Dilemma... Mike Brewer style...

[mboon]

I have a dilemma.

I currently own a Escort RS Cosworth (see my journal in readers cars) I have been offered a BMW E36 M3 Evolution Convertible with 66,000 miles on the clock in what looks like a factory fresh car. Plus £6000.

Now my love for Cosworths is strong and to be honest, unless I won the lottery, no other car would really be sat on my drive than a Escort Cosworth.

So at first I said no, but I have been thinking about this now.

I could do this deal, take the M3, keep this for myself... with the car buy a E60 530D M Sport or 525/520/535 etc in M Sport diesel engines and keep my Mrs E46 330i for me to use for my dailey miles...

When I look at it like this... I really do question it...

I know its in my head and how strong the love is for the Cosworth but I have serious doughts in my head now I have looked at it like this.

So I am asking for your thoughts, would you do it? Would a E60 Derv and a E36 M3 Evo Convertible be enough to keep me entertained after a 400bhp Escort Cosworth....?

I have had a couple E36 M3's and know what they are about, I did love my old E36 M3 Convertible but did chop it in for the Cosworth.

Just want some constructive ideas about it please, see what other petrol heads think...

[300bhp/ton]

At the end of the day only you can really answer this, nobody else can.

I suppose the only thing I can offer as advice is. e36 M3's are in no short supply and it's unlikely your Cosworth will lose money. On this basis this isn't a 1 time offer or chance and should you decide at some point in the future that you'd like to do this the Cosworth would likely give you the budget to do so.

And on the flip side, if you sold the Cosworth and regretted it, would you be in a position to get another (especially if prices continue on the up). Don't answer this here, just a question to ask yourself.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 25th January 15:09

[_Neal_]

300bhp/ton said:

e36 M3's are in no short supply

I'd actually argue that good ones are in short supply. Whether the one being offered is good is another question - definitely get a specialist inspection if you're thinking of going for the deal. Do you like how the M3 Evo Convertible drives?

[300bhp/ton]

_Neal_ said:

I'd actually argue that good ones are in short supply.

I wouldn't say short supply, just that there are plenty of less than pristine examples about. Although I suspect many are quite ok. But it's not like trying to buy something in truly low production numbers.

[mboon]

I didnt find it too bad to be honest, only when really pushed hard into corners or hitting pot holes did it give away it was a convertible, my only think I didnt like was the extra weight on the ass which stopped it from being lively on the rear and the limited 1st gear.

I agree with the E36 being hard to come by now, a good one is like rocking horse doo doo's. This is what I was thinking, if I get the right car at the right time, I could find them on the up (Which I think will happen soon enough) and could possibly make some cash on the car?

[steelej]

I wouldn't do it if you love your Cossie, i had a Cossie for 14 years and sold it 3 years ago, still wish I had kept it.

John.

[300bhp/ton]

mboon said:

I agree with the E36 being hard to come by now, a good one is like rocking horse doo doo's. This is what I was thinking, if I get the right car at the right time, I could find them on the up (Which I think will happen soon enough) and could possibly make some cash on the car?

I don't suspect they are that hard to find, it's just they built a lot of e36's and a lot of M3's, so by pure numbers there will be a lot of abused and mistreated ones. But also by numbers there will be plenty of nice cared for examples too.

And while I personally think the e36 will gain in money at some point, I think that point isn't yet. It's really only been the last couple of years the e30 M3 has sky rocketed in value. I doubt the e36 will ever match this and even then only the lightweight or Evo models will be the most desirable. As a performance choice I also suspect verts and saloons will be less favoured in time too.

[scottdd]

Keep the Cossie.

[tbc]

buy both

then live on Tesco Horsemeat or veggie burgers for a few years

no pockets in a shroud

[DuncanM]

Keep the Cossie

I smile at Cossie's on the rare occasion I see them, where with all due respect, M3 Cabs are not in the same league of 'special cars'.

I think you'd massively regret this move tbh.

[Output Flange]

300bhp/ton said:

I don't suspect they are that hard to find, it's just they built a lot of e36's and a lot of M3's, so by pure numbers there will be a lot of abused and mistreated ones. But also by numbers there will be plenty of nice cared for examples too.

No, there aren't.

Have you been to see any/many that are currently for sale, or are you purely guessing? There are 29 in the PH classifieds at present, of which 3 are stripped track cars, one is an E46 and one is a wanted advert.

Out of the 24 that remain, half are convertibles. So that's 12 cars, which will get narrowed down further if you're fussy about colour or spec, which if you're spending your own money you're entitled to be. Call it 8 cars. Out of those 8, from experience 3 will be utter dogs, a few will be average, and a couple will be gems.

The chances of finding a gem on eBay are lower, usually.

So it's not a massive choice unless you're prepared to then invest a shedload of cash in a less-than-great example.

[Output Flange]

300bhp/ton said:

As a performance choice I also suspect verts and saloons will be less favoured in time too.

Why would the saloon be less favoured from a performance perspective?

[ikarl]

Keep the cossie!



If you done the deal and then wanted to reverse the situation in 5 years if you wanted the cossie back, could you? I seriously doubt it.



Keep the cossie!

[Big Fat Fatty]

If it were my car and money I would keep the Cossie, prices aren't going to get any lower and as yours is RWD makes it particularly special. I am a bit of a Cosworth fanboy but a big lover of BMWs as well so it's tough choice, go with your gut feeling OP.

[Output Flange]

Unless you need the cash I'd also keep the Cossie.

But it sounds like you know that already

[300bhp/ton]

Output Flange said:

300bhp/ton said:

As a performance choice I also suspect verts and saloons will be less favoured in time too.

Why would the saloon be less favoured from a performance perspective?

Heavier and I suspect less chassis rigidity. I'm not saying these points really matter from the drivers seat, but when a car becomes collectible or wanted for performance such points might matter and affect price.

For instance in the TR7 market FHC (fixed head coupes) without a sunroof sell for a massive premium over ones with a sunroof these days. Years ago having no sunroof made it less desirable and harder to sell.


Also as the e36 gets older and is more likely to become a 2nd car and modern classic I suspect the 2 door coupe will always be more desirable, as there just something more sexy about a coupe than a saloon. I think BMW found this with such low sales numbers of the 4 door in its day too.

[Chrisw666]

Keep the Escort.

[Output Flange]

300bhp/ton said:

Heavier and I suspect less chassis rigidity. I'm not saying these points really matter from the drivers seat, but when a car becomes collectible or wanted for performance such points might matter and affect price.

Incorrect. Weight difference is either zero or 20kg, depending on source. The saloon has a stiffer body due to have a solid rear bulkhead, where the coupe has folding rear seats.

Nice try though.

[300bhp/ton]

Output Flange said:

Incorrect. Weight difference is either zero or 20kg, depending on source. The saloon has a stiffer body due to have a solid rear bulkhead, where the coupe has folding rear seats.

Nice try though.

Ok so how does either of those things make it more desirable long term - which is what my point was. The actual stats I couldn't care less about, because value seldom reflects this and it's all about punter perception.

BTW Carfolio lists the M3 saloon at 1535kg the coupe at 1442kg and the lightweight (which is one I cited earlier ) at 1338kg.

As for chassis, no idea on stats but those extra openings in the side where the doors go must affect it somehow.

[Blayney]

Cossie all day long. I don't like many BMW's though, so I'm rather biased.