Will I hate an e92 m3
Discussion
I've an itch that won't go away. That once overweight 1600kg car with the wrong engine that lacks torque in it is now looked on with rose tinted glasses. High revving v8 being the party trick. I've always wanted one and I think the e92 looks really great. Thing is in my mid 20s I bought an e92 320d sport plus and didn't like it. Engine not an issue. Was just a complete change to the hatchbacks I'd been driving for the previous 6 or 7 years. A focus ST and Megane 275 followed this 320d which were both a breath of fresh air handling wise, the Megane is a car I really love to bits and hate at the same time. I am not sure what could replace the Megane except for offerings from Lotus and stuff I couldn't afford.
So this M3 is about the right price now. But I'm worried I'll regret selling that Megane. Is the m3 actually as good as people say or do you reckon it's the wrong sort of car for me? I'm quite interested in a dct model to lounge to work in but still on rare occasions bang through gears with.
So this M3 is about the right price now. But I'm worried I'll regret selling that Megane. Is the m3 actually as good as people say or do you reckon it's the wrong sort of car for me? I'm quite interested in a dct model to lounge to work in but still on rare occasions bang through gears with.
Thanks. I think an e46 would be better but they are really getting on so are e92 m3s mind look at that guys thread who's had an e92 for a decade..... I bring the 320d because of its size. It was so unengaging. The hatches could be thrown about with accuracy in corners where the e92 needed to be lined up like a missile then let the straight line power do the work. It wasn't just the 320d either. Drove allaorts of BMWs thanks to a friend and they were no different. Never even been in an m3 mind. I think I'll try drive one.
I've seen an early car that looks in excellent condition with circa 25k miles. Ideally I wanted DCT EDC and 18s but they seem to push into higher prices i dont want to pay. This ones Manual non EDC. 18s. Think I'm going to drop the dealer a message tomorrow but for some reason it just doesn't feel right. I think I'm concerned about the horrid stories of bearings and throttle actuators. Plus the Megane handles so well i just don't know if an m3 will do what I want it to.
See those two recent opinions is where I'm stuck with the e92 m3 decision. I look at then and question if they will be worth the running costs, servicing costs and and if I'll get to really use it in which case it's just a financial burden. I think the Megane is pushing it considering it does 19mpg but that's because I press the fun pedal at every given opportunity as it's a frustrating car to drive gently. Its fairly inexpensive to run and basically everything is half the cost of an m3. Daily driving when a Vauxhall Mocha in front driven by some type of **** is doing 20mph under the speed limit on a twisty back road is infuriating and makes me wonder if I should get a Mocha myself and just be dead inside. So an m3 would be no different I think, me wanting one is the only opportunity I'll get to experience a high revving v8 I think more than any other reason. Also The meg easily exceeds what's legal as well but it's easy to enjoy what the car is capable of. Megane has to be worked to get the best out of it. If I'd of wanted an 8/10ths car I'd of bought a golf r.
So that's the nagging feeling I have right now. I'm just not sure if it's worth the money.
Going to try test driving one I think as that should give me an idea of what they are like.
I dont want to afford a current gen m3 or m4.
So that's the nagging feeling I have right now. I'm just not sure if it's worth the money.
Going to try test driving one I think as that should give me an idea of what they are like.
I dont want to afford a current gen m3 or m4.
Appreciate all the comments its good to read opinions. I've been watching classifieds now for a bit but cant see one I really like in my price range - think no more than £22k really, Im basically looking at very standard spec cars I think, so no chance of me getting a comp pack EDC DCT car I dont think, certainly not with warranty or without intergalactic mileage.
Theres a manual Silverstone, 40k miles with the newer idrive, 18" wheels, but then it lacks EDC, heated seats etc and I'm thinking DCT is the right gearbox.
Then theres another one with similar spec (parkway cars?) but its got the older idrive although the car looks very clean. Still doesnt feel like its the right car.
Ive been speaking to a friend whos clued up with BMWs and he rekons I would be best to just be patient and hold out for one I want but I am wondering if one will come up.
Also E46 M3, since when did a cab become £20-25k?!
Theres a manual Silverstone, 40k miles with the newer idrive, 18" wheels, but then it lacks EDC, heated seats etc and I'm thinking DCT is the right gearbox.
Then theres another one with similar spec (parkway cars?) but its got the older idrive although the car looks very clean. Still doesnt feel like its the right car.
Ive been speaking to a friend whos clued up with BMWs and he rekons I would be best to just be patient and hold out for one I want but I am wondering if one will come up.
Also E46 M3, since when did a cab become £20-25k?!
Ones just cropped up which is the right price and spec but the seller has someone seeing it tomorrow morning apparently, only up the road from me i think. Its private and apparently has transferable warranty with WarrantyWise so Ive asked go go see it so assuming it hasn't sold Ill probably buy it. - anyone know how warrantywise are for warranty work? Its major engine and gearbox problems I'm concerned about.
Theres another Monte Carlo thats not too far from me, but its all over social media with the reg plate V8 OMGG, think scene meets, rev battles in central london and all that b
ks - "finestinlondon". I guess with any car you never really know whats gone on in its past. Cooper Cobham has a couple of OK spec cars in but they are asking £27K ish which I think is way too much.
