Where would you/did you go from an M?

Angelus666 said:
Oh, and you can't park it in a normal space or garage (genuinely) as if someone/wall is next to you it's impossible to open the doors.

Dimensions wise there really isn't that much of a difference between the i8 and the new 3 series - within a few mm. [EDIT: With the door mirrors not folded that is]

However I can't speak for the space required to get the doors open enough to get out. I was however under the impression that Lambo came up with the idea because doors like this required less lateral room to actually open properly?
 
I went out in one when I picked up my Z4 from Cooper in Tunbridge wells. The chap their said it's a great novelty car, loads of torque, etc. He did say it's the people at the front of fashion who are buying it, not your typical M driver or buyer. Given most folk on here aren't multi millionaire would people really consider this over a GT3 or other £100k cars?

The sales chap was the one who pointed out to me the doors are far worse to open in tighter spots than a Lamborghini or even the SLS.
 
Angelus666 said:
I went out in one when I picked up my Z4 from Cooper in Tunbridge wells. The chap their said it's a great novelty car, loads of torque, etc. He did say it's the people at the front of fashion who are buying it, not your typical M driver or buyer. Given most folk on here aren't multi millionaire would people really consider this over a GT3 or other £100k cars?

The sales chap was the one who pointed out to me the doors are far worse to open in tighter spots than a Lamborghini or even the SLS.

Funny, the guy I saw at Guildford said completely the opposite. They have signed contracts for 36, a lot of them to their longer term ///M / BMW customers (but as said above, not likely guys with just one car).
 
I kinda welcome the i8 etc.... as it is proof our electric or hybrid future doesn't mean boring.

And let's face it, for a first electric sports car, it isn't bad.

I think one thing people forget when saying multi-squillionaires don't need their 918s to do 100mpg... that is absolutely true. HOWEVER, there are a lot of city centres and areas which are going electric only and if you want to pose around there your ride needs "some" green credentials, which these new cars have. I can easily see places like Piccadilly etc.. being electric or low emission only eventually and a Veyron won't be any good then
 
Cars are getting bigger, hard to avoid it...

Ferrari 308 Width = 1720mm
Ferrari 355 Width = 1900mm
Ferrari 458 Width = 1937mm (I'm surprised I thought it would be wider)

Porsche 911 Turbo (930) = 1775mm
Porsche 911 Turbo (996) = 1829mm
Porsche 911 Turbo (991) = 1880mm

BMW E30 3 series = 1661mm
BMW E46 = 1758mm
BMW F30 = 1811mm

For reference an E39 5 series is 10mm narrower than an F30 3.
 
Thought I'd throw a bit of my recent experience into the mix here as I've been thinking about a change and did a few 'tests' on new years day. Back to back comparison with a couple of mates and a bit of a car swap, we did: My Z4MC, E92 M3 (which I've driven a fair bit before), 997 Carrera 2 (early model)...

First and foremost, all really nice cars, but I came away thinking that the Z4 is still the most 'special' in terms of 'pure sports' experience.
- The M3 is undoubtably the fastest and really comes alive when you get into the higher revs / start piling on the speed. Day to day (or with no experience) I would certainly say you can drive this faster than the Z4M.
- Porsche was really nice in terms of build quality etc, but (for me) the engine didn't feel anywhere as exciting as that on either of the M cars. I'm also not convinced it's a quick at the Z4M either, although I'm sure you'd learn to drive it and get more in tune / quicker over time (which in itself is appealing for me).
- Both of my mates commented on how aggressive the Z4M felt, although that could be partly down to my suspension set up.

Biggest reason for wanting to do this was that I've been hankering for a Porsche, but I think I'll need to step up to a more 'specialist' model (GT3?) to gain anywhere near the excitement of the Z4M. After driving them all back to back, I'll keep the Z4M for now, but I'd be tempted by an E90 M3 Saloon when I need space for baby seats!

Other than that (and as a few people have already said from reading this tread), I really think we're going to struggle to get anything as special / exciting / fast / fun as a Z4M without doubling the budget (at least!)... Oh yeah, and fuel economy wise... the S54 is brilliant considering how much power you're getting!

