I have an unhealthy desire for an M3.
Discussion
It's bordering on all consuming currently. Bizarrely, (not for owners obviously) of the E46 vintage. If you take a look at my car history, it's about as far from my usual sort of barge as you can get, so I don't even know why I want one. I tend not to like the look of newer cars either, one of my favourite looking cars ever is the X308 Jaguar XJ8. Such a sleek understated profile. Quite a contrast from the bulging bodywork of the E46 M3.
They're not "massively" powerful either, in comparison to what you could get for similar money (£12-14k).
I do love the look of them though, even if I'm not sure why. A light silver with anthracite CSL wheels, xenons and perhaps a few drops of carbon would tick all my boxes.
Argh. All of this is entirely irrelevant, as I can't afford one at the moment anyway, and even if I could, it wouldn't make any sense for my commute.
Anyhow, I'm off back to the classifieds to drool over them a bit more. I think it's manifested itself into my "cars to own" list by accident somehow. Bit of a random ramble, but I couldn't think of anywhere better lol. Now you can all post about how you have E46 M3's and they're terrible to live with / dissappointing / how I'm not missing much...or not as I suspect. Damnit.
They're not "massively" powerful either, in comparison to what you could get for similar money (£12-14k).
I do love the look of them though, even if I'm not sure why. A light silver with anthracite CSL wheels, xenons and perhaps a few drops of carbon would tick all my boxes.
Argh. All of this is entirely irrelevant, as I can't afford one at the moment anyway, and even if I could, it wouldn't make any sense for my commute.
Anyhow, I'm off back to the classifieds to drool over them a bit more. I think it's manifested itself into my "cars to own" list by accident somehow. Bit of a random ramble, but I couldn't think of anywhere better lol. Now you can all post about how you have E46 M3's and they're terrible to live with / dissappointing / how I'm not missing much...or not as I suspect. Damnit.
E46 M3 are great car and IMHO a bargain at the moment.
Very easy to live with as a daily driver and mine even returns a reasonable 25mpg
Parts are not cheap mine has cost the best part of £2k to run over the year and that's with me fitting parts and using sources other than BMW for oem parts
Very easy to live with as a daily driver and mine even returns a reasonable 25mpg
Parts are not cheap mine has cost the best part of £2k to run over the year and that's with me fitting parts and using sources other than BMW for oem parts
I'm going against the grain with this one... only kept mine for about 8-months as the negatives spoilt it for me.
It's a great looking car, but the seats were unsupportive, the manual box was stiff/notchy (well mine was), the engine lacked torque and really didn't sound great either. Never had any cup-holders either
Nicely balanced car though.
The day i took mine home, still a looker..
It's a great looking car, but the seats were unsupportive, the manual box was stiff/notchy (well mine was), the engine lacked torque and really didn't sound great either. Never had any cup-holders either
Nicely balanced car though.The day i took mine home, still a looker..
Edited by Guffy on Tuesday 27th September 12:38
If I get one, will I miss the turbo shove of my Saab based on the torque being lacking, thought it has 260 odd lb/ft, I am guessing it doesnt do that push int he back at low revs but saves it for higher rpm ?
I didnt like the power delivery Clio 182 compared to my previous turbo Saab, it felt flat in comparison but I really dont want another Saab, I want more power which the M3 has (250 plays 343) but am wondering whether it feels another 100 bhp based ont his or would I be happier with some Jap turbo type thing, perhaps with the ability to rev beyond 5500 rpm which the Saab doesnt do, its like a slightly more revvy diesel, in fact that new Audi isnt far off !
I did hear that a lot of M3's dont make the stated power, any truth in that ?
Guess I need to try one.
I didnt like the power delivery Clio 182 compared to my previous turbo Saab, it felt flat in comparison but I really dont want another Saab, I want more power which the M3 has (250 plays 343) but am wondering whether it feels another 100 bhp based ont his or would I be happier with some Jap turbo type thing, perhaps with the ability to rev beyond 5500 rpm which the Saab doesnt do, its like a slightly more revvy diesel, in fact that new Audi isnt far off !
I did hear that a lot of M3's dont make the stated power, any truth in that ?
Guess I need to try one.
Going against the grain here too. I kept one for about 6 months, then got rid of it.
The ride quality got to me.. it "jiggled" too much, as if it was under-damped. I don't mind a bit of firmness (!), but the constant up and down movement, even on apparently smooth surfaces made me feel a bit ill, like being on a plane in turbulence. This was on 18s as well.
The running costs were a bit high for me at the time too... a service with no additional work cost me £800 at a BMW dealer. Manual adjustment of the cam-shafts or something.
Pity, because it was blinking fast and handled really well.
The ride quality got to me.. it "jiggled" too much, as if it was under-damped. I don't mind a bit of firmness (!), but the constant up and down movement, even on apparently smooth surfaces made me feel a bit ill, like being on a plane in turbulence. This was on 18s as well.
The running costs were a bit high for me at the time too... a service with no additional work cost me £800 at a BMW dealer. Manual adjustment of the cam-shafts or something.
Pity, because it was blinking fast and handled really well.
I absolutely loved mine. Went for the paddles because I didn't enjoy the manual. Not sure about the complaint about the seats, mine were loverly, can't remember what they were but the car was specced right up with all the goodies.
I chopped it for a 911 so didn't feel bad letting it go but I would have another in a heartbeat, loads of fun and plenty of room when being sociable.
(And it was Leguna Seca Blue inside and out which seemed to annoy most people!)
Do it!
I chopped it for a 911 so didn't feel bad letting it go but I would have another in a heartbeat, loads of fun and plenty of room when being sociable.
(And it was Leguna Seca Blue inside and out which seemed to annoy most people!)
Do it!
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