In 2 minds whether to drop him a message or not, advert pics are from circa 2015.
ks - "finestinlondon". I guess with any car you never really know whats gone on in its past. Cooper Cobham has a couple of OK spec cars in but they are asking £27K ish which I think is way too much.In 2 minds whether to drop him a message or not, advert pics are from circa 2015.
RS Grant said:
OP, have you driven one yet? I came from a MK7 Golf R (albeit a little more powerful than your Megane) which I absolutely loved and was very worried about the switch to N/A power again, but I have absolutely made the correct decision.. the only niggles I've got with the car are spec-related; leather seats should really be heated (mine aren't) and I miss the adaptive headlights in the Golf. But given that it ticked a LOT of my other boxes, I couldn't walk away from the deal over a couple of small things like that and I don't regret it at all.. sound, throttle response, steering, handling balance are all fantastic in the BMW.
I did a bit of a comparison in my Readers' Cars thread between the Golf and M3 on the last page ( Click Here) which you may find useful.
Yeas its actually your fault I am after one! I did a bit of a comparison in my Readers' Cars thread between the Golf and M3 on the last page ( Click Here) which you may find useful.
Its this photo that really got me thinking about one again. And its that angle of the E92 I love the most. Black one is my old 320d.
Tried asking dealer up the road for a drive of a dct model. But it was like asking him to exhume his dead mothers remains in typical bmw fashion.... dealer experiences from bmw all flooding back to me now from my time with that 3 series. My wife also wanted to buy an almost new 116i for work from there recently and they wouldn't even entertain us. She ended up buying an mx5 instead since the mazda dealer actually made an effort with her. Crackers. Is there a certain dress code I need to be considered worthy of buying from a dealer? I'm 29 so fairly sure it's not an age thing... Vines Guildford, stratstone Hull, Cooper Cobham were all like this 5 years back. Only ones that were ok was a mini garage Cooper Banstead.
I didn't see the other Monte Carlo in the end. That whole Instagram finestinlondon barry boys st puts me off big time plus it has a fire extinguisher in the front. I guess bagged cars are basically modern max power mag stuff?
Anyway back to just waiting for one I like the look of.
I didn't see the other Monte Carlo in the end. That whole Instagram finestinlondon barry boys s
t puts me off big time plus it has a fire extinguisher in the front. I guess bagged cars are basically modern max power mag stuff? Anyway back to just waiting for one I like the look of.
jamoor said:
If you're buying used, just buy privately. The advantages are outweigh the drawbacks.
I'd buy a car from a dealer only if it was a main dealer as it will come with a warranty. That said I've owned by M3 for 18 months and 10k. I have replaced the rear pads on it and a new ABS sensor. If I bought from a dealer I would have paid £thousands more for no benefit.
Im just after a nice example tbh, Ill go dealer if they offer warranty or if I see a private one then Ill get a warranty from warrantywise or BMW. Ive enquired about a Monte Carlo so see where this gets me.I'd buy a car from a dealer only if it was a main dealer as it will come with a warranty. That said I've owned by M3 for 18 months and 10k. I have replaced the rear pads on it and a new ABS sensor. If I bought from a dealer I would have paid £thousands more for no benefit.
Jez m said:
In the market for one at the mo. This is (unfortunately) over budget for me but one of the nicest around imo. 
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Its sold, guy viewed it before me on Saturday and he took it. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
was only 7 miles away from me as well, id of bought it otherwise so long as there was nothing wrong with it.Just checked BMW warranty out for 57 and 67k miles actually, Jesus wept. Id rather just stump up the cash for repair. Warranty wise is much more reasonable. I had a chat with the owner of that other one once he had sold it and he rated them as being worth while, he had had a few bits done on the car in the last year or so with no problem.
Off to see this on Wednesday, fair treck at 125 miles each way but it looks to be in good condition..
http://www.autostradacars.com/used-cars/somerset-b...
CK59 WDC. MOT history looks good and not really used in the last few years. 3 months RAC warranty which will be useless.
http://www.autostradacars.com/used-cars/somerset-b...
CK59 WDC. MOT history looks good and not really used in the last few years. 3 months RAC warranty which will be useless.
fido said:
.. then several rather uncareful ones? :-) On a similar note I may be parting with my 25k miles '12 DCT in a few months time due to home/job/travel plans - really don't want to do though.
Be out of my price range from what I've seen. My max budget is 24k really.Smuler said:
I’m bored , sat on a train , so looked it up.
Cazana car check said it came off it’s personsl plate in November , which made me think it’s been on sale a while (might mean possible deal
) but it also said tax still valid (to March) which wouldn’t have been the case (I assume) if last owner had traded it and got a refund.
Could mean it’s only just up for sale and refund pending or might the company be selling it on the private owner’s behalf and it’s on sale elsewhere / still being used?
5 owners , did you google it’s plate history line the last one ?
I’d vouch for Sytner Cardiff , my local dealer , but it may well have been to other dealers since.
But Full BMSH is good and good MOT record.
