M3 Mid term report
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From: sideways with an OWL!
M3 Mid term report
Mid term report 1 year in.
In a year I've done just under 20,000 miles, 3 track days and a trip to the nurburgring. I've only used 1 set of tyres, 1 set of front pads and a lot of fuel, but can get up to 36mpg if I try. And as low as 8mpg. It's required 1 service (an oil service) but has reqired a few warranty jobs:
power steering pump, horn, rear trailing arm bushes, exhaust centre section due to crack in join to the hanger. The exhaust on its own is nearly 1k as it's stainless steel as standard. The BMW Used car warranty it came with doesn't have an excess so was probably worth the extra 2k buying from a dealer. And any things that are an MOT failure are rectified free too.
THe only things I've had to pay for is the bushes and a cracked front headlight glass.
Despite the above, the only noticeable problem was the power steering pump which made the steering a bit heavy at very slow speeds so nothing major. I'm doing 500 miles a week commuting at the moment and I'm so glad I have the M3 to do it in, rather than the S2000. It's so comfy, quiet and the power when you want to unleash is excellent.
Whether it's on wedding duties, cruising across europe, stuck in yet another traffic jam on the M6 or hurtling around the nurburgring it takes it all in its stride. This is by far the biggest car I've ever owned and having 5 seats (all of which have 3 point belts) and tons of boot space makes it very very practical. OK i have a slightly warped definition of practical but compare it to a metro, clio, Mr2 Roadster and an S2000 and you get the idea.
Right now I have a bunch of bills to pay, but the tax was less than I thought at 215, not the over 400 I feared due to it being manufactured before 2006, the insurance is less than the S2000 although when you add the tracker subscription it's about the same, and whilst the servicing costs more, it has to be done much less often. And now I've found a dealer I'm happy with. MOT is happening tomorrow and servicing is due in about 2000 miles. Also a 2 yearly brake fluid change is due.
On the road I don't get as much hate from other users as I expected. Maybe it's because I use my indicators, or maybe they appreciate the car. But I do find people get out of my way when pressing on, and I can make much better overtaking progress, which in no small part is down to the large amount of extra grunt the car has.
For my circumstances right now, the car is nigh on perfect, a one car solution that's slightly less track biased, and makes the commute a much more civilised prospect.
When people say that you should own at least 1 //M car in your life, I have to say I heartily agree. However my next M car is going to be the X6 M. Just to piss people off.
Sounds like a perfect tow car. 
Comfort - 5/5
Practicality - 4/5 (a saloon version would get 5)
Running Costs - 4/5
Handling - 4/5 (5 if you only use it on road)
Overall - 4.5/5
In a year I've done just under 20,000 miles, 3 track days and a trip to the nurburgring. I've only used 1 set of tyres, 1 set of front pads and a lot of fuel, but can get up to 36mpg if I try. And as low as 8mpg. It's required 1 service (an oil service) but has reqired a few warranty jobs:
power steering pump, horn, rear trailing arm bushes, exhaust centre section due to crack in join to the hanger. The exhaust on its own is nearly 1k as it's stainless steel as standard. The BMW Used car warranty it came with doesn't have an excess so was probably worth the extra 2k buying from a dealer. And any things that are an MOT failure are rectified free too.
THe only things I've had to pay for is the bushes and a cracked front headlight glass.
Despite the above, the only noticeable problem was the power steering pump which made the steering a bit heavy at very slow speeds so nothing major. I'm doing 500 miles a week commuting at the moment and I'm so glad I have the M3 to do it in, rather than the S2000. It's so comfy, quiet and the power when you want to unleash is excellent.
Whether it's on wedding duties, cruising across europe, stuck in yet another traffic jam on the M6 or hurtling around the nurburgring it takes it all in its stride. This is by far the biggest car I've ever owned and having 5 seats (all of which have 3 point belts) and tons of boot space makes it very very practical. OK i have a slightly warped definition of practical but compare it to a metro, clio, Mr2 Roadster and an S2000 and you get the idea.
Right now I have a bunch of bills to pay, but the tax was less than I thought at 215, not the over 400 I feared due to it being manufactured before 2006, the insurance is less than the S2000 although when you add the tracker subscription it's about the same, and whilst the servicing costs more, it has to be done much less often. And now I've found a dealer I'm happy with. MOT is happening tomorrow and servicing is due in about 2000 miles. Also a 2 yearly brake fluid change is due.
On the road I don't get as much hate from other users as I expected. Maybe it's because I use my indicators, or maybe they appreciate the car. But I do find people get out of my way when pressing on, and I can make much better overtaking progress, which in no small part is down to the large amount of extra grunt the car has.
For my circumstances right now, the car is nigh on perfect, a one car solution that's slightly less track biased, and makes the commute a much more civilised prospect.
When people say that you should own at least 1 //M car in your life, I have to say I heartily agree. However my next M car is going to be the X6 M. Just to piss people off.
Sounds like a perfect tow car. Comfort - 5/5
Practicality - 4/5 (a saloon version would get 5)
Running Costs - 4/5
Handling - 4/5 (5 if you only use it on road)
Overall - 4.5/5
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
Interesting report. I like the 8MPG bit...
The Civic has a similar PAS problem. I blip the throttle when maneouvering instead...
I think BMW-rage is very colour- as well as indicator-dependent. Don't buy a red one!
The Civic has a similar PAS problem. I blip the throttle when maneouvering instead...
I think BMW-rage is very colour- as well as indicator-dependent. Don't buy a red one!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,541
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From: omnipresent
Got to agree with most of what you are saying - a lot of similarities with the M5. 
I have been contemplating selling mine, as it doesn't get used much, I have gone down the track car route and I really need to sort out a proper tow car, however I am always drawn back to the following;
- Even in the traffic dense roads I can still makie progress quicker than in lesser cars
- It can tow the track car easily. The towbar is also invisible.
- It can house the family comfortably.
- It is extremely safe with airbags all round.
- I wouldn't get much on resale therefore what is the point of getting rid
I may end up with 2 V8's on the drive soon - balls to it.
I have been contemplating selling mine, as it doesn't get used much, I have gone down the track car route and I really need to sort out a proper tow car, however I am always drawn back to the following;
- Even in the traffic dense roads I can still makie progress quicker than in lesser cars
- It can tow the track car easily. The towbar is also invisible.
- It can house the family comfortably.
- It is extremely safe with airbags all round.
- I wouldn't get much on resale therefore what is the point of getting rid
I may end up with 2 V8's on the drive soon - balls to it.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 33,838
Likes: 23
From: Sunshine Coast - England UK
CSL wheels really set it off, and you got the best colour.
Is it a bit soft on track? Ie set of brakes and suspension would really finish it off? I've heard of the brakes being well under par for hard work.
Is it a bit soft on track? Ie set of brakes and suspension would really finish it off? I've heard of the brakes being well under par for hard work.