Where would you/did you go from an M?
- Thread starter JayEmm
- Start date
JayEmm said:
Yes you're right. I love that Cup car but an Exige S with race pack is still a really capable piece of kit and can be had for between £45-50k. For 0-60 in 3.8 and 0-100 in 8 that's an awful lot of performance plus it has sublime handling, damping, steering etc.
problem is guys now days the whole performance car pricing has moved upward.... hell... we are in a world where a mini GP spec'd up can reach 30k+ and where their is a megane ( trophy R) than can reach 43k!!!!!!
Cars like the z4m may well really start shooting up as this trend continues, especially with the down size in engines and Dual clutch drivetrains. What i love about the z4m is with a few mods (not power related) the car becomes a total weapon. You only need to look on piston heads, roadster or coupe, the prices are going up and the good cars.
i did have a sneaky peak at the boxster spyder prices and .... damn.... it was painful... That car drove so so so awesome, gave me my roadster fix ( has to have been designed as such from the off ) had proper dynamics and made the z4m just seem last century even back then, the only thing that always shone was that s54, what an engine.
Cars like the z4m may well really start shooting up as this trend continues, especially with the down size in engines and Dual clutch drivetrains. What i love about the z4m is with a few mods (not power related) the car becomes a total weapon. You only need to look on piston heads, roadster or coupe, the prices are going up and the good cars.
i did have a sneaky peak at the boxster spyder prices and .... damn.... it was painful... That car drove so so so awesome, gave me my roadster fix ( has to have been designed as such from the off ) had proper dynamics and made the z4m just seem last century even back then, the only thing that always shone was that s54, what an engine.
I think you're right beedub - irrespective of whether you've a coupe or a roadster, the NA S54 straight 6 in our cars is going to be coveted in a few years time. I was just thinking yesterday, I do love looking down that looooooong creased hood, visualising the last NA M Division engine crouched in there, purring and roaring at the road 
A friend of mine swapped his Cerbera for a SLK AMG and he was very happy with it and I liked it very much too because it did sound the business and it went very well...but I admit and I accept all the flak I get because I just cant understand the appeal of a MX5 though as they might be good around corners but that's because they cant go fast in a straight line!Mad Professor said:
Everyone is different and that is fair enough but for me a sports car should go as well as its looks and that's where a MX5 falls flat on its backside for me and its all mouth and no trousers whereas a Caterham for example is built as a track tool and delivers in that environment for a fact but I have never really understood the point of a MX5.
The MX5 is great for posing though I would imagine. :lol:
For less than 20k this is my list of possible next cars in order
E46 M3
Dad had one years ago one of my fav cars ever, such a brilliant car last good M3 made imo. Still looks great, goes like sink and a little more comfy and usable than the Z. S54 say no less.
Porsche 996 C4S
Ageing, problematic, slightly antiquated but I love them love the shape, wide body lovely massive soft spot.
Porsche 997 carrera at a push an S
Would be a higher miler, and problematic but dad has one and its a better car than the Z imo but also a good one is good money, looking at 55 plate high milage for 20k would be a risky purchase. Also starting to age interiors etc but looks fantastic brilliant drive sound epic with sports exhaust.
Z4M coupe
Can't really beat it loved mine, regret selling it, but prices creeping up. Pretty depressing looking at the for sales poor cars high prices. But done it now would like a change.
Z3M coupe
Again classic would love to own one the interiors are gorgeous and the rear end! But again pushing the budget.
E46 is just a great all rounder and want a good one in Estoril before good examples start to disappear also great prices on high spec cars.
Slightly out of budget would be an e90 M3 not quite the best M3. Dad also had the E92 and it was a great car that v8 is insane I prefer the 4 door looks as its a bit more subtle and the lines meet the rear in a more complete way, ultimate daily to cart people and gear. They are a bit heavy and heavy in fuel, and don't quite have the direct feel M3s are renowned for, also hard to get the ultimate performance out of them. I prefer the E46 but the E90 has better toys and is a lot quicker in a straight line but the E46 has the go kart quality I love.
