Would i be nuts to buy this?
Discussion
Hello all.
Looking for some advice, or a shove back to reason. Or a reason to do it.
I've always wanted a nice E36 M3. I've found this one which looks like an excellent deal.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3327711.htm
But: I do 80 miles a day in my commute, is this going to get wearing? Its mainly motorway miles, can i expect high 20s, low 30s from it?
Also, how likely is it to go bang and cost me a fortune?
Its either one of these or a E46 330D, so opinions needed! Other suggests also taken into account
Simon
Looking for some advice, or a shove back to reason. Or a reason to do it.
I've always wanted a nice E36 M3. I've found this one which looks like an excellent deal.
http://pistonheads.com/sales/3327711.htm
But: I do 80 miles a day in my commute, is this going to get wearing? Its mainly motorway miles, can i expect high 20s, low 30s from it?
Also, how likely is it to go bang and cost me a fortune?
Its either one of these or a E46 330D, so opinions needed! Other suggests also taken into account
Simon
Well apart from being green...
You get 320bhp that really isn't going to depreciate much more.
Good mpg relative to performance and it'll happily sit on a M way with good comfort.
Your probably more likely to get a big bill with a high mileage diesel than an M3 so all in all its a pretty sensible choice.
You get 320bhp that really isn't going to depreciate much more.
Good mpg relative to performance and it'll happily sit on a M way with good comfort.
Your probably more likely to get a big bill with a high mileage diesel than an M3 so all in all its a pretty sensible choice.
You only live once, and no one wants to talk to bloke in the pub talking about how many bloody much mpg he gets out of his diesel. 
I actually quite like the green, very discrete, and from the pics, and the way the ad has been put together I'd say it looks a tidy example for a fair price.
I actually quite like the green, very discrete, and from the pics, and the way the ad has been put together I'd say it looks a tidy example for a fair price.
Dont forget its a 15 year old car with 120k on the clock. You need to factor in replacement parts as well as your daily running costs.
Although its only £4k to buy it once was, and still is a £45k sports car and to keep it running well you will have to service it properly. Doing about 18k miles per year the servicing costs will be frequent.
Plus, its f
king green.
Although its only £4k to buy it once was, and still is a £45k sports car and to keep it running well you will have to service it properly. Doing about 18k miles per year the servicing costs will be frequent.
Plus, its f
king green.It really is the fuel cost that concerns me. I'm currently running a 197 Cup clio and i get about 28-30 out of that. This equates to £60 a week roughly. But its an itch i so wanna scratch!
The servicing costs with a local BMW independent, who is a very good guy and who we use for various cars in the household, arent much more then for the Clio believe it or not. And that has just run out of warranty, so could explode into dust any day now.
Lots of hate for the green! I quite like its stealth, but really it could be any M3, bar a cab, and i would want it. Am i right in thinking these must have V power to run on also?
Insurance want another £100 to change, up until my renewal in early Feb. My current quote is £625 on the clio, im 23, guessing this will rise a fair bit also!
Thanks again for the replies. Feel free to offer more suggestions of other stuff i could buy, criteria is quick (i want to track it) reliable, okish mpg (higher then 25) and under 8k. Cheers!
Simon
The servicing costs with a local BMW independent, who is a very good guy and who we use for various cars in the household, arent much more then for the Clio believe it or not. And that has just run out of warranty, so could explode into dust any day now.
Lots of hate for the green! I quite like its stealth, but really it could be any M3, bar a cab, and i would want it. Am i right in thinking these must have V power to run on also?
Insurance want another £100 to change, up until my renewal in early Feb. My current quote is £625 on the clio, im 23, guessing this will rise a fair bit also!
Thanks again for the replies. Feel free to offer more suggestions of other stuff i could buy, criteria is quick (i want to track it) reliable, okish mpg (higher then 25) and under 8k. Cheers!
Simon
Well as you say you're looking for something under £8k, I'd suggest getting a good price for this then putting the rest of your budget in safe keeping earning a bit of interest, if possible.
I'd imagine (not certain) that the tyres, brakes, other consumables, will be a tad more expensive than the Clio, meaning a few bits and bobs here and there could cost you an additional few of hundred quid. Factor this in to your budget, along with I would think 25% more fuel (at best) and a similar amount higher insurance (although you will presumably have another year no claims, and will be a year older in insurance terms come renewal time so there are lots of variables here.)
Anyway, I say go for it if it feels right on the test drive. It looks stunning. I'd be proud to be driving around in one of them
I'd imagine (not certain) that the tyres, brakes, other consumables, will be a tad more expensive than the Clio, meaning a few bits and bobs here and there could cost you an additional few of hundred quid. Factor this in to your budget, along with I would think 25% more fuel (at best) and a similar amount higher insurance (although you will presumably have another year no claims, and will be a year older in insurance terms come renewal time so there are lots of variables here.)
Anyway, I say go for it if it feels right on the test drive. It looks stunning. I'd be proud to be driving around in one of them
Tyres are 120 a corner for the clio (conti sport 3s) and some of these seem to use the same. Brakes are around 400 for fronts with pads from K tech, rears about 300. And Clio does need the cam belt doing in about 25k. But Clio doesnt have a VANOS to go pop.
I'd be very proud to have one. Rather it was a white 4 door though. Touring car style....
I'd be very proud to have one. Rather it was a white 4 door though. Touring car style....
snowen250 said:
It really is the fuel cost that concerns me. I'm currently running a 197 Cup clio and i get about 28-30 out of that. This equates to £60 a week roughly. But its an itch i so wanna scratch!
I went from a 197 to a Z3 M (Same engine as the above M3 I believe) and fuel economy is pretty similar - certainly not drastically worse to the point it'd put me off buying the above.That said it will depend how you drive it
Realistically, yes - thats a LOT of fuel your gonna need. (Do these need to run on Super?)
However - buy it, because its bloody lovely.
Seriously, its awesome - its sooo under the radar, I think Boston Green is an ideal colour, and with a light interior not all the black thats usually in an M-Car.
And underneath it all is THAT engine...
These are a properly awesome car, and for that money incredible.
Ignore all the derisors who maon about 'chav-image' etc.
The E36 is such a handsome shape, and this is the ultimate.
However - buy it, because its bloody lovely.
Seriously, its awesome - its sooo under the radar, I think Boston Green is an ideal colour, and with a light interior not all the black thats usually in an M-Car.
And underneath it all is THAT engine...
These are a properly awesome car, and for that money incredible.
Ignore all the derisors who maon about 'chav-image' etc.
The E36 is such a handsome shape, and this is the ultimate.
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