a real hooligan, only happy with a hint or more of oversteer. It can be expensive to run and it really does demand a lot of respect. Loved the S3 for it's all weather real world ability. Never tired of 4wd awesomeness off the line, especially in the wet. R32 has that, but with lovely engine noise also :-)
Under BMW warranty my 4 year old 10k (yep) car had new diff, clutch, headlight washer, driver seat frame, door handles and seat belt retainers replaced. It was SMG, so they couldn't argue over the clutch. Take from that what you will.
If you have any specific questions drop me PM

[FamilyDub]

knightofni said:

Under BMW warranty my 4 year old 10k (yep) car had new diff, clutch, headlight washer, driver seat frame, door handles and seat belt retainers replaced.

10k?!

knightofni said:

Loved the S3 for it's all weather real world ability. Never tired of 4wd awesomeness off the line, especially in the wet. R32 has that, but with lovely engine noise also.

Thought about S3, but the cylinder count is too low.

Edited by FamilyDub on Friday 15th April 21:27

[christofmccracke]

FamilyDub said:

Thanks for the offer, but Aberdeen is a bit far!

I'm 28 with 4 Years NCB, 1x TS10 and SWMBO on the policy at 35, with 1x SP50 in a crappy post-code, although probably moving to a better one early next year.

To be fair, my GTI was the best part of £800 to insure, so £1k doesn't seem so bad for all that extra power/pace.

im going to be 21 in july and judging by elephants online quote an m3 cabrio for me is 1300 with 3 yrs ncb
try elephant

[steelej]

knightofni said:

It was SMG, so they couldn't argue over the clutch.

Was the SMG box a standard single clutch automated manual box? I'm surprised that was covered under warranty, Ferrari def don't warranty the clutch in the F1 box.

John.

[6C4GTS]

steelej said:

Ferrari def don't warranty the clutch in the F1 box.

That's cos they don't want you to try and do a 50 point turn in a photo studio then drop them a bill!!

[MidnightXR6]

Lambchopski said:

Shame you're not further north(aberdeen) or I'd have given you a look round mine and a drive.

Brilliant cars imo. Cool, classy, comfortable and reasonably fast.

Plenty people like to slag them because they are a BMW. Jealousy is a terrible thing

Its a penis size thing lol.

Only kidding mate.

Id rather the R32 One of my neighbours has one with the milltek and its sounds great and makes me want one. 4x4 is just a bonus.

[knightofni]

steelej said:

Was the SMG box a standard single clutch automated manual box? I'm surprised that was covered under warranty, Ferrari def don't warranty the clutch in the F1 box.

John.

Single clutch, you were in it :-)

Also, when I said 10k it was miles, not pounds.

[FamilyDub]

knightofni said:

Also, when I said 10k it was miles, not pounds.

Yeah, picked that up, but that's mental.

[steelej]

6C4GTS said:

That's cos they don't want you to try and do a 50 point turn in a photo studio then drop them a bill!!

Lol

knightofni said:

Single clutch, you were in it :-)

Yes I'll never forget your mental driving was just surprised that on a standard single clutch automated manual you got a clutch change under warranty.

[ViperPict]

FamilyDub said:

Thanks for your input, mate.

Trying to decide between running an expensive(ish) single car (i.e. the R32), or buying a derv stter and keeping something a bit more special (i.e. M3) for weekends and PH hoonage.

The boring part of me wants to stick with the MKV platform, because of the practicality, familiarity and I know what spec to look out for...

This is my philosophy! You can then take the second car to the extremes of impracticalness!! My daily driver does about 25k miles per year, my fun car about 3k!

[Guffy]

I've owned a Mk IV R32 and an E46 M3. For engine note and looks the R32 (Still looks good now and i believe better looking than the mk V), but it was just too slow and suffered excessive body roll when cornering.

I traded in the R32 for the M3, which was indeed more spritely and agile, although the brakes weren't great, the manual box was very notchy and the engine lacked torque, but worst of all, no cup holders!!

(I have a B7 RS4 now, which manages that one-car compromise of speed, comfort, handling and grin factor extremely well..)