The old M3

[staffsMike]

Originally Posted by Ben_

Indeed, an very very cool little car.

About as practical as chocolate kettle though. It is no more

I actually am trying to get one said m3s in the CSL guise.

Much about your driving history becomes clear

M3.. bit a twonks car isn't it? Nah that's kool I'd love to have a blast in one.

[Ben_]

Originally Posted by hitman67

I was a Chav when I was younger I'll admit it.

It left the factory with (IIRC) 150bhp, but was sent back by the owner before me and had:

- Full S3 Bodykit and Badges *cringes*
- Remap to S3 Performance levels.

Was actually a stunning car, and about £200 dearer to insure than an S3 because it was a "modded" car and not a standard one, but I got it for about £1000 cheaper than any S3 around at the time so that worked out for the better.

God it taught me how to drive though!

Theres nowt wrong with doing a car up as long as the engine follows suit imo.

[staffsMike]

True but wouldn't the leon have made more sense? Cupra or cupra R I know it's FWD but honestly I don't think there was much between them in the review.

[Ben_]

Originally Posted by staffsMike

Much about your driving history becomes clear

M3.. bit a twonks car isn't it? Nah that's kool I'd love to have a blast in one.

Until you have been in a CSL you dont know what kind of silly noise they make. Its awesome. Also very quick

[staffsMike]

I do love the sound of a good old straight 6 but ever since I was overtaken by a Ferrari 360 CS I can't help but think that is the greatest sound a car can make, topping my old favourite the metro 6r4

[hitman67]

Originally Posted by Ben_

Theres nowt wrong with doing a car up as long as the engine follows suit imo.

I didn't do it, Just bought it like that as I was amazed I could stretch my budget to a 200bhp+ Car! Still miss it but unfortunatley time moved on and it had a bit of a drinking problem!

[stevie lee]

Originally Posted by staffsMike

I do love the sound of a good old straight 6 but ever since I was overtaken by a Ferrari 360 CS I can't help but think that is the greatest sound a car can make, topping my old favourite the metro 6r4

whats your opinion on the 'new ferrari then'...

Ferrari California - turn speakers on first..

is this better sounding.

[schmunk]

Originally Posted by Ben_

You make me laugh, giving it the big one about where you live..I could say that the guy across the way in my Gated private estate in London has a Lambo, and next to him has two cerbs,and next to him has a proper range rover, not the jumped up new money equivilent.. But it would get me nowhere.

But you said it anyway

[staffsMike]

Originally Posted by stevie lee

whats your opinion on the 'new ferrari then'...

Ferrari California - turn speakers on first..

is this better sounding.

DAMN!! that is a sweet sounding engine, but there was something slightly more magical about the CS lol.

I don't like the upshifting sound either, I know it's quicker and better etc.. but i'd prefer the human touch with a manual (which i know the CS doesn't have either )

Oh and just in case
YouTube - Sound of the Metro 6R4

[Rave]

While driving a bus round Croydon/ South London for 18 months I saw a lot of E46 M3s and they were indeed almost all driven by yuppies or young dodgy looking geezers. In fairness I can't remember being cut up by one, but I saw plenty doing the Standard Urban Fast Car 0-40 sprint and IMO, when doing that, the M3's engine sounds like a bag of bolts in a washing machine. I've heard 1.2 Clios with silly exhausts that sounded better.

I'd still love to own one, but I can't understand the mentality of someone who buys a highly tuned NA performance car to drive around town/ commute in. In the suburban environment a turbo hot hatch would be quicker, nippier and far more frugal. Still, no worse than a v8 Range Rover/X5 I suppose, and I saw loads of those too.

[Shad]

Speaking of frugal... I've just had 35mpg from the last tank of fuel in my Caterham. And it still gets to 60 in about 4.5 seconds

I'd keep my 7 over an M3 no matter how much the image of an M3 improves... it's a whole different world of performance

CSL on the other hand... that's a cool car. Weight saving in the right places, great engine, subtle styling - would probably have one in the perfect garage.

[Ben_]

Originally Posted by Rave

While driving a bus round Croydon/ South London for 18 months I saw a lot of E46 M3s and they were indeed almost all driven by yuppies or young dodgy looking geezers. In fairness I can't remember being cut up by one, but I saw plenty doing the Standard Urban Fast Car 0-40 sprint and IMO, when doing that, the M3's engine sounds like a bag of bolts in a washing machine. I've heard 1.2 Clios with silly exhausts that sounded better.

I'd still love to own one, but I can't understand the mentality of someone who buys a highly tuned NA performance car to drive around town/ commute in. In the suburban environment a turbo hot hatch would be quicker, nippier and far more frugal. Still, no worse than a v8 Range Rover/X5 I suppose, and I saw loads of those too.

As you say its very pointless, but I think the answer to that is simply.. because some people can afford to live in London and drive a ferrari to work.

Still, many people like this attend trackdays, a LOT of people on pistonheads are very wealthy and many of them own cars as listed and live in town.

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by Rave

.....

I'd still love to own one, but I can't understand the mentality of someone who buys a highly tuned NA performance car to drive around town/ commute in. In the suburban environment a turbo hot hatch would be quicker, nippier and far more frugal. Still, no worse than a v8 Range Rover/X5 I suppose, and I saw loads of those too.

With all due respect, Rave, if you're buying an M3, frugality isn't uppermost on your criteria list. Also if you're buying an M3, you're after a different type of car to a hot hatch .... and hot hatches have an image problem and driver-type association all of their own.

As for what is quicker or nippier, well I guess it depends on what hot hatch.

But one of the things about an M3 is that it can be perfectly acceptable as an around-town drive-to-the-supermarket type car, but it also provides an element of performance. It's versatile, very easy-going and forgiving if you're not pushing it hard, but has the oompf when you need it. Frankly, IMHO, it's as fast as a road car ever needs to be an anything more than that (and probably anything more than a fair bit less than that) is just automotive willy-waving. So personally, I couldn't give a hoot whether an M3 or a hot hatch is faster or nippier, because if you're driving either an M3 or a hot hatch fast enough for any difference to matter around town or commuting, you're a raving nutter.

Also, consider that some people may well use an M3 in an urban environment at some times, or commute in, but that doesn't mean they're in an urban environment or commuting all the time. It's a versatile car.

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by Shad

Speaking of frugal... I've just had 35mpg from the last tank of fuel in my Caterham. And it still gets to 60 in about 4.5 seconds

I'd keep my 7 over an M3 no matter how much the image of an M3 improves... it's a whole different world of performance

CSL on the other hand... that's a cool car. Weight saving in the right places, great engine, subtle styling - would probably have one in the perfect garage.

I get about 28-30 mpg from the M3 knocking about town, and about 38mpg on a motorway run. And I can easily use it for the supermarket run, get the wife a two friends in it if we go out for a meal, drive long distances in comfort, listen to the stereo in relative quiet, cruise down the autobahn at 140 (or more), and visit clients and look both professional and successful.

It may be a whole different world of performance, but it's a whole different type of car too .... and not aimed at the same type of driver or the same type of use. No way would I consider the Caterham as an everyday car. On the other hand, I wouldn't change the M3 for a CSL either.

[Shad]

Originally Posted by Saracen

No way would I consider the Caterham as an everyday car.

Neither would I!!

But I'd also get quite bored and frustraited with an M3 if had to use one every day. Different mind-set.

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by Shad

Neither would I!!

But I'd also get quite bored and frustraited with an M3 if had to use one every day. Different mind-set.

Indeed, it's mindset. I've been using an M3 for an everyday car for a decade or more, and the reason is I can't think of a car I'd rather be using. But that's just me.