Occasional/practical E92 M3 replacement
Discussion
I’ve had my 2008 E92 M3 for over 5 years now and it’s a great car with one of the best V8 engines as many know, but I’m exploring replacements as it doesn’t really get used.
In this time I’ve done approx 18k miles, so about 3k/yr. This is mainly due to me working from home with nursery drop-off/pickup twice a week and visits to clients/meetings locally once a week and then further afield maybe once a month.
My wife had an X4 30d which we’ve just replaced with a new X4 M40i. This is the main family car and the one that gets most of the use, including my wife commuting.
Given the M40i is (almost) as fast as my M3 but newer and actually more enjoyable it seems crazy that the M3 is used as a run-about. My wife also hates driving it so always just takes the X4.
Without rambling further I’m basically looking to see what I could replace with. I’ve always had M3’s or TVR’s so never done the ‘normal’ car thing and am struggling for options.
Any interesting suggestions which will be more practical for Dad duties but still be good for my infrequent work trips, and so that my wife will drive which will allow me to use the X4 for longer journeys when required?
In this time I’ve done approx 18k miles, so about 3k/yr. This is mainly due to me working from home with nursery drop-off/pickup twice a week and visits to clients/meetings locally once a week and then further afield maybe once a month.
My wife had an X4 30d which we’ve just replaced with a new X4 M40i. This is the main family car and the one that gets most of the use, including my wife commuting.
Given the M40i is (almost) as fast as my M3 but newer and actually more enjoyable it seems crazy that the M3 is used as a run-about. My wife also hates driving it so always just takes the X4.
Without rambling further I’m basically looking to see what I could replace with. I’ve always had M3’s or TVR’s so never done the ‘normal’ car thing and am struggling for options.
Any interesting suggestions which will be more practical for Dad duties but still be good for my infrequent work trips, and so that my wife will drive which will allow me to use the X4 for longer journeys when required?
Budget anywhere from £8-20k dependent on what excites.
I guess it won’t really get used much more than the M3 but it needs to be more accessible to the mrs if I need to take the X4 and she needs it for running around (commuting, nursery etc.)
I’ve tentatively been looking for a while but found very little for what the M3 is worth.
I have been looking at Abarth 595’s (Comps and Turismo) which fit the run-around, but not ideal if the wife needs the X4 and I need to drive to a client in Midlands, Cambridge or Newcastle (from Leeds)
Know you always have some great leftfield suggestions though ZX10R NIN... :-)
I guess it won’t really get used much more than the M3 but it needs to be more accessible to the mrs if I need to take the X4 and she needs it for running around (commuting, nursery etc.)
I’ve tentatively been looking for a while but found very little for what the M3 is worth.
I have been looking at Abarth 595’s (Comps and Turismo) which fit the run-around, but not ideal if the wife needs the X4 and I need to drive to a client in Midlands, Cambridge or Newcastle (from Leeds)
Know you always have some great leftfield suggestions though ZX10R NIN... :-)
Edited by stub101 on Sunday 20th September 13:47
What about a hot hatchback?
Loads to choose from at varying price points, you could go M140i at the higher end of the budget or you could look at something like a Mk7 Fiesta ST which would be towards the bottom end of your budget but still loads of fun to drive and practical enough for the school run etc, I think they do a 5 door Fiesta but not 100% sure.
Also consider a Mini Cooper S JCW somewhere around the middle of the two
Loads to choose from at varying price points, you could go M140i at the higher end of the budget or you could look at something like a Mk7 Fiesta ST which would be towards the bottom end of your budget but still loads of fun to drive and practical enough for the school run etc, I think they do a 5 door Fiesta but not 100% sure.
Also consider a Mini Cooper S JCW somewhere around the middle of the two
It's a good point about what your Mrs doesn't like about the M3?
My wife has been driving SUV type cars now for 4 years, just bought her second and she doesn't like what I would term a normal ride height car now, I have a Mini Cooper S and a BMW 240i and she says both are too low for her liking now, both are standard ride height, but she has got used to the SUV way of driving now and the view it offers being higher up
My wife has been driving SUV type cars now for 4 years, just bought her second and she doesn't like what I would term a normal ride height car now, I have a Mini Cooper S and a BMW 240i and she says both are too low for her liking now, both are standard ride height, but she has got used to the SUV way of driving now and the view it offers being higher up
It sounds like you've really already replaced the M3 with the X40?
In which case you should go for something a bit different. A hot hatch or a small sports car?
Your budget would give you lots of options from a fast Fiesta/Mini/etc. to your choice of GT86s, MX5s, S2000s, Z4s and so on. You could afford a pretty nice Boxster or Cayman as well.
In which case you should go for something a bit different. A hot hatch or a small sports car?
Your budget would give you lots of options from a fast Fiesta/Mini/etc. to your choice of GT86s, MX5s, S2000s, Z4s and so on. You could afford a pretty nice Boxster or Cayman as well.
stub101 said:
Budget anywhere from £8-20k dependent on what excites.
I guess it won’t really get used much more than the M3 but it needs to be more accessible to the mrs if I need to take the X4 and she needs it for running around (commuting, nursery etc.)
I’ve tentatively been looking for a while but found very little for what the M3 is worth.
I have been looking at Abarth 595’s (Comps and Turismo) which fit the run-around, but not ideal if the wife needs the X4 and I need to drive to a client in Midlands, Cambridge or Newcastle (from Leeds)
Know you always have some great leftfield suggestions though ZX10R NIN... :-)
Can I ask why you'll need to swap cars for longer journeys? I ask because anything you buy will do long journeys with ease.I guess it won’t really get used much more than the M3 but it needs to be more accessible to the mrs if I need to take the X4 and she needs it for running around (commuting, nursery etc.)
I’ve tentatively been looking for a while but found very little for what the M3 is worth.
I have been looking at Abarth 595’s (Comps and Turismo) which fit the run-around, but not ideal if the wife needs the X4 and I need to drive to a client in Midlands, Cambridge or Newcastle (from Leeds)
Know you always have some great leftfield suggestions though ZX10R NIN... :-)
Edited by stub101 on Sunday 20th September 13:47
308 PS GTI 270 I think this ticks all the boxes in terms of an entertaining drive & it's practical too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009153...
PS 250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008112...
Insignia VXR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009183...
335i M Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009143...
S3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009133...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008313...
3.6 Passat CC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007151...
XE S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007301...
RS3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
C55 appreciating in value practical bombproof drivetrain & a car that will do long journey's with ease & given your low annual mileage this could be the pick.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008022...
Lexus IS F
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
E90 M3 practicality & you get to carry on enjoying the V8
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009033...
VXR8 they've pretty much done all the depreciating they're going too & they're a cracking steer too with all the practicality your OH could wish for.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912115...
Given your low mileage use I'd say depreciation will be your biggest cost which is in your position I'd be looking for halo cars rather than more normal cars.
In honesty I’m not sure why the mrs doesn’t like the M3. She’s had use of plenty of fast small low cars so it’s not that, but I think it’s just a bit too extreme and not that accessible.
I have to admit that whilst I love the M3, even the old X4 30d was technically the better car and delivered 90%+ of the M3. The new X4 M40i is definitely 95%+ and we’ve only had it 2 days...
My other big problem is probably snobbishness and having only owned a 3 litre BM + 3x M3’s and a TVR I just struggle to get excited by ‘normal’ cars (especially anything mundane or French...)
I have to admit that whilst I love the M3, even the old X4 30d was technically the better car and delivered 90%+ of the M3. The new X4 M40i is definitely 95%+ and we’ve only had it 2 days...
My other big problem is probably snobbishness and having only owned a 3 litre BM + 3x M3’s and a TVR I just struggle to get excited by ‘normal’ cars (especially anything mundane or French...)
Edited by stub101 on Sunday 20th September 21:30
pidsy said:
OP - I went from this:
To this:
And have never looked back. The Abarth is hilarious and compared to the M3 - pennies to run. Not practical with your family needs but that’s what the X is for isn’t it?
I think the Abarth is a very good contender, but it’s a big no from the mrs. This doesn’t mean it won’t happen and I’ll probably end up with one, but fear that a 3rd car may be requested by her, which I guess is why I’m asking the question now to see if I can shortcut the process. To this:
And have never looked back. The Abarth is hilarious and compared to the M3 - pennies to run. Not practical with your family needs but that’s what the X is for isn’t it?
stub101 said:
In honesty I’m not sure why the mrs doesn’t like the M3. She’s had use of plenty of fast small low cars so it’s not that, but I think it’s just a bit too extreme and not that accessible.
I have to admit that whilst I love the M3, even the old X4 30d was technically the better car and delivered 90%+ of the M3. The new X4 M40i is definitely 95%+ and we’ve only had it 2 days...
My other big problem is probably snobbishness and having only owned a 3 litre BM + 3x M3’s and a TVR I just struggle to get excited by ‘normal’ cars (especially anything mundane or French...)
Go & try an IS-F or VXR8 I reckon they may tick your boxes I have to admit that whilst I love the M3, even the old X4 30d was technically the better car and delivered 90%+ of the M3. The new X4 M40i is definitely 95%+ and we’ve only had it 2 days...
My other big problem is probably snobbishness and having only owned a 3 litre BM + 3x M3’s and a TVR I just struggle to get excited by ‘normal’ cars (especially anything mundane or French...)
Edited by stub101 on Sunday 20th September 21:30
fido said:
stub101 said:
Been browsing Mini Cooper S’s but the prices are crazy in comparison to the M3!
I always bring up the Audi S1 but it's a nice little car (which I replaced it with a Q3 RS) It is small, chuckable, sure-footed and much more comfortable than it's Abarth cousin.
Interesting you mention an S1 because I was looking at those last night but soon realised they're not cheap!
The mrs had 2x Audi TTs's which she loved, but my god it was like they were made of chocolate and whilst we fortunately didnt have any major problems there was loads of £300-400 bills for electrical door and window motors, plus other bits that you'd expect would last longer than 5-6 years...
Did make me start looking at TTRS's though...
The mrs had 2x Audi TTs's which she loved, but my god it was like they were made of chocolate and whilst we fortunately didnt have any major problems there was loads of £300-400 bills for electrical door and window motors, plus other bits that you'd expect would last longer than 5-6 years...
Did make me start looking at TTRS's though...
I'm also not understanding why you need 2 practical cars. If you already have the SUV and the problem is the M3 is too much for your business meetings, why not buy a fun sports car which is less of a handful than the M3, if that is the problem. Like a SLK or Z4 coupe.
Or just buy a second X4 already.
Or just buy a second X4 already.
I think the problem is the 2nd car needs to be used 2-3 times a week for nursery/school drop-off so needs that element of practicality, plus for general running around duties.
The M3 is fine for that but really isn’t doing it any good doing lots of 1.5 mile journeys or less. At weekends we always use the X4 by default.
It’s also fine for me to take the M3 to clients infrequently, but it will make more sense to take the X4 and the mrs use the 2nd car - which she just refuses to do now given the M3.
Sports car just wouldn’t work, and if it did another TVR T350/Tuscan would be sat in the garage sharpish.
The M3 is fine for that but really isn’t doing it any good doing lots of 1.5 mile journeys or less. At weekends we always use the X4 by default.
It’s also fine for me to take the M3 to clients infrequently, but it will make more sense to take the X4 and the mrs use the 2nd car - which she just refuses to do now given the M3.
Sports car just wouldn’t work, and if it did another TVR T350/Tuscan would be sat in the garage sharpish.
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