Struggling to find a special M car
Discussion
So i'm on the look out for a special M car, one I can keep for a long time and that I find desirable and might end up a future classic, but i'm struggling a bit.
E28 M5 - owned one of these before the market went silly and I would indeed fancy another one if an ultra low mileage example came up
E46 CSL - had one of these as well, superb, but kind of ticked that box, and it needs to right roads to shine IMO.
E60 M5 - hexagon have a very low mileage example in the classic blue/white spec, love the engine but a bit big and they want 40K for it
E30 M3 - found a nice one but they made too many of them IMO and I struggle to accept a 4 pot after having owned the E28, however not driven one yet and think I need to
opinions?
others in the running - E90 M3, M2 comp, M4 GTS but not especially floating my boat
not sure where else to go with it
E28 M5 - owned one of these before the market went silly and I would indeed fancy another one if an ultra low mileage example came up
E46 CSL - had one of these as well, superb, but kind of ticked that box, and it needs to right roads to shine IMO.
E60 M5 - hexagon have a very low mileage example in the classic blue/white spec, love the engine but a bit big and they want 40K for it
E30 M3 - found a nice one but they made too many of them IMO and I struggle to accept a 4 pot after having owned the E28, however not driven one yet and think I need to
opinions?
others in the running - E90 M3, M2 comp, M4 GTS but not especially floating my boat
not sure where else to go with it
Depends on budget and whether it will be a weekend car or need to fulfill more mundane duties and cover more mileage. Also how long you plan to keep it before cashing in on its classic value 
I would have thought that if you can get a good example with reasonable mileage of something normally aspirated with a manual gearbox - that should tick most boxes.
I would have thought that if you can get a good example with reasonable mileage of something normally aspirated with a manual gearbox - that should tick most boxes.
If you do get to drive an E30 M3 then a quick run up the road and back is not enough to understand what they are all about which is usually why some people pass negative judgement before having a proper chance to 'get' what they are all about.
I havent driven mine since july as its under going a bare shell resto (see readers rides) but i drove a customers one yesterday and it instantly came flooding back why i (and many others) love them so much despite being nippy rather than quick.
A couple of years ago i owned the aforementioned M3 as well as a very nice E28 M3 and one of them had to go due to spiralling wedding costs and a honeymoon so had to choose between the two.
I would love another E28 M5 though when the time is right.
I havent driven mine since july as its under going a bare shell resto (see readers rides) but i drove a customers one yesterday and it instantly came flooding back why i (and many others) love them so much despite being nippy rather than quick.
A couple of years ago i owned the aforementioned M3 as well as a very nice E28 M3 and one of them had to go due to spiralling wedding costs and a honeymoon so had to choose between the two.
I would love another E28 M5 though when the time is right.
My unbiased view (no, really)
In no real order
1M - These are still firm price wise and with the M2 now a regular(ish) part of the line up the 1M can only go one way.
Z4M Coupe - Prices of these are pretty firm (for the love of God don't get a roadster, they don't hold the money half as well)
M2 Competition or the upcoming M2 CS - I'm looking at replacing my Z4MR this year with an early low mileage one when funds allow not as an investment but I think they will perform better value wise against regular M2's if the classifieds are anything to go by.
Left field choice?
Cayman 981 S / GTS - These I believe will be a future classic or a Merc C63S (W204 N.A. one) go for broke and get the Saloon or Estate.
I'm now off to look at the classifieds and drool
In no real order
1M - These are still firm price wise and with the M2 now a regular(ish) part of the line up the 1M can only go one way.
Z4M Coupe - Prices of these are pretty firm (for the love of God don't get a roadster, they don't hold the money half as well)
M2 Competition or the upcoming M2 CS - I'm looking at replacing my Z4MR this year with an early low mileage one when funds allow not as an investment but I think they will perform better value wise against regular M2's if the classifieds are anything to go by.
Left field choice?
Cayman 981 S / GTS - These I believe will be a future classic or a Merc C63S (W204 N.A. one) go for broke and get the Saloon or Estate.
I'm now off to look at the classifieds and drool
If you can find one for sale, why not try and get an E30 Alpina B6S. The awesome M3 body, but with an Alpina 3.5 straight six (based from the M30 engine I think?).
I think the subtle changes Alpina made to the M3 bodyshell really work and as you stated that you're not the biggest lover of the S14 engine, this could be the answer you're looking for?
I'm not sure of numbers built (I think they built about 30ish?), but they are rare and they will only go up in value. Also it seems to cover all the bases you mentioned in what you were/are looking for with a special "M" car. If I were to ever come into some decent money, I would most likely get one of these for my dream 5 car garage.
I think the subtle changes Alpina made to the M3 bodyshell really work and as you stated that you're not the biggest lover of the S14 engine, this could be the answer you're looking for?
I'm not sure of numbers built (I think they built about 30ish?), but they are rare and they will only go up in value. Also it seems to cover all the bases you mentioned in what you were/are looking for with a special "M" car. If I were to ever come into some decent money, I would most likely get one of these for my dream 5 car garage.
Sorry, but I still have a soft spot for the e34 M5.
Would have to be a late 3.8 6-speed, with the bigger floating brakes, and thicker ARBs in Avus Blue and Anthracite amaretta & M-Sport cloth.
I'd love a touring or one of the special editions (Cecotto, Winklehock or 20 Jahre), but they're all LHD...and the colour options of the UK LE models were never to my liking (Rosso Red with Champagne leather or Orinoco Green with Petrol Mint leather).
Would have to be a late 3.8 6-speed, with the bigger floating brakes, and thicker ARBs in Avus Blue and Anthracite amaretta & M-Sport cloth.
I'd love a touring or one of the special editions (Cecotto, Winklehock or 20 Jahre), but they're all LHD...and the colour options of the UK LE models were never to my liking (Rosso Red with Champagne leather or Orinoco Green with Petrol Mint leather).
mmm-five said:
Sorry, but I still have a soft spot for the e34 M5.
Would have to be a late 3.8 6-speed, with the bigger floating brakes, and thicker ARBs in Avus Blue and Anthracite amaretta & M-Sport cloth.
I'd love a touring or one of the special editions (Cecotto, Winklehock or 20 Jahre), but they're all LHD...and the colour options of the UK LE models were never to my liking (Rosso Red with Champagne leather or Orinoco Green with Petrol Mint leather).
I’m liking your thinking!Would have to be a late 3.8 6-speed, with the bigger floating brakes, and thicker ARBs in Avus Blue and Anthracite amaretta & M-Sport cloth.
I'd love a touring or one of the special editions (Cecotto, Winklehock or 20 Jahre), but they're all LHD...and the colour options of the UK LE models were never to my liking (Rosso Red with Champagne leather or Orinoco Green with Petrol Mint leather).
it’s a really smart shape, but never seen a minter for sale
Davislove said:
it’s a really smart shape, but never seen a minter for sale
I've got a friend with a few...but he's put the good ones are in storage, in carcoons after he'd restored them (one of each LE included).Uses one or two of the less pristine ones for trackdays, ring tips, etc. - but he's starting to think they're worth more if he doesn't use them...not my philosophy unfortunately, and mine both had over 170,000 miles on them when I sold them.
Edited by mmm-five on Friday 1st March 14:37
Whilst my hunt wasn't specifically for an M car my reasons were broadly similar to yours and I ended up in an E63 M6.
The way I looked at it was that it was modern enough for daily use, powerful enough for the excitement factor and rare/special enough to have a future value. They have probably got about as 'cheap' as they're going to with very nice examples fetching a premium. Mine was a 20k mile car that was very tidy but, having been a London car, not perfect which suited me as it means I can use it without concern of depreciating it for cosmetic reasons.
The way I looked at it was that it was modern enough for daily use, powerful enough for the excitement factor and rare/special enough to have a future value. They have probably got about as 'cheap' as they're going to with very nice examples fetching a premium. Mine was a 20k mile car that was very tidy but, having been a London car, not perfect which suited me as it means I can use it without concern of depreciating it for cosmetic reasons.
My shortlist would be a late Z3MC or a peachy-perfect e28 M5, perhaps with a manual e46 M3CS as runner-up.
The Z3 looks like nothing else - for the better, IMHO.
The e28 proves the old adage that the original is the best. Oh what happy memories I have of blatting along Alpine roads and over the Yorkshire Moors in mine. And that engine...
The e46 M3CS combines usability with focus, and I still have a real soft-spot for the e46 shape. BMW nailed it.
The Z3 looks like nothing else - for the better, IMHO.
The e28 proves the old adage that the original is the best. Oh what happy memories I have of blatting along Alpine roads and over the Yorkshire Moors in mine. And that engine...
The e46 M3CS combines usability with focus, and I still have a real soft-spot for the e46 shape. BMW nailed it.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff