Looking for some excitement - M3 content
Discussion
Willing to spend up to £25k for a hardcore everyday car that I can use in all weathers. Currently have a Honda Integra R (DC2) which I am looking to replace and a Caterham Superlight which is staying.
Was thinking of a hardcore Porsche (968CS, stripped 964 etc) but thought I would try an E46 M3 aswell. Test drove a 2005 car running 18" wheels and found it a bit err dull and boring (in comparison to the Honda I drove to the dealer). Seemed to lack feel when pootling and the whole car was not as hard/aggressive as the Honda. Even the engine was a bit quiet, lacking the racecar soundtrack I am after.
Is the CS car much better? I am not into "flappy paddle shifts" so probably not into a CSL. What about an older car - would anything in BMWs past provide everyday thrills with low speed interactivity or should I just go in the direction of something 911 shaped...?
Was thinking of a hardcore Porsche (968CS, stripped 964 etc) but thought I would try an E46 M3 aswell. Test drove a 2005 car running 18" wheels and found it a bit err dull and boring (in comparison to the Honda I drove to the dealer). Seemed to lack feel when pootling and the whole car was not as hard/aggressive as the Honda. Even the engine was a bit quiet, lacking the racecar soundtrack I am after.
Is the CS car much better? I am not into "flappy paddle shifts" so probably not into a CSL. What about an older car - would anything in BMWs past provide everyday thrills with low speed interactivity or should I just go in the direction of something 911 shaped...?
Edited by AtomMan on Sunday 11th December 17:41
AtomMan said:
Willing to spend up to £25k for a hardcore everyday car that I can use in all weathers. Currently have a Honda Integra R (DC2) which I am looking to replace and a Caterham Superlight which is staying.
Was thinking of a hardcore Porsche (968CS, stripped 964 etc) but thought I would try an E46 M3 aswell. Test drove a 2005 car running 18" wheels and found it a bit err dull and boring (in comparison to the Honda I drove to the dealer). Seemed to lack feel when pootling and the whole car was not as hard/aggressive as the Honda. Even the engine was a bit quiet, lacking the racecar soundtrack I am after.
Is the CS car much better? I am not into "flappy paddle shifts" so probably not into a CSL. What about an older car - would anything in BMWs past provide everyday thrills with low speed interactivity or should I just go in the direction of something 911 shaped...?
Z4M Coupe. Was thinking of a hardcore Porsche (968CS, stripped 964 etc) but thought I would try an E46 M3 aswell. Test drove a 2005 car running 18" wheels and found it a bit err dull and boring (in comparison to the Honda I drove to the dealer). Seemed to lack feel when pootling and the whole car was not as hard/aggressive as the Honda. Even the engine was a bit quiet, lacking the racecar soundtrack I am after.
Is the CS car much better? I am not into "flappy paddle shifts" so probably not into a CSL. What about an older car - would anything in BMWs past provide everyday thrills with low speed interactivity or should I just go in the direction of something 911 shaped...?
Edited by AtomMan on Sunday 11th December 17:41
Thread closed.
fushion julz said:
£25k will get you a "real" M3...
a nice late model E30 M3 or Evo2/Cecotto/Ravaglia...
May not be the fastest thing (in a straight line) on 4 wheels, but get it on a track and you'll understand why.
Agree with you 100% but I would not want to submit such a car to the 'all weather' requirement that the OP has, but there is no reason why such a car could not do it.a nice late model E30 M3 or Evo2/Cecotto/Ravaglia...
May not be the fastest thing (in a straight line) on 4 wheels, but get it on a track and you'll understand why.
Thanks all, much appreciated. Never thought of the Z4M but I want this to be a keeper and not sure if it has enough feel (from what I have read) to be brilliant - need to get some wheeltime in one.
I really am not a SMG man - perhaps the main enjoyment I get from a car when pootling is changing gear and any car will not be driven that hard on the road to give up 5 or 6 on the floor.
The M5 is too heavy, thirsty and not really agile enough. 911 Turbo (996/997) is a white good. RS4 is fine but don't think it would excite enough.
Think an E30 is the obvious and very real possibility. How does an M635 CSi compare to the E30?
