Going to sell my track prepped Impreza Ver9 JDM Sti and daily dirve Lexarse GS for 1 car to do both jobs. New car wont be modded as much as current car, just exhaust, panel filter, sticky tyres, brakes, remap & maybe rear ARB.

Its between either a 2012/13 JDM Impreza Spec C saloon which I'll import myself. Or a 2012/13 E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack which will work out approx £10k more than the Spec C.

M3
Pros: V8 Engine / DCT gearbox ease for daily use / RWD fun on track
Cons: £10k more for same year / abysmal fuel comsumption

Spec C
Pros: £10k cheaper / Enjoy tinkering with JDM scoobies / Exclusivity / Slightly better mpg
Cons: Manual gearbox for daily use / $hite interior especially after my Lexus GS / Maybe not so different from current car

Advice and comments appreciated

 

tbh i wouldn't bother mate.

I tried that by having a 400bhp hawk then an e46 M3 and just found it boring, you get used to them and then the fun goes out.

I now have volvo v50 run around and a type r that i find more fun even without turbo lol

 

Every thread that has M3 on you lock onto.
The V8 M3 is absolutely nothing like the old baggy **** e46.
Completely impossible to compare like for like.
I've had the csl which for all is the e46 shape is nothing and I mean nothing like a normal e46 M3.
Go take the e9x out on a good country road and then say it's lame and boring.


OP needs to have a play with both and make his own mind up on what suits his needs , turbo power or grunt power.
Either that or nip onto the cutters site and ask the same question

 

Sorry for having an opinion shan't bother next fookin time

 

Calm down batman
As I've said the e46 is a complete different car to drive .
I for one fully agree the e46 is a heavy boring car (bar the csl which is still my favourite car I've owned )

 

As a matter of opinion I'd go for the scoob all day any day I had £45k to spend on a ranger over and still but a 12k scoob and paid the mortgage off give yourself time mate and the right car will win you over wether it be the m3 or the jdm 2.0 twinscroll beast I'll defo rethink to buy that shape when I hit 40

 

Just to put it in perspective the M3 is nearly an early Spec-C dearer...cracking motor tho

 

I'd want a S206 (NBR) instead of a Spec C.

 

Good luck finding one of those for less than £50k... Here's one in red

 

nice car though

http://www.supercars.net/cars/5542.html

 

I looked at the E9X M3 and discounted it for the very reasons you have given, I'm going A45 next as suits my needs.

Other M3 issues were:
Actuartor fault
£500+ road tax again
Servicing costs
More money for an older car
Dated interior
The new M3/4


I really wanted one and looked at a few but at the end of the day could not do the deal, I'll admit I'd still love one as the V8 is an epic engine but we can't always have everything we want...haed must rule sometimes!

 

You will roughly know what the Spec C will drive like so go and drive an M3 see if you like it. Both are cracking cars but until you give them both a shot you are only guessing.

 

I have had my E90 M3 for 5+ years since new and it cost less to run than my P1 !!, after the 3 years warranty is up I do all the servicing on the M3 , no cam belt to changed and the usual stuff is CBS based (Condtion based servicing )so you only changed when the the car tell you .

The M3 is my daily and the P1 is for fun .

 

Thanks for replies so far.
I have taken the M3 on a 40min test drive in town conditions, even so it was epic. The gearbox and V8 combo was exhilarating. From purely a emotive perspective, the M3 wins hands down.

But other considerations are that on a 2013 £33K M3, another £10k would probably be spent by me. For trackdays it would need brakes at £5.5k, Evolve decat mod & remap £2k, Wheels & tyres for trackdays £2.5k. Thats £43k total.

2013 Spec C cost would be £23k. From my Ver9 JDM Sti I already have an Alcon BBK, forged wheels & R888's & RSR's. It would just need a Miltek exhaust, Forge actuator, Remap, ARB', Double din satnav for £3k. Thats £26k.

The difference between the two being £17k after all is said & done.

Also the Spec C at that price is not going to lose a penny even after 2 years of ownership IMO. A 3 yearold E92 M3 at the moment is on the cusp of a big depreciation hit with the launch of new M4 this year. Eventually in a few years I think the E92 M3 prices will rise again once enthusiasts tire of these new turbo sixes. This is just my speculation but I have looked in depth at M series depreciation over time.

Heart says M3, head says Spec C!! lol

 

Mate..... you shouldn't need anyone to advise you on what car to get next out of these (as they are so different).

What's your priority list on what you want from your next car..... you should be able to work the answer out from that.

You appear to be focussing a lot around the monetary side..... if that's the reality, get the SPEC C!

Next question!?

 

Just found this whilst advertising my STI on ebay, S206!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Subar...MAAOSwyQtVkqgZ

 

if you into track days...then both are wrong cars for you ...just buy a second hand Nissan GTR

 

33k for the M3 you could get a second hand 45 and fettle its nuts off to 450 +

 

Ricky where can you get a 2013 Spec C for £23k?

 

you can't !!...my E90 M3 is late 59 plate and is worth more than £23K

 

He's referring to Spec C not M3 for £23k.
SpecC's can be imported from Japan for that price at the current exchange rates.

 

Its a bit over priced for the mileage. They are approx £40k for low mileage ones.

 

Im always focusing on the monetary side, its in my genes! lol
Just reckon that fettling with an M3 and the total cost approx £40k pushes you into a lot of other cars territories. GTR35, ExigeS V6, 991 Cayman S, 996 turbo, etc.
Just wondered what your opinions of the Saloon/Hatch Spec C were as you may have driven one at Litchfields?

 

oops my bad

 

Interesting

 

And it's at Motor hub AKA Keithly Trade Centre.

 

Yes... driven one of Litcho's Spec C hatches.

They're not like the older Spec C's, as these have been watered down over time, becoming more and more like their JDM STI's brothers. The Hatch Spec C was the most watered down version of them all.

Nice car and I loved the chassis, but I'm not sure it's a Spec C imo. However.... you need to take that comment with a pinch of salt. I had the original Spec C (the lightest non msport version), which weighed in at 1350kgs. It was pretty raw.

There is also a big difference (imo) between the Hawkeye and the later models. The later models are more grown up.

But..... and it's a BIG but....

You know that the Spec C/STI will take whatever you throw at it. You can have fun in it. It's cheap to run (comparatively) and very very reliable. The JDM STI/Spec C set-up is one of the greatest imo.

I'm not sure I'd get another Scoob now..... the whole world has moved on in many ways, but they're awesome cars and I still love em.

 

Perfectly distilled and informed answer, hit the nail squarely on the proverbial head

Thanks mate

 

So.... What you decided upon then?