Discussion
Hi all,
I've been toying with the idea of getting an e92 M3 as a weekend car and set aside a budget of 25k.
There's a few that I like the look of and will go and see those but I got a bit carried away on AT and started to look at newer M2's around the 28-30k mark.
I'm now thinking about what I should go far. I think e92 m3 is still the better choice but keen to hear people's opinions on this.
The way I see it:
M3:
Pros
V8
Should depreciate less
Awesome sound
Becoming a bit of a collectors car?
Cons
Tax - 580 a year
Running costs although won't do a lot of miles
Rod bearing issues
M2:
Pros
Newer, less issues (hopefully)
More up to date tech
Cheaper to run, insure etc
Cons
Looking around 5k more to buy
Not as special as the e92
Probably depreciate more
Won't sound as good
Same engine as m235 which I've had already
What do you guys think? Anything else I should be considering at the 25k mark purely for fun road driving? Maybe a track day here and there...
I've been toying with the idea of getting an e92 M3 as a weekend car and set aside a budget of 25k.
There's a few that I like the look of and will go and see those but I got a bit carried away on AT and started to look at newer M2's around the 28-30k mark.
I'm now thinking about what I should go far. I think e92 m3 is still the better choice but keen to hear people's opinions on this.
The way I see it:
M3:
Pros
V8
Should depreciate less
Awesome sound
Becoming a bit of a collectors car?
Cons
Tax - 580 a year
Running costs although won't do a lot of miles
Rod bearing issues
M2:
Pros
Newer, less issues (hopefully)
More up to date tech
Cheaper to run, insure etc
Cons
Looking around 5k more to buy
Not as special as the e92
Probably depreciate more
Won't sound as good
Same engine as m235 which I've had already
What do you guys think? Anything else I should be considering at the 25k mark purely for fun road driving? Maybe a track day here and there...
Edited by cbehagg242 on Tuesday 9th June 23:09
A nice decision to have to make!
No what you mean - the M2 is tempting. Think both a 25-30k M2 or M3 will depreciate quite a bit. Maybe a Comp pack M3 or rare colour would be the way to go.
How do you intend to use it? Could always spend 15k on a good M3 and have some money leftover. Would seem it's recommended to get the bearings changed on the V8.
No what you mean - the M2 is tempting. Think both a 25-30k M2 or M3 will depreciate quite a bit. Maybe a Comp pack M3 or rare colour would be the way to go.
How do you intend to use it? Could always spend 15k on a good M3 and have some money leftover. Would seem it's recommended to get the bearings changed on the V8.
Onetrackmind said:
A nice decision to have to make!
No what you mean - the M2 is tempting. Think both a 25-30k M2 or M3 will depreciate quite a bit. Maybe a Comp pack M3 or rare colour would be the way to go.
How do you intend to use it? Could always spend 15k on a good M3 and have some money leftover. Would seem it's recommended to get the bearings changed on the V8.
True, the examples I'm looking at are either comp pack or the frozen editions, which should help minimise depreciation over the cheaper/higher mileage/lower spec examples around the high teens to low 20 mark.No what you mean - the M2 is tempting. Think both a 25-30k M2 or M3 will depreciate quite a bit. Maybe a Comp pack M3 or rare colour would be the way to go.
How do you intend to use it? Could always spend 15k on a good M3 and have some money leftover. Would seem it's recommended to get the bearings changed on the V8.
I did originally start looking around the lower priced M3s but when I started reading more into them, the scope crept to LCI 2010 onwards cars with the updated iDrive and tail lights, to now comp pack or frozen editions...Always the way I guess.
Dave Hedgehog said:
given what cars are now for sale a manual NA V8 M3 (or AMG) has to be a good long term buy as people wake up to what they can no longer get
I think that's the biggest pull towards the E92 as a V8 will never be done again whereas the M2 is sort of more common and not as 'special'. I think it would be harder if I were comparing to an M2 competition but those are slightly out of budget.Another thought would be an E46 M3 CS if you don't mind going older. Think they're due to become even more sought after as the next best after the CSL. Could also go for an M4 or B8 RS4.
Otherwise, if it's just for fun - 996 turbo, Exige, Alfa 4C, Z4M Coupe. Even stretch further for a 1M as you're pretty likely to get all your money back after any finance is paid off.
