Evo, E39 M5, E46 M3 or FD2?
- Thread starter ChrisD.
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As above, April 2003 - but this is a comprehensive list of changes anyway:
My aim was to get a subtle looking car on the outside (so not to attract too much attention) with a silly interior. A black/silver/blue car with a black interior will look very subtle on 18s (the 18s are better for ride quality and handling too apparently) - worlds apart from something like a Laguna Sega blue cabrio on 19s.
Based on your requirements i'd forget about an Evo.
Unless you are die hard, balls to the wall, and think comfort is overrated, an Evo + a 30 mile commute is a mistake.
The Evo X is easier to live with for both servicing costs and comfort, but is slightly out of your price range. Based on your requirements and the more suitable alternatives available, I couldn't recommend one.
Unless you are die hard, balls to the wall, and think comfort is overrated, an Evo + a 30 mile commute is a mistake.
The Evo X is easier to live with for both servicing costs and comfort, but is slightly out of your price range. Based on your requirements and the more suitable alternatives available, I couldn't recommend one.
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Nick, are you planning to extend the warranty once it runs out? Have you used it yet?
Carbon Black, same as my first one, epic colour.
Fox was right about the e46 build quality, that bonnet panel gap is horrendous
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
It ran out about a month ago
I never needed to use it. I thought about getting a WD warranty and discussed it in depth with a my friendly BMW Independent who recommended that I didn't bother with a warranty, but rather stash a bit of money under a mattress.
They see a lot of e46 M3s and have had only one VANOS failure (which is usually very rare in the e46 M3 - incorrect oil type used maybe?) and one SMG pump failure. Other than that the M3 generally doesn't really fail on unique things. It snaps rear coil springs like the rest of the e46 coupe range and the Rear Trailing Arm Bushes tend to need doing before 100,000 miles, but other than that it's a pretty solid car.
There are also so many of them about (and have been around since 2001) that even in the worst case, a replacement engine can be found on eBay for less than £2k.
Peak power is 7,900, redline is 8,000 (although the red line on the dial moves around with the temperature of the engine
)and the limiter kicks in around 8,100.
I've owned many BMW's and no one seems to have mentioned the appalling lack of rear leg room in the 3 series. This has been a problem since the creation of the 3 series.
I used to own a 540i Sport till a chav "borrowed" it. The E39 is so much more versatile than the 3 series, it just has so much more space and comfort.
M5 gets my vote. Also, I remember if you get a pre 2001 model you only pay £180 car tax, anything later you pay £450.
I used to own a 540i Sport till a chav "borrowed" it. The E39 is so much more versatile than the 3 series, it just has so much more space and comfort.
M5 gets my vote. Also, I remember if you get a pre 2001 model you only pay £180 car tax, anything later you pay £450.
Peak power is 7,900, redline is 8,000 (although the red line on the dial moves around with the temperature of the engine
Cheers, almost as high as my Teg, this I like.
Good point about the tax.
I'm not too fussed about room in the rear - you ever been in the back of a DC5?
Vanos failed on my first M3 at 42K ish which I am CONVINCED was because the garage did something during the service 2 where they take the top of the engine off and adjust stuff and few 100 miles after that out of the blue I got the dreaded rumble and a new Vanos under warranty.
Isn't it £190ish, and isn't that only on prefix style plates? It will be £215 on all e39 M5s. The new tax rate only kicks in on 2006 cars.
FWIW, the tax on my M3 is £215pa.
Also, you don't care about legroom when it's this pretty
:
One thing to note is that all e46 M3s have folding rear seats - whereas few (if any?) e39 M5s do. Try visiting Ikea in a BMW saloon which doesn't have folding rear seats and you will quickly re-assess your definition of a practical car.
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As is an Evo, but i'll keep quiet
It's 8,600 on my teg. Not many cars will have it that high.