E46 M3 vs M235

[xjay1337]

survivalist said:

I'd say the same will soon be true of the 235/240. By the time you add suspension, LSD etc you're not too far away from an M2. Maybe not right now, but in 12 months anyway. Plus the hassle of modified insurance if you're not old like me ;-)

Edited by survivalist on Wednesday 19th February 10:04

240 sure

235i ?

Pick one up for 17k
2k for good coilovers, camber top mounts, differential / subframe mount inserts, 12/15mm spacers, fitting and alignment

2k fitted for a LSD


So you are at 21k and this is a really sweet spot for the cars.

M2s are still around 27k ?

Granted not a great stretch when modded but rarely do you buy a car and mod it straight away

Given engines are basically the same too , minus some small differences

I'd love an M2 comp myself.

[daviekiwi]

CustardOnChips said:

The E46 M3 is the sweet spot between digital, analogue, power, being a daily,, special, high revving, NA, butifully proportioned, balanced and a hundred other things.

Its hard to describe, but they just seem to get under your skin.

Spot on, M3 e46 is what i would go for, is there a better looking m3? handling lets you feel it load up on corners.
Engine is a screamer!
If your buying a low mile example, front wings and subframe mount is what you need to look out for.
Vanos and big end bearings are for high mileage or uncared for examples.
In 5 years 235i will be peanuts!

[bmwmike]

Type R Tom said:

NotNormal said:

I've used my M3 daily for 10 years now, it's quick enough when it needs to be and is a perfect tool for the job IMO. The NA engine has to be revved to to wake it up and these modern turbo cars with low down grunt can make the M3 seem lethargic if your not used to extending your right foot further, but to say it's slow amongst daily traffic is just internet chatter. Also all this talk of an M3 not being suited to daily life is rubbish unless you need the practicality of 4 doors. Driving wise there is no doubt the M3 is more engaging than the 235 but depends if that's your bag or not.

Edited by NotNormal on Thursday 13th February 09:28

That aspect of the NA engine is exactly what makes it a good daily, just keep it below 4K at it feels like a normal 3. Don't daily mine anymore, partly due to fuel costs but when I did never felt it was a problem.

It's mostly chatter from people who moved to diesel white goods and forgot how to use revs and gears when they went back to petrol. That's why modern petrol turbos are being tuned to drive like diesels rather than nasp..

[xjay1337]

A friend is selling an M3 e46.
Fully resprayed in original carbon black. Paint job is better than new.
Reasonable miles. Can't rememebr exactly.
Think it has CsL wheels
Red leather.
Manual I think...

If anyone is interested drop a PM and I'll send the advert over.

[cerb4.5lee]

bmwmike said:

It's mostly chatter from people who moved to diesel white goods and forgot how to use revs and gears when they went back to petrol. That's why modern petrol turbos are being tuned to drive like diesels rather than nasp..

You make a fair point...and after the E90 330d I had both my E92 M3 and E90 330i felt like a big let down at lower revs in comparison for sure.

The Mini Cooper S I have(2 litre petrol turbo) the torque comes in at 1200rpm(which is what you are alluding to)...and I do prefer the more effortless nature of that to use more regularly.

I have a 370Z(NA and heavy like the M3/330i) that I use occasionally...but I don't mind the power delivery in that because I only use it for fun...and most of the roads I use are empty so I can really enjoy stretching it to the redline to get the best from it.

[joema]

OP- totally depends on your annual mileage. They are getting on. Any serious mileage you do will reduce its value and I can't help but think a lot will go wrong.

I don't use my M3 an awful lot as I have access to the OH's car and my motorbike but the bills can get big. And if I was spending £25k, I'd be looking for a little more money to buy an M2. From every review I've read they sound like a hoot.

I can't bring myself to sell it either though (I have a few bit to do anyway). Too much fun every time I sit in it. And I know its not the most extreme weekend car I can think of but it has a real naughty side to it. The way it picks up from 4k rpm is fun. It's also probably as much power as anyone ever needs, or can use.

[highway]

I’ve decided to go 235. Thanks for contributing. I collect on Saturday.

[cerb4.5lee]

highway said:

I’ve decided to go 235. Thanks for contributing. I collect on Saturday.

Great news and exciting times ahead.

Enjoy collection day and let us know how you get on.

[Tony B2]

Cheburator mk2 said:

But as good as the E92 is, it will never be a classic. Don’t ask me to put my finger on it why, but it won’t. The E36 had the E30 licked in every department - I know because I had one of each. Which one is considered special now? Not the better car. Same with the E9x platform - yes, better and faster and all that. Yet, the E46 M3 is considered to be the best ///M car ever build, while the E92 is considered the first one on the slippery slope to blandness. For reference- check the prices of 964 and 993 Porsches vs 996 and 997...

E92 - last naturally aspirated M car
Only V8 M3
Actually sold in smaller numbers than the E46 M3, so rarity factor will kick in soon (for right spec and condition particularly)
There are plenty of dogs around due to the success of the PCP deals, which meant that people did not really care about looking after many of them.

And when 2 generations old (as it will be shortly) the values tend move up for exceptional examples.

[survivalist]

Tony B2 said:

Cheburator mk2 said:

But as good as the E92 is, it will never be a classic. Don’t ask me to put my finger on it why, but it won’t. The E36 had the E30 licked in every department - I know because I had one of each. Which one is considered special now? Not the better car. Same with the E9x platform - yes, better and faster and all that. Yet, the E46 M3 is considered to be the best ///M car ever build, while the E92 is considered the first one on the slippery slope to blandness. For reference- check the prices of 964 and 993 Porsches vs 996 and 997...

E92 - last naturally aspirated M car
Only V8 M3
Actually sold in smaller numbers than the E46 M3, so rarity factor will kick in soon (for right spec and condition particularly)
There are plenty of dogs around due to the success of the PCP deals, which meant that people did not really care about looking after many of them.

And when 2 generations old (as it will be shortly) the values tend move up for exceptional examples.

Agree with all of that, but I recon it’ll be a good 3-5 years before values recover and I say that as an owner of an E92 M3.

I bought last year and you’re not kidding about the dogs. Looked at loads described as mint and most were terrible. Made me a bit sad as I think poor trade in values meant that chains and car supermarkets end up trying to sell them.

I went to see a super rare 4 door and they had lost all the documentation, 4 different tyres per corner, loads of broken trim etc.

I offered a low price (13k against the asking of 20) and they laughed. It’s been through BCA 5 times since then and no one will touch it.

[Court_S]

survivalist said:

Tony B2 said:

Cheburator mk2 said:

But as good as the E92 is, it will never be a classic. Don’t ask me to put my finger on it why, but it won’t. The E36 had the E30 licked in every department - I know because I had one of each. Which one is considered special now? Not the better car. Same with the E9x platform - yes, better and faster and all that. Yet, the E46 M3 is considered to be the best ///M car ever build, while the E92 is considered the first one on the slippery slope to blandness. For reference- check the prices of 964 and 993 Porsches vs 996 and 997...

E92 - last naturally aspirated M car
Only V8 M3
Actually sold in smaller numbers than the E46 M3, so rarity factor will kick in soon (for right spec and condition particularly)
There are plenty of dogs around due to the success of the PCP deals, which meant that people did not really care about looking after many of them.

And when 2 generations old (as it will be shortly) the values tend move up for exceptional examples.

Agree with all of that, but I recon it’ll be a good 3-5 years before values recover and I say that as an owner of an E92 M3.

I bought last year and you’re not kidding about the dogs. Looked at loads described as mint and most were terrible. Made me a bit sad as I think poor trade in values meant that chains and car supermarkets end up trying to sell them.

I went to see a super rare 4 door and they had lost all the documentation, 4 different tyres per corner, loads of broken trim etc.

I offered a low price (13k against the asking of 20) and they laughed. It’s been through BCA 5 times since then and no one will touch it.

Stories like this make me glad that I chickened out of buying one especially because I’d had been buying near the bottom of the market. I guess the fact that prices have tumbled a bit puts them into the reach of people who just want a fast / cheapish car and not bother will upkeep.

[RicoOS]

All joking aside, have you considered an Alpina B3s? Far rarer than an M3, much less likely to have been thrashed and abused, a better "road car" and maintenance is more like 330ci money from what I gather over M3 money.

Currently a red one for sale on Autotrader with ultra low miles and looks totally mint for under £19k. Just as much, possibly even more "investment potential" than an M3 due to rarity and damn nearly as quick even with an autobox, so probably a better daily driver.

I'm currently in a mint, low mile 330cd and absolutely loving the more analogue nature over the last 2 cars I've had, but when I've got the money for a second car, the B3s, especially if I can find one in Alpina green with a manual box is one of my top potential buys.