Discussion
SMG only for me. Much more interesting than the plane old manual and much better on the track too.
Big costs are insurance, tyres (goes through rears quick and you need good ones to get the most grip), inspection services as it includes shims and now, alas, fuel.
Friend has a CS for sale at the moment, 2005 with 150k on it and a full specification for similar money. Engine was changed by BMW around 55k and the car is in great shape.
Big costs are insurance, tyres (goes through rears quick and you need good ones to get the most grip), inspection services as it includes shims and now, alas, fuel.
Friend has a CS for sale at the moment, 2005 with 150k on it and a full specification for similar money. Engine was changed by BMW around 55k and the car is in great shape.
SMG for me too, it's better suited to the frantic nature of the engine. I've had nearly 3 trouble free years/18k miles with my e46 M3 (only issue so far being a cracked rear spring). SMG has been flawless throughout - big bills are rare from what I've seen, but you do occasionally get little issues like £!5 relays failing.
I have decided I will go for one,just deciding if a cabriolet is the right way to go or is it a bit poser-ish. Will be black I know that for sure 
Seems for under ten thousand a good example can be found. Insurance is around £800 which at 24 it isn't too bad and cheaper than my cosworth
Seems for under ten thousand a good example can be found. Insurance is around £800 which at 24 it isn't too bad and cheaper than my cosworth Ive just sold a mint 53 plate convertible for a little over £10k.They really are an awful lot of car for the money these days.I had mine 5yrs and there was 78k on the clock when I sold it and I had no real issues with it at all.It still felt,drove and looked like a new car and felt like it would go on forever.
Have a good read of the buying guides and ALWAYS buy on condition rather than age and mileage.A cherished old car with 100k+ on the clock will always be a better bet than a neglected newer one with 50k on the clock.
Have a good read of the buying guides and ALWAYS buy on condition rather than age and mileage.A cherished old car with 100k+ on the clock will always be a better bet than a neglected newer one with 50k on the clock.
I know this may upset some, so apologies in advance...
How the M badge can ever be applied to a cabriolet is beyond me. It certainly has the M engine but I think the dynamics are reduced to an extent that it has no real right to wear the mighty moniker. As we know, over the years the ///Marketing division has influenced some very questionable decisions.
How the M badge can ever be applied to a cabriolet is beyond me. It certainly has the M engine but I think the dynamics are reduced to an extent that it has no real right to wear the mighty moniker. As we know, over the years the ///Marketing division has influenced some very questionable decisions.
AshCos. Hi. Great choice. If you fancy a Cab then go for it. Scuttle shake/inferior dynamics/whatever are NOT the issues people would have you believe. You've prob already read that a Coupe on 18" wheels is a sweeter drive than one on (the admittedly better looking 19s) and that's quite right. However, I owned an early Coupe on 19s then moved to a Cab on 18s. And suprisingly found that the Cab was every bit as good as the Coupe - the wheels making the difference. Yes if you searched for it there was a little scuttle shake and extra flexibility in the chassis but nothing you'd ever notice day to day. Try to drive a Coupe and Cab back to back then decide. On a day like today (glorious here) you can't beat an early morning top down blast listening to that engine note.
I urge you to make up your own mind re Coupe ve Cab - or at least talk to people who've owned both.
PS. Not having a pop at those who've already voiced their opinions
I urge you to make up your own mind re Coupe ve Cab - or at least talk to people who've owned both.
PS. Not having a pop at those who've already voiced their opinions
Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 22 May 08:08
AshCos said:
Pugsey thankyou for your sound advice,also now thinking about a manual over SMG for reliability. Have seen one advertised with Oxford German Car Specialists,black with CSL wheels and boot!
No probs. I wouldn't base your choice on concerns over reliability issues with SMG - know lots of folks who've had them (and used them very hard) and not had any issues. Obviously there will have been problems for some but, they tend to be the ones that get talked about - thereby making them seem like a major issue. Great fun on track but (IMHO) a bit 'clunky' on road - nothing like as good as the current car for example. Again why not try both and go with what you prefer.Nice to have such a 'hard' decision to make. Good luck!
Just find smoother roads !! I have a manual E46 M3 vert and it's an awesome car. It actually ticks all the boxes perfectly which IMO NO OTHER car can do for the money.
If you are going to track it 10 times a year and drive on B roads like you stole it, then the vert is not for you but if you want miles of smiles when the sunshine eventually comes, then a vert it is. Manual gives 100% control especially through junctions and is a bit more reliable.
If you are going to track it 10 times a year and drive on B roads like you stole it, then the vert is not for you but if you want miles of smiles when the sunshine eventually comes, then a vert it is. Manual gives 100% control especially through junctions and is a bit more reliable.
I would be tempted to go the manual route, having owned an SMG for the past 12 months. It negates the danger of a small part going wrong and facing a 4 figure repair bill. For me it was a speed sensor, a part which itself 'only' cost £250 odd, but after the time taken to diagose and replace ended up costing just over £1k.
Saying that, I do love the paddle shift even if it took me a couple of thousand miles to get used to it. I do however miss the ability to smooth out down shifts under braking with the clutch.
If you can get a warranty I would.
Saying that, I do love the paddle shift even if it took me a couple of thousand miles to get used to it. I do however miss the ability to smooth out down shifts under braking with the clutch.
If you can get a warranty I would.
Stingercut said:
Just find smoother roads !! I have a manual E46 M3 vert and it's an awesome car. It actually ticks all the boxes perfectly which IMO NO OTHER car can do for the money.
If you are going to track it 10 times a year and drive on B roads like you stole it, then the vert is not for you but if you want miles of smiles when the sunshine eventually comes, then a vert it is. Manual gives 100% control especially through junctions and is a bit more reliable.
Thats a great post, when you put it that way it appears i'm wrong If you are going to track it 10 times a year and drive on B roads like you stole it, then the vert is not for you but if you want miles of smiles when the sunshine eventually comes, then a vert it is. Manual gives 100% control especially through junctions and is a bit more reliable.
Pig Skill said:
I know this may upset some, so apologies in advance...
How the M badge can ever be applied to a cabriolet is beyond me. It certainly has the M engine but I think the dynamics are reduced to an extent that it has no real right to wear the mighty moniker. As we know, over the years the ///Marketing division has influenced some very questionable decisions.
Is the M badge a guarantee of anything anyway? The last umpteen 'ultimate driving machines' have been fitted with pastry brakes for example. Would you rather compromise with a slight loss of handling dynamics (on the Cab) or brakes that go all wobbly at the knees at the first sign of a circuit/mountain pass.How the M badge can ever be applied to a cabriolet is beyond me. It certainly has the M engine but I think the dynamics are reduced to an extent that it has no real right to wear the mighty moniker. As we know, over the years the ///Marketing division has influenced some very questionable decisions.
Pig Skill I'm a big fan of your posts in general. Glad you had a Damascus moment 
I had a horrid day today and just managed to nail my deal by 8.30pm. I was sweaty, hungry and exhausted...sooo I pressed the magic button, roof down, heaters full on and hooned it all the way back up the A1. The fresh air invigorates you like nothing else and of course the wife got the benefit it's that or shaving 3/10ths off your lap time around a track whilst avoiding random numpties living the dream in Supercharged Saxos.
I had a horrid day today and just managed to nail my deal by 8.30pm. I was sweaty, hungry and exhausted...sooo I pressed the magic button, roof down, heaters full on and hooned it all the way back up the A1. The fresh air invigorates you like nothing else and of course the wife got the benefit
it's that or shaving 3/10ths off your lap time around a track whilst avoiding random numpties living the dream in Supercharged Saxos.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff