Wanted a E46 M3 got a Evolution VI
Discussion
After selling what was then my current ‘Garage Queen’ (a pristine MK1 golf) I wanted something to compliment my remaining 2 vehicles (e-golf & VW camper), by compliment I meant actually exciting to drive and would feel special on the very rare occasions I get chance to go out for a run (3 yr & 4mth olds tend to stop sporadic spirited runs)
Previous car history (won’t mention the motorbikes) saw that as a couple we always had 2 vehicles. For past 10 years one of which had to be a van as we both enjoy the outdoors (MTB, Climbing and a bit of surf) few vehicles worth mentioning
Mk6 GTI - stolen (seemingly before I could take a pic)
Clubman JCW
Mk7 Golf R
335d Msport
Found the 335d a bit boring, it was a second vehicle so not being used so we sold it and bought our first e-golf, nobody wants to see a pic of an e-golf. At the same time as buying the e-golf I also bought a mk1 golf to do up and use on weekends
We then sold our first e-golf after a year and leased one instead (didn’t want money tied up in that car when the ID3 was on the horizon)
Final car history moment is the van we converted and have owned for about 5 yrs (since new, Iose track of time). It’s the longest we’ve kept a vehicle. Perfect for the family and camping trips as Monday to Friday it’s a car. Then at the weekend we clip our camping pods in and as we had a hi-lo pop top fitted can sleep 4 comfortably
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Then I found myself for first time in my life where I didn’t own a mildly exciting car. So I asked my car journo mate for a pint (when you could go to a pub with another human) and started asking him about E46 M3, specifically the CS variant. He ‘signed off’ that a CS would be a suitably fun car but also mentioned a good place for my money could be from the JDM world. Which I scoffed at, finished my pint and thought nothing more of the JDM convo.....
...... until 5am the following morning when I got reading up on EVO’s, so I started searching for a mint car in the UK, which I did by 06:30 am on MLR. Que me waiting until I was walking the dog (out of wife’s earshot), made the call, stand up guy, lots of knowledge, great history of car and 100’s of pics later id transferred him a wad of cash to hold it for me..... until the afternoon as I’d need a few hours to talk the wife around to drive me 3 hours to pick up!
So after a convoluted post you find yourself at the point i mention the car in the title.
It is the same car even though plate changed, I gave the guy his plate back and I bought another suitable plate
Loving the Evo, I describe it as the Golf R’s big brother, it feels raw, safe and fun all at the same time. In the 6 months I’ve owned it I’ve covered about 1.5k miles, all of which were as exciting as I hoped. It’s quicker than anything I’ve owned (golf r comes close but as this is running c340bhp and weighs in about 15% less.....)
It’s not seen salt in its life so it’s now put away for winter. Which is prob reason I wrote the post as I’m thinking about how good it would be to take out in the snow!
Previous car history (won’t mention the motorbikes) saw that as a couple we always had 2 vehicles. For past 10 years one of which had to be a van as we both enjoy the outdoors (MTB, Climbing and a bit of surf) few vehicles worth mentioning
Mk6 GTI - stolen (seemingly before I could take a pic)
Clubman JCW
Mk7 Golf R
335d Msport
Found the 335d a bit boring, it was a second vehicle so not being used so we sold it and bought our first e-golf, nobody wants to see a pic of an e-golf. At the same time as buying the e-golf I also bought a mk1 golf to do up and use on weekends
We then sold our first e-golf after a year and leased one instead (didn’t want money tied up in that car when the ID3 was on the horizon)
Final car history moment is the van we converted and have owned for about 5 yrs (since new, Iose track of time). It’s the longest we’ve kept a vehicle. Perfect for the family and camping trips as Monday to Friday it’s a car. Then at the weekend we clip our camping pods in and as we had a hi-lo pop top fitted can sleep 4 comfortably
yThen I found myself for first time in my life where I didn’t own a mildly exciting car. So I asked my car journo mate for a pint (when you could go to a pub with another human) and started asking him about E46 M3, specifically the CS variant. He ‘signed off’ that a CS would be a suitably fun car but also mentioned a good place for my money could be from the JDM world. Which I scoffed at, finished my pint and thought nothing more of the JDM convo.....
...... until 5am the following morning when I got reading up on EVO’s, so I started searching for a mint car in the UK, which I did by 06:30 am on MLR. Que me waiting until I was walking the dog (out of wife’s earshot), made the call, stand up guy, lots of knowledge, great history of car and 100’s of pics later id transferred him a wad of cash to hold it for me..... until the afternoon as I’d need a few hours to talk the wife around to drive me 3 hours to pick up!
So after a convoluted post you find yourself at the point i mention the car in the title.
It is the same car even though plate changed, I gave the guy his plate back and I bought another suitable plate
Loving the Evo, I describe it as the Golf R’s big brother, it feels raw, safe and fun all at the same time. In the 6 months I’ve owned it I’ve covered about 1.5k miles, all of which were as exciting as I hoped. It’s quicker than anything I’ve owned (golf r comes close but as this is running c340bhp and weighs in about 15% less.....)
It’s not seen salt in its life so it’s now put away for winter. Which is prob reason I wrote the post as I’m thinking about how good it would be to take out in the snow!
Edited by oxnop on Saturday 16th January 14:40
Benten said:
That is stunning! How is the performance compared with the Golf R?
It feels more manoeuvrable and with a bit more shove. Other than that it’s very similar in terms of character on the right kind of road. Obviously the R was comfier when driving normally. But as I wrote in original post, having a weekend car is all about it feeling different / special when you take it out. So fully expected it not to be as comfy. I was advised that the Evo would be a bit too sharp and harsh for a daily, this has no way been a daily for me but on some sunny days I drove it into the office and was surprisingly refined.
So whilst the car is in amazing overall condition.. some pics to give a flavour:
There were a couple of things I wanted to do once I’d put thecar away for winter:
- Replace rocker gasket as there was a slight misting every now and then = blue circle
- PTFE a manifold stud as there was a little oil leak coming from behind (this engine has an oil gallery behind this stud) = yellow circle
Couple of hours later and they were done. Didn’t see it as a chore, as got me off childcare duties.
6 months had also passed since it was last serviced (at CPP, who were the co that prepped it post import) so wanted to drop engine oil and replace filter. Thought I’d sneak another hour in garage away from children. Turned out to be longer than an hour as a bit more cleaning up was required that I’d planned for (the sump plug dropped, blocking the hole to container and meaning a few litres of oil ended up on garage floor
)
Finally, a requirement of the insurance was that I had a CAT 1 alarm fitted, so after searching MLR and wider web I booked the well known Mr Toad (Ian from Mobile car alarms) to come and install a suitable alarm / immobiliser. If anyone is interested it’s a Sigma CAT1 system, I’ve had aftermarket alarms before on other older cars and always had some issues, either with false alarms or general unreliability, 6 months in with this there haven’t been any such issues.
I now find myself in a position where the scheduled jobs I had on list for winter have been done. So currently doing research on what subtle upgrades or mods I can do in the coming months.
At this stage thinking (welcome any opinions or advice)
- remove the tints (prefer more of a rally look evo rather than the JDM look)
- replace the OZ wheels with some TE37 (if I can find some for a reasonable price in the right size/offset)
- change the air filter, it’s currently got a Blitz sus power kit on, which is an aluminium gauze so thinking APEXI power filter. Which filters better but has same air flow results
- find a solution to allow me to take kids in the car, so a means to install an ISOfix bracket
There were a couple of things I wanted to do once I’d put thecar away for winter:
- Replace rocker gasket as there was a slight misting every now and then = blue circle
- PTFE a manifold stud as there was a little oil leak coming from behind (this engine has an oil gallery behind this stud) = yellow circle
Couple of hours later and they were done. Didn’t see it as a chore, as got me off childcare duties.
6 months had also passed since it was last serviced (at CPP, who were the co that prepped it post import) so wanted to drop engine oil and replace filter. Thought I’d sneak another hour in garage away from children. Turned out to be longer than an hour as a bit more cleaning up was required that I’d planned for (the sump plug dropped, blocking the hole to container and meaning a few litres of oil ended up on garage floor
) Finally, a requirement of the insurance was that I had a CAT 1 alarm fitted, so after searching MLR and wider web I booked the well known Mr Toad (Ian from Mobile car alarms) to come and install a suitable alarm / immobiliser. If anyone is interested it’s a Sigma CAT1 system, I’ve had aftermarket alarms before on other older cars and always had some issues, either with false alarms or general unreliability, 6 months in with this there haven’t been any such issues.
I now find myself in a position where the scheduled jobs I had on list for winter have been done. So currently doing research on what subtle upgrades or mods I can do in the coming months.
At this stage thinking (welcome any opinions or advice)
- remove the tints (prefer more of a rally look evo rather than the JDM look)
- replace the OZ wheels with some TE37 (if I can find some for a reasonable price in the right size/offset)
- change the air filter, it’s currently got a Blitz sus power kit on, which is an aluminium gauze so thinking APEXI power filter. Which filters better but has same air flow results
- find a solution to allow me to take kids in the car, so a means to install an ISOfix bracket
Edited by oxnop on Sunday 17th January 13:53
Its Just Adz said:
Great choice of car, I've got a lot of love for these.
Cheers. I really didn’t have any love for EVO’s / STI’s or any Jap cars for that matter pre taking the plunge with this. In the time I’ve had it I’ve started to understand the Jap thing and have really fallen in love with this. My mate had a STI Forrester that I went to Rally Wales in last year, don't think many cars would keep up with a sorted evo/STI on those wet roads!ChrisCh86 said:
God that is immaculate underneath!
Always wanted one of these, but it's not practical enough or safe enough as the second car (ISOFIX etc.). Glad that one has found a good home
The whole car is immaculate like that. Find it really hard to not take it out in poor weather. Even though it’s when the roads are greasy id prob have most fun. Always wanted one of these, but it's not practical enough or safe enough as the second car (ISOFIX etc.). Glad that one has found a good home
I reck it would make a decent (second) family car for the odd journey, if it had isofix. Boot is massive and with the 4wd / power to get out of tricky situations
oxnop said:
Cheers. I really didn’t have any love for EVO’s / STI’s or any Jap cars for that matter pre taking the plunge with this. In the time I’ve had it I’ve started to understand the Jap thing and have really fallen in love with this. My mate had a STI Forrester that I went to Rally Wales in last year, don't think many cars would keep up with a sorted evo/STI on those wet roads!
Thats true.Do you find yourself into fast tight corners beginning to start to wind off lock to kill the back end, only to find the AYC has already stabilised it, I certainly did. Mine did have the 'motorsport' chip in the AYC (though I did have to replace the rear diff as the clutch pack wore out).
Only car that I have had that steadfastly refused to undesteer and had a nice balanced oversteer at lower speed, tight corners changing to neutral balance at higher speeds.
Even my STi would not have seen where it went on wet roads.
Rbha027 said:
It's actually quite impressive how versatile they are, for what they are.
I've had mine for about 13 years now, and can't see myself ever selling it. 350ish hp is in my opinion the sweet spot for reliability and performance too!
In the (few) hours of research I did before buying, your thread was one that I looked at on here. Great write up of your experience, the humour helps when reading about some of the mechanical issues you’ve had (or created I've had mine for about 13 years now, and can't see myself ever selling it. 350ish hp is in my opinion the sweet spot for reliability and performance too!
)I don’t plan on changing the power, like you say it really does feel like a sweet spot.
This is highly upsetting reading this; your Evo is beautiful, and appears to be an excellent example of the breed.
