Is there a better way to spend £15k than an E46 M3?

[anonymous-user]

FA57REN said:

Vauxhall VXR8

Or a Monaro (my default answer). Loads of room in the back if you can wait for the electric seats to move out of the way.

Here’s one

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

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th July 21:37

[GregK2]

doogle83 said:

I'd want a white one personally, but I'd prefer a Civic FD2

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10578646?

The car that came to my mind too. (Also in white)

[RobXjcoupe]

Alloy body so light for a big saloon, portfolio version only 400 made. 4.2 v8 400bhp, 0-60 5secs and loads of rear seat space. Regular XJR supercharger will give you change from £15k.
Ford Focus mk1 rs currently at £15k
MG ZT 260 has the 4.6 Ford v8 factory fitted. Not many of those especially if the Rover 75 V8 version with the Audi style big front grill before Audi styled their cars with it. Like the XJR comes with its own doors for the rear seats

[talksthetorque]

I don't know if what a car sounds like or goes like is a priority to you (I'm guessing so) but......

[ZX10R NIN]

wyldstalyns said:

Been racking my brains for what would be the most exciting way to spend £15k.

Only one rule:

- Must have realistic back seats

Can anyone do better than an E46 M3?

Lexus IS-F great car really underestimated people don't appreciate how much they get under your skin & they're sensible to maintain:

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

VXR8 another drivers car that's a sweet steer with sensible maintenance costs with a nice amount of space too::

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

VXR Monaro

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

Next for me is the one I'd pick but I'm bias, the C63 is a bombastic car great bottom end grunt & then a manic top end:

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

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

Now if you don't mind rolling around at 8/10ths then the CL500 (with the 4.7TT V8) or the CL63 AMG are both very nice places to be & can be hustled along at a lick:

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

CL500 AMG Sport

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

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

E90 M3 Saloon

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

Coupe

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

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

Audi RS5

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

M6 is a brave pill but a special car:

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

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

So in answer to your question yes there are better ways to spend 15k imo opinion (all would get the nod before an E46 M3) but that doesn't mean you have to agree with that opinion.

[300bhp/ton]

wyldstalyns said:

Been racking my brains for what would be the most exciting way to spend £15k.

Only one rule:

- Must have realistic back seats

Can anyone do better than an E46 M3?

I'm sure the E46 isn't a bad car. But if it is excitment you are after, then I'm sure there are lots of other cars. From AWD rally replicas from Subaru/Mitsubishi to pony cars such as Firebirds, Camaro's or Mustangs.

[anonymous-user]

talksthetorque said:

I don't know if what a car sounds like or goes like is a priority to you (I'm guessing so) but......

Is that diesel smoke?

[talksthetorque]

wormus said:

talksthetorque said:

I don't know if what a car sounds like or goes like is a priority to you (I'm guessing so) but......

Is that diesel smoke?

Do you own a 55 reg Transit by any chance?

[pti]

Lexus ISF > M3

Vauxhall Monaro

[jagfan2]

RS4
8000rpm NA V8 manual

[stevekoz]

Some great choices.

I would suggest a slightly different ilk.

I read your brief and some comments about practicality and getting it past the other half as a reliable practical 3rd car that needs to be fun.

I would suggest that 15k could get you your BMW but not an M- car and go with the 1 series.

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

You can pick up a m140i or m135i. Both give you practicality of rear back seat. More dynamic than the e46 M3. More up to date than the M3 and arguably cheaper to run.

In addition, they are also that bit newer and maybe more agreeable to your other half as a 3rd steer?

There are a number of other hatch options that classify as exciting.

You could pick up a Golf R

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

You could pick up a Megane RS

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

The Honda Civic Type R - FK2 is just about in budget with a bit of negotiation

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Civic-Type-R-VTEC...


Whilst all the above are not GT or sports cars they offer that level of excitement that i think go beyond that of the e46 M3, dynamically at least. Though the M3 does get under your skin a little like not much else. They are great fun.

Just a few options to think about.

[tejr]

I think realistically you will come full circle back to the first reply..

