E36 M3 Evo vs. Non

[TW]Fox;17574034 said:
Is it really?

This is the problem with giving you advice - you don't even know what you think, so how are we supposed to know? You constantly have contradicting ideas and give out mixed messages. You say a performance car is VERY important to you. I can get that - but only a few months ago you were saying...

These are not the words of somebody who thinks a performance car is really important them.

Infact to be honest they are the words of somebody who is so confused about whats really important to them, they dont even know themselves.
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This is before I came up with the current solution. Back then I was conflicted, I hadn't considered what I've come up with now, it was all compromise.

Morba said:
You want a 'performance' car but can't handle the fact you don't need one or can't justify one.
The sooner you realise which direction you need to go in the better.
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That isn't the case at all. Before I came up with this solution I was willing to sacrifice having a performance car for the money saved, but now I've figured out how to do both then winners all round and I know exactly which direction I want to go.

The conflict remaining is whether I should compromise on the more sensible option (DC2) or take the risk and get something a little more risky, but something I ultimately want more (Like the RX8 or the M3 for example).

Like I said earlier, the sensible me - my head if you like says get a DC2 - it'll 'do the job' just as good, its cheaper all round and carries little risk, they even hold their money well. My heart says that what is essentially a weekend/fun/occasional use car should be a bit more special.
 
naefeart said:
I'm sorry but 'saving money' and running 12+ year old M3s is ludicrous talk. This thread fails :(
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Not really, it isn't entirely obvious that an old M3 doing next to no mileage will cost more than running a Focus ST doing at least 10K a year.

In fact, factoring in fuel costs, tyres etc. I'd find it unlikely that an M3 would cost more unless you are unlucky and get one that needs something serious doing quite quickly. That is where my mention of risk comes from earlier.

To be honest though, that is what this thread is supposed to ascertain. As Paradigm (I think) mentioned earlier though, I don't see how the 3.0 is any more expensive than say a 328 sport, with the exception of the engine, especially when most automotive tasks are undertaken DIY (and those that aren't don't cost me anything in labour anyway :) )
 
So you are replacing a car that you do 10k in with a car that you will do next to no miles in?
How do you do the 10k miles then?
 
Morba said:
So you are replacing a car that you do 10k in with a car that you will do next to no miles in?
How do you do the 10k miles then?
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In the new 1.6 Focus it would seem. So obviously the Mondeo V6 did next to no miles. I dont know. Does he even know? I suspect not.
 
Yes, the ST did loads of miles, the Mondeo has probably done less than 1000 since I bought it.

So the 1.6 will now be doing the miles, and whatever I buy will be doing very few miles (although a few more than the Mondeo did, probably).

I'm perfectly aware of what is what, so I don't know why you keep suggesting that I don't.
 
You've had opinons including from someone who has actually owned one which wasn't a 5k nail. Despite this you seem to think you can: run an M3 on a shoe string budget, while doing next to no miles a year, while saving money and while dodging the 'risks' that the rest of us fall foul of.

I'm out.
 
merlin said:
God I hate that, it's so see-through.

At least MrLOL had the balls to come out and say it - he wanted to free up some cash and ironically he got the whole forum telling him to buy a shed to sort his finances out.

Then there's Rilot who lost his job and openly came and told us he'd fallen from grace - he got nothing but support & now he's back on his feet.
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I'm pleased to report the Volvo is still going well.

I taxed it recently for 12 months - which saved a further £200 over what the VXR would have cost to tax. I put a set of 17" tyres on the front, which cost £120 less than the 19" ones on the VXR would have. I've done about 10,000 miles averaging about 5mpg more and so far all i've spent on the Volvo is:

£30 for a new Track Rod End
£40 to get the tracking re-done after replacing said track rod end. (would have done this on the Vectra anyway, so thats not cost extra over the vectra)

And some oil and petrol. Thats it !

I've also avoided paying for the Vectra's Big 4th year service where the plugs are replaced which cost £350 +. Volvo has just had its big 4 year service which changed cambelt, fuel filter, air filter, oil filter, cabin filter, spark plugs etc.. 3 months before i bought it. Next big one isnt due for another 3 years or 90,000 miles.

And of course i've still got the £2k change i got when i sold it.
 
