Decisions Decisions
Decisions Decisions
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Apex37

Original Poster:

8 posts

192 months

Saturday 13th March 2010
quotequote all
Im a long time visitor to this site but have never registered, so i have done now (hello to all), in the hope i can ask for some help with me making a decision regarding my next set of wheels

Basically im torn between an E46 M3 and a Lotus Elise 111R. Both cars in my eyes are fantastic yet both offer me what i want but in a different manner. I will post this same message in the Lotus Forum so i get a balanced view on that side of the fence.

My problem is do i take the all round usability and grunt of an E46 M3 or the sublime handling and focussed dynamics of the 111R. To me both cars offer me what i want but with drawbacks. The M3 will cost lots more to run in all aspects but the 111R is as impractical as they come as a daily driver.

What ever i buy will need to work as my daily driver. I do 2.5 miles to and from work. So what do you think? Obiviously in this forum the M3 will get the thumbs up, but i would appreciate feedback on the real world aspects of ownership, and anyone who has switched from Elise to M3 and vice versa.

hoppo4.2

1,548 posts

209 months

Saturday 13th March 2010
quotequote all
dont buy the lotus ive just sold my vx220 turbo.

brill for a quick blast but every day no.

the heaters dont work

u cant get in and out easy

the ride is fine for the track but over speed bumps and pot holes think life long back problems.

on the plus side i got 180- 200 miles from a tank and thats only 25-30 quid. (wont get that from an m3)average 19-20 mpg round town.

IMHO the m3 is much easyer to live with and you can drive it faster and have more fun in the real world than the elise. for example you can cruse in comfort at very high speeds while not being deffened by the wind noise or frozen by the lack of heater. while at the same time you wont need spine surgery when you get out. then when you get off the motor way and you have finished your call on the bluetooth hands free you can blast down the b roads in one of the best sports coupes ever made.

Chewitt

1,041 posts

260 months

Saturday 13th March 2010
quotequote all
check you can actually fit and easily get in an elise - I always wanted one and just couldn't bear the contortions on even a test drive. I'm just over 6 ft and take a 42" suit - so I am not overly large!!




Heathwood

2,939 posts

225 months

Saturday 13th March 2010
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With a commute of 5 just miles a day I would seriously consider getting a snotter for the daily grind and buying the 111R for the weekend toy.

sparkyclarky

651 posts

192 months

Saturday 13th March 2010
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Heathwood said:
With a commute of 5 just miles a day I would seriously consider getting a snotter for the daily grind and buying the 111R for the weekend toy.
+ 1 Driving 2 miles or so? don't think that even moves the temperature guage! get a scooter and a 'toy' for the w'end.....

Ed Francis

34 posts

257 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
ah very hard choice fella!!
Had both of them but mine was just the S2 sports tourer elise, heaters work fine in it though and no wind noise and no water drops or anything it was easy to get in and out of too!
But i'm on my 2nd M3 now and i find it more of an easier car to relax in and drive around and a big point for me you can fit more then just 2 of you in it!!!!!

Ed Francis

34 posts

257 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
ah very hard choice fella!!
Had both of them but mine was just the S2 sports tourer elise, heaters work fine in it though and no wind noise and no water drops or anything it was easy to get in and out of too!
But i'm on my 2nd M3 now and i find it more of an easier car to relax in and drive around and a big point for me you can fit more then just 2 of you in it!!!!!

pattyg

1,379 posts

250 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
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Elise every time for me and 6ft 2in gets in easily enough.

M3 will cost a lot more to run and won't imho reward like the Lotus.

shim

2,051 posts

231 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
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if you can go to £20k+ get an M3 CSL

okgo

41,548 posts

221 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
Chewitt said:
check you can actually fit and easily get in an elise - I always wanted one and just couldn't bear the contortions on even a test drive. I'm just over 6 ft and take a 42" suit - so I am not overly large!!
Really?

I know a chap that is 6,5 and has one...

Apex37

Original Poster:

8 posts

192 months

Monday 15th March 2010
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shim said:
if you can go to £20k+ get an M3 CSL
I wouldnt buy a CSL, as nice as they are, purely because of the SMG box. I like a bit of DIY.

To me the CS is the prefered option out of all the E46 M3's.