E46 M3 to lotus Elise
Discussion
So I currently have a E46 M3 that I’ve owned for 5 years and has been my pride and Joy weekend car.
My daily has been a Ford ranger pick up truck, however the lease is about to run out, and I have picked up a 2011 Mercedes C350 CDI estate to replace this.
After driving the Mercedes this has got me thinking do I have two similar cars (I know you will never see a comparison between the C350cdi and an M3, but stay with me)
Straight line speed there is not a lot in it, I was massively surprised by the Mercedes performance here. M3 you have to wring it out which is run, the Merc has grunt low down which is readily available, therefore both have there own merits here.
Handling/stopping M3 wins here, hands down (no surprise), the Mercedes is not bad (apart from braking) but compared to the M3 is not close However how often on UK roads do you get to drive in full attack mode. (But that rare opportunity when you do 😀)
Build quality/level of luxury, again they are both similarly matched, let’s be fair one is a 3 series and the other is a class, both in the same class.
Sound, (might get shot here) but they both sound pants, M3 sounds broken and the Merc is a diesel 🤷♂️.
So I’m thinking perhaps I have two cars that tick kind of the same boxes, therefore should I swap out the M3 for a focused drivers car, something along the lines of an Elise??
Has anyone done the swap to an Elise, or similar?
If I sold the M3 I doubt/struggle to find one is as good condition for the money I would sell mine for.
I have also recently become a dad, so is it wise to lose the practically of the M3 for a ‘drivers’ car. This would mean i would only drive the Elise to actually go for a drive instead of getting from A to B. 🤔
My daily has been a Ford ranger pick up truck, however the lease is about to run out, and I have picked up a 2011 Mercedes C350 CDI estate to replace this.
After driving the Mercedes this has got me thinking do I have two similar cars (I know you will never see a comparison between the C350cdi and an M3, but stay with me)
Straight line speed there is not a lot in it, I was massively surprised by the Mercedes performance here. M3 you have to wring it out which is run, the Merc has grunt low down which is readily available, therefore both have there own merits here.
Handling/stopping M3 wins here, hands down (no surprise), the Mercedes is not bad (apart from braking) but compared to the M3 is not close However how often on UK roads do you get to drive in full attack mode. (But that rare opportunity when you do 😀)
Build quality/level of luxury, again they are both similarly matched, let’s be fair one is a 3 series and the other is a class, both in the same class.
Sound, (might get shot here) but they both sound pants, M3 sounds broken and the Merc is a diesel 🤷♂️.
So I’m thinking perhaps I have two cars that tick kind of the same boxes, therefore should I swap out the M3 for a focused drivers car, something along the lines of an Elise??
Has anyone done the swap to an Elise, or similar?
If I sold the M3 I doubt/struggle to find one is as good condition for the money I would sell mine for.
I have also recently become a dad, so is it wise to lose the practically of the M3 for a ‘drivers’ car. This would mean i would only drive the Elise to actually go for a drive instead of getting from A to B. 🤔
I have a lotus Elise as exactly that - an “I fancy a drive” car. It’s reliable and relatively cheap, depreciation proof, probably the most wonderful sporting drive you can experience and as a result I couldn’t think of a more perfect machine for the job. I have a TVR Cerbera which costs a bloody fortune and when you stack up cost versus the miles covered then it’s really only the fact my dad is very fond of it and it pretty much lives with him being looked after that explains why I haven’t sold it. Well, that and it being beyond epic.
I have an Elise and have done for years now, i did consider a E46 M3 when i bought it as ive had lightweight plastic cars for years but it felt so heavy and boring it was untrue!
I would recommend you go test drive one, mines a 111R with a high revving Toyota engine and its an absolute blast, will be slower the the M3 in a straight line but they feel like driving perfection and cost peanuts to run and appreciate in value
I would recommend you go test drive one, mines a 111R with a high revving Toyota engine and its an absolute blast, will be slower the the M3 in a straight line but they feel like driving perfection and cost peanuts to run and appreciate in value
TheAlastair34 said:
I have an Elise and have done for years now, i did consider a E46 M3 when i bought it as ive had lightweight plastic cars for years but it felt so heavy and boring it was untrue!
