Should I buy an M3...

rogerxp · 01-11-2012, 09:53 AM

...discuss

.

There has been a bit of talk of M3's recently, especially in the classifieds section, and got me twitching a bit so wonder whether I should just get one to replace the Zed.

Absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever with the Zed, it goes like a train, costs relatively little to maintain (OK, mpg & road tax aren't terrific

), but just wondered whether an M3 would firstly tick a box and offer an element more practicality for someone with two children now.

Spotted this little beauty which seems like very good value. I know loads of people wouldn't touch a manual (perhaps reflected in the price) but I just wouldn't get on with a redundant left leg with the DCT. I like the colour combo (assuming the red isn't too in your face) and seems good spec and low miles (don't know no.of owners).

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/de...1x12-price_ASC

Is the general maintenance all that expensive

.

It would make my like easier if you could talk me out of it

.

pjs · 01-11-2012, 10:04 AM

No

You always moan about the cost of road tax and were thinking of part ex-changing the X3 to save a few bob.

Unless you've got more cash, and you should know!

ed335d · 01-11-2012, 10:04 AM

Do it!

The third service is a big one (spark plugs, diff oil etc), but at that mileage, it may have had it. This would be in the region of £700 - £800.

In two years, I've done 27k miles and have had this service, an oil service and a brake fluid service.

Road tax is currently £460 and I pay £149 for a yearly tracker subscription.

With the duration that you keep cars Rog, the only expense (other than finanace) that you will have to pay out is likely to be fuel if you time it right

I've no issues with a manual at all (although I haven't tried the DCT yet) and I get an average of 20mpg.

NotNormal · 01-11-2012, 10:12 AM

Roger.....the roof seems to have fallen off !?!?!?!

Now would seem to be a good time to change as here are a plethora of hard and soft tops to chose from with a good spec

My personal preference would be :

Coupe
Dct
Red or tan leather
Black or grey in colour

And as many of the option boxes ticked as poss

NotNormal · 01-11-2012, 10:13 AM

....or having just read ed335d's sig, his car but with DCT

nicktyler · 01-11-2012, 10:23 AM

Get a 335i and tune it up!

Looks like you have/had one of those though

willhollin · 01-11-2012, 10:23 AM

Yes!

But i reckon a 335i convertible would be a better compromise for you.

rogerxp · 01-11-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjs

No

You always moan about the cost of road tax and were thinking of part ex-changing the X3 to save a few bob.

Unless you've got more cash, and you should know!

You are of course absolutely spot on but it's only a side step from my car so I can still moan like a bitch

. Hoping to save money on my wifes car definately, not looking really to spend any more on mine, but a side-step could be possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

Do it!

With the duration that you keep cars Rog, the only expense (other than finanace) that you will have to pay out is likely to be fuel if you time it right

I get an average of 20mpg.

Ha ha, no bias at all, I like it

.

Yup, I do change before big bills hit me, but can catch me out sometimes.

Mmm, you're average isn't too great is it, given your miles I guess quite a bit of motorway work, one concern would be how bad would I get the average to given my commute and driving style

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotNormal

Roger.....the roof seems to have fallen off !?!?!?!

Yeah, I'm a bit gay like that

.

rogerxp · 01-11-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

But i reckon a 335i convertible would be a better compromise for you.

I have kept my eye on one if I'm honest but a manual one is a tougher search. Plus, it would have to be something special to drag me out of the Zed, and one of the few 'attainable' cars that could do that is something I've never owned; being an M car.

davyk31 · 01-11-2012, 10:33 AM

I reckon a lot of us have the M3 thoughts often, interesting thread.

peterg1965 · 01-11-2012, 10:33 AM

Tut tut tut Roger, and you told me you were trading the Zed for a Renault Twingo!