MikeHiow said:
I don't see how the 3.0 is any more expensive than say a 328 sport, with the exception of the engine, especially when most automotive tasks are undertaken DIY (and those that aren't don't cost me anything in labour anyway :) )
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Its a lot more tbh, as an example, check out the cost of an e36 M3 exhaust compared with that for an e36 328i.....
 
MikeHiow said:
Not really, it isn't entirely obvious that an old M3 doing next to no mileage will cost more than running a Focus ST doing at least 10K a year.

In fact, factoring in fuel costs, tyres etc. I'd find it unlikely that an M3 would cost more unless you are unlucky and get one that needs something serious doing quite quickly. That is where my mention of risk comes from earlier.

To be honest though, that is what this thread is supposed to ascertain. As Paradigm (I think) mentioned earlier though, I don't see how the 3.0 is any more expensive than say a 328 sport, with the exception of the engine, especially when most automotive tasks are undertaken DIY (and those that aren't don't cost me anything in labour anyway :) )
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No milage M3 costs less than 10k/yr focus to run when you factor in fuel !?!? Really? It can't be true!
 
naefeart said:
You've had opinons including from someone who has actually owned one which wasn't a 5k nail. Despite this you seem to think you can: run an M3 on a shoe string budget, while doing next to no miles a year, while saving money and while dodging the 'risks' that the rest of us fall foul of.

I'm out.
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I'm not saying I can dodge the risks, I openly said that if I was being sensible, I wouldn't take the risk.

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Its a lot more tbh, as an example, check out the cost of an e36 M3 exhaust compared with that for an e36 328i.....
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What are the chances of the exhaust needing doing if I ensure I do not buy a nail? This is what I'm talking about, apart from the engine, any likely/common issues don't seem like they'd cost any more than say a 328 once you remove the dealer 'M' premium from the equation. The same goes for servicing.

Simon said:
No milage M3 costs less than 10k/yr focus to run when you factor in fuel !?!? Really? It can't be true!
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Well yes, its pretty obvious, hence why I explained it, as people were saying I was stupid thinking an M3 would cost less to run than my ST - which given its use, it probably would.

Can I just clarify that I'm not saying I'm going to buy an M3, I was asking here for the very reason of finding out whether it is viable within my requirements.
 
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MikeHiow said:
What are the chances of the exhaust needing doing if I ensure I do not buy a nail?
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Who knows? They are ancient, it isnt beyond the realms of possibility that it might need an exhuast.


The same goes for servicing.
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Load of rubbish - the 328i does not need valve clearances adjusting at Inspection services, the M3 does. This is why servicing is so expensive on the E36 M3 Evo and the E46 M3. It's quite a complex and time consuming task. No match for your hero DIY skills, obviously, but it's complete rubbish to say servicing is the same as a 328i because it just isnt!
 
Aren't the valve clearances only every 30k or something? (Inspection 2?) I find it hard to believe that they need doing every service. Despite that, checking valve clearances is what? a few hours work, with a few more hours if they actually need shimming?
 
No, its every Inspection service.

One of the BMW main dealer offers hugely competitive M Power servicing at prices that even many independants cant beat. I know you wont take it to a dealer so consider this example information from a relativity point of view rather than what it would cost you, but..

E36 M3 Inspection I £550 (328i = £244)

E36 M3 Inspection II £750 (328i = £285)

E39 M5 Inspection I £300

E39 M5 Inspection II £500

E46 M3 Inspection I £600

E46 M3 Inspection II £800

Costs are inclusive of labour,parts,oil and VAT.

See? Even an M5 doesnt cost as much to service. M3's are comparatively very expensive and irriating cars to service. In some cases the service is almost twice that of an M5 - a car itself not known for servicing cheapness.

I've added in the same dealers value service costs for an E36 328i, as well. Just for comparison purposes..
 
After doing a bit of searching, it seems that whilst its a good idea to check valve clearances at every inspection interval, the chances of them actually being out are very unlikely.

Personally, I don't see that as much of an issue, and looking at the process its even easier than I first thought. I wouldn't be too fussed event if they did need adjusting every service tbh.

That isn't to say I'm going to run out and buy one, and if I did I'd probably still opt for the 3 Litre which would allow me to get a better example of the car for my money, and offer that little extra reliability. Insurance is still significantly more than other possibilities, though.
 
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