E46 M3 replacement

[mr2turbogts]

Have been doing a bit of thinking over the weekend and keep looking at different cars.

We are due our 1st child in June, so I am thinking I need a car with four doors. (or maybe its just an excuse to get a new car).

I've owned my E46 m3 for coming up to 5 years, and as much as its a great car and I cannot fault it at all, I do seem to spend a lot of time on autotrader.

Initially my interest sparked with the E60 M5, however I've been drawn into the horror stories and come to the conclusion I could not enjoy owning one through fear of something going wrong.

This lead onto the Jaguar XFR (drooling over the S/C 5.0 V8) which I'm thinking could replace the E46??

Has anyone here done this swap?
This would only be used as a weekend car, as I have a daily so does the Mrs (both with 4 doors )

Edited by mr2turbogts on Monday 25th February 14:02

[strath44]

Is keeping the M3 an option and getting something middle of the road?

Particularly if all of the following are true -

- Cracked rear subframe attended to / checked
- Vanos unit ok
- It is a Coupe not a Cabriolet
- It has under 120k miles

If all these above are sorted boxes ticked the prices are creeping up!

Failing that get rid before it costs a fortune!

[Ho Lee Kau]

Get a second hand Octavia for the family, or some second hand crossover, keep M3 as fun car.

[Gimmick4]

I owned an E46 coupe for about 10 years and decided I needed to scratch the V10 itch so bought a low mileage M6 V10.

Great car but found you had to go very very fast for it to be exciting and for the V10 engine to really come into it's own. Sold it after only 10 months. Bought an RS4 as an interim car as I couldn't decide what else to replace it with.

Nearly 3 yrs later spending more and more time on autotrader myself but not sure what I'd rather have for the money.

[snorkel sucker]

Not sure about budget but if you're after something with 4 doors, like your E46 M3 but don't like the idea of potential M5 bills then maybe an E90 M3 would fit the bill nicely?

Or if you want more load lugging capacity, an RS4 Avant.

[48Valves]

Don't do it!

You don't NEED 4 doors when the kids are small. Buy an appropriate pram that fits in the boot. Kids really don't need all the crap you are lead to believe they do.

We managed with two 3 door cars untill ours were 6 and 8. We only changed to an estate due to hobbies and holidays in the UK.

[ZX10R NIN]

This is simple if the other half drives change her car for something sensible for family duties.

[mr2turbogts]

I’m surprised there’s not much love for the XFR.

As I say I need to change the M3 as I have a daily driver so does the wife.

I guess I’m just using this as an excuse to change the m3, as they are very hard cars to replace 🤷‍♂️

[SiT]

I think for any accurate advice you need to post up what your budget is, options can vary massively in price so guess that would help.

I am sure the XFR has its crowd but for me PERSONALLY I wouldn’t of said it’s a particularly PH car. Ok it has a big supercharged V8 but I am guessing it handles like a bing V8 saloon car and is a bit more of a ‘wafter’ and ticks very different boxes to the M3.

I also look for reasons to change cars, I make them fit my decision making which I have now been rumbled for! Lol! If you both have 4 door daily’s and still get enjoyment from the M3 then I say keep it. There are certainly worse places to have you money sat, as has been mentioned.

Si

[ZX10R NIN]

The XFR is a very good car & handles well but it's not as sharp as the M3 but it's a good car, or what about the IS-F or VXR8.

[mr2turbogts]

Budget is whatever I can get for the M3 plus a bit so aiming to get 12k for the m3 so I’d say 13-15k is the budget

[ZX10R NIN]

M3 Saloon

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C63

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

More sensible C350 Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

RS4

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[PurpleTurtle]

I kept my E46 M3 cab when Jr came along and he was 4 last week!

Isofix seat goes in the back, buggy fits in the boot. No reason to get rid IMHO, especially as it’s a third car for you.

[dhutch]

So you don't need to change it, but do you actually want to change the M3?

Fair enough if you want to try something else, or are just trying out the feel, but just trying to get an understanding of the motive.

Does the M3 come short anywhere, other than not having doors you dont need.


Daniel

[BUG4LIFE]

48Valves said:

Don't do it!

You don't NEED 4 doors when the kids are small. Buy an appropriate pram that fits in the boot. Kids really don't need all the crap you are lead to believe they do.

We managed with two 3 door cars untill ours were 6 and 8. We only changed to an estate due to hobbies and holidays in the UK.

I've found it isn't the boot size of such cars that's the problem, it's the lack of space in the back-seats for an ISOFIX base/seat. My base takes up a bunch of room so I'd imagine the front seats in an E46 M3 would need to be pushed so far forward no-one could sit in them!

Plus, getting a kiddy seat in an out of a 2-door [if used all the time] is a pain...you might as well get a 4/5-door.

I think an XFR is a great call [if you can afford the running bills and you're OH doesn't complain the extra cash should be spent on baby stuff]; they're plenty big enough, look pretty good, awesome performance and most importantly a good selection always available.

I was interested in Vauxhall VXR8's but found out they don't have ISOFIX in the back. I was gutted

Oh, I bought a Forester STi when my little one came along

Edited by BUG4LIFE on Tuesday 26th February 13:22

[TheAngryDog]

E9x M3 has the same issues as the E60 M5 (save for the fact it doesn't have SMG).

The E60 M5 is fine if you keep on top of and use the right people. I used the wrong company and it is costing me a lot.

Doesn't the XFR have timing chain issues?

[mr2turbogts]

Nothing wrong with my M3, and as it’s a 3rd car I don’t need to get rid of it due to a child.

I’ve owned it for coming up 5 years now and guess I’m just getting an itch to try something different, but also don’t want to regret getting rid of as it’s a pretty decent car

[Weekendrebuild]

In my collection I have both an e60 m5 an m3 cs , completely different cars . There’s no issues with either. If looked after correctly oil changed every 5k! the m5 I replaced my rod bearing myself last month preventative . However both my cars have only covered 40k miles . Most the horror stories with the m5s are cars that have done 85k to100k plus . They all need rebuilding at that age in my opinion if your budgets 10/12k don’t bother as the cars will be high mileage and multiple owners !! 20k plus will get you a tidy looked after beast . With few issues

Clutch £1000 4hours labour DIY
Clutch position sensor £250 5mins with clutch job

[Edible Roadkill]

Not sure why the child is even a consideration if it’s a 3rd car. Surely you want something child free and driver focused!?

Maybe an Elise or exige if the budget allows.