Test drive disappointment...
Discussion
Test drove an E9x M3 today and was all geared up to do a deal - however upon driving it, in my mind it fell short of the experience of my previous E46 M3.
It just felt more refined than the E46 and to me that reduction of rawness made it lose it's sense of occasion.
When I used to drive my E46 it felt like a race car - at least to I and my humble driving skills.
Am I just looking through rose tinted glasses?
It just felt more refined than the E46 and to me that reduction of rawness made it lose it's sense of occasion.
When I used to drive my E46 it felt like a race car - at least to I and my humble driving skills.
Am I just looking through rose tinted glasses?
You've pretty much answered it yourself.
The E9X is a much more refined car compared to the E46. However all the toys set properly and pushed it is a phenonimal machine and more accomplished than the E46.
You have to get to know the E9X and it does feel lass raw but it's soo worth it trust me.
I owned an E46 M3 for 3 years and loved it, I've owned my E92 for 2.5 years now. Both excellent cars but whereas the gap between E36 to E46 was X from E46 to E9X it's X+ if that makes sense.
It's gotta be set up right, warmed through and pushed though. The sensation of speed is less but as a package it's a step above, and it is quicker.
The E9X is a much more refined car compared to the E46. However all the toys set properly and pushed it is a phenonimal machine and more accomplished than the E46.
You have to get to know the E9X and it does feel lass raw but it's soo worth it trust me.
I owned an E46 M3 for 3 years and loved it, I've owned my E92 for 2.5 years now. Both excellent cars but whereas the gap between E36 to E46 was X from E46 to E9X it's X+ if that makes sense.
It's gotta be set up right, warmed through and pushed though. The sensation of speed is less but as a package it's a step above, and it is quicker.
Edited by ryandoc on Sunday 29th April 22:49
Edited by ryandoc on Sunday 29th April 22:50
Thanks Ryan - useful to hear your thoughts.
Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
steve singh said:
Thanks Ryan - useful to hear your thoughts.
Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
If you want raw, how about the E46 M3 CSL?! You should be able to get a well looked after example, plus will have that sense of occasion too!Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
Benbay001 said:
steve singh said:
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
Man Maths-The lower initial price and the cost of depreciation more than offset the increased running costs!
The two E46 M3s I had previously were ultra-reliable - just don't know how they fare with age.
PaperCut said:
steve singh said:
Thanks Ryan - useful to hear your thoughts.
Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
If you want raw, how about the E46 M3 CSL?! You should be able to get a well looked after example, plus will have that sense of occasion too!Left in a bit of a quandry - go ahead and see how it goes or just buy an E46 M3 as a second car and have it as a keeper.
My only concern with the E46 is firstly getting a decent example and secondly hoping it doesn't turn into a money pit given it's age.
The CSL is the obvious fly in the ointment. The cliches are all truly it's a fantastic machine and one of the greatest car noises known to man as far as I'm concerned.
Suppose it boils down to what are your needs. If its a weekend toy and you don't want to be paying a fortune then a standard E46 is perfect as you well know.
But definetely my experience and thoughts above on the comparison between E46 and E9X are true.
For 2 years running now I've done a full weekends driving with friends in the Scottish highlands in my E92 and it's just epic. A very accomplished machine.
I bought mine from new and 3 years of ownership will be up this November and I have no intention of getting rid as within reason there's no other car I'd rather be driving (although have to admit an obsession with the GranTurismo lol which may factor a few years down the line after this M3)
The 4.0 V8 is beautiful but does need worked its a whole different experience on the senses then the 3.2 straight 6 of the E46.
Suppose it boils down to what are your needs. If its a weekend toy and you don't want to be paying a fortune then a standard E46 is perfect as you well know.
But definetely my experience and thoughts above on the comparison between E46 and E9X are true.
For 2 years running now I've done a full weekends driving with friends in the Scottish highlands in my E92 and it's just epic. A very accomplished machine.
I bought mine from new and 3 years of ownership will be up this November and I have no intention of getting rid as within reason there's no other car I'd rather be driving (although have to admit an obsession with the GranTurismo lol which may factor a few years down the line after this M3)
The 4.0 V8 is beautiful but does need worked its a whole different experience on the senses then the 3.2 straight 6 of the E46.
What do you plan to use it for? Daily driver? Weekend toy? Track car?
I've had a couple of e46s - a standard M3 and a CS - and now the e92. The e92 is more refined, and IMHO does take a bit of getting used to before you get the most out of it. But that V8 is glorious, especially from about 5,500 up to 8,500 rpm.