I think there are plenty of great cars for under 20k the Z has the unique factor but it's mostly a weekend car for me. Although I put 30k on mine in 3 years while running a daily and only living 2 miles from work... Couldn't stay out of it.
E46 M3
Dad had one years ago one of my fav cars ever, such a brilliant car last good M3 made imo. Still looks great, goes like sink and a little more comfy and usable than the Z. S54 say no less.
Porsche 996 C4S
Ageing, problematic, slightly antiquated but I love them love the shape, wide body lovely massive soft spot.
Porsche 997 carrera at a push an S
Would be a higher miler, and problematic but dad has one and its a better car than the Z imo but also a good one is good money, looking at 55 plate high milage for 20k would be a risky purchase. Also starting to age interiors etc but looks fantastic brilliant drive sound epic with sports exhaust.
Z4M coupe
Can't really beat it loved mine, regret selling it, but prices creeping up. Pretty depressing looking at the for sales poor cars high prices. But done it now would like a change.
Z3M coupe
Again classic would love to own one the interiors are gorgeous and the rear end! But again pushing the budget.
E46 is just a great all rounder and want a good one in Estoril before good examples start to disappear also great prices on high spec cars.
Slightly out of budget would be an e90 M3 not quite the best M3. Dad also had the E92 and it was a great car that v8 is insane I prefer the 4 door looks as its a bit more subtle and the lines meet the rear in a more complete way, ultimate daily to cart people and gear. They are a bit heavy and heavy in fuel, and don't quite have the direct feel M3s are renowned for, also hard to get the ultimate performance out of them. I prefer the E46 but the E90 has better toys and is a lot quicker in a straight line but the E46 has the go kart quality I love.
I think there are plenty of great cars for under 20k the Z has the unique factor but it's mostly a weekend car for me. Although I put 30k on mine in 3 years while running a daily and only living 2 miles from work... Couldn't stay out of it.
It's true. But then I've gone and added a blower to mine .... lol....was this a bad choice ??? Nope. Best thing I've done.Bing said:I think you're right beedub - irrespective of whether you've a coupe or a roadster, the NA S54 straight 6 in our cars is going to be coveted in a few years time. I was just thinking yesterday, I do love looking down that looooooong creased hood, visualising the last NA M Division engine crouched in there, purring and roaring at the road
I promise you nothing of that engines character had been lost.... it's just like a much bigger engine under the hood. It revs just the same just faster , sounds pretty much the same (with a few whistles n pops) but largely the s/c is silent. The power and tq curve are the same just a good few notches up the graph. If anyone wants to add a total new dimension to their car and keep its character, supercharge it, I can't begin to explain how much that large centrifugal supercharger fits in with the s54 on pretty much all levels, match made in heaven.
That was the point.....LeeZ4MR said:A friend of mine swapped his Cerbera for a SLK AMG and he was very happy with it and I liked it very much too because it did sound the business and it went very well...but I admit and I accept all the flak I get because I just cant understand the appeal of a MX5 though as they might be good around corners but that's because they cant go fast in a straight line! [emoji14]oke:Mad Professor said:
Everyone is different and that is fair enough but for me a sports car should go as well as its looks and that's where a MX5 falls flat on its backside for me and its all mouth and no trousers whereas a Caterham for example is built as a track tool and delivers in that environment for a fact but I have never really understood the point of a MX5.
The MX5 is great for posing though I would imagine. :lol:
The mx5 thrilled with so little power. With one of the turbo kits bolted On they are serious things. We are in a place now where high end turbo and supercharger kits are like oem fitments. Power was never the mx5s problem it was narrow minded people in their tvrs and bmws looking down their snout at it....
Bloody brilliant cars. One of the best drivers cars of the last decade for bang for buck. Slap on a turbo kit and it would reliably spank your cerb all day long and be more fun doing it.
