JonJH

I'm thinking of changing my MY99 Turbo for a 1-2 year old M3 and would appreciate views on how good an idea this might be from anyone who's done similar.

Also, is there anything particular to look out for (apart from the SMG gearbox which I'd definitely go for)?

Cheers.

Bobby Peru

Wait and see how this thread runs and runs and the anti-BMW brigade will turn up soon, guaranteed!!!

andymar00

Have a look here www.bm3w.co.uk

Andy

PPPMAT

I went from an 02 sti to an M3 SMG (sort of) The car is totally different to the scooby. Build quality is superb, engine note fantastic and SMG is a brilliant semi manual. Its a quick car but you only see the real ability at silly speeds.

I bought an 18 month old one with low mileage. Try to get one with 19's as they look great with marginally poorer ride quality.

Its a bargain and I don't care what anyone says

Matt

JonJH

Thanks Andy; I've been on there quite a lot recently and it's a helpful site. As ever, it's naturally quite pro M3s so I thought I'd see if people here are equally positive on the car or have an alternative view......

SJJ84

My boss lent me his E46 M3 SMG convertible for 24hours last week as my 20th birthday present. What a car!! Exhaust note is wonderful, build quality is fantastic. Drives like a dream, gets looks everywhere you go. If you're going to be spending that kind of money, find one with all the extras, tv, 19" alloys etc, no point in half doing it. Fuel consumption was appauling, but for that car I'd live with the bills.

DazV

Its the natural progression from a scoob - essentially a higher quality 4 seater performance car, although a different beast - being RWD and normally aspirated.

There's a LOAD of people on scoobynet who've gravitated to them.

turboman786

Fantastic cars....only thing I can 'fault' it on is the fact that there are so many on the roads, but this is testimony to their excellence. M5 however is also a fine fine car, with less pimp image and a storming v8 engine.......try 1!

Dark Blue Mark

Mr boss has a new convertable and although its a top quality car, im much more of a turbo shove person. It certainly shifts, just doesn't "feel" as quick as an STi (obviously is though)

MB

what would scooby do

fab cars but the latest version does sound absolutely **** /rasp/rasp ppprp anyone .. it's very strange

dpb

power to weight seems about the same as decatted sti (classic) ...........

JonJH

I know I'll miss the scooby's turbo kick and although I think it sounds fantastic right through to 7800rpm, I do think it would benefit from a sports exhaust. I'll go for most of the toys (you've got to haven't you). The biggest pull for me is that it's enough of a family car for us to run as our only car (2 young children) and I can persuade my wife that with SMG it's a sensible automatic car......

Edcase

I have heard the opposite of this. Apparently the 19's totally upset the balance of the car, particularly on b-roads.

Unless you are buying it as a pimp-mobile, stick with 18's.

Dark Blue Mark

It does sound crap at low speed, but rather different when opened up

I think an STi would stick with it, but I dont think thats a discussion anyone wants to have again

www.syclone.freeserve.co.uk/rivals_cars.htm

But some food for thought above

MB

RRH

I'm sure TKH will be along shortly- he's just bought an M3 to keep the STi5 RA company in the garage.

Both seem just as capable, but at a massively different cost. Overall the STi takes some beating, quicker in the dry (although maybe not as involving) but streets ahead in the wet- you have to be really switched on and focus in the M3 if it's anything other than bone dry. Don't even think about trying to travel quickly while talking on the (hands free) phone

RRH

sorry, just to even the argument, Tim TKH has gay red leather in his M3 (rather than hard mans blue fabric stuff in the RA)

it does look pretty good though, and great if you have to wipe the blood off after the inevitable drive-by shooting

simon

(ps. had to get Tim back for the silver cap gag ages ago that he'd forgotten about.....)

Mad Gypsy

Couldn't agree more. I do like the M3, I'd have one over a scoob, but they do sound ****e IMO

Last wednesday my friend brought his new Ferrari 360 spider round, now that makes a sound like no other! It's simply the best car I've ever seen or heard, fooking awesome!!

Cold Turkey

I had similar thoughts....test drove a wr1, 350z and a 3 yr old m3....all lovely cars and I can see myself having an m3 one day....when I grow up ..... but in the end the wr1 put the biggest smile on my face

UKType

Had an E46 M3 and its a great car. In particular the engine, chassis and build quality are fantastic. Now have an M3 CSL and it is really like an M3 with attitude. The sound is even better especially from the intake, handling is just so precise and performance once you get up towards 8K revs is great.

DazV

Done the scoob thing
Done the M3 thing
Next...Audi S4 Cab, V8 4.2L

Lust4Life

Nah, get yourself an M5 instead.

Proper V8 tool

Phil