I really am not a SMG man - perhaps the main enjoyment I get from a car when pootling is changing gear and any car will not be driven that hard on the road to give up 5 or 6 on the floor.
The M5 is too heavy, thirsty and not really agile enough. 911 Turbo (996/997) is a white good. RS4 is fine but don't think it would excite enough.
Think an E30 is the obvious and very real possibility. How does an M635 CSi compare to the E30?
AtomMan said:
Willing to spend up to £25k for a hardcore everyday
lol, hardcore...Edited by AtomMan on Sunday 11th December 17:41
Sometimes hardcore can be translated to just mean 'crap'
I dont think you got the full experience if you thought the m3 test drive was dull, they are anything but when driven spiritedly.
Maybe a stripped out e36 m?
philis said:
lol, hardcore...
Sometimes hardcore can be translated to just mean 'crap'
I dont think you got the full experience if you thought the m3 test drive was dull, they are anything but when driven spiritedly.
Maybe a stripped out e36 m?
Sometimes hardcore can be translated to just mean 'crap'
I dont think you got the full experience if you thought the m3 test drive was dull, they are anything but when driven spiritedly.
Maybe a stripped out e36 m?
Not sure about an e36. Think an e30 is worth a look. And yes, the M3 was dull in comparison to the Honda. Faster yes, but not as exciting which was disappointing.
Much worse steering, fall less agile being 400+ kilos heavier, bulky gearchange and an engine that is almost quiet and refined when at 8k+ revs. And it is less practical.
Was a real shame as I thought it would be good But unfortunately not for me.
Sounds like you have the tcs on and driving like a girl :P
I dont think anyone could say an m3 is boring when driven well. nothing like rwd and 343bhp to keep you entertained
CSL would be the way to go.
I too have been totally converted by SMG (although i insit on a manual track car). but for road driving the SMG is quite frankly brilliant, really comes alive on the backroads. And really great when your stuck in traffic on the commute.
25 would see you into a 997 911.
Cheap E46 with 300kg stripped out with race seats and a new backbox and csl intake i think would be rather epic and well within your budget.
I dont think anyone could say an m3 is boring when driven well. nothing like rwd and 343bhp to keep you entertained
CSL would be the way to go.
I too have been totally converted by SMG (although i insit on a manual track car). but for road driving the SMG is quite frankly brilliant, really comes alive on the backroads. And really great when your stuck in traffic on the commute.
25 would see you into a 997 911.
Cheap E46 with 300kg stripped out with race seats and a new backbox and csl intake i think would be rather epic and well within your budget.
AtomMan said:
philis said:
lol, hardcore...
Sometimes hardcore can be translated to just mean 'crap'
I dont think you got the full experience if you thought the m3 test drive was dull, they are anything but when driven spiritedly.
Maybe a stripped out e36 m?
Sometimes hardcore can be translated to just mean 'crap'
I dont think you got the full experience if you thought the m3 test drive was dull, they are anything but when driven spiritedly.
Maybe a stripped out e36 m?
Not sure about an e36. Think an e30 is worth a look. And yes, the M3 was dull in comparison to the Honda. Faster yes, but not as exciting which was disappointing.
Much worse steering, fall less agile being 400+ kilos heavier, bulky gearchange and an engine that is almost quiet and refined when at 8k+ revs. And it is less practical.
Was a real shame as I thought it would be good But unfortunately not for me.
Point im trying to make is that you cant judge a car from a test drive, it has taken me a weeks to get used to the heavy duty gretag box in my new m3, the proper way to use it is to heal and toe on downshifts.
If i'd have test drove a DC5 before buying mine i dont think i would have bothered, the first drive of one is completely underwhealming, its only after a few months can you fully understand what all the fuss is about. M3 is the same, you have to master it before you can enjoy its potential.
Can you tell i like m3's?
to be fair I can see how an M3 could come across as a bit boring on a test drive,
I tended to find the CSL become fun when driven in such away I doubt any seller would be happy with letting a potential buyer drive the car. At low speeds it really was very easy to live and normal to drive.
I tended to find the CSL become fun when driven in such away I doubt any seller would be happy with letting a potential buyer drive the car. At low speeds it really was very easy to live and normal to drive.
and 
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