BMW 330i Touring/MX-5 What Next? (Sunday PM 'What car?')
BMW 330i Touring/MX-5 What Next? (Sunday PM 'What car?')
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j44esd

Original Poster:

1,237 posts

252 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
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Good Evening all!

12mths ago I came off my company car scheme and bought myself a nice '51 plate 330i Touring to complement my 1.8i S-Special MX-5 (The 5 was for track days and to compensate for driving a Passat during the week). I soon realised that the 330i was far more interesting to drive than the Passat, so the 5 became a little redundant, looming wedding bills and house renovation saw it sold earlier this year, and now I am considering replacing the 330i as well and treating myself to something I have always fancied.

Namely an M3.

So whats the point of this rambling post? Well, I am pretty much set on a '53ish Manual low spec M3 (I prefer the 18's, no Nav, no Xenons etc.), but would like to open it up to the PH world, am I missing an uber car that would blow the M3 into the weeds? Do I need a car with more 'imagine'?

I want a car that is as happy going shopping as it is going for an enjoyable drive, I would also like a modicum of practicality (Wine trips to France etc.), but fuel consumption isn't really an issue. Budget is £12,000 (Max), but I am happy to spend less!

So over to you, am I right first time? Or am I all out of red bull? tongue out

LukeSi

5,780 posts

190 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
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I'm going to say that if you bought something else, you would pro...

screw the M3, that is Chimaera money, or a Cerbera, there are also a few Griffiths at that money.

j44esd

Original Poster:

1,237 posts

252 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
quotequote all
LukeSi said:
I'm going to say that if you bought something else, you would pro...
That is my worry, that if I don't get an M car, I will regret it. But I don't want to be totally closed to anything else!

TVR's scare me, any car where the chassis can rot away whilst the bodywork remains flawless scares me...

In all seriousness, whilst a TVR would be fun, I think it lacks the all round practicality of what is essentially, albeit very competent (And fast), an E46 3 series - I don't have a garage big enough for a Tiv (An MX-5 only just fitted), and I don't think they are a 'daily driver', though i'm sure someone will be along in a moment to correct me!?!? smile

Loopyleesa

2,906 posts

196 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
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Get a M3......end of biggrin

T16OLE

2,965 posts

220 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
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Why would you prefer one without xenons

j44esd

Original Poster:

1,237 posts

252 months

Sunday 3rd July 2011
quotequote all
T16OLE said:
Why would you prefer one without xenons
Perhaps I should re-phrase that as, I don't want one with lots of pointless extras, Xenon's would be okay, but I'm really not fussed - I just want a nice, basic spec, clean, historied (Is that a word?) example.

Ideally on 18"'s with no nav. To be honest I am indifferent to the Nav/Harmon Kardon stereo/Other fripperies - but, if someone suggests I should really have Xenon's, then that's all good too. smile

j44esd

Original Poster:

1,237 posts

252 months

Monday 4th July 2011
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Shamelessly bumping my own thread here, but someone I work with has also suggested AMG C32/C55 - any horror/love stories about these?