Weekend Car - Porker or M3?
Discussion
300bhp/ton said:
I love how PH'ers are so blind to facts sometime. As in, go back and look at the advert I linked to - it's a f
king modified Lightning with 520bhp!!!! So highly relevant to compare modified ones vs a stock M3.
So what were you trying to prove then? A modified car will beat a stock one that costs about half as much? You could easily get an M3 to beat that within the costs. king modified Lightning with 520bhp!!!! So highly relevant to compare modified ones vs a stock M3.At the risk of putting words into his mouth...300 was trying to come up with an interesting answer to the OP, rather than just issuing the default guff about M3s...
From the OPs response it looks like he more or less hit the mark, too, so take it back to the playground.
Weekend toy, sense of occasion? Not E46 territory, that's for sure. How low do V8 Morgans go? In budget?
From the OPs response it looks like he more or less hit the mark, too, so take it back to the playground.
Weekend toy, sense of occasion? Not E46 territory, that's for sure. How low do V8 Morgans go? In budget?
Ah, one of the great PH traditions.
Poster asks for suggestions for weekend car.
300 suggests huge american pickup.
Everyone laughs.
300 defends his post.
Everyone laughs again.
300 gets arsey and starts calling people stupid.
Thread dies a death.
I enjoy 300's suggestions because they are always something no-one else would think of. It's just a shame it always has to descend into name calling/arguing rather than just a bit of light hearted banter.
Poster asks for suggestions for weekend car.
300 suggests huge american pickup.
Everyone laughs.
300 defends his post.
Everyone laughs again.
300 gets arsey and starts calling people stupid.
Thread dies a death.
I enjoy 300's suggestions because they are always something no-one else would think of. It's just a shame it always has to descend into name calling/arguing rather than just a bit of light hearted banter.
Notshortnottall said:
I'm after something to liven up the weekends and travel to places with a bit of vivacity.
I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
This is strictly a personal thing, but I don't get the idea of keeping something like an M3 as a weekend-only toy. I know they're better to drive than many dedicated sports cars, but somehow a four seater derived from a mass produced saloon, just doesn't have the same sense of occasion. Even the 911, in most of its guises, seems a tad sensible to be kept for high days and holidays, but it would be my choice out of the cars you've mentioned.I'm looking to spend between 10-12k, although for something special I'd go to 15k.
I've always wanted an E46 M3 after having and older E36, and by the look of things this should get me a nice one. I'm confused why the 'verts seem to go cheaper than the coupes though? I know about the sub-frame issues and would want a post-facelift version, but the above is puzzling.
The other car I quite fancy is a 996 Porker. I don't think my budget will quite stretch to turbo territory, but there seem to be plenty around for this sort of money. Are these a money-pit? I've started doing my research on them but would appreciate a heads up from anyone who's owned one or has some insider knowledge having been through this process before.
I did briefly consider a Maser 3200 but decided that I'd only fancy the Assetto-Corse model, but the subsequent horror stories I read about the engines and electrics expiring made me wince.
Merc SL's leave me feeling a bit cold, and the interior just doesn't inspire me at all.
Is there anything else anyone would like to throw into the mix? As snooty as it sounds, I don't want a small "drivers" car akin to an MX5 - they just don't interest me. I want something with a decent amount of grunt and which will put a smile on my face.
Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
Chris71 said:
This is strictly a personal thing, but I don't get the idea of keeping something like an M3 as a weekend-only toy. I know they're better to drive than many dedicated sports cars, but somehow a four seater derived from a mass produced saloon, just doesn't have the same sense of occasion. Even the 911, in most of its guises, seems a tad sensible to be kept for high days and holidays, but it would be my choice out of the cars you've mentioned.
Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
I own an M3 and I agree with all of the above, however if one is so inclined the M3 can be modified to be a very capable and very entertaining road car.Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
mwstewart said:
Chris71 said:
This is strictly a personal thing, but I don't get the idea of keeping something like an M3 as a weekend-only toy. I know they're better to drive than many dedicated sports cars, but somehow a four seater derived from a mass produced saloon, just doesn't have the same sense of occasion. Even the 911, in most of its guises, seems a tad sensible to be kept for high days and holidays, but it would be my choice out of the cars you've mentioned.
Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
I own an M3 and I agree with all of the above, however if one is so inclined the M3 can be modified to be a very capable and very entertaining road car.Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
mwstewart said:
Chris71 said:
This is strictly a personal thing, but I don't get the idea of keeping something like an M3 as a weekend-only toy. I know they're better to drive than many dedicated sports cars, but somehow a four seater derived from a mass produced saloon, just doesn't have the same sense of occasion. Even the 911, in most of its guises, seems a tad sensible to be kept for high days and holidays, but it would be my choice out of the cars you've mentioned.
Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
I own an M3 and I agree with all of the above, however if one is so inclined the M3 can be modified to be a very capable and very entertaining road car.Ah ... wrote that before I saw the final paragraph on the opening post. Fair play. Would the same apply to small sports cars with a big engine? As others have mentioned, you'll find no shortage of shove in any of the V8 era TVRs.
Or for something a bit more mainstream, isn't there an AMG V8 version of the SLK?
I couldn't agree more on the M3's ground covering ability. Ditto it's ability to entertain when you get a chance to really wring its neck (although I've driven the E92). But the rest of the time I just find super saloons like that feel a tiny bit ordinary. To my mind, a purpose-built sports car like a TVR or a Caterfield still has a certain sense of adventure when you're stuck in a traffic jam - at which point the M3 reverts to just being another 3-Series.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course. Decent sound deadening, a good stereo and a working air conditioning system are essential if you're sat on the M25 in an August downpour. So, from my perspective, that's what makes something like an M3 a supreme daily driver, but also a slightly compromised weekend toy. From half an hour on a sunny Sunday, however, I want something that shoots flames out the exhaust, whitens my knuckles and sends me half deaf.
Chris71 said:
They're pretty capable as it is...
I couldn't agree more on the M3's ground covering ability. Ditto it's ability to entertain when you get a chance to really wring its neck (although I've driven the E92). But the rest of the time I just find super saloons like that feel a tiny bit ordinary. To my mind, a purpose-built sports car like a TVR or a Caterfield still has a certain sense of adventure when you're stuck in a traffic jam - at which point the M3 reverts to just being another 3-Series.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course. Decent sound deadening, a good stereo and a working air conditioning system are essential if you're sat on the M25 in an August downpour. So, from my perspective, that's what makes something like an M3 a supreme daily driver, but also a slightly compromised weekend toy. From half an hour on a sunny Sunday, however, I want something that shoots flames out the exhaust, whitens my knuckles and sends me half deaf.
A very good sum up the M3 is only exciting when you wring it's neck & then it feels capable & rewarding...the rest of the time it's just a 3 series, I enjoy running my E92 M3 as my daily but in comparison to a TVR there isn't a comparison the bmw is a comfy daily driver the TVR is a exciting weekend toy...no contest. I couldn't agree more on the M3's ground covering ability. Ditto it's ability to entertain when you get a chance to really wring its neck (although I've driven the E92). But the rest of the time I just find super saloons like that feel a tiny bit ordinary. To my mind, a purpose-built sports car like a TVR or a Caterfield still has a certain sense of adventure when you're stuck in a traffic jam - at which point the M3 reverts to just being another 3-Series.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course. Decent sound deadening, a good stereo and a working air conditioning system are essential if you're sat on the M25 in an August downpour. So, from my perspective, that's what makes something like an M3 a supreme daily driver, but also a slightly compromised weekend toy. From half an hour on a sunny Sunday, however, I want something that shoots flames out the exhaust, whitens my knuckles and sends me half deaf.
I seriously need to get back into a TVR the M3 clearly isn't ticking the boxes for me!!
Following this thread with interest as I'll shortly be looking at something similar.
My 330 has moved on and I'm about to break the Puma 'track car' for parts. This leaves a pleasant and comfortable (but uninspiring) VW CC GT.
I'd love a nice 996. I'd mostly enjoy a Caterfield but I don't have the garage space so it would need to be something that could be stored a lot of the time under a cover outside.
I hadn't considered a pick-up and probably still won't but 300 does seem to get a lot of stick over his passion for yank tanks. Each to their own I suppose.
I think I'd rather pick up an E36 M3 than an E46 having had an E46 330Ci.
Or there is that Elise idea I've been toying with...
My 330 has moved on and I'm about to break the Puma 'track car' for parts. This leaves a pleasant and comfortable (but uninspiring) VW CC GT.