That Black M3 'vert is lovely, it would have to be DCT for me though, but I could never, ever put up with 20mpg, as I am the tightest man in NATO.

davyk31 · 01-11-2012, 10:34 AM

What about an M3 Saloon for the wife and family duties ? Best of lots of worlds except its a bit pricey to run.

rogerxp · 01-11-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterg1965

I could never, ever put up with 20mpg, as I am the tightest man in NATO.

Well I get about 18mpg at the minute but reckon the M would be similar (if not worse

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

What about an M3 Saloon for the wife and family duties ? Best of lots of worlds except its a bit pricey to run.

Think you need to go for a little lie down Davy

.

ed335d · 01-11-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Well I get about 18mpg at the minute but reckon the M would be similar (if not worse

)

Lots of short journeys is going to give you 14-16 mpg.

Is the lower mpg worth a permanent semi and a big grin while you're driving - fuck yeah (IMO)

Any self respecting car enthusiast need to own an M V8 at some point in their lives, even if it is convertible.

zedman · 01-11-2012, 11:01 AM

do it, whats the worst that can happen?

Hoops · 01-11-2012, 11:10 AM

Rog, here is my simple and honest answer as to whether you should buy an M3...

"Do bears shit in the woods!!???"

Whatever the answer to the above question is, then thats your answer to the above!!!

Baby Dave · 01-11-2012, 12:35 PM

Do it

CHG · 01-11-2012, 12:46 PM

Now I know where all my profits are going

zltm089 · 01-11-2012, 01:15 PM

Do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and again!....we have an ex 335i owner buying an M3!!!!!!!!

ed335d · 01-11-2012, 01:35 PM

Go on Rog, you know you want to

RockIt · 01-11-2012, 02:06 PM

I keep being tempted by them myself...but might buy something more restrained after last night's scare! Do it. You know you want to.

Gibbo · 01-11-2012, 02:12 PM

Manual.

