30K and a new car

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for a while know ive been contemplating getting a new car, it will most likely be second hand and needs to be relatively new,currently im driving an E46 325ci on a 51 plate with 28,000 miles on it looking to get 12k for it.Im after something fast fun but good to drive as i do a lot of motorways this is what ive come up with from auto trader:

2001 BMW M3 M3 2dr Coupe,

38,000 miles, SMG, 01/51 1st Registered 30/10/2001, Seca Blue. Grey Leather, Xenon Lights, Electric Lumbar Seats, 6 CD,Cruise, Rear PDC, 2 Owners, FULL BMW WARRANTY INCLUDING RECOVERY UNTIL 30/12/2006, Full BMW Service History, Not due Service for 6k, . Lovely Condition. £20,950. respec Ltd


02 Reg MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS SL 500 2dr Auto LHD

2 Doors, Automatic, Convertible, Petrol, Metallic Silver. Black Leather Sports Seats, Xenon headlights, Sat Nav Command, Linguatronic, Exclusive Nappa Leather, Heated seats, Electric Memory Seats, Keyless Go, AMG Alloys, Front and Rear Parktronic, Full Main Dealer Service History, CD6, Climate Control, Multi function steering wheel.Insurance Group:20, Distronic, 36,000 Miles, 'All Usual Dealer Facilties' £32,995

2003 53 Reg BMW 545i SE4 Doors,

Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 81,081 miles, Grey. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Driver airbag, Electric windows, Electrically adjustable seats, Front armrest, Leather seats, Park distance control, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Radio/CD, Side airbags, Traction control.Insurance Group:19, ALL CARS HPI CHECKED, PART EXCHANGE 22,995


And if i ignore all my requirements and convince the girl friend possibly...

1996 Aston Martin DB7 3.20 COUPE.,

2 Doors, Automatic, Coupe, Petrol, 24,300 miles, Dark Metalic Green, 2 Owner(s), N Reg, 2 Electric Windows, Air Conditioning, Alarm, Alloy Wheels, Anti-Lock Braking System, Catalyst, CD 6 Disk Autochanger, Central Locking, Climate Control, Electric Aerial, Electric Mirrors, Electric Windows, Front Armrest, Full Leather Dash board, Full Manufacturers Service History, Heated Front Seats, Leather Upholstery, Metallic Paint, Power Assisted Steering, Sports exhaust, Stereo, Traction Control System. DARK METALIC GREEN WITH BIEGE LEATHER.BLACK LEATHER TOP ROLL DASH.MESH GRILLE.ASTON AND CHILTERN SERVICE HISTORY,LOW MILEAGE.WOOD WHEEL ALESSI ALLOYS.SPORT EXHAUST. PUSH BUTTON START.VERY LOW MILEAGE. £29,989.


Fuel prices shouldnt be a big problem as my company pays 0.48 pence per mile but suggestions and thoughts welcome

im really leaning towards the M3 purely for the speed and colour but i think it might be the 5 series after all it still has a 4.4 V8
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size isnt a big factor, i take a small holdall with me whereever i go thats about it , the only passengers would be the gf or one or two work mates but it isnt really that big an issue

Edit: yep the M3 really looks good , cant decide over the 5er or the M3 the gf loves the SL for obvious reasons and i really like its looks , the only merc i do like i just cant decide! someone tell me why the rest are crap and the M3 wins!

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m3 it is then ill arange a test drive with my dealer tomorrow and then see what he has to offer on approved used cars. will write up a full test drive report tomorrow

 

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managed to arange test drive with my local BMW dealer, will be popping in at about 2 to take it for a spin. its a M3 3.2 with the SMG . should be good fun. lucky they it in as it was going of to another dealer tomorrow

 

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well ive just managed to drive back from my test drive and heres what i thought

M3 = x 100000000000

Well it was 1:36 precisely (I think). I took my car out of the garage and proceeded to the BMW dealer, thought id leave a little early to browse the forecourt. i arrived and had a good look around I saw several M3's mostly around the 25-32k mark in various colours. Im not too keen on the STD alloys on the M3 now that ive seen it with CSL rims. This could be my first mod the M3. i was greeted by Paul who took me inside and gave me a cup of tea and some brochures to look through. He returned with a set of keys in his hands and we both wondered out to the forecourt where the silver M3 awaited.

we proceeded to the car and i sat in. my first impressions where that the seeks really did hug you and they where a lot more supportive then the sports seats in my 325ci. They where in black nappa leather I believe. the car felt almost the same as a normal 3 series apart from the seats and the chunky steering wheel.

i started the engine and it sounded wonderful. it sounded a lot like my 325 just much deeper and more gurglier lol i pulled away and i have to admit the car was very smooth at slow speeds.

i drove along the dual carriage way overtaking on several occasions and the car is just effortlessly pulls away. i was expecting it to be quite throaty and make a big fuss like the 545 i test drove but it was very smooth and took the whole situation very well.

as i came off the dual carriage way i went onto an A road down the Northampton and i must say Paul was very nice and gave me the permission to "give it some welly" in his own words. the engine is just unbelievable from a 3.2 straight six the speed that it throws out is utterly sumptuous! the car is very rigid and stiff around the bends and the car feels like it has immense amounts of grip.

my only gripe with the car is that at times the ride can be quite hard and going over bumps requires some patients but then i expected this in a performance car. i cant really nit pick with the car as all in all it was a fabulous car. the only other problem was that i thought the SMG was a bit of a gimmick and a manual would have been far more manly!

i think the M3 has just won me over

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Sounds like a good'un.. i'll take your spelling as an indication of your excitement in that you were so you couldnt type.

sorry i was getting changed while typing ill run it through word in a bit

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