Bit of a Strange One: What Car?EP3 Type r/R129 SL/E46 3er?
Discussion
Hello Guys,
Bit of a strange one I know. Trying to decided between these three cars as something to do the day-to-day in and a fairly frequent 100 mile round trip to London. Budget of 3-4k. MPG is not really of a concern but, I would like the cars to be as reliable as possible.
I've heard great reviews of the reliability of the SLs and my Father owned one from new over 10 years and racked up 100k miles with little trouble, but buying a 20yo car would still require balls from myself.
The type r is obviously fun, but I've only had a short test drive in one about 5 years ago, how quiet and refined would they be on a motorway run?
Owned an E92 330 a couple of years ago and this cost me hardly anything but the ride was of course quite firm with those run flats. How does the E46 compare?
Anyone's opinions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary
Bit of a strange one I know. Trying to decided between these three cars as something to do the day-to-day in and a fairly frequent 100 mile round trip to London. Budget of 3-4k. MPG is not really of a concern but, I would like the cars to be as reliable as possible.
I've heard great reviews of the reliability of the SLs and my Father owned one from new over 10 years and racked up 100k miles with little trouble, but buying a 20yo car would still require balls from myself.
The type r is obviously fun, but I've only had a short test drive in one about 5 years ago, how quiet and refined would they be on a motorway run?
Owned an E92 330 a couple of years ago and this cost me hardly anything but the ride was of course quite firm with those run flats. How does the E46 compare?
Anyone's opinions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Gary
SL: 20 year old Merc doesn't sound like "budget running" to me, not when something goes wrong with it anyway. However, in working order, it will be smooth and refined, if not particularly sporty or thrilling to drive.
EP3 - Brilliant engine and gearbox, but short gears and little sound insulation mean that it's noisy on the motorway. Then again, it wasn't designed for covering long distances in comfort, but 100 miles is not really a long haul. Very reliable too, as long as you get a decent one. Depending on who you are, you might find dropping two gears and howling down the road at 8000rpm a joyous bit of fun that you won't get to do for much longer thanks to Euro V legislation, or, if you are Victor Meldrew, you'll wish you had a lazy diesel instead.
BMW E46 3 - could be good or bad, depending on the engine and trim level you go for. A bog spec one with a rubbish engine, cloth seats and all won't be much fun. One with leather interior and a decent engine would make a good cruiser.
EP3 - Brilliant engine and gearbox, but short gears and little sound insulation mean that it's noisy on the motorway. Then again, it wasn't designed for covering long distances in comfort, but 100 miles is not really a long haul. Very reliable too, as long as you get a decent one. Depending on who you are, you might find dropping two gears and howling down the road at 8000rpm a joyous bit of fun that you won't get to do for much longer thanks to Euro V legislation, or, if you are Victor Meldrew, you'll wish you had a lazy diesel instead.
BMW E46 3 - could be good or bad, depending on the engine and trim level you go for. A bog spec one with a rubbish engine, cloth seats and all won't be much fun. One with leather interior and a decent engine would make a good cruiser.
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