01-11-2012, 09:53 AM	#1
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	Should I buy an M3... ...discuss . There has been a bit of talk of M3's recently, especially in the classifieds section, and got me twitching a bit so wonder whether I should just get one to replace the Zed. Absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever with the Zed, it goes like a train, costs relatively little to maintain (OK, mpg & road tax aren't terrific ), but just wondered whether an M3 would firstly tick a box and offer an element more practicality for someone with two children now. Spotted this little beauty which seems like very good value. I know loads of people wouldn't touch a manual (perhaps reflected in the price) but I just wouldn't get on with a redundant left leg with the DCT. I like the colour combo (assuming the red isn't too in your face) and seems good spec and low miles (don't know no.of owners). http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bmwauc/de...1x12-price_ASC Is the general maintenance all that expensive . It would make my like easier if you could talk me out of it . __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe Last edited by rogerxp; 01-11-2012 at 10:02 AM..
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01-11-2012, 10:04 AM	#2
pjs Colonel 274 Rep 2,774 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NORTH iTrader: (1)	No You always moan about the cost of road tax and were thinking of part ex-changing the X3 to save a few bob. Unless you've got more cash, and you should know!
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01-11-2012, 10:04 AM	#3
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Do it! The third service is a big one (spark plugs, diff oil etc), but at that mileage, it may have had it. This would be in the region of £700 - £800. In two years, I've done 27k miles and have had this service, an oil service and a brake fluid service. Road tax is currently £460 and I pay £149 for a yearly tracker subscription. With the duration that you keep cars Rog, the only expense (other than finanace) that you will have to pay out is likely to be fuel if you time it right I've no issues with a manual at all (although I haven't tried the DCT yet) and I get an average of 20mpg. __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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01-11-2012, 10:12 AM	#4
NotNormal Lieutenant 33 Rep 573 Posts Drives: Audi A6 Avant 3.0TDi Quattro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (3)	Roger.....the roof seems to have fallen off !?!?!?! Now would seem to be a good time to change as here are a plethora of hard and soft tops to chose from with a good spec My personal preference would be : Coupe Dct Red or tan leather Black or grey in colour And as many of the option boxes ticked as poss
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01-11-2012, 10:13 AM	#5
NotNormal Lieutenant 33 Rep 573 Posts Drives: Audi A6 Avant 3.0TDi Quattro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lincolnshire iTrader: (3)	....or having just read ed335d's sig, his car but with DCT
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01-11-2012, 10:23 AM	#6
nicktyler Major 32 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: 335i (sadly gone) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Essex iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	Get a 335i and tune it up! Looks like you have/had one of those though
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01-11-2012, 10:23 AM	#7
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Yes! But i reckon a 335i convertible would be a better compromise for you. __________________
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01-11-2012, 10:33 AM	#10
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	I reckon a lot of us have the M3 thoughts often, interesting thread.
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01-11-2012, 10:33 AM	#11
peterg1965 Brigadier General 164 Rep 4,190 Posts Drives: F30 335d M Sport, F15 X5 40d Join Date: May 2007 Location: The place of dark satanic mills, UK iTrader: (0)	Tut tut tut Roger, and you told me you were trading the Zed for a Renault Twingo! That Black M3 'vert is lovely, it would have to be DCT for me though, but I could never, ever put up with 20mpg, as I am the tightest man in NATO.
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01-11-2012, 10:34 AM	#12
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What about an M3 Saloon for the wife and family duties ? Best of lots of worlds except its a bit pricey to run.
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01-11-2012, 11:01 AM	#15
zedman First Lieutenant 12 Rep 389 Posts Drives: E92 M Sport 320D, Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (0)	do it, whats the worst that can happen? __________________ E92 320D MS Ti CR
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01-11-2012, 11:10 AM	#16
Hoops Brigadier General 271 Rep 3,658 Posts Drives: E70 X5 xDrive35d M Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chigwell, Essex iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW S1000RR Sport [10.00] 2009 E92 M3 DCT [0.00] 2010 Range Rover Sport [0.00] 54 Plate E46 M3 CSL [0.00]	Rog, here is my simple and honest answer as to whether you should buy an M3... "Do bears shit in the woods!!???" Whatever the answer to the above question is, then thats your answer to the above!!! __________________ E70 X5 xDrive35d M Sport - Carbon Black - Panoramic Roof - 21" BMW Alloys - BMW Performance Gloss Black Grilles - LCi Rear Light Upgrade - BMW 4.8i Exhaust Trims
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01-11-2012, 12:35 PM	#17
Baby Dave Lieutenant Colonel 24 Rep 1,872 Posts Drives: E90 320d m sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sunny Lancs iTrader: (0)	Do it __________________ E90 Msport, black leather, front seat heating,6Fl, bluetooth,sun protection glass,Alpine upgrade,non rft's
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01-11-2012, 12:46 PM	#18
CHG Lieutenant 22 Rep 530 Posts Drives: A Variety of 4 Wheeled Things Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Around the UK iTrader: (0)	Now I know where all my profits are going
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01-11-2012, 01:15 PM	#19
zltm089 Banned 244 Rep 7,690 Posts Drives: 335i SE Coupe Space Grey Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: LONDON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 335i [10.00]	Do it!!!!!!!!!!!!! and again!....we have an ex 335i owner buying an M3!!!!!!!!
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01-11-2012, 01:35 PM	#20
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	Go on Rog, you know you want to __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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01-11-2012, 02:06 PM	#21
RockIt Lieutenant Colonel 95 Rep 1,720 Posts Drives: Mercedes C350 Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Curry Capital of Yorkshire! iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 Mercedes C350 ... [0.00] 2008 Audi TTS [0.00] 2006 E92 330i SE [0.00]	I keep being tempted by them myself...but might buy something more restrained after last night's scare! Do it. You know you want to. __________________ RockIt!
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01-11-2012, 02:12 PM	#22
Gibbo Colonel 104 Rep 2,292 Posts Drives: Golf Ed35 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South East iTrader: (0)	Manual. __________________ Golf Ed35 Black with - Black Leather
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