It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
Jonny-Jimbo said:
This is highly upsetting reading this; your Evo is beautiful, and appears to be an excellent example of the breed.
It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
Ah.It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
For me it was the Chevette 2.6 HSR I wanted that was only £800 more than the car I actually bought, but at 18 there was no way I could insure it (it was a full motorsport conversion with cage etc)
But don't be too sorrowful
It would probably have cost you 10x as much to keep it on the road, mine certainly chewed up the pennies,
Jonny-Jimbo said:
This is highly upsetting reading this; your Evo is beautiful, and appears to be an excellent example of the breed.
It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
Thanks - I looked far and wide to get such a nice example... actually first one. But MLR is a good resource for all things evo. The previous owner kept it mint since its import. So I’ve had very little to do to keep on top of it.It is upsetting though because about 8 years ago a friend was selling one. It was a bit rough around the edges, and pushing around 360bhp or so. interior was a bit mucky as they had used it for rapid child transportation. However, they were asking £2000. I didn't have that at the time as I was only just out of Uni... How I wish I'd tried hard to find that cash now!!
Funny you should mention that not so long ago you could pick Evo’s up for cheap, that was one of the things that put me off previously. Knowing that they could be had for next to nothing (for a rough one) in the past. Can’t see a decent example Evo going down in value now, especially as unloved ones rot away pretty quickly!
oxnop said:
In the (few) hours of research I did before buying, your thread was one that I looked at on here. Great write up of your experience, the humour helps when reading about some of the mechanical issues you’ve had (or created )
I don’t plan on changing the power, like you say it really does feel like a sweet spot.
All of my mechanical issues are self inflicted - I would hate for anyone to use my experiences as template for Evo ownership )I don’t plan on changing the power, like you say it really does feel like a sweet spot.
The car was bulletproof until we started messing with it.
Despite all the grief though, I have 100%(ish) faith in the car getting me from point A to B if I use it as a normal car, even with the stupidity factored in.
Gary C said:
oxnop said:
Cheers. I really didn’t have any love for EVO’s / STI’s or any Jap cars for that matter pre taking the plunge with this. In the time I’ve had it I’ve started to understand the Jap thing and have really fallen in love with this. My mate had a STI Forrester that I went to Rally Wales in last year, don't think many cars would keep up with a sorted evo/STI on those wet roads!
Thats true.Do you find yourself into fast tight corners beginning to start to wind off lock to kill the back end, only to find the AYC has already stabilised it, I certainly did. Mine did have the 'motorsport' chip in the AYC (though I did have to replace the rear diff as the clutch pack wore out).
Only car that I have had that steadfastly refused to undesteer and had a nice balanced oversteer at lower speed, tight corners changing to neutral balance at higher speeds.
Even my STi would not have seen where it went on wet roads.
oxnop said:
I don’t think I’ve driven it hard enough or in greasy enough conditions to notice (not sure what that says about my driving!) but I can say that whenever I’ve taken anyone for a spirited drive they can’t believe how it corners. Took a mate out during that lockdown v1 and lockdown v2 break who had owned and been a passenger in some pretty tasty cars, he said he’d never entered / exited corners at the speeds we were doing before. Whilst feeling TOTALLY safe!
I found in corners when you turn in fast, maybe even come off the brakes a bit sharpish, the car begins to yaw at such a rate that in other cars you instinctively know the back end is going to have a bit of a pendulum moment and a bit of lock is normally removed just to ensure it doesn't turn into a spin then you find the AYC has already dealt with it.
I took my old AYC rear diff to bits, fascinating bit of kit. To one wheel, you actually have three concentric drive shafts, one from the diff itself and two hollow ones running over the top running at 15% faster and 15% slower then a clutch pack to progressively lock up one or the other to the main drive shaft leading to that one wheel. Result is, one wheel can be given more or less torque over the other
One of my best ever cars, if I didn't have the Carrera I would probably be pining for one now looking at yours !
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