Starting to look at what comes next, anyone lived with an M3, Im looking at 3-4 years old, anyone any constructive thoughts

2 of my mates have had E46 M3's. They are fast and very nice but they both flogged them to buy Scoobies.

They're about as torquey as an N/A engine can be I guess.....positive relentless shove all the way up to the 8000 rpm red line. They make a lovely sound too and can return 30mpg if you use the cruise control and sit at 60mph.

Both my mates complained of build quaility issues. Rattly trim etc.

Also the servicing costs were simply biblical. You NEED and independent garage and then you're harming your resale values as people like to see an M3 with a BMW stamp on every page of it's book.

Be aware though they are still an executive car. They're quite heavy and not as sharp as your average Impreza etc. Also, you will look like a d1ck when driving it.

It screams mid life crisis in the same way a Porsche Boxter does.

Tyres are expensive, especialy if you're running on the optional 19's. The CS wheels also look better but cost a fortune to fit as no-one really sells them.

The standard wheels are diamond cut and the lacquer peels off a lot so be aware of that. BMW will try their hardest not to cover this under warranty if it still has one.

Try and fine one with Harmon Kardon and Sat nav as the stereo is far better and the sat nav is not only very good but helps resale values.

One of my mates had a silver one with Harmon Kardon, Sat Nav, Xenons and 19's.

It cost him an arm and a leg to run through loan repayments....it was

I've got a mate with one also.

he upgraded from top of the range 330 to M3.

He loved it to start with, but now he says he prefers his 330. the economy is awful aswell, but you expect that with this sort of car.

His

Also, you will look like a d1ck when driving it.

It screams mid life crisis in the same way a Porsche Boxter does.

:D you have a talent for the subtle innuendo

Thanks Guys

Chris, your right, ticked that box a few years ago, perhaps I had a bad one but it cost a fortune, yeah I know M3's arent cheap but they dont eat Engines etc

Reason Im looking is Ive always fancied something different, Top of the list was an Audi RS4 but they are still silly money & after the way Skoda have treated us & are treating other customers that has soured the whole VAG thing for me & I certainly wont pay silly money for one. We spent the weekend in France in the company of some Porkers & a M3 CSL, Id always disliked M3's but that was mainly the badge but the CSL really impressed. The guy who owned it had gone from a Porker 996 TT & whilst not as good he still loved it & it was a pile cheaper. Ive found a couple of reosnably priced Porsche GT3's but they are old or left hookers & will cost an even bigger arm & a leg to run.

With the M3 there are a lot around so theres a big choice & theres even a few CSL's. Its really trying to decide whats next, Im guessing the 4x4 will be kept but the other Skodas will go as their time comes up.

Unless Skoda start treating customers better theres no way I will consider another. Ok comparing a M3 with a Skoda is not fair I agree but we still have the other Skodas, A Mazda 6 is looking good on that front.

The M3 seems to be a good way of ticking the V8 box with reliabilty & that boringly good German Build quality !!

Who knows, this is just a research exercise at the moment

Friend of mine has a 52 (I think) plate M3 and he loves it to death. He doesn't do many miles in it though, so doesn't really care about the shocking mpg, nor the ridiculous high servicing costs (as he's only needing to service it once a year).

I'd still have one though

Have you considered an E39 shape M5? Imagine you could get a good'un for M3 money and much less common than the M3

Chris

The M3 seems to be a good way of ticking the V8 box with reliabilty & that boringly good German Build quality !!

Who knows, this is just a research exercise at the moment

The M3 is currently a 3.2l straight 6. The new M3 released later this year is a 4.0L V8.

If you fancy a V8 without the cost of an RS4 have you considered a common or garden S4? 4.2L V8. 344BHP. admittedly not as dynamically resolved as an M3 but still lots of fun.

My mate has a new Audi S4, which he waited 12 months for, it was one of the first in the country, however he was a little gutted when the RS4 was launched 12 months later to rave reviews. Personally I think you would have to be a racing driver to know the difference and at least in an Audi people would still let you out at junctions! Unlike the BMW!

Skoda/Seat/VW/Audi/Bently/Buggati/Lamborghini.....All are great cars and VW/Audi has done a fantastic job keeping them true to their country of origin!

BMW Mini?? That was the icing on the cake for Rover

Thanks Guys

yeah I know M3's arent cheap but they dont eat Engines etc

I've owned 3 BMW's and to be honest they were all far from reliable. The 3.2 S52 E46 M3 engine is a good one but not totally bullet proof. The earlier S50 B32 engine was known for double vanos failure due to it's own little oil filter clogging up and the S54 isn't totally immune to the same thing. It uses 10w60 oil and is very fussy over that.

I saw my fair share of engine failures when at the indy's with my BMW, but admittedly most of them were nikasil ones due to bore wear. The cast block M3's were nowhere near as bad. I only saw 1x failure......most were screwed up vanos units.

They can pull the diff out of the boot floor though so check for this in addition to everything else.

Thats the only bad things ive herd about my dads mate.

ie it ripped the diff out but apart from that and silly prices for main dealer servicing he was as happy as larry with it

They can pull the diff out of the boot floor though so check for this in addition to everything else.

Guy in work had this recently with a W-reg 325i Touring. Dealers initially acted as though he'd have to pay but fortunately for him he'd already been on the 'net & it was done under warranty.

Audi S6 anyone? Much easier to own by all accounts, actually rare (unlike M3s which are common as dirt & don't even turn heads) & it won't get keyed every time you park it.

Thought Monaro VXR was on the cards?

Had a look at getting an M3...not enough space for the family unfortunately.:(

Audi S6 anyone? Much easier to own by all accounts, actually rare (unlike M3s which are common as dirt & don't even turn heads) & it won't get keyed every time you park it.

Excellent choice but heart-wrenchingly expensive to run. 18mpg or worse and scary service costs.

What Car say

Whoever mentioned E39 M5 had a cracking idea. They're a brilliant car with 400bhp and they sound gorgeous. They have 4 doors, a bigger boot and will be cheaper to buy I imagine than the M3.

Saw one at the indy's and practically messed my pants when he revved it with the bonnet up. Ugh.....ugh.......ugh.....

Thanks all

Keep the ideas coming

Second hand 335i

Audi S8,

BMW Alpina B3S 3.3/3.4

BMW Alpina B10 4.6i

Alfa 156 GTA

what about an amg merc? I have no idea on prices or running costs but they look a bit special imho and i have been wasted by a couple tho i wasn't really trying as we all know the furby vrs is performance king:rofl:

E30 M3 EVO now that's and M3 that id like

C43 Amg

E55 Amg

Still keep coming back to the M3, anyone any ideas on servicing costs, I know more than a Skoda

M5 would be the way I'd go, or, a 911 Carerra 2 or 4 S