E92 m3

Lots of alternatives, but nothing really beats it at that price. A v8 in a 3 series is a pretty rare thing. Carbon roof. Lsd. It's a damn good package if you want something practical.

And, along with the rs4 suggestion, it'll remain pretty saught after long after the alternatives have been forgotten.

[V8RX7]

tejr said:

E92 m3

Lots of alternatives, but nothing really beats it at that price.

it'll remain pretty saught after long after the alternatives have been forgotten.

I agree it's a very capable car and perhaps that's what the OP wants.

It's not fun though - that's why people pay more for the E30 M3 even though it's worse in every measurable way.

[anonymous-user]

tejr said:

I think realistically you will come full circle back to the first reply..

E92 m3

Lots of alternatives, but nothing really beats it at that price. A v8 in a 3 series is a pretty rare thing. Carbon roof. Lsd. It's a damn good package if you want something practical.

And, along with the rs4 suggestion, it'll remain pretty saught after long after the alternatives have been forgotten.

Must admit, I’d forgotten about the V8 M3 already and when I went in a mate’s, it felt pretty gutless unless it had the crap wrung out of it. Not as much character as the straight 6s before it.

“Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races.”

Personal taste I guess.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 14th July 14:39

[Terzo123]

I've had a Monaro VXR, fantastic car with bags of character. Getting access to the rear seats was a PITA.

After selling the Monaro to help finance a house extension, I spent years lusting after an E90 M3.

When it finally came time to buy one, I ended up with a W204 C63.

At ten tenths on a track, the M3 might have had an edge, but i generally don't drive on track, and whilst looks are subjective, for everything else the Merc had the M3 licked. IMHO.

[tejr]

V8RX7 said:

I agree it's a very capable car and perhaps that's what the OP wants.

It's not fun though - that's why people pay more for the E30 M3 even though it's worse in every measurable way.

Agreed.. But if you are trying to tick as many boxes as possible for the budget. E92 m3. It's an "All cars to all men" car, so there are compromises. If you want something more special you need to compromise on rear leg room but that seems high on the OPs list.

It feels heavy and grown up though.

Edited by tejr on Tuesday 14th July 18:01

[Leon R]

V8RX7 said:

tejr said:

E92 m3

Lots of alternatives, but nothing really beats it at that price.

it'll remain pretty saught after long after the alternatives have been forgotten.

I agree it's a very capable car and perhaps that's what the OP wants.

It's not fun though - that's why people pay more for the E30 M3 even though it's worse in every measurable way.

Didn't realise my car wasn't fun. I better get rid.

[Benbay001]

Why does a third car need to be practical and seat 5?

Surely if youre going out with the whole family you arent going to be driving it like you stole it.

[wyldstalyns]

Benbay001 said:

Why does a third car need to be practical and seat 5?

Surely if youre going out with the whole family you arent going to be driving it like you stole it.

Because one of the other cars is an F355 - which is so impractical as to barely be considered a “car” at all!

Thus with a kid coming need 2 usable cars. The other’s an old Jeep Cherokee XJ which I love— so a lot of the options above would round off the garage nicely!

So far I’m most tempted by the RS4 probably, but need to look into a couple of others I’m less familiar with.

[wyldstalyns]

ZX10R NIN said:

Lexus IS-F great car really underestimated people don't appreciate how much they get under your skin & they're sensible to maintain:

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

VXR8 another drivers car that's a sweet steer with sensible maintenance costs with a nice amount of space too::

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

VXR Monaro

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

Next for me is the one I'd pick but I'm bias, the C63 is a bombastic car great bottom end grunt & then a manic top end:

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

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

Now if you don't mind rolling around at 8/10ths then the CL500 (with the 4.7TT V8) or the CL63 AMG are both very nice places to be & can be hustled along at a lick:

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

CL500 AMG Sport

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

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

E90 M3 Saloon

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

Coupe

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

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

Audi RS5

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

M6 is a brave pill but a special car:

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

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

So in answer to your question yes there are better ways to spend 15k imo opinion (all would get the nod before an E46 M3) but that doesn't mean you have to agree with that opinion.

A lot there I hadn’t thought about...