should i buy a BMW M3

[jamie]

I like the M3 for it value and its engine. The brakes are a weak point most of the CSLs that get used properly get some expensive Alcons. Cant see why a M3 would be an improvement over the S2. Why dont you get a shed for everyday and build a Cat.

[Edin430]

8k...

19" Wheels - 1k - http://www.motionstyling.co.uk/shop_ite ... directUrl=
Sat Navs - Under £100 on ebay - Thers one up right now
Brakes - Under £400 all in on ebay again

And I know someone who can service it for 50% less than dealer prices (he's a bmw specialist)....

So your talking 2k to fix it up 10k all in... Still sounds like a good deal to me!

[ruadh08]

, and then it will be time to choose again, and a post 2002 M3 is on the list as good examples can now be had for <25k.

I think you mean good examples can be had for well less than £15k not £25k !!!

[mwmackenzie]

Yup sounds great fun!! and at £8K a steal...... Buy it rag it sell it and make some cash in the process...

Mark

P.S it is an E46 yeah?

[smitstui]

I am a bit dissillusioned with my new elise. Its not an animal like my old elise. Its a great car, but its just too easy to drive, unlike my old shed.

My Tuppence worth is that I think M3's are great all rounders and incredibly fast, but, the problem is you never feel like you are going fast.
The fastest I have ever been in a car was in my old E36 M3 (168 on the clock on the autobahn). But even cruising up the road at a ton you never felt like you were moving. Even in my Elise R ( and more so the S160) you really had the sensation of speed – to my mind that and the cornering is what makes sports cars exciting.

<controversial> I think that some modern powerful turbo diesels, 335d etc, are just as about exciting as an M3 </controversial> and a lot cheaper to run.

Buy an M3 if you want a fast comfy cruiser but don’t buy it if you are trying to replace an Elise.


Having said all that – at 8k I would buy it every day of the week

[ABZ-Elise]

I am a bit dissillusioned with my new elise. Its not an animal like my old elise. Its a great car, but its just too easy to drive, unlike my old shed.

So, i am thinking about a change.

I have one in mind. bmw m3, 2001, so means high tax, 445 quid a year. ALso, it only does 22mpg on a normal run. obviously servicing and maintenance will be more unless Ali is good with M3's

But, its about 4K cheaper than the average price on pistonheads, so is a total bargain.

Am i being stupid?

I had one before I had the Elise. It was an animal of a car but after 2 months I had spent a fortune on fuel (£60 every 2 days) and I was worried about losing my license again so I got rid of it. If I had the M3 or the Elise sitting in front of me and I had to choose one, I'd go for the Elise...alot more smile per mile.

If you do buy an M3 go for one with the SMG box, its ace!!

[Modena Scotland]

If you will be tracking, then no way. Isn't it only £8k for a reason?

Get a caterham instead. You will love it.

[Mike Scib]

more details. Its a 2001 E46 M3. 70,000 miles. full bmw service history. Bodywork (silver) a bit tatty, but mechanically sound. ALso, black leather, so nothing hideous inside. No sat nav, and just the pikey 18" wheels Needs new discs and pads on the front.

Its only 8K though, so seems like alot of car for the money.

For a road car yes defo, very nice, no effort required, drift on demand at any revs due to all the torque However i don't think the 46 would be suited to track work unless you have deep pockets, bigger brakes required, very heavy 1600kg, will destroy tyres very quickly, lots of jerry cans required.

Go for it

Ps, its the 18's you want for ride/handling.

[paul555sti]

Its only 8K though, so seems like alot of car for the money.

No wonder you wouldnt tell me the price

I still have the wonder wheels you left in my gargage.

[Cisco]

Neil,

If you were going to buy that car and give it lots of TLC and the occasional gentle massage on track then the ansa would be buy...

..however..if you are going to tear the arse out of it every chance you get then it will do the same to your bank account.

You probably didnt really need that advice did you

Take care,

[CSK_423]

For 8k what have you got to lose, keep it 6months if you're bored sell it you'll never lose cost wise well apart from fuel and may make something on it.

*goes away to look at M3's !*

[campbell]

I think it's a shame the 135R has left you so disappointed.

Be careful not just to kneejerk your way into something else. Think about what you might do to sharpen up the 135R...or the availability of yet another Elise variant that would tick more boxes.

However I accept that having ragged the thing around France on FF7 you have had a good chance to test drive it and know what it is (or isn't).

For my 2p, that Beemer will cost you a fortune to run even if you didn't plan on trackdays in it. It may be only 8k to buy, but the devil's in the detail.

OTOH, as far as a "cars I have owned" list goes, no harm in adding it to the stable I suppose! You are only young once. But you could probably just borrow Paul's occasionally if you are really that keen I imagine if you returned it with a set of fresh tyres each time he'd be OK with that

[thinfourth]

M3 I'd say no

Not enough of a hooligan tool for you

[Rag_It]

, and then it will be time to choose again, and a post 2002 M3 is on the list as good examples can now be had for <25k.

I think you mean good examples can be had for well less than £15k not £25k !!!

Paul, you and JJ were right to pick me up on that, i had been looking at CSL's for 25kish, but yeah good standard ones 15-20k - a lot of car for the money anyway!

[gambler]

At 8 grand, what have you got to loose. I suppose technically 8 grand. Buy it and if you get bored of it just sell it again.

I run a 2005 M3 as my every day car. Best all rounder i have ever had. When i broke my impreza i took it on track. Brakes were pish but apart from that it was a hoot. It was a wet greasy track and I did a couple of laps with the tc on, boring as hell. With the traction control off it was much more interesting.

Scott