What Cars?

Poll Poll What should I get?

  • E30 M3 + E39 M5

    Votes: 5 33.3%

  • M3 CSL + E34 "snotter"

    Votes: 6 40.0%

  • Something else

    Votes: 4 26.7%
  • Total voters
    15
S

spokey

Active member
I have owned my 130i for nearly two years now, and while it's been cheap, quick and reliable, it hasn't really "grabbed me" as much as I'd hoped.

So I now want to replace it. Two cars I've always hankered after are the M3 CSL and the E30 M3. However, I suspect the E30 would be a "keeper" and the CSL would not (purely for cost reasons -- I could suck up the costs of the CSL for a couple of years, but no longer.)

I also suspect that the CSL will not be a sensible buying decision in the future, but if I did buy one now, I would have to do stuff like go to the 'ring at least a couple of times in the time I did own it. So it would cost me more, not just in maintenance, but also in travel, and that is a tough call to make in the current economic climate. Because I would want a practical car for Tesco car parks, etc. I'd have to get something on the side, which I have decided will be an E34 5er, probably a 525i.

My friendly spannerslinger threw a spanner (what else!?) in the works by extolling the virtues of the E39 M5, another car I wouldn't mind owning. So if I got the E30 M3, my daily drive would probably be an E39 M5. But it probably wouldn't be a "keeper", either.

The cost of either of the options about will be roughly the same for buying and I (wildly) guess that running costs would even out.

So with all that in mind, what would you suggest I go for next and why?
 
Can see the positives of each, and both choices make sense.

Not been a fan of the CSL though, would rather have a MC if I wanted to go that way, and if having another car too it would rule out the practicality 4-seat argument.

Would like a go in the M5 though, lots of nice things are said about them.
 
Tref said:
Why mix all these together with £20k of E46 M3 CS ?
Click to expand...

If I got a CS, I'd kick myself every time I saw a CSL. Which, considering I live practically next door to a BMW garage, is more than I want to be kicking myself. :)
 
M5 is quite espensive to maintain, my mate had one and eventually decided to downgrade to an Aston says he is more happy now(I cant see how). I love the V10 though. would be fabulous.
 
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Seems good value for a 5.0 V8.. All about £12k. Would have to swap the nav to a Mk IV though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-M5-Saloon_W0QQitemZ200345167163QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item2ea580a53b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A7|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
 
The votes are even stevens i see. I'd say the e30 and e39 route. I love the CSLs but you'll hate the cheap day to day option. The e39 is the best bargain M car available IMO. Huge power, great fun to drive, lots of decent specialists to maintain it and zero depreciation if you buy the right one. The e30 is a legend - not huge power but you'll always know that you have a classic that will also never depreciate. It would be just as happy at the Ring as the CSL and for me there is an argument for visiting with a less powerful, great handling car. I've been in the zmc and a 993 turbo and although the 993 is much much much much (that's alot) faster, the zmc was more driveable and more fun.
 
If anybody cares, I test drove an E30 M3 today. To be honest, while I was driving it, I didn't really think it was all that great (at first, anyway). But when I got out, I realised I had a serious adrenaline rush.

It does take a long time to warm up, which is something I'd have to get used to. However, initially, I was quite happy to just lob it into corners and get a feel for it without thrashing it. It was kind of weird, really, it didn't feel like any other M I'd driven before (E36, E34, E24, E39) and it didn't feel like any E30 I'd driven before, either. I didn't really manage to get comfortable with it and find the right driving style in 10 miles, but it really does seem to like being hustled, rather than relaxed, flowing cornering.

The engine noise was also completely different from anything else I've ever driven, but I got the distinct impression I could learn to live with it. ;)

The things that stood out for me were how much grip this allegedly tail-happy monster had and how utterly perfectly the gears and the engine were matched for "press-on" driving. Wind the engine up to 7.5k, change and BAM! you're right on the power band so you get a continuous surge of acceleration that is quite startling for a "puny" 195 HP.

I suspect that it is a car I will warm to even more when I'm used to it, but at the end of the drive I didn't feel compelled to forgo the CSL. I'm still pretty sure I won't keep the CSL and I will keep the E30, but I didn't think the E30 was sufficiently good to make me feel like I didn't need to scratch the CSL itch any more. However, I'm going to go and find a CSL and make sure about that. :D
 
Tough decision. Hmmm, CSL would be my pick as it can be used for a thrash or as a day to day car with the right spec- aircon/xenons and proper windows! :thumbsup: The older car IMO would be a waste with the CSL ticking all the right boxes (but appreciate it may devalue dependant on mileage so a workhorse may be required). :thumbsup:
 
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