Discussion
Afternoon all,
At present I am the happy owner of a 2002 E46 325 Sport.
I've spent the best part of 4 years and probably as many thousand pounds in bringing her back up to as new condition (complete cooling, suspension, braking system overhaul, along with many many more parts and upgrades etc).
It does everything I need it to do, very well. Carries 4 adults hundreds of miles at a time comfortably and effortlessly, yet gives immense satisfaction on an early Sunday morning hoon (s/s CAT back helps).
Like many of you I'm sure, I spend hours every week perusing the classifieds planning what will be the next car, and what could be done to it to make it special.
Lately I've been pondering about actually changing cars. But I don't know what to (No not a 330, not going through all this again for another cog and 40hp)? I don’t want to spend a great deal more than what I'd get for the above, which in reality probably isn't a great deal. I'm a firm believer of the 'better the devil you know' school of thought, and part of me would regret selling what I've created onto someone else for them to enjoy the fruits of my labour!
Basically, I was wondering what previous owners had moved onto? And if they regretted it after.
I'll probably go the long way home tonight and wonder what the hell I was thinking.. In which case apologies for rambling on
At present I am the happy owner of a 2002 E46 325 Sport.
I've spent the best part of 4 years and probably as many thousand pounds in bringing her back up to as new condition (complete cooling, suspension, braking system overhaul, along with many many more parts and upgrades etc).
It does everything I need it to do, very well. Carries 4 adults hundreds of miles at a time comfortably and effortlessly, yet gives immense satisfaction on an early Sunday morning hoon (s/s CAT back helps).
Like many of you I'm sure, I spend hours every week perusing the classifieds planning what will be the next car, and what could be done to it to make it special.
Lately I've been pondering about actually changing cars. But I don't know what to (No not a 330, not going through all this again for another cog and 40hp)? I don’t want to spend a great deal more than what I'd get for the above, which in reality probably isn't a great deal. I'm a firm believer of the 'better the devil you know' school of thought, and part of me would regret selling what I've created onto someone else for them to enjoy the fruits of my labour!
Basically, I was wondering what previous owners had moved onto? And if they regretted it after.
I'll probably go the long way home tonight and wonder what the hell I was thinking.. In which case apologies for rambling on
Hi MrBen,
This type of post when you look at it logically is way, way too vague. In essence, after you sell this car, and those who've previously sold an E46 325, can go onto buy all sorts of other cars - SUV's, super minis, hatchbacks, family saloons, fast estates, motorbikes, super cars, hyper cars, vans.. you get the picture..
You'll need to assess what you actually want in a car and then make some choices and create yourself a shortlist perhaps of 3 or 4 choices.
Right now at this stage, as you're so up in the air, I'd say keep it!
To further illustrate, I have a high miler E39 Touring. It has and continues to do everything I need except one thing. It's a pleasure to drive and each time it's driven I 'get' why it's just so good. I've decided to keep it as long as possible, when it goes wrong, I'll fix it. It's a general daily driver, comnfortable cruiser, workhorse, dog mover, picking up and moving things hauler and does it all with ease. The only thing missing is M5 levels of performance. When I do have a family, it'll easily cope with carting around elements for that stage of my life too, i'll have to get the M5 engine installed prior to that stage I think
Cheers, Dennis!
This type of post when you look at it logically is way, way too vague. In essence, after you sell this car, and those who've previously sold an E46 325, can go onto buy all sorts of other cars - SUV's, super minis, hatchbacks, family saloons, fast estates, motorbikes, super cars, hyper cars, vans.. you get the picture..
You'll need to assess what you actually want in a car and then make some choices and create yourself a shortlist perhaps of 3 or 4 choices.
Right now at this stage, as you're so up in the air, I'd say keep it!
To further illustrate, I have a high miler E39 Touring. It has and continues to do everything I need except one thing. It's a pleasure to drive and each time it's driven I 'get' why it's just so good. I've decided to keep it as long as possible, when it goes wrong, I'll fix it. It's a general daily driver, comnfortable cruiser, workhorse, dog mover, picking up and moving things hauler and does it all with ease. The only thing missing is M5 levels of performance. When I do have a family, it'll easily cope with carting around elements for that stage of my life too, i'll have to get the M5 engine installed prior to that stage I think
Cheers, Dennis!
from the sounds of it that car is a keeper..it is hard to sell a car that good and find something that has had a similarly festidious owner, also you will never get the time/money you have put into the car back when you sell..it will sell relatively quickly though I would have thought
I have the same issues with my Corrado/E36 Vert now. I sometimes fancy a change but the amount I have spent on each to have them looking and feeling almost factory fresh (but better to drive) deters me from looking elsewhere..whereas the newer Rangie just gets treated like a work horse and rarely even cleaned!
if it was me I would keep it and save for a diferent kind of car, maybe a TVR Chim/Caterham/Elise (if I was going to get rid of any of mine these would be the favourites) for the sunday blast. If thats viable for you thats what I would do..
