Decisions. One brand, two cars, which one?
Discussion
About a year ago I sold a car I had spent many years wanting, an M3 CSL!
After watching the prices bottom out at 20k and start to climb, I bought the car if my dreams at mid 20's with the intention of driving it and enjoying it without the worry of depreciation.
My wife and I had an offer accepted on a property so I needed the money back out of the CSL to renovate the place as this was always the intirention with the money in the first place and having the option the enjoy that car was worth it.
The refurb on the house is nearly done and I've managed to save some money up to purchase a new toy. My two options are from the same brand but I am finding it hard deciding, one will be slightly newer but won't offer the badge kudos of the other so wanted some feedback on what other people would go for.
If presented with the following two cars what would you take and why?
M3
Z4 3.0 coupe
My own feelings are quite mixed and on the face of it it seems like am easy choice but I'll explain why I'm struggling with the decision.
I have always loved the shape and design of both models! The E46 in my opinion is the best 3 series shape BMW have produced, in M3 form they perfected the car, the CSL was simply the cherry on a very tall cake! Likewise the Z4 hasn't aged at all and in the coupe form I'm looking at is much better resolved than the new model. Having owned several E46' I'm aware of the problems associated with that model, the boot floor being the biggy! Both seem to have issues with springs snapping and out of the two the Z4 is probably the cheaper feeling car.
With the issues in mind and associated running costs on both cars, I'm leaning more toward the Z4 as I feel it's bottomed out as far as it will go, I can't see the M3 (assuming a good one) going any lower.
While I loved the M3, my gut and experience is telling me that from a day to day point of view it is an expensive car to keep on the road both in upkeep and fuel. The engine is a peach but it required me to work for the reward, sitting at 7k+ rpm gets expensive and while it's a good engine, the standard M3 always sounded tinny to me. I did fit a GruppeM back box to my 03 M3 which was awesome but droned at 3krpm, the CSL on the other hand, with that airbox was just awesome!
Having viewed a couple of Z4', I love the sound of a standard BMW six and with a tweak to the exhaust I'm sure it'll sound lovely. Cost wise, I'm positive it would be the cheaper of the two to live with.
Colour options for both are the same and in my opinion the best BMW have made, Silver grey/red nappa.
Based on the above what would you choose?
After watching the prices bottom out at 20k and start to climb, I bought the car if my dreams at mid 20's with the intention of driving it and enjoying it without the worry of depreciation.
My wife and I had an offer accepted on a property so I needed the money back out of the CSL to renovate the place as this was always the intirention with the money in the first place and having the option the enjoy that car was worth it.
The refurb on the house is nearly done and I've managed to save some money up to purchase a new toy. My two options are from the same brand but I am finding it hard deciding, one will be slightly newer but won't offer the badge kudos of the other so wanted some feedback on what other people would go for.
If presented with the following two cars what would you take and why?
M3
Z4 3.0 coupe
My own feelings are quite mixed and on the face of it it seems like am easy choice but I'll explain why I'm struggling with the decision.
I have always loved the shape and design of both models! The E46 in my opinion is the best 3 series shape BMW have produced, in M3 form they perfected the car, the CSL was simply the cherry on a very tall cake! Likewise the Z4 hasn't aged at all and in the coupe form I'm looking at is much better resolved than the new model. Having owned several E46' I'm aware of the problems associated with that model, the boot floor being the biggy! Both seem to have issues with springs snapping and out of the two the Z4 is probably the cheaper feeling car.
With the issues in mind and associated running costs on both cars, I'm leaning more toward the Z4 as I feel it's bottomed out as far as it will go, I can't see the M3 (assuming a good one) going any lower.
While I loved the M3, my gut and experience is telling me that from a day to day point of view it is an expensive car to keep on the road both in upkeep and fuel. The engine is a peach but it required me to work for the reward, sitting at 7k+ rpm gets expensive and while it's a good engine, the standard M3 always sounded tinny to me. I did fit a GruppeM back box to my 03 M3 which was awesome but droned at 3krpm, the CSL on the other hand, with that airbox was just awesome!
Having viewed a couple of Z4', I love the sound of a standard BMW six and with a tweak to the exhaust I'm sure it'll sound lovely. Cost wise, I'm positive it would be the cheaper of the two to live with.
Colour options for both are the same and in my opinion the best BMW have made, Silver grey/red nappa.
Based on the above what would you choose?
I had an e46 m3 before my current z4 coupe. The m3 was definitely the better car, however as you are aware the running costs are significantly more for general day to day use. My m3 did 24mpg, the z4 does 32mpg. Inspection 2 at BMW, £800 vs £430. Warranty £88 vs £41.
The m3 felt like a special car every time I drove it, something which my previous 330ci never did. The z4 coupe has that same feeling, not sure what it is about it, perhaps because you don't often see them. I'll be sad to see mine go.
The m3 felt like a special car every time I drove it, something which my previous 330ci never did. The z4 coupe has that same feeling, not sure what it is about it, perhaps because you don't often see them. I'll be sad to see mine go.
Had a change of username, in case it confuses people.
Have looked at the Z4M but as a package, with that engine the M3 is a better option though the flip side is that the Z4M IMHO is only going to appreciate like the CSL has.
The day to day running costs are the sticking point, when I had the CSL it was a weekend car so the costs associated weren't an issue. The other concern I have with the E46, as mentioned is the boot floor problems they have and finding one that's either A: been repaired or B: doesn't need to be and that in itself means having access to a ramp for inspecting.
I did hit an old thread on here from CraigWWW about his carbon black M3 - CSL lookalike and instantly messaged him for more info. If something like that car came up for sale then it'd be an easy decision.
M
Have looked at the Z4M but as a package, with that engine the M3 is a better option though the flip side is that the Z4M IMHO is only going to appreciate like the CSL has.
The day to day running costs are the sticking point, when I had the CSL it was a weekend car so the costs associated weren't an issue. The other concern I have with the E46, as mentioned is the boot floor problems they have and finding one that's either A: been repaired or B: doesn't need to be and that in itself means having access to a ramp for inspecting.
I did hit an old thread on here from CraigWWW about his carbon black M3 - CSL lookalike and instantly messaged him for more info. If something like that car came up for sale then it'd be an easy decision.
M
It's more a concern with the model having owned a couple of M3's now. If the floor has gone it'll be more than a few hundred quid though. When I had the CSL floor done it was off the road for 4 weeks, right PITA.
rottie102 said:
Why are you worrying so much about the boot floor? Yes, it is an issue but it's an easy to fix one, few hundred quid and within a day.
I wish my current cars have problem like that
I wish my current cars have problem like that
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