Struugling to choose - E36 M3 or C43

[Andy665]

Seen two cars which I can't choose between

1999 E36 M3 convertible with SMG box - recent new pump so no worries there and I actually quite enjoyed the slightly old school feel to the gearbox. Lovely condition, FSH and some nice factory fit extras

1999 C43 saloon - again FSH, lovely condition, secondary cat bypass so a lovely noise and same mileage as the M3

BMW is definitely sharper to drive but C43 is rarer and stands more chance of appreciating in value than the M3 (not that either would be seen as an investment), already have a mint condition E36 328i Sport so is the BMW going to be different enough?

Will be used as a weekend / fun car so mpg and running costs not really a major concern

Any thoughts

[Rich_W]

Buy the C43.

If you hate it, you'll stil be able to find a nice M3 later. Try doing it the other way round.

[v8will]

Rich_W said:

Buy the C43.

If you hate it, you'll stil be able to find a nice M3 later. Try doing it the other way round.

This.

[Mastodon2]

C43 for me. Not the "B road weapon" or whatever the M3 might be, but the C43 has the rarity and cool factor.

[s m]

Autocar did a comparison article back in the late 90s ( also included an Audi S4 )

[krisdelta]

If you've already got an E36, the C43 would be my pick. Nice ones are tough to find

[Melvin Udall]

The Merc... Mercs are nice. BMW's not so much, IMHO.

[Matt UK]

A mate had a C43. Nice car, more of a cruiser. Also you have to keep on top of the rust, he spent good money on his but it was always an ongoing battle before he tarted it up and moved it on for that very reason.

[Derestrictor]

The C43 is surprisingly effective on a B road, in fact.

You have to cane it, however, for the suspension to 'come together.'

It's very dogged at sniffing the line, at say, 11-12/10ths.

Satisfying.

[SWoll]

Mastodon2 said:

C43 for me. Not the "B road weapon" or whatever the M3 might be, but the C43 has the rarity and cool factor.

Agree with this, and I'm a BMW man. A good original C43 is a thing to be cherished, and you can't beat that V8 rumble.

[braddo]

s m said:

Autocar did a comparison article back in the late 90s ( also included an Audi S4 )

Which mentioned that the C43 had the best damping of the three cars - surprisingly composed down a bumpy B road.

The Mercs of the era have a deserved reputation for (cosmetic) rust but is the E36 proving much more resilient?

Listen to the Merc burst into a cold start, or hear it visiting the redline, and it will be tough to not let your ears do the talking

[s m]

braddo said:

s m said:

Autocar did a comparison article back in the late 90s ( also included an Audi S4 )

Which mentioned that the C43 had the best damping of the three cars - surprisingly composed down a bumpy B road.

The Mercs of the era have a deserved reputation for (cosmetic) rust but is the E36 proving much more resilient?

Listen to the Merc burst into a cold start, or hear it visiting the redline, and it will be tough to not let your ears do the talking

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b213/Mikeshrops/...

Edited by s m on Friday 18th November 23:24

[muthaducka]

If you are keeping your 328i sport, I think the two cars you've chosen as a weekend car don't differ much although maybe it's good sticking to what you like / know with subtle differences.

I had a lovely black c43 and it had great presence and an old skool factor for me, few cars have. That would be my choice as a keeper between the two.

A convertible would be nice for the weekend though and if your lady needs to like / enjoy your choice, the c43 was my wife's least favourite car.

Used values aren't great for the c43 or c36. Alpina do a nice old c 2.7 convertible auto. Worth checking out if you haven't seen one before and you are open to alternatives. http://www.4starclassics.com/bmw-alpina-c2-2-7-con...

[Andy665]

muthaducka said:

A convertible would be nice for the weekend though and if your lady needs to like / enjoy your choice, the c43 was my wife's least favourite car.

That is one minor sticking point, my OH told me last night - "Its your money and it will be your car but I prefer the M3"

She's sees the C43 as too plain - one of the main reasons why it appeals so much

[Huntsman]

I had a C43 estate for a while, rare car, The 43 is an epic motor, you can't beat a V8, the way it pulled once you got it rolling was mental, 120 up to flat out was like being in a space ship!

People say the gearbox is weak but mine was fine.

You need to check under the floors and around the back of the sills for rust carefully, get it on a ramp.

[scarebus]

Make sure you can get on with the slush box on the Merc