Otherwise, if it's just for fun - 996 turbo, Exige, Alfa 4C, Z4M Coupe. Even stretch further for a 1M as you're pretty likely to get all your money back after any finance is paid off.
I have also recently been looking at the same cars with similar budget..
As people have suggested a nice colour competition pack E92 is very appealing.. as is an E46 CS ..
Upping the budget to a 1M is what i generally come back to each time because the just appear to be more special this or the E46 CSL which again is doubling the budget.
If you are planning to use it daily then i think the M2 is obviously the one to go for, if its to be driven at the weekends etc then i would look at the other suggestions.
As people have suggested a nice colour competition pack E92 is very appealing.. as is an E46 CS ..
Upping the budget to a 1M is what i generally come back to each time because the just appear to be more special this or the E46 CSL which again is doubling the budget.
If you are planning to use it daily then i think the M2 is obviously the one to go for, if its to be driven at the weekends etc then i would look at the other suggestions.
I can probably assist having bought a late E92 LCI manual non CP last July.
Replicating as you have;
Cons
Tank size/fuel consumption can see a tank used in less than 200 miles
At normal speeds it feels fairly ordinary
It feels its weight
Very limited opportunities to use the performance (true of any high performance car I guess & possibly harder in a manual than DCT)
Pros
The engine is simply incredible
It seems to get better the harder you push
Comfortable day to day and the ride is good too
They'll never make another engine like it. As Modern Classics noted it has lots in common with European exotics such as Ferrari
It is not a sports car, obvious perhaps and does depend on your definition, but not in my eyes at least.
For me though I in part view it as an engine with the rest thrown in for free, and for me that's very important, the S65 is truly a masterpiece.
And to add pre the current situation in 3-4 years of looking I'd seen very little price reduction if any, no real increases either though.
Replicating as you have;
Cons
Tank size/fuel consumption can see a tank used in less than 200 miles
At normal speeds it feels fairly ordinary
It feels its weight
Very limited opportunities to use the performance (true of any high performance car I guess & possibly harder in a manual than DCT)
Pros
The engine is simply incredible
It seems to get better the harder you push
Comfortable day to day and the ride is good too
They'll never make another engine like it. As Modern Classics noted it has lots in common with European exotics such as Ferrari
It is not a sports car, obvious perhaps and does depend on your definition, but not in my eyes at least.
For me though I in part view it as an engine with the rest thrown in for free, and for me that's very important, the S65 is truly a masterpiece.
And to add pre the current situation in 3-4 years of looking I'd seen very little price reduction if any, no real increases either though.
Have you driven an M2? Whilst they don't sound like a screaming V8 they are pretty outrageous sounding for an OEM car. Sound much better than the M2 Competition.
I will sing its praises from the rooftops as its still the best car I've owned, if I had to own one car from my past it would be the M2, and I've owned;
- F10 M5
- 987 Cayman S
- CLS63 AMG
- Tesla Model 3 Performance
Try one. You'll know whether its for you very quickly.
I will sing its praises from the rooftops as its still the best car I've owned, if I had to own one car from my past it would be the M2, and I've owned;
- F10 M5
- 987 Cayman S
- CLS63 AMG
- Tesla Model 3 Performance
Try one. You'll know whether its for you very quickly.
acme said:
I can probably assist having bought a late E92 LCI manual non CP last July.
Replicating as you have;
Cons
Tank size/fuel consumption can see a tank used in less than 200 miles
At normal speeds it feels fairly ordinary
It feels its weight
Very limited opportunities to use the performance (true of any high performance car I guess & possibly harder in a manual than DCT)
Pros
The engine is simply incredible
It seems to get better the harder you push
Comfortable day to day and the ride is good too
They'll never make another engine like it. As Modern Classics noted it has lots in common with European exotics such as Ferrari
It is not a sports car, obvious perhaps and does depend on your definition, but not in my eyes at least.
For me though I in part view it as an engine with the rest thrown in for free, and for me that's very important, the S65 is truly a masterpiece.
And to add pre the current situation in 3-4 years of looking I'd seen very little price reduction if any, no real increases either though.
Thanks for that, it's kind of the way I have been looking at it too. The engine is the focal point and the rest of it ends up making it a nice offering in terms of interior quality, exterior looks, handling (comp pack) etc..Replicating as you have;
Cons
Tank size/fuel consumption can see a tank used in less than 200 miles
At normal speeds it feels fairly ordinary
It feels its weight
Very limited opportunities to use the performance (true of any high performance car I guess & possibly harder in a manual than DCT)
Pros
The engine is simply incredible
It seems to get better the harder you push
Comfortable day to day and the ride is good too
They'll never make another engine like it. As Modern Classics noted it has lots in common with European exotics such as Ferrari
It is not a sports car, obvious perhaps and does depend on your definition, but not in my eyes at least.
For me though I in part view it as an engine with the rest thrown in for free, and for me that's very important, the S65 is truly a masterpiece.
And to add pre the current situation in 3-4 years of looking I'd seen very little price reduction if any, no real increases either though.
MOBB said:
Have you driven an M2? Whilst they don't sound like a screaming V8 they are pretty outrageous sounding for an OEM car. Sound much better than the M2 Competition.
I will sing its praises from the rooftops as its still the best car I've owned, if I had to own one car from my past it would be the M2, and I've owned;
- F10 M5
- 987 Cayman S
- CLS63 AMG
- Tesla Model 3 Performance
Try one. You'll know whether its for you very quickly.
I haven't no, I think I should though and might help answer whether or not it's worth the extra 5k to get into one over an E92.I will sing its praises from the rooftops as its still the best car I've owned, if I had to own one car from my past it would be the M2, and I've owned;
- F10 M5
- 987 Cayman S
- CLS63 AMG
- Tesla Model 3 Performance
Try one. You'll know whether its for you very quickly.
I'm just not sure if its too similar to the M235 I had a few years ago, but in all honesty I really enjoyed that car now that I think of it...... hmmm...
As it won't be a weekend car and you could possibly stretch to 30k have you considered a 997.2? Another couple of k and it would see you in one.
Appreciate this is not the question you asked but I think the 911 thing is an opportunity not to be missed. That said it really does depend on your priorities. The E92 is epic but has its faults and isn't a sports car, the 911 is but requires a .2 unless you can mitigate via a Hartech rebuild on a 997.1. M2's I've not driven but seems like more of a daily driver (albeit a special one at that) than a weekend car.
No matter which you get that's some cracking cars there. My attitude these days is enjoy whilst we can as I think in 20 years we'll look back at ICE cars with great memories.
Appreciate this is not the question you asked but I think the 911 thing is an opportunity not to be missed. That said it really does depend on your priorities. The E92 is epic but has its faults and isn't a sports car, the 911 is but requires a .2 unless you can mitigate via a Hartech rebuild on a 997.1. M2's I've not driven but seems like more of a daily driver (albeit a special one at that) than a weekend car.
No matter which you get that's some cracking cars there. My attitude these days is enjoy whilst we can as I think in 20 years we'll look back at ICE cars with great memories.
acme said:
As it won't be a weekend car and you could possibly stretch to 30k have you considered a 997.2? Another couple of k and it would see you in one.
Appreciate this is not the question you asked but I think the 911 thing is an opportunity not to be missed. That said it really does depend on your priorities. The E92 is epic but has its faults and isn't a sports car, the 911 is but requires a .2 unless you can mitigate via a Hartech rebuild on a 997.1. M2's I've not driven but seems like more of a daily driver (albeit a special one at that) than a weekend car.
No matter which you get that's some cracking cars there. My attitude these days is enjoy whilst we can as I think in 20 years we'll look back at ICE cars with great memories.
Funnily enough one of my other saved searches on AT is for 997.1/2 C2S. Problem is .2 in condition/spec that I would want to buy is out of budget for now. My dad has a .1 that is ridiculously clean so I always end up comparing others to that.Appreciate this is not the question you asked but I think the 911 thing is an opportunity not to be missed. That said it really does depend on your priorities. The E92 is epic but has its faults and isn't a sports car, the 911 is but requires a .2 unless you can mitigate via a Hartech rebuild on a 997.1. M2's I've not driven but seems like more of a daily driver (albeit a special one at that) than a weekend car.
No matter which you get that's some cracking cars there. My attitude these days is enjoy whilst we can as I think in 20 years we'll look back at ICE cars with great memories.
In a few years time perhaps the 911 scratch will be itched by a 991. The dream is a 991 GT3 but that is some way off for now.
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