Time to move the E46 M3 along.......but to what?

[mr2turbogts]

So I have been back and fourth several occasions regarding changing my current weekend car which is a E46 M3, I've owned it for 6 years now, and where there is nothing wrong with the car I keep thinking I have had my time, fancy something different, and that's when I get stuck.

I'm knocking around a few ideas, but would like some further advise/options on what others would do.

Option 1) Sell M3, and replace with a XKR or 911? (Something a bit more special, but around the same ££)
Option 2) Sell M3, and buy a cheaper weekend car, Boxster, S2000, Z4 something cheap but fun (that I don't have to worry too much about, the M3 is a bit of a garage queen)
Option 3) Sell M3, and buy a track day car. Had a Rev2 MR2 a few years back for this reason but found it hard to find the time to do track days and it was 3rd car so hard to justify.
Option 4) Sell M3, and put the money towards a better Daily, although i'm pretty happy with my daily at the moment (Mercedes C350CDI)
Option 5) Sell M3, don't buy another car use the money for house renovations or towards mortgage
Option 6) Just keep the M3 and if I want to do track day either hire or do it in the M3.
Option 7)………..

These are all based on if once the coronavirus has passed and I am still in a position to do the above.

We have a daughter who is soon to be 1, and also a dog, which the M3 can accommodate (Maybe why its a hard car to replace) so maybe moving to a 2 seater is not a great idea as I don't know when I will get to drive it, although when I do it will be purely for driving

[toasty]

Have you tried an E92 M3?

95% of the time I found it a worthwhile upgrade. Only down point is it does feel heavier and slightly less chuckable.

[ajguk]

What's your budget if you sell the M3?

[Xcore]

Track it

[mr2turbogts]

toasty said:

Have you tried an E92 M3?

95% of the time I found it a worthwhile upgrade. Only down point is it does feel heavier and slightly less chuckable.

Not sure they tickle my fancy, would feel like the same (I.e cooking saloon)

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say track it if you've made it a garage queen the odd trackday will do it some good & make you enjoy the car even more.

[mr2turbogts]

ajguk said:

What's your budget if you sell the M3?

Would pitch the m3 around 12-13k so around this figure may stretch out to 15k perhaps

[mbwoy84]

If you sell the M3, what about a decent spec Impreza at half the price, which would give you 4 proper seats, a car you can use for both weekend fun and occasional track use, plus it would free up a bit of cash for other things which sounds like that would be attractive to you as well, so seems like the most happy medium.

If you do “upgrade” then unsurprisingly I’d suggest the XK-R.

Both predictable as I own 2 Imprezas and an XK-R!

[MDL111]

How about this (I keep looking at it, but shouldn’t buy it....) - will possibly also fit kid and dog (depending on size). I know nothing about the car, but going by the pics it looks very nice imo

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[mr2turbogts]

mbwoy84 said:

If you sell the M3, what about a decent spec Impreza at half the price, which would give you 4 proper seats, a car you can use for both weekend fun and occasional track use, plus it would free up a bit of cash for other things which sounds like that would be attractive to you as well, so seems like the most happy medium.

If you do “upgrade” then unsurprisingly I’d suggest the XK-R.

Both predictable as I own 2 Imprezas and an XK-R!

I did have an Impreza many years ago, although it was only a WRX, never got on with the 4x4.

How did you find the XKR, is it the 150?

[Shifter1]

I would go option 1 but find something other than the XKR and 911.

[mr2turbogts]

MDL111 said:

How about this (I keep looking at it, but shouldn’t buy it....) - will possibly also fit kid and dog (depending on size). I know nothing about the car, but going by the pics it looks very nice imo

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

That’s interesting, do fancy a ‘modern classic’

[mr2turbogts]

Shifter1 said:

I would go option 1 but find something other than the XKR and 911.

Any suggestions, I’ve been round this a few times and struggle with a replacement 🤔

[M22s]

MDL111 said:

How about this (I keep looking at it, but shouldn’t buy it....) - will possibly also fit kid and dog (depending on size). I know nothing about the car, but going by the pics it looks very nice imo

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Nice! If it’s as good underneath as it is on the outside, that’s a gem!

[DoubleD]

Get something fun like a Caterham and leave the family at home. 1 hour a week in 1 of those will keep you happy.

[cerb4.5lee]

DoubleD said:

Get something fun like a Caterham and leave the family at home. 1 hour a week in 1 of those will keep you happy.

Agree with this.

It might not get used loads, but when you do use it you will love it...and it will be a welcome escape from the family. My weekend car is nowhere near as exciting to drive as a Caterham/Lotus etc, but before lockdown I got lots of enjoyment from just going out on my own and driving it purely for pleasure.

[griffter]

I was in your position this time last year with a very very good, low mileage 996. I went for a combination of options 2 and 4 (ie I spent all the money!).
The benefit of this approach is that I have a weekend toy (Honda S2000) that doesn’t need to be practical, and a daily estate that I enjoy driving and provides a complete contrast to the Honda. Another benefit is I got to research, view and buy two cars and I love buying cars!
The 996 did everything brilliantly but it was too good to use on track (although I did, once) and frankly too much money tied up doing nothing most of the time.

[Shifter1]

mr2turbogts said:

Any suggestions, I’ve been round this a few times and struggle with a replacement ??

Really depends on what you think as special. To me a special weekend car needs to be RWD, manual, V6 and up, good looking, an event to drive and sit in and not a common sight.

So for the above and under 15K there is not much.

There is the Maserati Coupe GT

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

I really like those. Interiors are great and special, specially in classic Italian beige or cream. "Ferrari" V8 under the bonnet and a manual transmission. RWD, plenty of power. Great looking too IMO.

And VXR Monaro:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Different side of the same coin compared to the Maserati. But still V8, manual and rare.

That's all I found on PH that matches the above and under 15K.

I also found Z4 Coupes, and that would also fit. But since you are replacing a BMW maybe you don't want to replace it with another BMW. But that fits too otherwise.

The 968 is a nice shout. But it's a 4 cylinders. Not enough drama for the weekend IMO. Also I find the frog lights ugly. I much prefer the older 944 looks.

XKR is rare enough. But auto only and a little too, how can I say it without offending fans, a little too gentleman express for a weekend car. It's really more of a personal daily cruiser for people who's kids are already in university. Unless in SVR guise. Then it's bonkers. But not 15K.

911s are just too common and I'm honestly bored of Audis and Porsches. 918, Carrera GT etc aside of course.

[JJ55]

If you wanted something else that’s special & has 4 seats a Maserati could be a good shout.

[stevemcs]

You could sell the M3 and C350 and buy a Jag

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

If that’s too much you could always go for a Merc

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...