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The_Dark_Side said:
having 2 less doors mean a lot less practicality.
Test drove an M3 today
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having 2 less doors mean a lot less practicality.
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to be truthful i didn't even realise the e46 M3 was available as a 4 door. i know the e36 was but i don't recall noticing a '46 4 door.divine_madness said:
FOX!!!???
Yeah - I think helpmeimcrap is thinking of the e36 M3. Which also came in 2 door and convertible.
Re the whole "is an M3 sensible" argument, it entirely depends on the angle you look at it.
If you take it as a high performance car, then, compared to many it would be considered reasonably sensible (in the same way the 996 and 997 911's can be called sensible).
If you take it as a 3 series, then it is so far from sensible it is unreal - huge running costs cripple it so far as it can never be called a "sensible" car for everyday use.
Re the whole "is an M3 sensible" argument, it entirely depends on the angle you look at it.
If you take it as a high performance car, then, compared to many it would be considered reasonably sensible (in the same way the 996 and 997 911's can be called sensible).
If you take it as a 3 series, then it is so far from sensible it is unreal - huge running costs cripple it so far as it can never be called a "sensible" car for everyday use.
Soldato
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its quite possible i might have got it wrong with the M3 door situation... i dont really know BMWs and one BMW looks much the same as another to me bar the E30 M3 which had flared arches etc and looked different to the rest of the range.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
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hasn't someone in here recently bought one of these? or was it a different Alpina?[TW]Fox said:
[TW]Fox said:I know but.. it was there to illustrate a point, the point being that there is more to whether a car is sensible than whether it has 5 seats and a spacious boot. I don't think you'd consider your Mustang or your CSL sensible, yet according to some in here, they are sensible cars purely by virtue of the fact they had a boot and 5 seats. I didn't intend it to get peoples backs up
It would seem that for some here, the Elise is the be all and end all of motoring, and anything that doesnt have a metal floor and windup windows is 'sensible'..
Hi there
Agreed neither the Mustang or CSL are sensible. In fact very few people use such cars as their daily drivers, apart from nutters like myself and Elliot.
The CSL is more sensible than the Mustang because smaller so easier to park. It uses less fuel, but not a huge amount less I must point out and obviously RHD has its advantages in places like carpark ticket machines and drive thrus etc.
When comparing sport cars a run of the mill M3 is a sensible sports car because it can seat 4 people, 5 at a push, is not bad on petrol, it easy to drive, does not cost a fortune to buy and running cost are OK plus reliability is good. Then in an M3 it will seat 4 in comfort, has mod cons such as aircon, cd player, electric windows etc. etc.
So amongst sports cars the M3 is a very sensible choice when pitched against Elises, Corvettes, S2000's, Z4's Nobles etc.
Its obviously not a sensible run of the mill car, for that you'd want something like a 320D Saloon/Estate or if you do have plenty of money and want something quick than the RS4 and M5 fit the bill but the running cost only make them sensible for people who can afford to run such cars on a daily basis.
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Why is the CSL so much less sensible than the normal M3?Gibbo said:
physically the same size. the CSL won't be THAT much more expensive to service or fuel will it? does the car ride THAT much harder than an ordinary M3?
The_Dark_Side said:
Hi there
In all honesty to myself I preferre the way the CSL rides.
To answer your questions, yes identical size, same servicing cost but parts last longer on CSL normally due to stronger parts. Fuelling wise the CSL is slightly better due to the weight saving and insurance via a specialist is normally cheaper on the CSL too. Ride quality wise yes the CSL is firmer but bit harsh or crashy. I preferre the seats in the CSL, very comfy but some people may dislike the hugging nature of them.
The only benefits I can see of the normal M3 are things like leather interior, navigation system and the fact they are a lot cheaper to buy in comparison.
So to me a CSL is no less sensible than an M3, in fact for me its the better choice because an M3 does not make me grin or feel that impressed. The CSL on the other hand has me grinning lots and feels quite a bit quicker too.
I think most people have taken the cardboard boot jokes, mega hard suspension and the high price tags as a major off put. Fact is the boot is not cardboard and the suspension is not hard/crashy, just firm. Yes they are expensive but unlike M3's they are no longer depreciating and in some cases are appreciating on good examples.
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I'm still in the bloody dark here. can you explain what the hell everyone means by carboard boot, or is it another "Clarkson-ism"Gibbo said:
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The_Dark_Side said:
I've had mine for 4 years this month, and I still don't know what that "cardboard boot" thing refers to!
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oi i was serious, lol.Tax Evader said:
this thing gets talked about everywhere, and as there are only 500 cars i haven't been able to check for myself.
So???
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The_Dark_Side said:
Haha
I was being serious too!
It's something JC said, in jest presumably. Gawd knows! All I know is the boot floor is the same as the regular E46 M3 as far as I remember from my previous M3.
And there was 422 in the UK - don't you go adding your own extra 78 cars as it'll lower values
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you can usually tell when he's over-egging the pudding, and i saw the episode where he drove the CSL and it certainly looked like he believed what he was saying.Tax Evader said:
i need to see Hovis and cardboard NOW! lol
The_Dark_Side said:
Hi there
Like Elliot says the boot floor is the same as a regular M3 ***I THINK*** but its certainly metal to the touch. The light part is the boot lid which is made out of plastic and can be purchased for any M3 at a cost of £1100 plus fitting and spraying.
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The_Dark_Side said:
Sorry, my own Hovis went out of date on 25th August 2003!