Paulwirral
Active member
8)
The Z4M is fairly expensive to run, but nothing on it seems hideously bad.[/quote]
2k plus for front discs and pads , I nearly bought one , but there is no aftermarket alternative for discs yet , or at least there wasn't a year ago .
Tried to buy a couple of 350s but they are 3k more than a z4 , 350 slk is a very underrated and overpriced car , z4 drives a little better and is cheaper .[/quote]
sound harsh, but I can only see a SLK as a middle aged ladies car, no matter what engine.[/quote]
That's a rather stereotyped opinion re the SLK -similar to the bigoted nonsense one reads about an MX5 being a hair dressers car . I would suspect that a mark 1 Eonos type 2 would leave a Z4 for dead on twisty B roads .[/quote]
It's true , best passenger lap at the ring I ever got was with one of the 24hr drivers in his mk 1 eunos the weekend before the race , granted we were passed by most things on power in a straight line but he re passed them on the twisty bits , and I mean
everything
The Z4M is fairly expensive to run, but nothing on it seems hideously bad.[/quote]
2k plus for front discs and pads , I nearly bought one , but there is no aftermarket alternative for discs yet , or at least there wasn't a year ago .
Tried to buy a couple of 350s but they are 3k more than a z4 , 350 slk is a very underrated and overpriced car , z4 drives a little better and is cheaper .[/quote]
sound harsh, but I can only see a SLK as a middle aged ladies car, no matter what engine.[/quote]
That's a rather stereotyped opinion re the SLK -similar to the bigoted nonsense one reads about an MX5 being a hair dressers car . I would suspect that a mark 1 Eonos type 2 would leave a Z4 for dead on twisty B roads .[/quote]
It's true , best passenger lap at the ring I ever got was with one of the 24hr drivers in his mk 1 eunos the weekend before the race , granted we were passed by most things on power in a straight line but he re passed them on the twisty bits , and I mean
everything
Point takenBeedub said:That was the point.....LeeZ4MR said:A friend of mine swapped his Cerbera for a SLK AMG and he was very happy with it and I liked it very much too because it did sound the business and it went very well...but I admit and I accept all the flak I get because I just cant understand the appeal of a MX5 though as they might be good around corners but that's because they cant go fast in a straight line! [emoji14]oke:
Everyone is different and that is fair enough but for me a sports car should go as well as its looks and that's where a MX5 falls flat on its backside for me and its all mouth and no trousers whereas a Caterham for example is built as a track tool and delivers in that environment for a fact but I have never really understood the point of a MX5.
The MX5 is great for posing though I would imagine. :lol:
The mx5 thrilled with so little power. With one of the turbo kits bolted On they are serious things. We are in a place now where high end turbo and supercharger kits are like oem fitments. Power was never the mx5s problem it was narrow minded people in their tvrs and bmws looking down their snout at it....
Bloody brilliant cars. One of the best drivers cars of the last decade for bang for buck. Slap on a turbo kit and it would reliably spank your cerb all day long and be more fun doing it.
but as with any car some like them and some don't and thankfully they offer different cars for different tastes.I think the only thing keeping prices of the E46 M3 down are to most people (non-petolheads) currently it is still "an old beemer", plus it is a relatively numerous car.
Give it a while when a lot of have been bent/raced/wrecked and I guess the prices will eventually go up. Heck, you can pay £15K for a good Ford Capri Mk1 and there were shedloads of those on the roads at one point.
Give it a while when a lot of have been bent/raced/wrecked and I guess the prices will eventually go up. Heck, you can pay £15K for a good Ford Capri Mk1 and there were shedloads of those on the roads at one point.