We saw an i8 cruising about on the day too, but he didn't seem to want to 'play'. Have to say it looked pretty cool on the road and I'm of the opinion that it's an interesting car that suggests where the future direction of 'electric / hybrid' could go, and for that reason I'm pleased to see them out there... I definitely wouldn't mind a blast!
 
I drove an E92 M3 the other day and although it was a very impressive bit of kit for sure, and definitely felt quick, I thought it was just a bit too big for me as a sporty car. I don't need the room it has over the Z4 and one day that may change but for now the Z is good.

A 997 c2 will not be as quick as the zed, not far off, a c2s should be faster as it is torquier. Superb cars, they also sound epic with either a sports exhaust OR an air filter, but I urge people not to fit both!
 
I think a 997 Carrera will be as quick as a Z4M. Maybe not faster but certainly as quick. My mate has a 996.2 Carrera 3.6 and there is very little to choose between his and mine.
 
Yeah, to be fair there was almost nothing in it, but 'seat of the pants' feel all 3 of us though the Z4M just had the edge...
 
As said, the i8 is a car you would buy if you won the lottery, for those who like it (obviously not angelus666),and of course you would have other cars in your collection if u had millions. If u had only 100k to spend on a car you may well want something else before buying an i8, but it is a great looking car which is quick(4secs to 60) and decent mpg, and as said by others, its a showcase to show hybrid petrol-electric cars don't need to be city/family runabouts or cost 800k as in the McLaren p1 etc. :P
 
Yes I suppose a budget should be put to this thread because it has to be realistic.

With M prices averaging around £16k (very very rough figure). I'd go out on a limb and say a replacement figure should be 2 - 3 times this price or potentially list price of the M when new and add a bit for inflation to get us a reasonable number to work with..

Thoughts?
 
When I was looking to buy I was also looking at a Cayman S and 370Z for around the same price and mileage.
I also love the newer TVR's but knew the running/ maint costs would be too high and a good 911 (997) was out of my price range.
The M Coupe was the best in my range, I love its looks (exterior and interior), performance and its rarity.
 
LostBoy_84 said:
When I was looking to buy I was also looking at a Cayman S and 370Z for around the same price and mileage.
I also love the newer TVR's but knew the running/ maint costs would be too high and a good 911 (997) was out of my price range.
The M Coupe was the best in my range, I love its looks (exterior and interior), performance and its rarity.

Pretty much sums up my experience perfectly.
 
Had a great day out today with my local TVR club but at least two of the membership have had very recent rebuilds after their engines unexpectedly went pop - to the tune of the best part of ten grand. Not sure I could stomach a £20k car suddenly asking me for £10k just to keep it on the road, if it was a Ferrari I would expect that kind of costs but I haven't actually ever heard of a modern (355 onwards) Ferrari that's needed a rebuild
 
JayEmm said:
Had a great day out today with my local TVR club but at least two of the membership have had very recent rebuilds after their engines unexpectedly went pop - to the tune of the best part of ten grand. Not sure I could stomach a £20k car suddenly asking me for £10k just to keep it on the road, if it was a Ferrari I would expect that kind of costs but I haven't actually ever heard of a modern (355 onwards) Ferrari that's needed a rebuild
Exactly the same happened to me paid £20k for the car and spent £11k in one go for a rebuild and a few other bits and bobs were done...you need deep pockets in the TVR game for sure.

They are great when they are working though! :driving:
 
Yeah, that's bonkers...and exactly the reason why most TVR's can be had for small beans (Sagaris aside, which seems to have a good rep for reliability).....wonder if it's possible to plant an older E36/46 M engine into a TVR...would that be possible?
 
Angelus666 said:
Yeah, that's bonkers...and exactly the reason why most TVR's can be had for small beans (Sagaris aside, which seems to have a good rep for reliability).....wonder if it's possible to plant an older E36/46 M engine into a TVR...would that be possible?
Yes that's a good call regards the M engine, I know a few ditch the AJPV8/Speed6 and go with the corvette engines for improved reliability.
 
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