Autostrada make an interesting claim in their blurb that they get their cars from main dealers yet I assume main dealers keep their best stock to retail as Approved Used and put out to trade / auction what falls short of the mark.
If it’s a long way , maybe get a PDF of service book and contact last main dealer for any info.
https://cazana.com/uk/car/CK59WDC
Cheers for that, I've googled its current plate, and the ones from that report and didnt see anything. Wasnt like that instagram scene one from the other day. Ill ask them when I go down to see the car what the deal with the tax is. TBH I think id sooner not know the cars history. Cazana car check said it came off it’s personsl plate in November , which made me think it’s been on sale a while (might mean possible deal
) but it also said tax still valid (to March) which wouldn’t have been the case (I assume) if last owner had traded it and got a refund. Could mean it’s only just up for sale and refund pending or might the company be selling it on the private owner’s behalf and it’s on sale elsewhere / still being used?
5 owners , did you google it’s plate history line the last one ?
I’d vouch for Sytner Cardiff , my local dealer , but it may well have been to other dealers since.
But Full BMSH is good and good MOT record.
Autostrada make an interesting claim in their blurb that they get their cars from main dealers yet I assume main dealers keep their best stock to retail as Approved Used and put out to trade / auction what falls short of the mark.
If it’s a long way , maybe get a PDF of service book and contact last main dealer for any info.
https://cazana.com/uk/car/CK59WDC
Ive noticed over the last week or two discussing M3s with friends its always the same response.... ooh big bills, my mate had a £6k bill when his engine shat a conrod. AND he had his gearbox replaced. etc. And its always that same look of 'youre mental looking at a 10 year old BMW M car'. I know this car is going to be expensive but from spending plenty of time reading it doesnt seem so bad. Fuel I dont care about, servicing isnt cheap but I am not overly concerned about the cost of it. Almost feel like i doing the wrong thing here and I should be looking at a Focus Ecoboost.
woogie said:
you found an M3 you like ?
Yeah its a car at Autostrada in Bristol, links on previous page somewhere. Looks ok. I wasn't specifically after an edition, in fact i only wanted it to be any colour except white and must have edc. Ive left manual cars out as want an auto for the commute. Rest of it I dont really mind about but ive not found one I properly like yet. I've never been good with car buying decisions so I put a deposit on that one test drove in Bristol, was in very good condition actually, far better than I was expecting. 1 odd tyre (3x PS" and 1 Conti sport 2) which they are replacing and matching for me, plus a years MOT which is one less thing to worry about. 3 months warranty which I dont believe is worth the paper its written on so going to get BMW Comprehensive asap. Servicing doesn't apear imminent for anything atall. Service book was a mix of BMW and Dick Lovett (unsure if it was BMW or not, said BMW approved....).
Engine was interesting....
below 2500 rpm it was very docile - win, that's going to be handy in the commute and i was happy sat there doing f.a.
Up to 6k ish it was probably about as fast as the Megane maybe, pulled harder than I expected but I see where the torque comments come from but....
Above that, well you lot were right it just goes mental. Was quite quick really and just kept pulling hard right up to the speed limit. Once thing I liked about the Megane over something like the Focus ST or Golf R was that it pulled strongly to the red line, almost like an N/A engine, trade off was it being a little less strong low down. So this should suit.
I see people saying it has plenty of steering feel but I disagree, the Meg has the best electric rack I've used and is considerably better than most hydraulic systems ive used over the years, stepping into the M3 it wasn't bad, but was a little numb off center. Brakes were ok, I am used to the Megane which has anchors for brakes but very minimal servo assistance. M3 perhaps a little spongy, may change the lines and fluid sometime.
Not sure when collecting it yet, aiming for Saturday. Autostrada very good so far. I am still very wary of buying a 9 year old M3 and dont know if itll be as besserk as the Megane is round some backroads. Theres potential for big bills and tears with this car.
Im excited and nervous at the same time. Wife angry.
Engine was interesting....
below 2500 rpm it was very docile - win, that's going to be handy in the commute and i was happy sat there doing f.a.
Up to 6k ish it was probably about as fast as the Megane maybe, pulled harder than I expected but I see where the torque comments come from but....
Above that, well you lot were right it just goes mental. Was quite quick really and just kept pulling hard right up to the speed limit. Once thing I liked about the Megane over something like the Focus ST or Golf R was that it pulled strongly to the red line, almost like an N/A engine, trade off was it being a little less strong low down. So this should suit.
I see people saying it has plenty of steering feel but I disagree, the Meg has the best electric rack I've used and is considerably better than most hydraulic systems ive used over the years, stepping into the M3 it wasn't bad, but was a little numb off center. Brakes were ok, I am used to the Megane which has anchors for brakes but very minimal servo assistance. M3 perhaps a little spongy, may change the lines and fluid sometime.
Not sure when collecting it yet, aiming for Saturday. Autostrada very good so far. I am still very wary of buying a 9 year old M3 and dont know if itll be as besserk as the Megane is round some backroads. Theres potential for big bills and tears with this car.
Im excited and nervous at the same time. Wife angry.
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