RAJ27

...tomorrow. Will I be disappointed? Just driven a NSX 3.0 and using it as a comparision.

turboman786

I dove my cousins and was pretty underwhelmed by it, I drive a 330ci convertible, and my 330 FEELS so much more torqey, wheras the m3 feels revvy and the engine note sucks bigtime.....

Having said that, the m3 is a superb all rounder, and it takes a while to appreciate just how good it is.....

SJJ84

Make sure it's a long test drive if you've never used smg before. I borrowed a friends M3 convertible with smg for 24hours, the first hour I hated it, then as I got used to it I thought it was brilliant. Certainly better than the manual box in my 330ci.

Petem95

You are buying the looks and image with the M3 just as much you are the performance.

No denying they look fantastic with the 19" wheels, but unfortunately it wont be too long when they start being bought by kebab shop owners/drug dealers - then they'll become a lot less desirable!

I'd be surprised if you find it a more involving drive than an NSX.

john banks

I was disappointed to start with having come from a modded c.450 BHP/400 lbft 2.5 litre Scooby. Then when I tried one a second time and weighed up what else in the price range had good performance out the box with reliability, refinement and driving pleasure I reconsidered and bought one.

SMG box really makes the car IMHO, make sure you wind it round to 8000 RPM in 2nd and 3rd gear and try it in S5, or S6 with DSC off if the road conditions allow. The linearity of the throttle is ace, and the power band feels virtually flat from 1500 to 8000 RPM. The auto mode is nice for being lazy with.

19" wheels, Sat Nav Pro/TV and a strong colour trim/combo are considered essential for good resale by many.

June 03 onwards cars seem to have the big end bearing issues sorted once and for all, earlier cars should have been recalled.

On an older car over 3 years old, many won't buy without BMW extended warranty.

Deep Singh

[QUOTE=Petem95]You are buying the looks and image with the M3 just as much you are the performance.

No denying they look fantastic with the 19" wheels, but unfortunately it wont be too long when they start being bought by kebab shop owners/drug dealers - then they'll become a lot less desirable!

What do you mean when? Some of the better (ie > 50% meat)local kebab shop owners are getting rid. Now owned mainly by Halaal Fried Chicken franchisees. Oh and some Scottish GPs......

john banks

We have to economise somewhere compared with English GPs

RAJ27

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. The next car on the list is a 996 C4s, so it will be out of those three. Can't really see any other alternative's for the price (c30k).

john banks

For below 35K there isn't a good choice of 996 C4s - there is an 01 in Green with 57000 miles and no Navigation on Autotrader for £32k for example. £35k will get you a well specified M3 less than two years old and on less than 10000 miles in excellent condition. £30k will be older/higher miles/weaker colour/spec/condition.

RAJ27

Just got back from the test drive and was very disappointed. OK granted I only drove it for an hour, but I just felt detached from the whole experiance. I already drive a 530i sport steptronic, so feel a bit isolated already. The car I drove was £49k with the usual sat nav, HK stereo etc. It didn't feel special enough for me to pay that amount. I think I need to source a 996 asap and will up the budget to 35k to broaden the choice a little.

John, thanks for the advice and maybe you have got used to the SMG quicker for me, but it wasn't for me. Give me a normal manual anyday.

john banks

Please post your thoughts on the 996 as I haven't had chance to try one yet, although I think they're too flash for me.

Whatever you get needs to float your boat. I think this area of the market is really lacking in choice. It would be nice if there was a flat six turbo Subaru to fill it with some refinements!

Deep Singh

Raj, I'd recommend a 996 in the right colour with perhaps GT3 kit to add a little 'bling' .
The power won't blow you away like a 400 BHP Scoob/Evo but their is a deliciousness to the car that is hard to put into words. £35k is needed for a well specced/low mileage 01/02.

John, they are not too flash!! They are actually the least flash in that segment

rr_ww

Describe the detached part Loads of the car magazines claim it's really really involving?

RAJ27

In answer to the question, the gearbox was the biggest let down. When you drive say a car like the Honda type-r's and the NSX, there is a certain mechanical satisfaction from hearing and getting involved in a great gearbox. It's a simple human sense, like the difference between CD's and Vinyl. I know it's a different thing, but I hope you get the idea.

It's also the fact that the car was so "refined" and just not raw enough. Maybe that's where the CSL fit's the bill. For those that haven't driven a NSX, GO DRIVE ONE and you will see what I mean.

Next Tuesday is the 996 C4 test drive.......can't wait.

turboman786

I think you'd have to be mad to spend 49k on an m3......they are great cars but certainly not 49k worth of great car.....for 49k Id expect a lot more than an m3.....30k tops for an m3......

FletchCSL

Interesting, i've driven both the NSX and M3, here are my thoughts. The biggest problem both had was the steering IMO, not sharp enough in the honda, too vague in the BMW. The M3 has arguably the better car with the better engine, is (fractionally) faster, more refined, more practical with a better interior, but for some reason if you only need two seats, dependant on which model year, i'd go for the NSX - its just feels so much more "special", can't explain it.

Mind you, try a CSL, never fails to put a smile on my face, i usually change cars every two years but can never see myself selling it. Feels like it was concieved for me!

wolfie28

Hello RAJ27 I agree with you. I took a test drive earlier this year in an M3 and was very dissapointed, couldn't understand how all the car mags and the media rave about them. Couple of weeks later took out a TVR T350C then a Tuscan R and they were fantastic. The Tuscan R just got the nod, totally intoxicating. Yes I know all about the reliability issues and depreciation but just try one and just be glad that a company has got the ***** to make a vehicle like this. If you don't need much space or long distance comfort I would go for the new Lotus Exige or Noble GTO 3R both excellent cars .

Wolfie.