I have the same issues with my Corrado/E36 Vert now. I sometimes fancy a change but the amount I have spent on each to have them looking and feeling almost factory fresh (but better to drive) deters me from looking elsewhere..whereas the newer Rangie just gets treated like a work horse and rarely even cleaned!
if it was me I would keep it and save for a diferent kind of car, maybe a TVR Chim/Caterham/Elise (if I was going to get rid of any of mine these would be the favourites) for the sunday blast. If thats viable for you thats what I would do..
billzeebub said:
from the sounds of it that car is a keeper..it is hard to sell a car that good and find something that has had a similarly festidious owner, also you will never get the time/money you have put into the car back when you sell..it will sell relatively quickly though I would have thought
I have the same issues with my Corrado/E36 Vert now. I sometimes fancy a change but the amount I have spent on each to have them looking and feeling almost factory fresh (but better to drive) deters me from looking elsewhere..whereas the newer Rangie just gets treated like a work horse and rarely even cleaned!
if it was me I would keep it and save for a diferent kind of car, maybe a TVR Chim/Caterham/Elise (if I was going to get rid of any of mine these would be the favourites) for the sunday blast. If thats viable for you thats what I would do..
Hmmm... Chimaera I have the same issues with my Corrado/E36 Vert now. I sometimes fancy a change but the amount I have spent on each to have them looking and feeling almost factory fresh (but better to drive) deters me from looking elsewhere..whereas the newer Rangie just gets treated like a work horse and rarely even cleaned!
if it was me I would keep it and save for a diferent kind of car, maybe a TVR Chim/Caterham/Elise (if I was going to get rid of any of mine these would be the favourites) for the sunday blast. If thats viable for you thats what I would do..
what sort of car do you want?, if its another coupe what is out there for that money thats going to better than your car? not a lot and if you did get another brand of coupe I think you would regret it and want the bmw back.
CLK?? cant think of anything else that would be as good as your bmw.keep it
CLK?? cant think of anything else that would be as good as your bmw.keep it
A second car. Why change when you like what you've got?
I had same dilemma with my E36 328, liked it loads, dead reliable, great fun and not costing me anything. So I bought a Golf GTI MK2, then a Dolomite Sprint, then an E30 Convertible.
I did finally sell the E36 when space became an issue and am now down to just an E39 535. I'd have kept the E36 as well though if it had fitted into my garage better. I'm still torn on 1 vs 2 cars (see Chris Harris Passat thread for others opinions).
I had same dilemma with my E36 328, liked it loads, dead reliable, great fun and not costing me anything. So I bought a Golf GTI MK2, then a Dolomite Sprint, then an E30 Convertible.
I did finally sell the E36 when space became an issue and am now down to just an E39 535. I'd have kept the E36 as well though if it had fitted into my garage better. I'm still torn on 1 vs 2 cars (see Chris Harris Passat thread for others opinions).
Mr Ben said:
It does everything I need it to do, very well. Carries 4 adults hundreds of miles at a time comfortably and effortlessly, yet gives immense satisfaction on an early Sunday morning hoon (s/s CAT back helps).
Mr Ben said:
Hmmm... Chimaera
It won't do everything you describe above (if that is still part of your decision making process?)and it won't be as comfortable, will cost more to run, probably leak, often be a pain in City driving and rusts from the inside out. I couldn't go through TVR ownership again unless it was a project car and I had it completely rebuilt. On the other hand, the sound, the speed, the thumbs up, the feeling of sitting in something very different/special - is quite rewarding steve_bmw said:
if its not a coupe your after then you will be able to get a lovely e39 530 sport. This will be a good upgrade and its what I would do in your shoes.
And what steve_bmw really meant was an E39 540i sport with a lovely V8! Which, I concur, would be a nice step up - more power, higher quality interior, lots of gadgets, better comfort and a bit more 'grown up' whilst still being strong point-to-point.However, if I was you I'd really think twice about selling the Devil you know...
The Stiglet said:
And what steve_bmw really meant was an E39 540i sport with a lovely V8! Which, I concur, would be a nice step up - more power, higher quality interior, lots of gadgets, better comfort and a bit more 'grown up' whilst still being strong point-to-point.
However, if I was you I'd really think twice about selling the Devil you know...
That was what I did. E36 Coupe did everything, E39 535 (could find a 540 in budget but wanted a V8) has everyhing Stiglet says, a more "grown up" car. I'd still not sell yours though as it's probably half way to an E39 in many ways and I'm sure more fun point to point.However, if I was you I'd really think twice about selling the Devil you know...
im in the same boat but with a 330, i cant bring myself to sell it at a crazy price(big engine petrol cars are worth next to nothing now)so i honestly think i can see myself running it to the ground. only other option is to sell it and buy something that has been hit even harder.
E39 540 is most tempting to me, but a well spec'd E39 is still very sought after
how about an early audi S4? (V8)
E39 540 is most tempting to me, but a well spec'd E39 is still very sought after
how about an early audi S4? (V8)
Thanks for all the replies... Some wise words spoken indeed.
Funnily enough although I neglected to mention exactly what I'd been looking at/was tempted by, most of the recommendations above are spot on.
E39 530/540 and an S4. I think when I do decide to move on it will be something along these lines.
However, for the time being I think I'll stick with what I have. As I thought, a (hugely) extended journey home from work the other night put things into perspective. She didn't miss a beat and I found my self looking over my shoulder as I put the key in the front door.
Thanks!
Funnily enough although I neglected to mention exactly what I'd been looking at/was tempted by, most of the recommendations above are spot on.
E39 530/540 and an S4. I think when I do decide to move on it will be something along these lines.
However, for the time being I think I'll stick with what I have. As I thought, a (hugely) extended journey home from work the other night put things into perspective. She didn't miss a beat and I found my self looking over my shoulder as I put the key in the front door.
Thanks!
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