john banks

Thought the CSL might be a bit mad with a cardboard boot? How daily driver friendly is it? Seems bad enough trying to get a drive of an M3 never mind a CSL. Maybe it is easier in England where these cars are far more common?

Maybe after the rawness of my Scooby a CSL would be fine.

LG John

John, dig deeper around the back of the couch and get the new M5. Now THAT is a car

john banks

Depreciation? Maybe OK if you were on an order list to get it now, but will there not be a load of them to come through and knock the values in a year or so when the waiting list dwindles?

If it depreciates like the E39 M5 that would not be ideal?

LG John

That's a fair point - but then you've probably lost as much money farting around with the subaru

Deep Singh

John, its fine. Its not that raw. The only issue is whether you can live with the seats. If you can its a daily driver. I looked in the boot and it looks fine. If you buy a M3 without driving a CSL you will potentially make a big mistake.

As for test drives, I think you're going about them the wrong way. D'ont ring up and sound vague. Say you want to purchase a car they have in stock but need to drive it first. You'll get the hard sell after, but somehow I think you can handle that!!

Nevetas

John I've had an exhaust system and set of brakes in the boot, it's fine. Also have suitcases when on holiday. It's fine as every day car, no worse than the scoob IMO. Aslong as you can get along with the seats (non back adjustable).

For me the seats are great, really has made my back allot better.

Dibs

Oh no, don't say that.....

I'm looking at changing my MY99 (PPP plus a few tweaks ) soon and have driven all the usual suspects - E46 M3 (man and SMG), Z4 3.0, Boxster S, 350Z, S2000, and VX220T.

I'm undecided between the M3 and Boxster S at the moment. I would love a CSL but they are all around the £38-40K mark whereas the normal ones are sub £30K. Maybe I'll just have to put in a few more hours at work and by that time the prices will have dropped Are they really that good?

I also suspect that securing a CSL drive may be almost as difficult as it was for the VX220T. It would have been easier to have got a ride on a unicorn.

Dibs

Deep Singh

I'm afraid if funds allow you MUST test drive the CSL if thinking of a M3. I can only describe the difference like a UK STi with 265 BHP against a spec C. Its faster, more responsive, nimbler, sounds better etc. To some the two STis may look the same, but the driving experience is going to be very different.

I'm not sure why you guys have such difficulty in getting a test drive. I got one on the day I rang, and I did'nt even have my license on me

Nevetas

Same here, I'm 25 look about 19, arrived in my baseball cap and took a CSL straight out

Dibs

Oh dear, I thought you might say that....

To be true, the only one I had trouble getting test drive for was the VX220T but that was only because the local dealer had to find one and then get it in for me.

I just turned up at the BMW garage in t-shirt, jeans and trainers and they let me loose in the M3 It's just that it's quite rare to see CSL's for sale at main dealers (especially at a price I can afford!).

Dibs

john banks

Went to try M3 SMG today. Salesman refreshingly helpful. Nice car overall, flat torque curve, nice noise when revved. SMG nice in the aggressive mode. Quicker than you think as many point out, but I was hanging on to 2nd and 3rd gear to right near the limiter and was bored waiting for the gear to get finished with. I expected hairs on the back of my neck from the straight six metallic rasp/bark. I did not get the reward for revving it I felt, despite it being willing to rev. Flat torque curve though. Not on the same planet as a modded Scooby for actual performance, steering feel (very surprised!), excitement just not there I am afraid. I think it would be an upgrade from a standard Scooby, but not one with tasteful engine, brakes and suspension modifications, and the M3 is not the sort of car I would modify. Perhaps the CSL is better, but the dealer had what they claimed to be the last unregistered CSL in the country, and riding that seems less likely than the unicorn as mentioned.

Orange peel paintwork (they were all like that in the showroom even the new ones) and rattles unimpressive. Tried a Lexus and it didn't rattle and the paintwork was like a mirror in comparison.

Overall, impressive for a showroom car, but I am addicted to turbos for now. I'd rather look like a chav and have to open the bonnet too often for the rewards a modded Scooby gives.

Don't think I'm knocking the M3 as I'm not. Just not for me, not remotely.

Dibs

The turbo "shove" has been missing on all the cars I've driven and as a consequence they haven't felt as quick as my scooby, however, a quick glance at the speedo makes you appreciate how fast you really are going

I must be addicted to turbos too

Dibs

Deep Singh

Well at least you've got it out of your system. I do think some people go there with too high expectations and then say its was'nt supercar fast etc.Its got 340 BHP and weighs close to 1.6tonnes. Its not going to fly like a classic Scoob weighing 1.3tonnes and pushing 400+ BHP.

JB I'll let you know what a 450 BHP Porker turbo feels like after I test drive it!

Nevetas

It's strange but some M3 actually feel faster than others

My old Coupe was quicker than my modded STi (decat, remap), and even though it didn't have turbo quick actually felt faster.

If you want fast drive the CSL's, there are private ones out there for sub 40k.

Deep, the 911tt's are lovely, you will enjoy that test drive!

LG John

I expected that sort of review from John to be honest. I've never driven an M3 but I strongly suspect I'd be left as underwhelmed as John has because I've had a modded turbo and I've sort of built it up in my mind. What we have to remember though is that this is first and foremost a luxury family car with sporting abilities and you can't deny it looks the nuts, is spacious but still is mighty bloody quick. Somehow taking a client on the M3 and having a rude boy shove just wouldn't suit its image.

T-uk

JB on T-uk's PC:

Actually I felt it is quite cramped inside, and there is less headroom front and rear. Boot is OK.

The steering feel was one thing that surprised me given RWD and 50:50 weight distribution, plus all the hype.

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

John, your report mirror'd my test drive

Quick but no 'buzz'. I wanted to feel like I was driving a supercar - it isn't even close. A modded scoob may be chav material but ives the grin and satisfaction that's very hard to price.

F

Hugh138

I think it all boils down to expectations - the M3 is a heavy car with 340bhp and 365Nm torque (not sure how that converts exactly to ft/lb). Those are not supercar figures therefore why are people expecting supercar performance? Given you can now buy a 2nd hand 2 year old M3 with all the toys for £30-32k easily (which if you are on any kind of budget is very different to £55-60k for a 996!) I think it is excellent value for something with class, pace and quality (reliability may not be up to a standard scooby though by all accounts).

Each to their own I guess

Deep Singh

floyd, if you want to feel like you are driving a supercar then the best thing is to wait for it... drive a supercar! The M3 is a sports coupe.

If you want to drive a supercar you will have to up the budget to about £60k to get a used 996tt or £70k for qn early 360. Or you could have a badly built TVR!!

Deep

T-uk

JB on T-uk's PC:

At the risk of being Chav and knowing the speed of everything and the value/finesse of nothing... £3500 of mods if you do your own spanners on a classic UK car will have you a reliable package that can be used daily that will do better 1/4 times than the 360 or 996TT. It is more practical than either, cheap to fix and service. I just can't see beyond this when weighing up more expensive cars even if I look and feel like a chav in the Scooby.

LG John

What you buying for your £3500 there? I'd guess, bigger turbo, bigger top mount and a conservative remap. I must admit, I'm feeling a 'silly car' bug rising again and a £10k fly machine scooby might fit the bill

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

JB, you're right again. When you've got reasonable practicality, great performance, track day fun all rolled into a £10k mota (with mods) then anything else needs to be very very special to make me want to spend the money. Only a Porker will do, me thinks.

Deep, I fully understand that it isn't a supercar now and that's the problem - I wanted it to be Certainly not the 'ultimate driving machine'.

F

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Not a problem
Though if your going to go for an M3, it has to be the CSL, bargains from what they were new
But i have to say, im with JB and SB, the M5...... hmmmmmm a bit more exclusive

Tony

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

yup...perhaps this taken from a quote from me later on in this thread will answer the question:

I was talking about the chassis. Now if if you send it off the the modding boys to play with - alot more can be squeezed out of the m5 ....that is if you have a bottomless pit of money

So, yes I have heard of a B10 and seen one Not driven one though

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

Came across an M3 Cab today. He caught up with me on a dual carridgeway, top down and spoiling for a fight The first clear bit of road and he planted it but I anticipated and wasted him I let him catch up again just so I could be sure he was ready this time. Same result!

The laugh was a 323i (latest model) decide to join in... Until he got left by the both of us - oh dear.

I suppose with similar power and a 300kg+ weight advantage, what did I expect? It just reinforces that they aren't for me.

F

F

Deep Singh

Maybe he was trying to catch up with you to tell you how much he liked your lexus rear light cluster?

Nevetas

For me it's not about how fast you can go, but how you go fast.

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

But if you're going to try and look good in front of your trophy wife and say "watch this" as you try to humilaite the Scooby with the Lex'**** lights, then you're not showing 'how to go fast' when you don't go past me, is he? Egg on face and NOT cool! But very funny to me and possibly the 'wife'.

How I chuckled

Money can buy all the accoutrements of class but it can't buy IT - better that he didn't try and so rise above the need to prove his perceived superiority...

F

Veracocha

He may well have been up for a laugh and wanted to race for fun! It's amazing how people love to judge on this forum!

Floyd

iTrader: (9)

Look here Mr Verruca, this is 'banter' and 'fun'

Get off your soap box and stop judging

F