Would I be a complete idiot if...?

crinkleshoes

crinkleshoes

crinkleshoes

Permabanned
Joined
9 Jun 2009
Posts
11,924
Location
London, McLaren or Radical
I think the answer is a clear and plain yes, however the car-brain within is trying to beat the common-sense brain to a pulp in a crazed manner.

I have been looking at getting an E92 M3 Coupe from around 2012 over here... I would be looking to spend about 50-55k euros. They're a touch more pricey than they are in the UK.

I was poking around some second hand websites and stumbled across a few... Ferrari 360 Modena (& Spider) in the same price range from MY00-03 with 45-65k km on the clock.

This seems to be noticeably cheaper than the UK and it's not just one dodgy dealer with a few cars going at this price, it appears to be the going rate.

I have always, since I was a little kid, wanted a Ferrari... starting with the 360 & then onto the F430/458/F12



I'll head on over to pistonheads shortly... Does anyone have much of an idea of the running costs of these? How likely to go pop (engine rebuild is the most likely high expense, I assume)?



Also considering 2012 Cayman S / 2009-2010 997 C2S / Corvette Z06

V8 Vantages are also in this price range, but I have compared them to E92 M3 and prefer the M3
 
Last edited:
All of the cars you've mentioned I would buy over an E92 M3 any day. Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a great car, but at the end of the day it's not half as special as an Aston or Ferrari. Plus, I'd rather spend a fortune running a Ferrari than a small fortune running a very nice 3 series :p
 
I've driven the 360, the M3 and the V8 Vantage so here's my opinion.

360 - overrated. biggest driving disappointment I've had in a long while. The flappy paddle gearbox version is horrendous, even worse than the Audi R8 one.
M3 - practical but bland looking and even blander interior but a fantastic car to drive, one of my favourite modern cars. If my driving involved more than pottering around in the city I'd buy one in a heartbeat
Aston Vantage V8 - best of the lot in my opinion (but quite a lot more expensive to boot). Only real criticism is that it's a little bit gimmicky (rev counter going the opposite way, funny door handles and handbrake is annoying as you have to step over it on your way out)
 
eidolon said:
I've driven the 360, the M3 and the V8 Vantage so here's my opinion.

360 - overrated. biggest driving disappointment I've had in a long while. The flappy paddle gearbox version is horrendous, even worse than the Audi R8 one.
M3 - practical but bland looking and even blander interior but a fantastic car to drive, one of my favourite modern cars. If my driving involved more than pottering around in the city I'd buy one in a heartbeat
Aston Vantage V8 - best of the lot in my opinion (but quite a lot more expensive to boot). Only real criticism is that it's a little bit gimmicky (rev counter going the opposite way, funny door handles and handbrake is annoying as you have to step over it on your way out)
Click to expand...
Huh doesn't the handbrake go back down like on the db9
 
Compromise and buy a 2009 M3 instead. It's the same car as a 2012 M3. The extra money gets you absolutely nothing over a 2009 bar different back lights.
 
acemastr said:
I'll be in the minority... do it!

Imagine the sound and presence of a 360 driving around...
Click to expand...

geekman said:
All of the cars you've mentioned I would buy over an E92 M3 any day. Don't get me wrong, the M3 is a great car, but at the end of the day it's not half as special as an Aston or Ferrari. Plus, I'd rather spend a fortune running a Ferrari than a small fortune running a very nice 3 series :p
Click to expand...

I am sorely tempted by the Ferrari... I am in the position where I think I can afford the running costs (without any major mechanical failures) without it having a noticeable effect on my standard of living. Ferrari soundtracks are my favourite.

eidolon said:
I've driven the 360, the M3 and the V8 Vantage so here's my opinion.

360 - overrated. biggest driving disappointment I've had in a long while. The flappy paddle gearbox version is horrendous, even worse than the Audi R8 one.
M3 - practical but bland looking and even blander interior but a fantastic car to drive, one of my favourite modern cars. If my driving involved more than pottering around in the city I'd buy one in a heartbeat
Aston Vantage V8 - best of the lot in my opinion (but quite a lot more expensive to boot). Only real criticism is that it's a little bit gimmicky (rev counter going the opposite way, funny door handles and handbrake is annoying as you have to step over it on your way out)
Click to expand...

360 - I hear mixed reviews of the driving experience... some rate it and others don't - I guess I would need to get my hands behind the wheel and figure it out for myself - but it sounds as though you like the M3 for the same reasons as me. It's a dream car, I've found one with a 1 year dealer-based warranty, claiming to be extendable too... I wonder if I could live with it for 1-2 years and then part-ex it for something else without having to worry about an engine exploding on me. I've heard about the flappy paddles... 2/3 of the cars I've seen are manual thankfully and that gated shifter looks quite nice.

M3 - First time I drove one was on a track (actually an OcUK Palmersport meet) and I've been on track with one again at Brands Hatch... The way it handles itself on a track is cracking fun and at the push of a button you can switch it over to comfy 3-series... I really like that about them & that high-revving NA 4L V8 is something special. I've craved owning one of these since my first experience in one.

V8 Vantage - for this I would be going back to a 2006-ish model for the same money as the others. I've tested one, I found it quite underwhelming... it doesn't feel like it has the power it does although the ride is pleasant and you can have some fun in it, for sure. It just doesn't wow me like I thought it would... I would have a newer M3 over even a same aged V8 Vantage even if they were the same price... Perhaps ones of the reasons I'm less fond of it is I've sampled Aston V12s. If I had an Aston, it would have to be a V12 and they seem rare over here - even outside of my price bracket.

jamoor said:
Huh doesn't the handbrake go back down like on the db9
Click to expand...

Had that in my XKR... it was on the door-side but dropped back down after engaging so never really got in the way.
 
[TW]Fox;27583760 said:
Compromise and buy a 2009 M3 instead. It's the same car as a 2012 M3. The extra money gets you absolutely nothing over a 2009 bar different back lights.
Click to expand...

The prices on the used vehicles don't fluctuate much from 2009-2011 except with km.

I have just found, for 49500 Euros a March 2013 M3 Coupe with competition pack, 12 month main-dealer (extendable) warranty, 11,300km, my favourite colour and the following spec (translated from French):

Exterior: Blue (special paint)
Interior: Semi Leather Anthracite Speed

Vehicle configuration:

Pack Competition
Dynamic control of dampers
Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic

Adaptive Directional Lights
Pedestrians Active Protection
Start & Stop Auto
Brake Energy regenration
EDC
Retro Int. anti éblouissment auto.
Airbag head
Rain sensor
Xenon lights
Daytime Running Lights

Titan Shadow interior
Automatic air
Comfort access
Electric Memory Seats
Heated front seats

Cruise Control
PDC Rear

Bord computer
Harman Kardon
Professional GPS
USB / Audio Interface

etc ...
Click to expand...

Fav colour, good spec, good mileage and BMW warranty... I think I may have just found my new car... sorry Ferrari :(
 
[TW]Fox;27583825 said:
How much?
Click to expand...

49.5k Euros

about £37k at the current exchange rate



These seem to hold a slightly higher value than the equivalent UK model from quick searches on piston heads. Although the one above seems a good deal anywhere...

Bare in mind, at another main dealer (the one that was my last "favourite" in the area) is asking 53k Euro for white May 2011 with 22k km and the following spec:

Exterior and Chassis

park help
Inside

privacy glass
CD audio system
front center armrest
USB audio input
DVD
heated seats
GPS
Security

Hands-free Bluetooth phone kit
Lock

anti-theft wheel bolts
Other

combox
BMW ConnectedDrive telematics services
light alloy wheels 19 "double-spoke style 220 my
a gearbox with Drivelogic double-clutch m
smoking kit
auto call. Maintenance of the vehicle if necessary
bmw assist
directional headlamps
teleservices: diagnostics via such. the vehicle
omission acronym
Warning triangle and first aid kit
storage kit
m drive
decorative aluminum inserts shadow
bmw online
Information enlarged bmw online
pack exterior mirrors
automatic lights and wipers
voice command
ski bag
Click to expand...

So pretty much base spec...




There aren't that many available from dealers here... there are quite a few private though.
 
Last edited:
Maccy said:
That's the equivalent of just over £37k!
Click to expand...

Most cars tend to be a lot more expensive over here - there's a garage local to me selling a battered, poverty spec E90 320D for €13k and a friend of mine recently bought a knackered Peugeot people carrier that you'd struggle to get £2k for in England for €5k
 
The belts need to be done on a 360 every 20k kilometers or so costing about 2K.

Oil change and general service once a year is less than 500 quid.

Generally those are the main expenses. The expensive stuff will be a clutch or suspension costing 2-3k each.

Generally if u can get your hands on a good one there won't be too many problems.

If u are intending on using the Ferrari as a Sunday car expenses will be reasonable but if u want to put lots mileage on the car running costs may get high.

360 is not really a sought after Ferrari, the F430 was a big improvement on the 360 and will hold its value better.

Also the belts don't need to be done on an F430 until every 100k kilometers.

People either love or hate the 360, u should just drive one first before making up your mind as there have been a lot of mixed feed back on the car.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the tips.

I would prefer not to spend more than 6k/year on it, although would have more to dip into if need be.

So those costs sound reasonable and within budget for anticipated mileage :)

It wouldn't be a sunday-only car, but it wouldn't get a massive amount of use either. Perhaps 8-10,000 km per year.

My 320d will be going strong as a workhorse for a good few years yet and I plan to run him until it's no longer economical.

I think I'll have to drive one and make my mind up... although that 11k 2013 M3 seems like a (relative) bargain... and almost the exact spec I would choose if buying new.
 
crinkleshoes said:
I would prefer not to spend more than 6k/year on it, although would have more to dip into if need be.
Click to expand...

You will do - you are buying the last of a previous generation car that came out in 2007 as an M3 and 2005 as a regular 3 Series so the depreciation from £40,000 will be reasonably savage and almost certainly exceed your 6k a year budge.t

As the cars age the value difference between years compresses, look at the E46 M3 now where there is only a few grand difference between a 2003 and say a 2005.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom