What coupe 4-7k, reliable, not too thirsty
Discussion
300bhp/ton said:
I always cringe at comments like this.
Why on earth would tyres be an extra cost? There's a good chance a 330ci would have bigger more expensive tyres. Not too mention e36's and e46's share a common PCD, so you could swap the wheels around.
Are breaks really that much more costly? A quick look on eBay and £80 will get you a pair of new front discs for the e36 M3. Pads seem sensible money too. Not too mention most people don't replace these every other month either, so it's hardly a real cost in terms of ownership.
Insurance, well that I don't know. Guess it can vary.
Servicing. Seriously you wouldn't be using a BMW main dealer to service a £5k e36 M3. For just an "oil change" and the filters as is 99% of most services just pay a local mechanic £50-100. Once ever 18 months or so send it to an indi or specialist. Really don't see how it's physically any more to service than a 330ci.
indy fixed price servicing from an indy near me:Why on earth would tyres be an extra cost? There's a good chance a 330ci would have bigger more expensive tyres. Not too mention e36's and e46's share a common PCD, so you could swap the wheels around.
Are breaks really that much more costly? A quick look on eBay and £80 will get you a pair of new front discs for the e36 M3. Pads seem sensible money too. Not too mention most people don't replace these every other month either, so it's hardly a real cost in terms of ownership.
Insurance, well that I don't know. Guess it can vary.
Servicing. Seriously you wouldn't be using a BMW main dealer to service a £5k e36 M3. For just an "oil change" and the filters as is 99% of most services just pay a local mechanic £50-100. Once ever 18 months or so send it to an indi or specialist. Really don't see how it's physically any more to service than a 330ci.
E46 330ci inspection II - 295
E36 M3 inspection II - £490
then there is when bits go wrong.
E38Ross said:
300bhp/ton said:
I always cringe at comments like this.
Why on earth would tyres be an extra cost? There's a good chance a 330ci would have bigger more expensive tyres. Not too mention e36's and e46's share a common PCD, so you could swap the wheels around.
Are breaks really that much more costly? A quick look on eBay and £80 will get you a pair of new front discs for the e36 M3. Pads seem sensible money too. Not too mention most people don't replace these every other month either, so it's hardly a real cost in terms of ownership.
Insurance, well that I don't know. Guess it can vary.
Servicing. Seriously you wouldn't be using a BMW main dealer to service a £5k e36 M3. For just an "oil change" and the filters as is 99% of most services just pay a local mechanic £50-100. Once ever 18 months or so send it to an indi or specialist. Really don't see how it's physically any more to service than a 330ci.
indy fixed price servicing from an indy near me:Why on earth would tyres be an extra cost? There's a good chance a 330ci would have bigger more expensive tyres. Not too mention e36's and e46's share a common PCD, so you could swap the wheels around.
Are breaks really that much more costly? A quick look on eBay and £80 will get you a pair of new front discs for the e36 M3. Pads seem sensible money too. Not too mention most people don't replace these every other month either, so it's hardly a real cost in terms of ownership.
Insurance, well that I don't know. Guess it can vary.
Servicing. Seriously you wouldn't be using a BMW main dealer to service a £5k e36 M3. For just an "oil change" and the filters as is 99% of most services just pay a local mechanic £50-100. Once ever 18 months or so send it to an indi or specialist. Really don't see how it's physically any more to service than a 330ci.
E46 330ci inspection II - 295
E36 M3 inspection II - £490
then there is when bits go wrong.
EBay - FRONT BREMBO BRAKE DISCS BMW E46 325i, 330i - £76
EBay - BMW M3 3.0 3.2 EVO E36 FRONT BRAKE DISCS BREMBO - £130
I'm afraid that M-tax is undeniable.
SWoll said:
As another example
EBay - FRONT BREMBO BRAKE DISCS BMW E46 325i, 330i - £76
EBay - BMW M3 3.0 3.2 EVO E36 FRONT BRAKE DISCS BREMBO - £130
I'm afraid that M-tax is undeniable.
I'm sure it is. Although you could run a different brand. The ones I saw earlier looked perfectly fine, where grooved, drilled and £79 inc free postage.EBay - FRONT BREMBO BRAKE DISCS BMW E46 325i, 330i - £76
EBay - BMW M3 3.0 3.2 EVO E36 FRONT BRAKE DISCS BREMBO - £130
I'm afraid that M-tax is undeniable.
And at the end of the day, how often do you change brake discs? Every 4 years maybe, I really can't see how it costs a huge sum of money more to run the M3. I'm sure you can make it a lot more money if you want it to be, but there's no need IMO.
300bhp/ton said:
E38Ross said:
indy fixed price servicing from an indy near me:
E46 330ci inspection II - 295
E36 M3 inspection II - £490
then there is when bits go wrong.
Simple answer don't use them and go else where. An M3 doesn't run on dilithium crystals and isn't made from REE's.E46 330ci inspection II - 295
E36 M3 inspection II - £490
then there is when bits go wrong.
This is the real world 3 where most people don't have the time/skill to mess about with their cars themselves and don't know or trust local back street garages to even complete simple tasks. I agree about avoiding the main dealer network but I don't think a yearly service at a decent Indy/Specialist is an unreasonable plan for the majority of owners.