I would recommend you go test drive one, mines a 111R with a high revving Toyota engine and its an absolute blast, will be slower the the M3 in a straight line but they feel like driving perfection and cost peanuts to run and appreciate in value
The E46 is a great car but a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none. I would recommend you go test drive one, mines a 111R with a high revving Toyota engine and its an absolute blast, will be slower the the M3 in a straight line but they feel like driving perfection and cost peanuts to run and appreciate in value
Looks like the Lotus is a master of driving perfection
i've had an Elise since '12 and it's a keeper - light, focused, nasp cars are no more so my hand's been somewhat forced. its only purpose is for country blasts.
That said, the E46 was the last M3 i got on with. great car, especially an example with a lively throttle (not all did). great mile-muncher that enjoyed the curves, but it wasn't a sunday blat car.
If you test drive Elises, don't rule out the lesser powered models. The SC versions might appeal after the M3 power, but really the joy of an Elise is handling and carrying speed.
That said, the E46 was the last M3 i got on with. great car, especially an example with a lively throttle (not all did). great mile-muncher that enjoyed the curves, but it wasn't a sunday blat car.
If you test drive Elises, don't rule out the lesser powered models. The SC versions might appeal after the M3 power, but really the joy of an Elise is handling and carrying speed.
Its amazing how many drivers are starting to realise that real driving experience is missing from a lot of car nowadays.
Everything is so over refined now you don't know you are actually driving the car anymore.
I have an Elise 220 Cup and its the best driving car I've ever owned. So much fun without the massive cost of motoring. Its frugal, fast and engaging. What more could you ask for from a car.
If you want a drivers car that is useable then you cant get better than an Elise in my opinion.
Everything is so over refined now you don't know you are actually driving the car anymore.
I have an Elise 220 Cup and its the best driving car I've ever owned. So much fun without the massive cost of motoring. Its frugal, fast and engaging. What more could you ask for from a car.
If you want a drivers car that is useable then you cant get better than an Elise in my opinion.
Out of the 30 cars I've owned, my S2 111S is probably the one I regret selling the most. It may sound bonkers but the sense of occasion has only been matched by a Caterham and a McLaren 570. The latter feeling very much like a bigger and more refined (and much more expensive!) Lotus; every time I drive one it reminds me of my Elise.
The chap I sold it to four years ago has two very young children and every year I ask him to sell it back to me he refuses to, so it must be working out for him
It'll be a totally different experience to the M3 and I'm confident once you've driven one, you'll want one. Even if you struggle to find the time to drive it to start with, the values are only going one way...
The chap I sold it to four years ago has two very young children and every year I ask him to sell it back to me he refuses to, so it must be working out for him
It'll be a totally different experience to the M3 and I'm confident once you've driven one, you'll want one. Even if you struggle to find the time to drive it to start with, the values are only going one way...I had a 111R for 7 years and should warn you.....it will destroy everything else in terms of feedback and handling. Every car after it will; feel like an HGV. It ruined me for other cars. Unless you go even more hardcore and lightweight you'll end up wondering why modern cars are so massive and heavy. You may think 'WTF' for the first day or so but after that.....
We have a Boxster at the same time and it felt like it weighed as much as the moon! I rarely ever bothered with it. Also, the Elise was the only car i remember looking forward to taking out on the road.
We have a Boxster at the same time and it felt like it weighed as much as the moon! I rarely ever bothered with it. Also, the Elise was the only car i remember looking forward to taking out on the road.
i effectively went the other way round and did regret it.
cheap to fuel, tax and service... but make sure if you're not a home mechanic that its been well looked after my 111R cost the dealership and myself alot after 4 years of neglect (couldnt of known at the time) I used mine as a daily and things fell off it..... but i regret that i moved onto the Z4MC.
Now i couldn't stomach the costs of an Exige as they've held their money well
cheap to fuel, tax and service... but make sure if you're not a home mechanic that its been well looked after my 111R cost the dealership and myself alot after 4 years of neglect (couldnt of known at the time) I used mine as a daily and things fell off it..... but i regret that i moved onto the Z4MC.
