RE: PH Blog: the best M3? It's the 1 M!
Discussion
PKZ4M said:
Wow what a thread.....
Having owned an E46 SMG M3, a manual E46 M3 CS, a manual E92 V8 M3, and now a 1M Coupe I have to say they're all great in their own right!
I love a manual transmission, but also thought SMG was great, most passengers were less keen though. Sound of the V8 and straight 6 manual engines is fantastic, but I love the low down torque of my 1M Coupe.
Never drove a CSL, but a mate had one.... and that carbon air box made it sound so awesome.
I think for all great cars the whole ends up being greater than the sum of the parts. That means we can forgive the odd "less than perfect item" as overall the complete package still works.... Isn't that so often the case with really great cars? The mkI Elise I owned had an average Rover engine, but was still great; I loved my, long since departed, Vauxhall Astra powered VX220..... My 1M might be a parts bin special, with cartoon looks, and a turbo motor from a Z4, but overall it works brilliantly.... I'm sure it's the same for a CSL..... was too expensive at launch, had average brakes and a gearbox that made your passengers head rock, but it's hugely desirable and values are only going in one direction...
The debate has been amusing too read, but above all I'm just happy car makers continue to produce such capable cars that attract such interest...... Long may it continue!
This is the post of the thread for me! Well said. Having owned an E46 SMG M3, a manual E46 M3 CS, a manual E92 V8 M3, and now a 1M Coupe I have to say they're all great in their own right!
I love a manual transmission, but also thought SMG was great, most passengers were less keen though. Sound of the V8 and straight 6 manual engines is fantastic, but I love the low down torque of my 1M Coupe.
Never drove a CSL, but a mate had one.... and that carbon air box made it sound so awesome.
I think for all great cars the whole ends up being greater than the sum of the parts. That means we can forgive the odd "less than perfect item" as overall the complete package still works.... Isn't that so often the case with really great cars? The mkI Elise I owned had an average Rover engine, but was still great; I loved my, long since departed, Vauxhall Astra powered VX220..... My 1M might be a parts bin special, with cartoon looks, and a turbo motor from a Z4, but overall it works brilliantly.... I'm sure it's the same for a CSL..... was too expensive at launch, had average brakes and a gearbox that made your passengers head rock, but it's hugely desirable and values are only going in one direction...
The debate has been amusing too read, but above all I'm just happy car makers continue to produce such capable cars that attract such interest...... Long may it continue!
My first Elise had a Rover K-Series engine and so did my Caterham, however both were fantastic cars that I'll never forget. Like you say, all of the above cars work, not just becasue they have one defining feature, but because the sum of the parts fit together to create a wonderful machine.
Like you say, long may it continue. There are too many boring euro boxes out there these days and its nice that car makers can still make interesting, fun and unique cars aimed at driving enthusiasts!
Leins said:
Are you anywhere near Dublin Phil? If so, you'll have to get the 1M along to a Cars&Coffee during the summer. I'll bring a CSL along
Hi LeinsI live in Portmarnock just north of Dublin where I work as an expat, but my 1M is kept in Chandlers Ford in Hampshire at my in-laws. What are the Cars and Coffee events? Are these in Dublin... would be happy to join, but would be in another car.
ChrisBuer said:
This is the post of the thread for me! Well said.
My first Elise had a Rover K-Series engine and so did my Caterham, however both were fantastic cars that I'll never forget. Like you say, all of the above cars work, not just becasue they have one defining feature, but because the sum of the parts fit together to create a wonderful machine.
Like you say, long may it continue. There are too many boring euro boxes out there these days and its nice that car makers can still make interesting, fun and unique cars aimed at driving enthusiasts!
Cheers Chris! Love the look of your 1M, almost bought a white one myself, but got a black one in the end, seems to be much less noticed than the other 2 colours. Don't think I'd be brave enough to mod as much as you, but an exhaust like the Moto GP (Akroprovic) safety car has would be good.....My first Elise had a Rover K-Series engine and so did my Caterham, however both were fantastic cars that I'll never forget. Like you say, all of the above cars work, not just becasue they have one defining feature, but because the sum of the parts fit together to create a wonderful machine.
Like you say, long may it continue. There are too many boring euro boxes out there these days and its nice that car makers can still make interesting, fun and unique cars aimed at driving enthusiasts!
One of the quickest cars I ever had, was powered by a 1.3 4 cylinder engine...... also made a great noise..... but no screen and doors meant my Westfield Megabusa only stayed around for 12 months.....
PKZ4M said:
Hi Leins
I live in Portmarnock just north of Dublin where I work as an expat, but my 1M is kept in Chandlers Ford in Hampshire at my in-laws. What are the Cars and Coffee events? Are these in Dublin... would be happy to join, but would be in another car.
I'm over in Blackrock myself. Here's the thread for the C&C: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...I live in Portmarnock just north of Dublin where I work as an expat, but my 1M is kept in Chandlers Ford in Hampshire at my in-laws. What are the Cars and Coffee events? Are these in Dublin... would be happy to join, but would be in another car.
It's actually on tomorrow morning in Cherrywood, just off the M50, and there's normally a good turnout of nice cars at it. Pretty well represented by BMWs too, and they're all a good bunch
Saying that, I can't make tomorrow's, but aiming to get my Alpina out of hibernation for the one in early March. Worth dropping over to for a coffee and a look around all the cars. Give us a shout if you do!
Jeff
Leins said:
I'm over in Blackrock myself. Here's the thread for the C&C: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's actually on tomorrow morning in Cherrywood, just off the M50, and there's normally a good turnout of nice cars at it. Pretty well represented by BMWs too, and they're all a good bunch
Saying that, I can't make tomorrow's, but aiming to get my Alpina out of hibernation for the one in early March. Worth dropping over to for a coffee and a look around all the cars. Give us a shout if you do!
Jeff
Can't tomorrow as I'll be cycling in the Wicklow Mountains.... Let me have the date of the March one and I'll try and join.It's actually on tomorrow morning in Cherrywood, just off the M50, and there's normally a good turnout of nice cars at it. Pretty well represented by BMWs too, and they're all a good bunch
Saying that, I can't make tomorrow's, but aiming to get my Alpina out of hibernation for the one in early March. Worth dropping over to for a coffee and a look around all the cars. Give us a shout if you do!
Jeff
PKZ4M said:
Can't tomorrow as I'll be cycling in the Wicklow Mountains.... Let me have the date of the March one and I'll try and join.
Keep an eye out on the "Ireland" section and you should see it being announced beforehand, will be on Sunday 3rd March, from about 10:30am onwards. Very informal, just drop down for coffee, cars and chat!Tbh i driven with many PHr's and hacks all talk of weight and flappy paddles their use of a manual box most time was erm driven like an auto straight into 5th 6th from 15mph and never changing gear again until coming to a stop and then still try pulling away in wrong gears...motoring hacks you know who you are lol
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff