Which Would You Choose?
- Thread starter oo7ml
- Start date
For such a limited mileage I reckon it might be a great chance to have an ///M car whilst you can.
lacroupade said:
One word - acceleration. And yes that 0.7 seconds to 60 does make a noticable difference
I had the same dilemma recently. Bought a 2.2i SE last September. Loved it but wanted something a bit faster so decided on a 3.0si Sport (Roadster) as the running costs seemed pretty close. Couldn't locate one at all up here in NI and didn't have time to locate and buy one from the GB mainland. Then an M came up for sale locally at a price I couldn't resist.
I'd say, if you buy the 3.0 you'll always kind of wish you'd bought an M. If you buy the M you'll just have to suck up the additional running costs. If you can't live with the costs then sell it on. I've no regrets...yet!
Then again....7miles each way commute....you really just need a bicycle
I'd say, if you buy the 3.0 you'll always kind of wish you'd bought an M. If you buy the M you'll just have to suck up the additional running costs. If you can't live with the costs then sell it on. I've no regrets...yet!
Then again....7miles each way commute....you really just need a bicycle
I think it depends how long you are going to keep it for. I brought my 2003 3.0i (M54 engine) in 2006 and it wasn't until then end of last year that I decided I was getting bored of it and started looking at forced induction etc, but on getting quotes I've now decided that the M is the way forwards. For the money I can't think of anything better on the road but the 3.0i was plenty quick enough for the last 5 years and only changing to an M as i want a new toy and there is nothing else that appeals.
Hype on here has a 3.0si coupe (N52 Engine) and it definitely feels tighter and quicker than my 3.0i. I'm not sure if this is just an age thing, his is 4 years newer than mine with half the miles (i have 53,000), so 3.0si could be the one for you.
one last thing...as Bushido says...get a roadster...!
Hype on here has a 3.0si coupe (N52 Engine) and it definitely feels tighter and quicker than my 3.0i. I'm not sure if this is just an age thing, his is 4 years newer than mine with half the miles (i have 53,000), so 3.0si could be the one for you.
one last thing...as Bushido says...get a roadster...!
mason storm
Active member
I had the same dilema last year, all depends on your disposable income, with the ridiculous fuel costs you may need to get a 3.0 otherwise end up having to change an m for 3.0 si when you can't hack to costs any more. However if you are only doing small mileage you mya be Ok with an M.
it all comes down to how much you can afford to pay to run the thing I think if you are already use to poor fuel economy then you get use to it however if your current car is better than an M then I think it could be too painfull every time you fill up. Having said all this the M keeps calling, ha ha not an easy decision is it. Sorry I was no help was I
it all comes down to how much you can afford to pay to run the thing I think if you are already use to poor fuel economy then you get use to it however if your current car is better than an M then I think it could be too painfull every time you fill up. Having said all this the M keeps calling, ha ha not an easy decision is it. Sorry I was no help was I
My view, from afar:oo7ml said:
1 - Year: Both cars are not the current shape E89, so one year older or newer will not make any difference, unless you plan to sell it again soon.
2 - Fuel consumption: On the commute mileage you mention the difference in fuel consumption is immaterial - even at your high fuel prices.
3 - Mileage: Be careful on this one - very low mileage may indicate a car that stood for long periods without being driven, which IMHO is much worse than a higher mileage incurred over regular trips.
4 - Service costs: I know that your labour rates are much higher than ours, but the Z only gets serviced roughly every 12000 miles, so the difference is once again immaterial. Change the oil yourself in between "official" services.
5 - Road Tax: This aspect is absolutely outrageous - I believe you and your countrymen would be justified in taking up arms against your government. My annual "road tax" on the Z totals roughly €36.
6 - The number of owners: This would bother me a little bit, but to really evaluate this you would need to have spent time as passenger with each previous owner. Did any of them routinely use the "clutch slip when stopped at red light on incline" method? Or the "rev it higher when cold so it can get warmer quicker"? If you don't know and cannot find out, ignore this aspect.
In your shoes I would focus on only one thing: which car will best suit your personality/driving style and the road surfaces you typically drive on. The M is a very harsh ride and can be tiring on irregular tar - my wife hates it. On the other hand, the M is the best toy I have ever had - it begs to be driven enthusiastically. If you are Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde, get the M. If you are always Mr Equanimity, get the 2008. Drive both before you decide.
