Notices
Other Marques Non-Subaru Vehicles

which should i get e30 m3 or 4x4 Cossie

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2003 | 09:11 PM
  #1  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post


Stage 1 4x4 H reg, 30k on rebuild £5k

h reg no leather 70k miles

The age old arguement. Free'd up a large amount of cash after selling me scooby need a cheaper toy. tried to live with a V8 730 beemer but it aint me!

These are 2 cars ive never had so i need to put the desire to bed.

My heart is telling me E30 M3 best driver car etc but the sensible all rounder & cheaper buying price tells me to get this cossie it's been well looked after by an enthusiast etc etc?

Help
Reply
Old May 15, 2003 | 09:16 PM
  #2  
jameswrx's Avatar
jameswrx
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,536
Likes: 42
From: Kent
Post

cossie, all day long for me!

Get bored with the power of the cossie.. crank it up and enjoy

Get bored with the power of the beemer.. end up selling it and buying a cossie
Reply
Old May 15, 2003 | 09:36 PM
  #3  
Mike123's Avatar
Mike123
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Lightbulb

It's your money you're spending - drive them both and choose the one that best suits you - you're gonna be the one that knows best - look after them and you won't lose much on either car compared to something new.
Reply
Old May 15, 2003 | 09:46 PM
  #4  
kenny.c's Avatar
kenny.c
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Post

My only gripe with the (e30) m3 is that it's a left hooker, but they are both good motors.

The cossie would have more affordable tuning potential, but a tad common.
Reply
Old May 15, 2003 | 10:45 PM
  #5  
dazc2's Avatar
dazc2
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,420
Likes: 0
Post

Ok so you have a choice betwen a rare E30 M3 and a clean (rare) 4x4 Cossie.

Good luck!

Drive them both and see. If you need a bit of practicality then go for the cossie being it 4x4 and having 4 doors and the wheel on the right side!
Reply
Old May 15, 2003 | 11:35 PM
  #6  
TIFF-C20WTH's Avatar
TIFF-C20WTH
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Post

Cossie!!!!!!!!!

Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 12:53 AM
  #7  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

i am leaning towards the cossie, about to be a dad & all so 4 doors & rhd is a very good thing indeed, + the fairly cheap tuning potential, any good site to look at for tuning costs etc, i'll drive both this weekend & see, there is alway POC's wagon which looks very good alternative
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 01:26 AM
  #8  
catflap's Avatar
catflap
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 0
Post

never driven either, i like the sound of the beema they are said to be one of the best drivers cars around, sure maybe not as quick, but sheer speed aint everything (ducks for cover) driver involvement and handling etc, play a big part? (gues that’s why so many of us like scoobs)

BUT...id test drive them both then decide (one of them could be a right old shed of cak to drive)


Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 09:11 AM
  #9  
M8TT J's Avatar
M8TT J
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Post

Get the cosworth...just purchased a 4x4. Get it Monday.....they are great cars and are such good money now.

The BMW is not as quick...plus the left hand drive and servicing issues.

Get a mint cosworth, drive it for 1 year and sell it for the same money you paid for it.

Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 09:55 AM
  #10  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

nice one mate, i'll try them both this weekend, the cossie is calling me though i feel, cheaper to buy service & more sensible
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 10:36 AM
  #11  
Indy Hundle's Avatar
Indy Hundle
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Post

Up until Feb I owned an e30 M3, and it was a seriously fun car to drive it has a great chassis, the feedback through the steering was great. I used to get mine service by an independent specialist and there are a few reputable places like Bexley Motor Works, Plus getting used to lhd and the dogleg box was not a problem. Plus I sold mine a year later for more money than I bought the car. But as the guys on the thread have said try them both and decide which is best for you.
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 10:42 AM
  #12  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

cheers indy your bro's one sounds nice too much £ for me? i'm gonna def try them out this weekend, hope the rain clears.
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 11:03 AM
  #13  
Indy Hundle's Avatar
Indy Hundle
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Cool

No worries mate. Here's a pic of it if you change your mind.
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 11:30 AM
  #14  
Jay m A's Avatar
Jay m A
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,626
Likes: 1
From: Class record holder at Pembrey Llandow Goodwood MIRA Hethel Blyton Curborough Lydden and Snetterton
Cool

I hate to say it but if a baby is on the way and baby is intended to travel in the car, then sensible head says go for a 4-5 door car.

