e46 M3 more expensive to run than 986 Boxster S?
Discussion
Currently looking at getting a boxster s or z4 in a couple of months but also really want an e46 m3, I know these are pretty juicy and services etc are expensive but would they be much more expensive that a boxster?
What do people usually get ave mpg? Do they need regular ad hoc repairs or just the usual menu servicing?
Currently driving a mk1 TT with a stg2 remap – quick-ish but lacking driver involvement or FUN!
I will be moving soon and so will only really use the car for weekend drives or going to the gym 2-3 times a week. My car usage will be cut in half which will mean 20-100 miles a week max
( currently do about 120 a week in the TT for £30 )
I know if I brought one insurance would be expensive however I would get a limited mileage policy I would also take out a warranty to cover any big repair bills that may occur (Tesco has been recommended).
So apart from the big expenses such as Ins and Warranty what else is the m3 going to cost me?
• Tyres (If needed) £400 - £800 a set depending on brand?
• Annual Oil Change @ Indy £150 - £200?
• Insp service when needed (£600 @ Indy)?
• Discs & Pads (when needed) £500?
Would be interested to see what people get in terms of MPG, My TT is quoted 30MPG but I Get around 20, never really given along run – maybe weekends and is usually driven hardish from A-B.
Thanks
MrWhale said:
..... currently do about 120 a week in the TT for £30 ....
Lets assume that you are using V-Power at £1.109 a litre. You are using 27 litres of fuel to cover 120 miles.
This just under 6 gallons, therefore your average mpg is 20!
An E46 will manage this easily, it'll return 30+mpg on an 80mph cruise control journey, and I average a genuine 25mpg on my rural commute.
For the specific output / engine size, 6-pot M3s are VERY good on fuel IMO
mat205125 said:
MrWhale said:
..... currently do about 120 a week in the TT for £30 ....
Lets assume that you are using V-Power at £1.109 a litre. You are using 27 litres of fuel to cover 120 miles.
This just under 6 gallons, therefore your average mpg is 20!
An E46 will manage this easily, it'll return 30+mpg on an 80mph cruise control journey, and I average a genuine 25mpg on my rural commute.
For the specific output / engine size, 6-pot M3s are VERY good on fuel IMO
I would have thought on fuel the porsches would be better than the BMW. That said I did get a bit less when driving in London than I average in the M3
mat205125 said:
MrWhale said:
..... currently do about 120 a week in the TT for £30 ....
Lets assume that you are using V-Power at £1.109 a litre. You are using 27 litres of fuel to cover 120 miles.
This just under 6 gallons, therefore your average mpg is 20!
An E46 will manage this easily, it'll return 30+mpg on an 80mph cruise control journey, and I average a genuine 25mpg on my rural commute.
For the specific output / engine size, 6-pot M3s are VERY good on fuel IMO
My driving will be mainly twisty country lanes and A-roads, Rarely drive on the Mways
I own a Z4M (M3 engine) and I average 21.5 mpg. Doing exactly the same sort of driving my previous 986 Boxster S averaged 22.2 mpg. This is on a lot of shortish journeys and the occasional long one. As for repairs, all I do know is I trust the Beemer a lot more than the Porsche, it feels a lot more solid and less likely to need an unexpected major repair. If you are looking at a 987 S rather than a 986 then it will be more reliable I would have thought though.
Edited by flimper on Monday 3rd August 17:28
Z4M Roadster will knock spots off a boxter. I've recently sold mine but its easily the best car I've ever owned. I pondered getting a boxter but for the the M roadster is a lot more special/rare/desireable. It does like a drink I think low 20s is realistic. If you nurse it on the motorway you might see 26/27. In return you get a brilliant noise and a peach of an engine.
Interestingy enough I've just got an E46 M3. Its impressive for its size but its not a sporting drive in the way the Z4M is. If you dont need the back seats I would urge you to get the Z4M.
Interestingy enough I've just got an E46 M3. Its impressive for its size but its not a sporting drive in the way the Z4M is. If you dont need the back seats I would urge you to get the Z4M.
I'm averaging 27mpg over the last 4000 miles in my Z4M (same engine as E46 M3). That includes a few PH hoons, spirited driving, taking it easy driving and a trip to Spain and back.
I drove a Cayman S before I bought my Z4M and was a bit disappointed with the interior quality and the fact it seemed like it could be mastered in a few days as opposed to the Z4M which seemed a bit more characterful.
I drove a Cayman S before I bought my Z4M and was a bit disappointed with the interior quality and the fact it seemed like it could be mastered in a few days as opposed to the Z4M which seemed a bit more characterful.
In the last month two of my friends have sold a Cayman and 987 Boxster S because of the running costs. The 2 year warranty on the Cayman was a joke and resulted in a 4-figure service bill after Porsche found something that needed fixing. The Boxster went after an even larger bill for a service, new tyres and front pads. I know you can shop around and all that jazz, but you can't escape the big items. If you're going to run a Porsche then you need good tyres and brakes and it has to be serviced by a good indy at the very least. If I were you I would add 50% to all your running cost estimates and then decide whether a very large bill every year is going to take the shine off the car. I just got hit with a £1700 bill for some unexpected repair work and a service (not on a Porsche or BMW) and it ain't a lot of fun. Paying that every year would get right on my pecs.
I went from a 30,000 mile Boxster S (986) to a Cayman S, then a 20,000 E46 M3 within about 6 months, and the BM is much 'cheaper' to run. Porsche parts are pretty daft price wise, and I managed to pop then engine in the Boxster by driving it rather hard. The BM has been hammered even more and not complained once. A week after purchase it went to the Stelvio and back, and has since done numerous track & drift days.
The BM is solid as a rock!
Didn't own the Cayman long enough to experience anything other than fuel economy in the low 20's.
The BM is solid as a rock!
Didn't own the Cayman long enough to experience anything other than fuel economy in the low 20's.
Again intersting to see different people's views. There are many who will say that an M3 is going to have 911 level running costs (i.e. somewhat more than the Boxster).
I keep seeing these sorts of threads and the answers often just don't fit with my experience. I would have thought that those on here are going to be the sort to want to have everything perfect. Yet often the discussions go no further than the bare essentials. Wheel refurbs/swaps, paint detailling, updating the look, ugrading the lights, changing worn interior.... these sorts of things can really add a huge amount to the running costs.
I keep seeing these sorts of threads and the answers often just don't fit with my experience. I would have thought that those on here are going to be the sort to want to have everything perfect. Yet often the discussions go no further than the bare essentials. Wheel refurbs/swaps, paint detailling, updating the look, ugrading the lights, changing worn interior.... these sorts of things can really add a huge amount to the running costs.
You sound a lot like the pagejob guy from the main forums... Similar wording, similar cars and a similar form of posting. If you're not then ignore this and please continue. If you are, maybe as a 17 year old you should stop wasting the time of people who own these cars and wait a few years to post again.
fridaypassion said:
Interestingy enough I've just got an E46 M3. Its impressive for its size but its not a sporting drive in the way the Z4M is. If you dont need the back seats I would urge you to get the Z4M.
I agree. My M3 felt a lot less agile than my Z4 3.0 coupe, so I've ended up with (in my view) the best of both worlds - the Z4MC. And it feels just that bit more "special" than the M3.fridaypassion said:
Oh and for some reason the M3 seems to do a couple more MPG than the Z4? Maybe just a difference in the individual engines of the two cars I've had.
I've found the same. I can only assume the gearboxes are different and that the M3 has a "longer" top gear, making it more efficient on the motorways.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff