E92 M3 - would it ruin me?
Discussion
I've noticed more and more of these falling under £15k, and some actually look like decent examples!
I've always wanted one, and I doubt I'll get many more opportunities to own a (manual) screaming NA V8.. but how painful are they to run?
I do around 8k miles a year, have a few connections in the motor trade so parts and labour will be at a discount, plus I have access to a ramp.
The problem is that I absolutely hate 'wasting' money. If I could get 60-70% of the performance in a significantly cheaper to run hatchback then I'd naturally opt for that.
Long time dead and all that..
I've always wanted one, and I doubt I'll get many more opportunities to own a (manual) screaming NA V8.. but how painful are they to run?
I do around 8k miles a year, have a few connections in the motor trade so parts and labour will be at a discount, plus I have access to a ramp.
The problem is that I absolutely hate 'wasting' money. If I could get 60-70% of the performance in a significantly cheaper to run hatchback then I'd naturally opt for that.
Long time dead and all that..
joropug said:
Had a good half hour in one and was pretty unimpressed. A friend sold his for the same reason.
Have to be caning it to really feel the power, although they're not slow obviously
Interesting, what cars are you used to though? I'll be coming from an array of hot hatches (Fiesta ST, S3, Ibiza Cupra)Have to be caning it to really feel the power, although they're not slow obviously
I'm more interested in the experience than the numbers, V engine configuration, RWD and NA will all be new to me.
M135i is my alternative 'safe' option..
joropug said:
Had a good half hour in one and was pretty unimpressed. A friend sold his for the same reason.
Have to be caning it to really feel the power, although they're not slow obviously
My experience of them is much as this. They are big and heavy and feel it. The engine really needs thrashing to feel at all fast and the manual gearbox is not great.Have to be caning it to really feel the power, although they're not slow obviously
Lovely looking cars but it wouldn't be my preference as a daily driver or a track car or for pretty much anything tbh.
My brother has a well fettled E90 & it's a beast an M135i nay get close in a straight line but these cars are about more than that, apart from the well publicised Rod Bearing issue there are some other things that you will potentially have a problem with is the throttle actuators issue as well as the Vanos system.
When people say the engine lacks low down that's for people (people say the same about the ISF//RS4) used to turbo midrange with the M3 you have to keep it on the boil if you want to get going, in normal driving conditions you won't find it lacking but the addition of an exhaust really makes it feel more special at low speed.
When people say the engine lacks low down that's for people (people say the same about the ISF//RS4) used to turbo midrange with the M3 you have to keep it on the boil if you want to get going, in normal driving conditions you won't find it lacking but the addition of an exhaust really makes it feel more special at low speed.
hajaba123 said:
If you want 60-70% of the speed then get a M135i/235/140/240. If anything they might feel more rapid for point and squirt type driving. the bills will be significantly lower too
If you want a proper fast car with the costs that go with it then get the M3
I've had both flavours
If you want a proper fast car with the costs that go with it then get the M3
I've had both flavours
I would have thought closer to 90% of the speed most of the time. I'd expect one to handle better and maybe to be sharper above 100MPH but any engagement i've had with one against our M140i hasnt given me the impression theres a great deal in it.
My brother has a well fettled E90 & it's a beast an M135i nay get close in a straight line but these cars are about more than that, apart from the well publicised Rod Bearing issue there are some other things that you will potentially have a problem with is the throttle actuators issue as well as the Vanos system.
When people say the engine lacks low down that's for people (people say the same about the ISF//RS4) used to turbo midrange with the M3 you have to keep it on the boil if you want to get going, in normal driving conditions you won't find it lacking but the addition of an exhaust really makes it feel more special at low speed.
It won't ruin you but it is more costly to run than a C63, if you want a performance V8 with 335i running costs then I'd say take a look at an IS-F.
When people say the engine lacks low down that's for people (people say the same about the ISF//RS4) used to turbo midrange with the M3 you have to keep it on the boil if you want to get going, in normal driving conditions you won't find it lacking but the addition of an exhaust really makes it feel more special at low speed.
It won't ruin you but it is more costly to run than a C63, if you want a performance V8 with 335i running costs then I'd say take a look at an IS-F.
Thales said:
Thanks guys. I'm not after a saloon nor an auto, plus I think the ISF and C63 are out of my price range. Looks like it's going to be another hot hatch!
M140i coming close to budget price now, although theres some who prefer the M135i.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
They respond well to tuning and theres various upgrades to handling, induction and performance that dont cost a fortune but yield great results.
I looked at them for a while as a weekend car but I just couldn’t get past the running costs and mixed reviews on the engine characteristics.
Have you dismissed a nice E46 M3?
Problem is now with the 135/140 around it’s hard to justify speeding £15k on a 15 year old car.
Have you dismissed a nice E46 M3?
Problem is now with the 135/140 around it’s hard to justify speeding £15k on a 15 year old car.
Edited by Belle427 on Wednesday 1st January 09:15
I think if your happy with 60-70% of the performance for a lot less then maybe a 135i is the way to go.
I think people who buy an M3 really want it because it is an M3 and everything it stands for etc, if you would be happy with less to save the cash then fhen it's probably not for you.
There are some brilliant hot hatch's around for the same or less money
I think people who buy an M3 really want it because it is an M3 and everything it stands for etc, if you would be happy with less to save the cash then fhen it's probably not for you.
There are some brilliant hot hatch's around for the same or less money
Jamescrs said:
I think if your happy with 60-70% of the performance ...
Thats twice that has been mentioned - its 80-90% of the performance.It runs 335BHP v 414BHP which is 80% and all the other figures are easily within 90% of the M3 -
Any Nurburgring Ring or track times i can find suggest theres extremely little in it around a track.
Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 1st January 10:38
Deep Thought said:
Jamescrs said:
I think if your happy with 60-70% of the performance ...
Thats twice that has been mentioned - its 80-90% of the performance.It runs 335BHP v 414BHP which is 80% and all the other figures are easily within 90% of the M3 -
Any Nurburgring Ring or track times i can find suggest theres extremely little in it around a track.
Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 1st January 10:38
hajaba123 said:
I went from m135i to m3 then to m235i
The only areas I preferred with the non m cars were the tech and running costs, everything else was miles behind. Get driving them and see which you prefer
"preference" isnt the deciding factor though - i think we'd all chose the M3 if all things were equal - however the O/P is concerned about running costs. The only areas I preferred with the non m cars were the tech and running costs, everything else was miles behind. Get driving them and see which you prefer
Your comment and move back to an mx35i car might reinforce that concern.
Edited by Deep Thought on Wednesday 1st January 12:38
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