E46 M3 to 172 Clio Cup, will I regret it?

[DanielSan]

I’ve had my E46 M3 since January now and as nice as it is to drive and be in, I’m not having that much fun in it. Granted a lot of what it does is commuting to work, but I actually took it out for a proper blast this weekend and still not a huge amount of fun was had once once you get past how awesome the engine is.

I’m thinking of just freeing up a wedge of cash and having a 172 Cup instead, do a few small tweaks like new shocks with Eibach springs and add a pair of buckets then do the odd track day.

I’ve had a few different hot hatches in the past and none have ever been anything but fun, but the big question is will I regret doing this?

[Jonny_gti]

Fantastic little cars the Clio 172/182's are and great value at the moment however, I would think you would regret selling a e46 M3 for one. If you raise your budget slightly you could find a nice clio 200 or R26 Megane which could be best of both worlds.

[Steven_RW]

My best man is a clio nutter with 182s and trophy and so on all in his ownership.

I have owned a mildly modified e46 m3. (in trax coilovers, AP front and rear, exhaust etc.)

So I have had reasonable experience of both. Totally different cars (obv).

Would I turn left and head down my favourite country road in the M3 taking the longer way home? Not really its natural environment. Would I want to take the clio down these roads and have some fun? Much more so.

Did I really enjoy being at the N.ring in my E46? yes. Do I wish it was a clio at the time? No chance.

Smaller tracks such as croft or Knockhill? Either car would be fun but the clio much cheaper to play with.

A standard E46 doesn't engage with you 'that' much. It is a very nice car but not raw. A few mods and it can be much more engaging but the steering rack is slow and needs upgrading to really up the engagement.

What else are you thinking about it all?

RW

[barchetta_boy]

Take the M3 on track and I think you'll find a whole new level to its abilities. No modifications are necessary, just decent pads (I use Ferodo DS2500) and fluid (I use Motul 660).

I run a manual E46 M3 as a daily and it often gets chosen ahead of some quite exotic stuff.

[Steven_RW]

barchetta_boy said:

Take the M3 on track and I think you'll find a whole new level to its abilities. No modifications are necessary, just decent pads (I use Ferodo DS2500) and fluid (I use Motul 660).

I run a manual E46 M3 as a daily and it often gets chosen ahead of some quite exotic stuff.

Brakes. Good idea.

In terms of other mods. Best ones and vfm for me:

1. Turner rear bush limiting kit matched with CSL rear trailing arm bushes. Stops it feeling like the back end is floating under hard accel. Not expensive. Great

2. Geo. The standard front wheels are not wide enough to give you a sharp as desired turn in. Move to CSL wheels and tyres with the appropriate width and good rubber. Give the front end some more negative camber by removing the locating pins and getting the geo set properly.

3. The stock dampers are "okay" but I never really felt in touch with the road and didn't get the same confidence as I did with Intrax coilovers.

Track wise: To me it worked very well on faster tracks rather than smaller tighter ones that are designed for more nimble cars.

[GreatGranny]

Have a look at Dannydc2 vids re. his M3 and the (relatively) cheap mods he's carried out.

Think he spent £2500 and it looks and handles superbly.

[521EK9]

I would stick with the M3, as others have said some small changes will really make the chassis come alive and become a more enjoyable experience.

IF you also use the car to commute in then the E46 is a much nicer place to spend time than in a Clio 172 Cup.

I've covered around 120k Miles in the Phase 2 Clio Sport (of different varieties including Trophies) and theyre not a patch on the E46.

Try and get some track time booked to really open the M3 up and stretch its legs as intended.

[DanielSan]

Not interested in tracking the M3 to be honest, the cars too nice to do it and the cost for a few track days in it by the time you’ve replaced brakes and fked about it ain’t worth the expense.

It’s alresdy got uprated pads in it of some description put in by the previous owner, polybushed all round, Eibach springs, remap and CSL software on the SMG. It just ain’t doing it for me. It just feels too big and heavy, the fact they weight as much as they do in the first place is a bit of a joke tbh.

Can’t really see the point of sinking a wedge of money into the car for that not to change. Sad fact is I had more fun with my old 330 after I put a welded diff in it and didn’t give a st about it

[HannsG]

Biggest car regret. Selling my E46 M3. Replaced with a Panda 100HP as I needed a shed.

Now furiously looking for a car with 350-400bhp+. Just cant shake the feeling of owning and driving my old M3

[culpz]

172 Cup's are cracking cars. Big 2.0 N/A lump in a small, light little French Hatch.

Go and drive one and see what you think. What exactly is is that you don't get on with the M3?

[Herr Schnell]

From the sound of your description I'm guessing it's on 19" wheels, if so change to 18s.

It drastically improves the feel of the car and makes it feel lighter than it actually is by responding much more precisely to steering input and riding more compliantly over our rutted dual carriageways and pockmarked back roads.

I was on the verge of getting rid of mine until I made the change, had it seven years now and there's no way I'm parting with it.

[DanielSan]

culpz said:

172 Cup's are cracking cars. Big 2.0 N/A lump in a small, light little French Hatch.

Go and drive one and see what you think. What exactly is is that you don't get on with the M3?

Not really sure, now the novelty has worn off I’m just not finding it that much fun. The engine is amazing but the rest of the experience just is a bit meh, not helped by the fact I’ve wanted one for ages and put off having one a few times. Now I’ve got it and it’s not turning out to be as fun as expected I’m sort of past caring what car to even have next. Maybe just losing interest full stop

[Steven_RW]

DanielSan said:

Not interested in tracking the M3 to be honest, the cars too nice to do it and the cost for a few track days in it by the time you’ve replaced brakes and fked about it ain’t worth the expense.

It’s alresdy got uprated pads in it of some description put in by the previous owner, polybushed all round, Eibach springs, remap and CSL software on the SMG. It just ain’t doing it for me. It just feels too big and heavy, the fact they weight as much as they do in the first place is a bit of a joke tbh.

Can’t really see the point of sinking a wedge of money into the car for that not to change. Sad fact is I had more fun with my old 330 after I put a welded diff in it and didn’t give a st about it

So this decision looks like it is already made.

Just a matter of what you are replacing it with.

RW

[Salamura]

You won't regret it if you know what to expect and know that this is what you want. The 172s are amazing little cars and you can have tonnes of fun in one and not look back, as long as you understand what the car is intended to do and feel like. So the question isn't about the car, it's about you.

I, personally, would make the jump to a cup in a heartbeat!

[Scootersp]

As long as the M3 is depreciating and not appreciating then do it, as you can always go back if you want to. Switching cars in a short time frame often costs but can be minimised and it also doesn't feel like the M3 is growing on you, so even if the 172 turns out to be a mistake the 'answer' wasn't either of them and so the quest just goes on!

[culpz]

DanielSan said:

culpz said:

172 Cup's are cracking cars. Big 2.0 N/A lump in a small, light little French Hatch.

Go and drive one and see what you think. What exactly is is that you don't get on with the M3?

Not really sure, now the novelty has worn off I’m just not finding it that much fun. The engine is amazing but the rest of the experience just is a bit meh, not helped by the fact I’ve wanted one for ages and put off having one a few times. Now I’ve got it and it’s not turning out to be as fun as expected I’m sort of past caring what car to even have next. Maybe just losing interest full stop

The little Clio's do have that fun factor that something like an M3 won't provide. They are also very capable cars and will be much cheaper to run. They're pretty reliable on the whole too. I've always wanted one aswell, but i'm yet to bite the bullet myself. I will have one at some point though.

If you'e always wanted one, i say go for it. Not many people find themselves disappointed, even after having cars like M3's and faster stuff.

[anonymous-user]

Salamura said:

You won't regret it if you know what to expect and know that this is what you want. The 172s are amazing little cars and you can have tonnes of fun in one and not look back, as long as you understand what the car is intended to do and feel like. So the question isn't about the car, it's about you.

I, personally, would make the jump to a cup in a heartbeat!

This. The only expense I've really had with my cup during ownership is the belts. The rest is ridiculously cheap.

I've never really understood the 'track the M3' mentality when they are carrying so much weight. so unless you are planning on pumping a heap of money into one to reduce its lard then punt it and get something lighter.

The cups are so cheap you could in fact keep hold of the m3 for a while after you buy the clio to make sure you don't have any regrets.

Or go cup + shed daily

[DanielSan]

DoubleTime said:

This. The only expense I've really had with my cup during ownership is the belts. The rest is ridiculously cheap.

I've never really understood the 'track the M3' mentality when they are carrying so much weight. so unless you are planning on pumping a heap of money into one to reduce its lard then punt it and get something lighter.

The cups are so cheap you could in fact keep hold of the m3 for a while after you buy the clio to make sure you don't have any regrets.

Or go cup + shed daily

Cup and cheapish Saab daily has been an idea that’s crossed my mind to be fair. Plus side with that is it’s easier to carry mountain bikes as well, having roof bars on and off the M3 is a bit of a pain.

[culpz]

DoubleTime said:

The cups are so cheap you could in fact keep hold of the m3 for a while after you buy the clio to make sure you don't have any regrets.

Or go cup + shed daily

Or even just get a standard 172/182 with all the toys and slightly more weight as both a daily and a track/fast road car. It's not like they're that heavy anyway. The Cup version just make it that little bit more raw and focused.

[anonymous-user]

I doubt you'll regret it from what you've said.

I loved owning my E46 M3, it's a car I'd always wanted to try and I'm genuinely glad that I got the opportunity.

I did track it and it was great fun, although weight was always an issue.

On the road I did always feel the "GT" side of it's character was more to the fore than the fun side, although it can be extremely satisfying to drive on the road it's not something you can take by the scruff of the neck and fling down a decent road like a 1*2.

The only thing you might regret is in five or ten years time looking back on what your M3 would have been worth had you only kept it, but that way lies madness. Live in the now