I'd love a nice 996. I'd mostly enjoy a Caterfield but I don't have the garage space so it would need to be something that could be stored a lot of the time under a cover outside.
I hadn't considered a pick-up and probably still won't but 300 does seem to get a lot of stick over his passion for yank tanks. Each to their own I suppose.
I think I'd rather pick up an E36 M3 than an E46 having had an E46 330Ci.
Or there is that Elise idea I've been toying with...
Just thought I'd provide a little update on this. For some reason I couldn't escape the urge to get one of these and when one came up for sale locally, I couldn't resist!
E46 M3 Coupe. Manual. Sunroof. FBMWSH low mileage and had been looked after. Love it and it's definitely scratching the itch!! Thanks for all the input guys and girls it was very much appreciated. Just logged on to sort my ferry crossing for Le Mans so hopefully see some of you there.........
E46 M3 Coupe. Manual. Sunroof. FBMWSH low mileage and had been looked after. Love it and it's definitely scratching the itch!! Thanks for all the input guys and girls it was very much appreciated. Just logged on to sort my ferry crossing for Le Mans so hopefully see some of you there.........
Hideaway said:
+1. Is it what u expected OP?
Yep. Love it. Handles well, goes like stink and I was always really sceptical of "sport" buttons in cars but this really does make a difference. Doesn't munch the fuel as much as expected and is pleasant on a run. Took it through Wales last weekend and had an absolute ball round the twisty's too.
I won't keep it forever - but I'm glad I got it.
Notshortnottall said:
Yep. Love it. Handles well, goes like stink and I was always really sceptical of "sport" buttons in cars but this really does make a difference.
Doesn't munch the fuel as much as expected and is pleasant on a run. Took it through Wales last weekend and had an absolute ball round the twisty's too.
I won't keep it forever - but I'm glad I got it.
Great. I just need to decide SMG or manual.Doesn't munch the fuel as much as expected and is pleasant on a run. Took it through Wales last weekend and had an absolute ball round the twisty's too.
I won't keep it forever - but I'm glad I got it.
Robert, CDV delete? Explain?
clutch delay valve
BMW slips the clutch by constraining clutch fluid on release to prevent drivetrain shock.
it works ok on my 320, but first is difficult. A good driver tries to ease the clutch out smoothly but firmly....while BMW is 'easing' a little itself!
google 'e46 cdv delete' and whole debate will be revealed
BMW slips the clutch by constraining clutch fluid on release to prevent drivetrain shock.
it works ok on my 320, but first is difficult. A good driver tries to ease the clutch out smoothly but firmly....while BMW is 'easing' a little itself!
google 'e46 cdv delete' and whole debate will be revealed
Robert Elise said:
clutch delay valve
BMW slips the clutch by constraining clutch fluid on release to prevent drivetrain shock.
it works ok on my 320, but first is difficult. A good driver tries to ease the clutch out smoothly but firmly....while BMW is 'easing' a little itself!
google 'e46 cdv delete' and whole debate will be revealed
Goodness, never heard if the issue. Will investigate.BMW slips the clutch by constraining clutch fluid on release to prevent drivetrain shock.
it works ok on my 320, but first is difficult. A good driver tries to ease the clutch out smoothly but firmly....while BMW is 'easing' a little itself!
google 'e46 cdv delete' and whole debate will be revealed
Hideaway said:
Great. I just need to decide SMG or manual.
Robert, CDV delete? Explain?
I went manual primarily due to problems with the SMG pumps failing and being expensive to replace, but also because ive had other semi-auto cars and really missed just having a gearstick and clutch to play with. Robert, CDV delete? Explain?
It's a personal thing but I know a lot of people seem to prefer the good old fashioned manual boxes.
I have the very same dilemma at some point next year.
I am leaning towards the M3 as I really miss owning a BMW. Then again the Porsche C4S is a great car.
Read up on RMS/IMS and having spoken to Hartech I just think the Porsche will lurch its engine. Just too many stories of the cars havint engine problems and typically I will buy a lemon!!!!
I am leaning towards the M3 as I really miss owning a BMW. Then again the Porsche C4S is a great car.
Read up on RMS/IMS and having spoken to Hartech I just think the Porsche will lurch its engine. Just too many stories of the cars havint engine problems and typically I will buy a lemon!!!!
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