Now i couldn't stomach the costs of an Exige as they've held their money well
JohndoePH said:
I've currently got an S5 on lease and have been considered what's next... I wanted a cheap run around and then a fun car, to that end I test drove an Elise 220 Cup recently and have to say it was awesome fun and actually not that impractical. Definitely on my wish list as a result.
That’s exactly what I have. Best car I’ve ever owned. I’ve had it for 2 years and can’t see it going anywhere soon. Do the Cup when you can, it won’t disappoint.
Oh on another note don’t let night powered 250 version sway you, there is hardly any difference in the drivability,
You’ve mentioned the VX220 twice and with good reason a I suspect as it's basically an Elise with a different engine and bodywork. There is a huge difference in cost between the two cars which is entirely down to the badge. Both are depreciation proof, in fact values have risen on both over the last 3 years....the Lotus have predictably gained a little more in value.
The driving experience in both is basically the same from a steering and feedback and weight transfer point of view with only the engine being the fundamental difference. The driving experience is similar to one you get from a go-kart in terms of being able to feel exactly what each tyre is doing and how much girl you have to play with and being able to move the weight of the car around. The steering feedback is so communicative that as others have said it just ruins all other cars and turns every journey into a pleasure.
The driving experience in both is basically the same from a steering and feedback and weight transfer point of view with only the engine being the fundamental difference. The driving experience is similar to one you get from a go-kart in terms of being able to feel exactly what each tyre is doing and how much girl you have to play with and being able to move the weight of the car around. The steering feedback is so communicative that as others have said it just ruins all other cars and turns every journey into a pleasure.
Not sure if you’d consider throwing a modified VX220 turbo into the mix but they occasionally come up sale. A reliable 300 bhp and straight line performance that would leave you not wanting. A standard 145bhp n/a version may feel a little slow after an m3 but these cars are more about the feel and sense of occasion primarily.
Crippo said:
You’ve mentioned the VX220 twice and with good reason a I suspect as it's basically an Elise with a different engine and bodywork. There is a huge difference in cost between the two cars which is entirely down to the badge. Both are depreciation proof, in fact values have risen on both over the last 3 years....the Lotus have predictably gained a little more in value.
The driving experience in both is basically the same from a steering and feedback and weight transfer point of view with only the engine being the fundamental difference. The driving experience is similar to one you get from a go-kart in terms of being able to feel exactly what each tyre is doing and how much girl you have to play with and being able to move the weight of the car around. The steering feedback is so communicative that as others have said it just ruins all other cars and turns every journey into a pleasure.
The VX220 is actually a Europa underneath. Different geo to the Elise.The driving experience in both is basically the same from a steering and feedback and weight transfer point of view with only the engine being the fundamental difference. The driving experience is similar to one you get from a go-kart in terms of being able to feel exactly what each tyre is doing and how much girl you have to play with and being able to move the weight of the car around. The steering feedback is so communicative that as others have said it just ruins all other cars and turns every journey into a pleasure.
Edited by Composite Guru on Thursday 1st August 10:35
Yup, miss mine. Make sure to go for the high revving Toyota engine’d car though! Plus as others said, ultra cheap servicing and depreciation free motoring. What else do you need?!
Also to add: I went from a 350Z to this, which like you is a great car as a compromise. But not special enough as a second car.
If I could do it differently next time, I’d buy a much higher mileage example, that way I could use it and pile on the miles guilt free.
Also to add: I went from a 350Z to this, which like you is a great car as a compromise. But not special enough as a second car.
If I could do it differently next time, I’d buy a much higher mileage example, that way I could use it and pile on the miles guilt free.
Edited by Ryan_T on Thursday 1st August 10:11
Composite Guru said:
The VX220 is actually a Europa underneath. Different geo to the Elise.
No it isn’t, a Europa weighs a chunk more than a VX and that changes everything. Geometry is completely adjustable so that’s a pointless statement.Edited by Composite Guru on Thursday 1st August 10:35
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