I'm guessing here but I gather you haven't experienced putting a baby / screaming 3 year old into a 3 door hatch when its raining at Sainsburys LOL. If you had you wouldn't have started this thread

Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 12:06 PM
  #15  
PEE1's Avatar
PEE1
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Post

Both nice cars but I'd probably go for the cosworth, as I imagine that running/servicing costs for the beemer will be much higher. IIRC the timing chain on the M3's needs doin about 100k and is approx 1k-1.5k to have it done. As others have said Cosworth has far more tuning potential than the M3.

Happy motoring
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 03:07 PM
  #16  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

well my existing co wont insure me on either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
best quote on the bm is 800 & the cossie 950!!!!!
looks like the wagon could be the sensible choice after all.
29yrs old full ncd, garage, co claims convictions etc etc bollox


[Edited by met - 5/16/2003 3:10:42 PM]
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 03:21 PM
  #17  
Jay m A's Avatar
Jay m A
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,626
Likes: 1
From: Class record holder at Pembrey Llandow Goodwood MIRA Hethel Blyton Curborough Lydden and Snetterton
Post

Give Liverpool Victoria a go, if you haven't already
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 03:29 PM
  #18  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

i'll give em a go mate, cheers, elephant are chep on the beemer
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 03:39 PM
  #19  
RESSE's Avatar
RESSE
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,234
Likes: 7
From: Shropshire
Smile

Last year I had a 1989 M3 and given the choice (with hindsight) I would have gone down the Cossie route.

PS Just my pennyworth.............

Richard
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 03:56 PM
  #20  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

the cossie is starting to look less realistic as it is i'll have to cancel my policy which cost me 900 in september only to get a refund of 220!!! these two toys may have to wait til next year
Reply
Old May 17, 2003 | 04:08 PM
  #21  
met's Avatar
met
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Post

got me a sweet wagon in the end, cheers POC
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 10:50 PM
  #22  
gurnE's Avatar
gurnE
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Thumbs up

Having driven both (although the M3 wasn't the best example out there) i'd definately go for the cossie.

M3's are great but can't match the grins my cossie offers me.
Reply
Old May 20, 2003 | 02:21 PM
  #23  
Merc_Cosworth's Avatar
Merc_Cosworth
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Post

Both very different approaches at the same thing (saloon car racing)

Try the M3, Mercedes Cosworth, and Sapphire Cosworth - all three occupied the same market niche, competed in the same racing series, and tended to be reviewed together by Mags of the time.

All three are very very different animals to drive.

Curiously, today, the M3 is reckoned to be the best of the lot - but at the time the press reckoned it was the Ford that offered the best driving experience.

Personally I'd go for the Cosworth over the M3 - drove all three of them when I plumped for the Merc...

The M3 is incredible on a track, but generally a pain in the **** on the road - LHD, cramped, disappointing linear power, horribly expensive in replacement parts.

The Ford is cheap, cheerful and a hoot to drive - although the 4x4 gearbox is a weak point

Have a go in a 2.3-16 Merc to get a rounded idea of what is on offer. Not the best, but IMHO better as a road car than the M3.

Reply
Old May 20, 2003 | 07:45 PM
  #24  
Mike123's Avatar
Mike123
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
Smile

Merc_Cosworth,

You should have advised him to try the 2.5-16 Merc as well - they're usefully quicker than the 2.3-16.

Good article in the Mercedes mag this month featuring 2.5-16 vs Evo1 vs Evo 2 190s.

But yes, as Merc_Cosworth said, a lot of the mags preferred the Sapphire Cossie to the M3 as they thought it was more exciting to drive than the M3.
Only way to know what suits you though is try them all!!

Have fun!!
Reply
Old May 21, 2003 | 09:08 AM
  #25  
Merc_Cosworth's Avatar
Merc_Cosworth
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Post

Maybe - but the 2.3 has the best engine of the four variants.

Coarse, revvy, clattery and peaky - just the way they used to make em... and its only marginally less powerful.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
the shreksta
Other Marques
26
Oct 1, 2015 02:30 PM
47 NAT
ScoobyNet General
27
Mar 9, 2001 08:28 PM
Yex
ScoobyNet General
8
Dec 29, 2000 09:41 AM
ChrisPaulsonWork
ScoobyNet General
10
Nov 3, 2000 06:05 PM
Graham Stocker
ScoobyNet General
13
Apr 24, 2000 06:36 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:32 PM.