russell hayward

Thinking of swaping the P1 for an M3

Any experiences ? (Chins/Arron) ?

Thanks

POC

E36 M3 or E46?

If it is the latter than dont bother, I changed from a WRX to 3.0 E36 M3 convertible, not a nice experience, the M3 was floppy and had no edge....

B4stard fast in a straight line thought, fantastic noise and build quality.....

Test drive one first mate, wasnt for me and I shifted mine after 14days for an EVO V.....

Drive one then make the decision, wouldnt even come close to the pace of a P1 though....

If it is an E46 you are talking about, go for it - the best

P

russell hayward

Yes, E46 the latest model.

LG John

Go for it, best everyday car ever made in my opinion!

Dynamite_scooby

ex boyf had M3 - ok car but much preferred it when he bought a scoob (rb5)
i think you should go for the P1 myself though.

C

russell hayward

Dynamite_scooby : you missed the point mate. Got a P1, want to get an M3 maybe !


AliWrx: wrong way round mate. They rob me !!

I think an extended test drive is in order.

TBMeech

I'd take the M3 all day long esp as you said it's the E46, very very capable car, comfortable, quick, faster than a scoob, no turbo lag, instant power, plus its built to last.

mike_s14

I went in a BMW showroom last weekend and they had a new M3 in
It looked absolutley fantasic..........

Think it was 47k but you have to wait 2 years the sales manager said !!!

chuckster

Slightly off topic, but have you tried the M5? They are looking much better value second hand as the M3 is grabbing all the sales.
2001Y M5 and M3 are the same money now - just wondering if it would be worth your while trying one?
Regards,
Chuck

russell hayward

Thanks Chuck

I hadn't considered that, but will try one now. Suspect it may be a little big for my taste.

Chins

Russell.

As always they are different cars. I love the M3 for different reasons than I did the P1.

My negatives would be:

Feels a big heavy car in comparison to a P1 or UK STI. Maybe not as chuckable or the car you would have just for the Sunday morning blasts.

The ride on 19" wheels is IMHO not as good as either the P1 or UK STI. Dont damage them either at £450 ea.

The time when I really enjoyed thrashing it were not sensible. The SMG box and mega revs was addictive. 3rd gear max revs is well into license losing teritory.

The Positives

The engine - my UK STI feels like a tractor engine in comparison.

The exhaust note - truly addictive

The quality of the interior. The fact that you can hear the stereo at 80mph (yes I have read of your install ) The Xenon lights.

In the end a much nicer place to be when you wanted a nice drive home.

Maybe the true test is that I have my second one on order, due in Sept. Not 100% sure I'll take it though. If money is not an issue, I'd suggest at least owning one for 6 months and selling it whilst values remain high. Its a car you need to own rather than just test drive. It needs time to grow on you.

Jonathan

wilf

e46 v nice car but IMHO its probably not worth the extra dosh esp as residuals are now beginning to fall off.

DazV

uh-oh, Russell's inadvertently opened the "M3 vs Scoob Can'O'Worms"

I've had both, I love both.

Regardless of which one you buy you WILL miss the other one. I believe the answer is to simply buy both(!)

[Edited by DazV - 6/14/2002 9:49:26 AM]

russell hayward

Thanks for the very useful comments.

I can source a car for delivery in 2-3 weeks !

Off to try one now.......

towzer

Bad experience with M3's, the Scoob's abetter overall choice IMHO:

M3 E36 Bad points:
Vanos valve system blew (twice) in a year
front and rear bumpers nicked
wing mirrors nicked
Pathetic servicing from BMW
depriciates like nothing on earth
BMW Finance stitch ups to the tune of 8 grand
Not designed for going round corners

Good points:
Engine pulls in any gear at any revs
The grin factor when you hit 150MPH and still have sixth gear left!
Can actually deliver over 30MPG on the motorway

I've only had an STi7 for a few weeks and there's no way I'd go back to an M3 for the sheer fun factor.

Phil

Chins

Remember Russel is talking about an E46, not an E36. Different cars.

Depreciation etc are totally different. As an ownership proposition I lost less on my E46 M3 than all but my first Impreza (7 in total). Most dealers are still at 12 months waiting, so residuals will remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Jonathan

TypeRMan

Russell

Forget the M3 and get that gorgeous Evo6 Extreme now at Ralliart for £31995.

Save yourself a few quid and achieve 500% more street cred.

E46 M3 is nice car but far too tame looking. Has that BMW stigma attached to it. Will need to mod it up with Hartman/Zender bodykit to make it look as good as the Extreme.

USed to drive an E36 M3 and now realise what an old man I must have looked at 28!

Stay young and dont turn middle-aged!

towzer

Jonathan,

I went a little bit off track there, as you can probably tell I'm not a great E36 M3 fan, I did order an E46 but lost so much on the E36 that I had to 'settle' (wrong choice of words) for an Impreza.

you are right about the depreciation on the e46's I was considering going through with the order and selling it straight away but I couldn't raise enough capital.

Phil

Dynamite_scooby

sorry russell -

think you should stick with the p1 ... dont get an m3!!
my opinion only but i love scoobs

ustolemyname??stevieturbo

iTrader: (1)

Buy an M5, Its got a V8...isnt that enough reason?? also the 400bhp is another. Much better than any 4 cyl, or 6cyl...
V8's rule

Dennisi

Russell

Just test drove a new M3, was thinking about doing the same(going from P1 to M3)..

However,

Dont feel the M3 has that much more to offer power wise than P1, you just get all the lovely Beemer interior and build quality is obviously superior..

Its all down to personal preference I suppose..

If its any help...I'm keeping the P1.

Den

Mark350

THEORY: I have this problem but don't know what to get. Isn't it funny how people get tired with Scoobies etc even though they can do what they do. I've come to the conclusion that cars have to "Satisfy" to survive long term as you everyday car. The Scoobies, Evo's, GTiR's etc only realy satisfy when you're giving them stick. As this is only a fraction of the time you spend in a car the satisfaction factor is low as rest of the time they're noisy and uncomfortable. BMWs, Mercs, Audis and the like satisfy just sitting in them due to their quality and design, Diesels satisfy cos you get good mileage, 4X4's satisfy when you sit high and mighty. This is my theory and it is a theory that I have. That and the one about Brontosauruses. An Elk.

[Edited by Mark350 - 6/17/2002 8:11:27 PM]

IanWatson

So - buy a car for every mood

Surely a Scoob driver values that brief rush all the more for the waiting? The rawness encourages it's exploitation.

I get bored silly wafting around in a luxobarge..

So - what car(s) have you bought as a result of your theorising Mark 350?

skiddusmarkus

I'm guessing the latter of the three AWD's.

Mark350

Why?

Mark350

I do have a car for every mood.

[Edited by Mark350 - 6/20/2002 6:08:49 PM]

AliWrx

Russel,
do you rob banks for a living?

P1, STI7 and now the new M3

Git! (Not jealous at all)

Ali


[Edited by AliWrx - 6/12/2002 4:56:50 PM]