300bhp/ton said:
SWoll said:
As another example
EBay - FRONT BREMBO BRAKE DISCS BMW E46 325i, 330i - £76
EBay - BMW M3 3.0 3.2 EVO E36 FRONT BRAKE DISCS BREMBO - £130
I'm afraid that M-tax is undeniable.
I'm sure it is. Although you could run a different brand. The ones I saw earlier looked perfectly fine, where grooved, drilled and £79 inc free postage.EBay - FRONT BREMBO BRAKE DISCS BMW E46 325i, 330i - £76
EBay - BMW M3 3.0 3.2 EVO E36 FRONT BRAKE DISCS BREMBO - £130
I'm afraid that M-tax is undeniable.
And at the end of the day, how often do you change brake discs? Every 4 years maybe, I really can't see how it costs a huge sum of money more to run the M3. I'm sure you can make it a lot more money if you want it to be, but there's no need IMO.
You wouldn't advise putting "Fullrun" tyres on an M3, so why are cheap/unknown brakes acceptable?
Anyway, brake discs are just an easy example to prove the point that pretty much everything for an M-Car is 2x the price of the highest performance non M.
B3ALP said:
Better than an M3 without the M tax 
SWoll said:
If it was my 300BHP + performance car I think I'd be tempted to go for a reputable brand from a reputable seller TBH.
You wouldn't advise putting "Fullrun" tyres on an M3, so why are cheap/unknown brakes acceptable?
But a slab of milled metal is just a slab of milled metal tbh. I'm sure there are some shocking ones, but the internet lets you find out reviews and opinions quickly and easily these days. I've also run cheap and expensive and OEM brake parts and couldn't honestly tell you the cheap ones where less good. Indeed we fitted some so called "cheap" discs to my brothers car with new aftermarket pads. Huge improvement over the factory fit items.You wouldn't advise putting "Fullrun" tyres on an M3, so why are cheap/unknown brakes acceptable?
SWoll said:
Anyway, brake discs are just an easy example to prove the point that pretty much everything for an M-Car is 2x the price of the highest performance non M.
But how many things would you expect to have to replace regularly on such a car?I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't go into ownership thinking the entire car needs replacing.
Frik said:
No, but it does require valve clearance adjustment at the Inspection II which is why it is so expensive.
Is it normal to adjust things for an inspection, or just to inspect? Do they normally need adjusting? Can it be done by other people and is it overly complex? And if it doesn't need doing that often, even if you do pay more, I still don't see how it makes the M3 hugely more expensive.How often would this need to be done? Once a year, once every 2 years? Even if it cost £200-300 it's not exactly bank breaking amounts compared to running a 330i - IMO
E38Ross said:
300bhp/tonne - sorry but the running costs of an E36 M3 will be considerably more than a 330ci over a few years of ownership.
How and where? So far there's been something akin to £10-20 more a month if I'm being really generous. That doesn't seem significantly more. Not by any stretch...E38Ross said:
Your "slab of metal" comment is laughable. Sorry, but you clearly don't know.
So what are they then?? Please explain to me how paying more money for often the same item (sometimes even from the same maker just in a different box) actually makes a brake disc better?E38Ross said:
Even a radiator is twice the price for similar brands.
How often do you replace these?? Hardly an example of "routine running costs" is it?Just has a look at it seems a new rad can be had from £120 for an M3. Truly makes it expensive at those kinds of prices..
300bhp/ton said:
Is it normal to adjust things for an inspection, or just to inspect?
Inspection is merely the name given by BMW for a major service. It consist of some inspection and some servicing.300bhp/ton said:
Do they normally need adjusting?
Yes.300bhp/ton said:
Can it be done by other people and is it overly complex?
Yes, hence the quoting of some Indy prices above. The head needs to come off and the engine needs to be cold. There is a fair amount of labour, hence the exta cost.300bhp/ton said:
And if it doesn't need doing that often, even if you do pay more, I still don't see how it makes the M3 hugely more expensive.
It's just an example. Others have been given. Earlier you said "Really don't see how it's physically any more to service than a 330ci" this is one example why it is physically more to service an M3 than a 330ci.300bhp/ton said:
How often would this need to be done? Once a year, once every 2 years? Even if it cost £200-300 it's not exactly bank breaking amounts compared to running a 330i - IMO
Along with the more expensive parts, it all adds up. A bit like the money you'd save on keyboards if you just admitted you were wrong, rather than continuing the argument to save face 
300bhp/ton said:
So what are they then?? Please explain to me how paying more money for often the same item (sometimes even from the same maker just in a different box) actually makes a brake disc better?
so all types of steel are the same are they?regards radiator - not replaced too regularly but it's an idea of parts costs. bits will need replacing, fact.
funny you arguing they won't cost more to run, yet everyone else is saying it will cost far more to run isn't it. insurance costs more, servicing costs more, parts cost more.
OP, I remember autocar did a review of a 330CD E46 coupe with a remap from a specialist and they were very impressed with power delivery and fuel economy. It was putting out about 240hp. Granted, it's not the same level of performance as 335d with a remap, but you'd have to be looking at pre-owned F-14 tomcats (not a diesel either) for that kind of grunt. HTH
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