NEW owner - E86

[Zedebee]

Thanks for the tips Zedebee, I will keep an eye out for you!
Will add the callipers to the list for when i overhaul the suspension, although now raises the question of what colour?
...My logical side is saying black, but yellow might be quite eye catching.

Yellow on black would certainly be eye catching; whatever floats your boat. Personally I did mine black, but I prefer low key. I did try a copper/bronze colour but it looked awful. I think a classic red calliper on a black car looks good, there are several examples on here.

[Phippy]

It sounds more dramatic than it really is... my start point was a cheap MX5 i could mess about in, no regrets though as i know a Mazda would never put the same smile on my face!

E type is also stunning, did you ever get a chance to drive one? Tbh anything with a long bonnet and a cab over the rear wheels is going to be a head turner!

I didn't realise the carbon black was duel tone until i went to see it and it looked completely different to the photos - thought i was buying a black car and turned up to see a blue car

I think i will end up going black Zedebee, the idea of yellow is nice.... just think it might be a bit taccy.

[Mr Tidy]

No I've never driven an E-Type, but maybe that is a good thing going by the age-old phrase "never meet your heroes"!

I was glad my car came with red brakes calipers, and the struts behind the kidney grilles had been painted to match.

[Phippy]

It’s probably the epitome of that phrase as well!

How are you enjoying the M? Assume it’s not your daily driver? I’d like to try one one day but hard to justify the extra cost when (as far as I read on here) the E86 is 90% of the car anyway...

[Mr Tidy]

I'm loving the M but you're right it isn't my daily! I've had a 330i for daily duty for a couple of years that has the same N52 engine as a 3.0Si.

I always reckoned the 3.0Si was about 80% of the M for 50% of the money, and even now I've had the M over a year I still think that.

But I went to look at an M in June 2019 that I talked myself out of buying. Then a few months later I went to look at one a mile from home for a forum member who was over 150 mles away. The trader stuck the trade plates on fired it up and said he'd see me later, so I did 15 miles unaccompanied and just loved it. But it had done about 100K miles and was black with black, my least favourite colour combination.

Anyway mine was advertised for a tempting price that December because it had to be gone before Christmas and after 5+ years of 3.0Sis I just couldn't resist.

I know paying double for about another 20% of the ownership experience seems extravagant, especially as the M is much higher maintenance, but at my age I figured if I was ever going to have one I'd better get on with it.

So if you want to avoid more budget creep I'd suggest avoiding driving an M.

[Phippy]

haha thats some very good advice!

I do love the look of the twin exhaust and front bumper, subtly so much more aggressive, although only cosmetic I could never bring myself to convert a non M to look like an M. And 20% is a decent amount more car if you ask me, also comes with the hardcore diver image as well.

Maybe one day I'll have one but afraid they will be on pretty high miles (and even more expensive) by then! Unless i get lucky and find one like yours thats been preserved.. have you been on any track days in it or is it just for weekend fun?

Hows the maintenance costs too? tad higher than the 3.0 i'm guessing?

[SCOTTY L]

Hi there and welcome from a fellow coupe owner

[Mr Tidy]

Maybe one day I'll have one but afraid they will be on pretty high miles (and even more expensive) by then! Unless i get lucky and find one like yours thats been preserved.. have you been on any track days in it or is it just for weekend fun?

Hows the maintenance costs too? tad higher than the 3.0 i'm guessing?

It's just a bit of excitement for when I'm in the mood. Years ago I used to go on track days with a mate and he always said he would never take anything he couldn't afford to bin, and his words have stuck with me!

Maintenance costs are probably at least double for an M, but it's only money and you can't take it with you.

Anyway keep enjoying your Coupe as much as is currently possible.

[Vijay]

Welcome to the mad-house!

[SCOTTY L]

Hi there and welcome to the fourm.