M3(E93) or M6(E63)

[RevHappy]

M3(E93) or M6(E63) i'm looking at these to switch the DD to, they seem to have become good value now at three and four years old. Both now knocking around the £35k mark for a great V8 and V10
Just wondered if any of you folks have had one and what you thought of it or better still if you've had both.

Cheers

Stuart.

Ps or any other options just encase i've missed out something else, i need four seats and fancy some open air, not bothered about mpg as you might have guessed.
Pps, yes I know the coupe version is better for both car, but I've got that side covered.

[jontysafe]

Have an M6 cabrio, get it bought. You`ll not regret it, maybe need to stretch the budget a wee bit to get the best though?
Make sure it has full leather, not extended. Piano Black not carbon interior and stay away from black leather, a lighter colour really suits the car. BMW currently have only 3!

[RevHappy]

Of the three they range from 34 to 37, so 35 isn't a bad shout.
Only two with full leather
One is black
Test drive booked for Sat on the M6, if I don't like it, there are more m3's to look at......still there something about a V10

[DayTrader]

RevHappy said:

......still there something about a V10

Hello, 200mph.

[RevHappy]

DayTrader said:

RevHappy said:

......still there something about a V10

Hello, 200mph.

limiting cars is just wrong, I bet it voids all sorts by removing it

[RevHappy]

I guess convertible M3's are looked down on.....

[ecain63]

RevHappy said:

I guess convertible M3's are looked down on.....

Boom boom! Chuckle!

[RevHappy]

ecain63 said:

Boom boom! Chuckle!

Couldn't help myself.

[RevHappy]

Having now driven both, it's time to reflect.

[Owlwood]

Be interested to hear what you thought, RevHappy. Im looking at upgrading in the new year and had my heart set on the M3 but now for the same money you'd get a good M6. Never had a spin in the M6 though...

[RevHappy]

Owlwood said:

Be interested to hear what you thought, RevHappy. Im looking at upgrading in the new year and had my heart set on the M3 but now for the same money you'd get a good M6. Never had a spin in the M6 though...

The M6 is well worth a spin before you sign up to a M3.

The M6 is a fast big GT at heart and with the full not extended leather and HUD it feels a far more special place to be than a M3. The standard spec is very high; it was a £90k+ car after all. The V10 is epic, and with the updated software the SMG is decent enough, very F1. You can play with the shift speed and the EDC to allow the car to change its character. The only down side of the M6 is the size (same as an X6, so you’ll need space to park it) and the mpg, on a fast twisty run single figures are easy.

The M3 is a very quick, the DCT box it very PlayStation, which isn’t meant as a bad thing and the rev lights flash up for the up change which is fun. The smaller chunky wheel let your throw the car around and its smaller size allows almost go-kart handling. From the outside the bonnet bulge and body work changes shows the extra power the M3 has to offer, but I did fine the interior very standard, with very few clues that you were in anything more than a well spec’d 3 series which is a real shame.

So if you don’t do ‘000 miles I’d take a very good look at a M6 before getting a M3. The biggest disappointment with both was the lack of noise a full chat, the V10 did sound better, especially on the down shift, sign of the EU ruling times I guess. Still the Italian’s manage to do it?

[Owlwood]

Thanks for posting. I do about 8k a year, so not too worried about the mpgs. Again, I havent driven one but you touched on the size of the M6. I think that might be the main issue. I'll obviously have to try it and see. Did you think that it still felt sporty, despite the size?

I know what you mean about the M3 interior though. In saying that I forgot about it as soon as I started driving it! Plus, it's still a trade up from my Z4C. Not too worried about the DCT as im looking at getting a manual, thought it matched up great with the V8.

Any closer to a decision?

[RevHappy]

Owlwood said:

Thanks for posting. I do about 8k a year, so not too worried about the mpgs. Again, I havent driven one but you touched on the size of the M6. I think that might be the main issue. I'll obviously have to try it and see. Did you think that it still felt sporty, despite the size?

I know what you mean about the M3 interior though. In saying that I forgot about it as soon as I started driving it! Plus, it's still a trade up from my Z4C. Not too worried about the DCT as im looking at getting a manual, thought it matched up great with the V8.

Any closer to a decision?

Once you’re moving the size of the M6 isn't an issue, it really shifts, with a far better mid-range than the M3. SWIMBO however was less than impressed with the size, which is the biggest reason it's not mine Still she puts up with the 430 so I can't moan really. To get the most out of the M3 I think you need the DCT and EDC as you need to use the top end of the rev range, a quick shift and tweaked setup and then it really flies.

It's the slow traffic stuff, stick it in D knock down the EDC and then you get a chance to reflect on the interior; it’s not bad, but not special. They were a good £60k+ new, they should make more of it without having to go into the individual section. That said the M3 is still a very good car, but is now the fall back car, I’m going to drive a Maserati Grand-Sport tomorrow to see how it compares.

[Owlwood]

See, hearing that it has more mid-range is music to my ears. I like that. Haha, my gf said it looks too big as well. That doesnt sound right.

Plus, at base I just like the idea of having a V10. Then there's the heads up display although probably a little OTT would probably make me smile each time I saw it. I really gotta take a drive in one.

Will keep in mind what you said about the M3's DCT.

The GranSports are gorgeous. Was only looking at this today:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2897306.htm - probably a bit out of my budg though.

[Hughesie]

I just bought an E63 2006 M6, EPIC - just about sums it up.

Had it less than a week and already done at least 4 tanks of fuel in (tiny tank for such a big car.

Buy it on condition, and i doubt you'll regret it.

Regards
Hughesie.

[RevHappy]

Hughesie said:

I just bought an E63 2006 M6, EPIC - just about sums it up.

Had it less than a week and already done at least 4 tanks of fuel in (tiny tank for such a big car.

Buy it on condition, and i doubt you'll regret it.

Regards
Hughesie.

It's only a 70lt tank, get used to seeing the v-power pump a lot

[RevHappy]

Owlwood said:

See, hearing that it has more mid-range is music to my ears. I like that. Haha, my gf said it looks too big as well. That doesnt sound right.

Plus, at base I just like the idea of having a V10. Then there's the heads up display although probably a little OTT would probably make me smile each time I saw it. I really gotta take a drive in one.

Will keep in mind what you said about the M3's DCT.

The GranSports are gorgeous. Was only looking at this today:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2897306.htm - probably a bit out of my budg though.

The HUD can be turned off, but you won't. In normal mode it's just speed, press the m button and it's rev, gear and speed. If it was an option on any car I'd tick it every time or search out the ones which had it.