I've considered the CSL, but I couldn't get on with the fixed seats for a daily driver / work use car (although I know people use them as everyday cars, but I guess it's a question of personal preference / ergonomics).
I'm almost a year into e92 ownership and have no intention to get rid of it any time soon.
I've had a couple of e46s - a standard M3 and a CS - and now the e92. The e92 is more refined, and IMHO does take a bit of getting used to before you get the most out of it. But that V8 is glorious, especially from about 5,500 up to 8,500 rpm.
I've considered the CSL, but I couldn't get on with the fixed seats for a daily driver / work use car (although I know people use them as everyday cars, but I guess it's a question of personal preference / ergonomics).
I'm almost a year into e92 ownership and have no intention to get rid of it any time soon.
Gruber said:
What do you plan to use it for? Daily driver? Weekend toy? Track car?
I've had a couple of e46s - a standard M3 and a CS - and now the e92. The e92 is more refined, and IMHO does take a bit of getting used to before you get the most out of it. But that V8 is glorious, especially from about 5,500 up to 8,500 rpm.
I've considered the CSL, but I couldn't get on with the fixed seats for a daily driver / work use car (although I know people use them as everyday cars, but I guess it's a question of personal preference / ergonomics).
I'm almost a year into e92 ownership and have no intention to get rid of it any time soon.
It's a weekend toy - but I'm not an 'expert' driver so won't be able to wring ever ounce out of the car...do you think the CSL would feel discernably different to someone who only drives at 7/10ths of a cars ability (which is probably 8/10ths of mine - but I'm cautious on not pushing myself to the limit!!!)?I've had a couple of e46s - a standard M3 and a CS - and now the e92. The e92 is more refined, and IMHO does take a bit of getting used to before you get the most out of it. But that V8 is glorious, especially from about 5,500 up to 8,500 rpm.
I've considered the CSL, but I couldn't get on with the fixed seats for a daily driver / work use car (although I know people use them as everyday cars, but I guess it's a question of personal preference / ergonomics).
I'm almost a year into e92 ownership and have no intention to get rid of it any time soon.
steve singh said:
Test drove an E9x M3 today and was all geared up to do a deal - however upon driving it, in my mind it fell short of the experience of my previous E46 M3.
It just felt more refined than the E46 and to me that reduction of rawness made it lose it's sense of occasion.
When I used to drive my E46 it felt like a race car - at least to I and my humble driving skills.
Am I just looking through rose tinted glasses?
No just you, I prefer that refined feel and everything else just feels a littl bit normal after driving cars like the E9x and E6x M car's. If you had set it up right and pushed it to the limit you would have put a deposit down on it. It just felt more refined than the E46 and to me that reduction of rawness made it lose it's sense of occasion.
When I used to drive my E46 it felt like a race car - at least to I and my humble driving skills.
Am I just looking through rose tinted glasses?
steve singh said:
That is a very good suggestion - I went around the houses on this a few years ago before I got my 996 - my conclusion was that I wasn't a good enough driver to notice the difference between the M3 and CSL...never drove a CSL though...
Speak to Nick Johnson if you want to drive a CSL and are interested. I know how rare good ones are and he always has a lovely example.The same argument can apply to many cars.
My 1985 Corvette was raw and unsophisticated but fantastic to drive in a hooligan manner. By contrast, a C5 Z06 needed to be driven way too fast to have fun in even thouugh the C4 wouldn't see which way it went.
Similarly, my current Mustang is far more copetent than my old Camaro Z28 bu the Z28 remains my favourite - though again maybe the rose-tints kick in after a long (3 year) relationship it where the Stang is an occasional weekend use toy.
I suspect this is why a loud exhaust is often the first port of call for most modern car buyers.
My 1985 Corvette was raw and unsophisticated but fantastic to drive in a hooligan manner. By contrast, a C5 Z06 needed to be driven way too fast to have fun in even thouugh the C4 wouldn't see which way it went.
Similarly, my current Mustang is far more copetent than my old Camaro Z28 bu the Z28 remains my favourite - though again maybe the rose-tints kick in after a long (3 year) relationship it where the Stang is an occasional weekend use toy.
I suspect this is why a loud exhaust is often the first port of call for most modern car buyers.
With each incarnation of the M3 you have to be driving it quicker to have proper fun..the same story for most car manufacturers..cars are generally becoming anaesthetised and irrelevant for the average road. Then the huge alloys with bands of rubber render the car even more unusable on our diabolical pot-holed tarmac. Having said that I would still like to own the current M3 Convertible, just to liisten to the melodic V8 with the roof down in tunnels!..
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