I bought the Z4 with an eye to running something nice that wouldn't depreciate too much while I saved for a 997 Gen II. Stil looking to move on eventually but maybe the field has widened to include
1. 997 Gen II
2. F Type Coupe
3. TT-RS
4. M4
5. 981 Cayman
In no particular order of preference. Unfortunately none of these except possibly the TT-RS could be had without spending at least another £10K upwards and probably much more, so I will have to wait a while longer. 997 Gen I would be a current possibility but wouldn't want to take the risk of spending another £10k on top of purchase price replacing the chocolate engine.
1. 997 Gen II
2. F Type Coupe
3. TT-RS
4. M4
5. 981 Cayman
In no particular order of preference. Unfortunately none of these except possibly the TT-RS could be had without spending at least another £10K upwards and probably much more, so I will have to wait a while longer. 997 Gen I would be a current possibility but wouldn't want to take the risk of spending another £10k on top of purchase price replacing the chocolate engine.
LeeZ4MR said:Point takenBeedub said:That was the point.....LeeZ4MR said:A friend of mine swapped his Cerbera for a SLK AMG and he was very happy with it and I liked it very much too because it did sound the business and it went very well...but I admit and I accept all the flak I get because I just cant understand the appeal of a MX5 though as they might be good around corners but that's because they cant go fast in a straight line! [emoji14]oke:
Everyone is different and that is fair enough but for me a sports car should go as well as its looks and that's where a MX5 falls flat on its backside for me and its all mouth and no trousers whereas a Caterham for example is built as a track tool and delivers in that environment for a fact but I have never really understood the point of a MX5.
The MX5 is great for posing though I would imagine. :lol:
The mx5 thrilled with so little power. With one of the turbo kits bolted On they are serious things. We are in a place now where high end turbo and supercharger kits are like oem fitments. Power was never the mx5s problem it was narrow minded people in their tvrs and bmws looking down their snout at it....
Bloody brilliant cars. One of the best drivers cars of the last decade for bang for buck. Slap on a turbo kit and it would reliably spank your cerb all day long and be more fun doing it.
oh trust me i hear what your saying BUT.... big but... the fundamentals/ingredients of the mx5 should resonate with ANY true petrolhead, your comment about it being a poser car says alot to me, what the hell is poser about a sub 14k mazda roadster with a 1.8 engine that doesn't even look that good????....
Jimbob952 said:
The problems with the M96/M97 engine are really not as bad as the internet makes out. It is amazing what message boards and hear say will do. I'm not denying the don't have an issue - of course they do - but not every 996 is a time bomb.
I have known probably 20 or 30 996s through various dealings, working with car dealerships etc.... but only ever knew of one or two which had/required a rebuild.
I found it hilarious when I was going to sell my 996 that even TVR Tuscan owners were afraid of the 996's engine as "unreliable" !
Still... I'm happy for the rumours to circulate because it drives prices of those cars down - even the 996 Turbo price is affected by the "reliability issues" despite the fact that it doesn't have any, people just paint all cars with the same brush.
Having said that, the 981 Boxster and Cayman are ludicrously good.
I really think the SL55 is a great car BUT it's very full on, and not one for just driving around normally, as the fuel consumption really hits you hard. But it's an amazing machine.
I may not know much, as I would prefer a Bentley GT to an AMV8 for the same price.....a 6 litre 12 cylinder car, with 550 plus BHP.....
I may not know much, as I would prefer a Bentley GT to an AMV8 for the same price.....a 6 litre 12 cylinder car, with 550 plus BHP.....
The Bentley is (relatively) slow though because it is a great big heavy barge. It's no quicker than a Z4M and you'd have to be at ludicrous speeds to see any performance gap (I.e North of 155mph). I also think they look awful. They are the car equivalent of a mock Tudor house with colonnades stuck on the front. The sort you see the oligarchs build on Bishops Avenue.
I believe I'm paraphrasing saint Clarkson here, but isn't the point with a Bentley not to say "oh but a 911 GT3 is quicker, etc etc...." but the Bentley is a massively luxurious motor and it is simply incredible that it gets close to M3 levels of performance, AT ALL. Iron fist velvet glove etc
