Time for a Change
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 25,566
Likes: 2
From: Heart of England
Originally Posted by Blurter' timestamp='1313945871' post='20899120
After looking at what alternatives were available for about £40k, I narrowed it down to 3 cars that I liked and would consider owning -
AMV8V
Jag XKR 4.2 Coupe
E92 M3 Coupe .
AMV8V
Jag XKR 4.2 Coupe
E92 M3 Coupe .
My old 4.7 roadster has now been reduced
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3125307.htm
I loved that car, getting bored waiting for the replacement now
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 11,504
Likes: 241
From: Sunny Norf*ck
oddly enough - three of my friends own an E92 M3, a V8V and a 360 Spyder.
The M3 was bought because it needed to fit a road bike in the boot. It wouldn't in the V8V, and it was a faff in the Jag. It's a ridiculous car with huge power, huge speed and at the same time the ability to be a 3-series; comfortable, well handling and mild quiet. Definately the best of both worlds - but - it lacks the emotional drama of the V8V or the 360. it IS, however, the fastest of the three.
The V8V - My friend bought it "because it's so pretty". Suffice to say he has NO mechanical inclination whatsoever, and the first time he put his foot down, "the noise scared [him]"
It's a prettier, less practical M3, with similar running costs but probably slower depreciacion.
The M3 was bought because it needed to fit a road bike in the boot. It wouldn't in the V8V, and it was a faff in the Jag. It's a ridiculous car with huge power, huge speed and at the same time the ability to be a 3-series; comfortable, well handling and mild quiet. Definately the best of both worlds - but - it lacks the emotional drama of the V8V or the 360. it IS, however, the fastest of the three.
The V8V - My friend bought it "because it's so pretty". Suffice to say he has NO mechanical inclination whatsoever, and the first time he put his foot down, "the noise scared [him]"
It's a prettier, less practical M3, with similar running costs but probably slower depreciacion.
- bought cash October 10 for £36,850
- part ex July 11 for £34,000
- July 09 coupe £38,950
All transactions with full BMW dealers and as AUCs (Approved Used Car)s. The coupe is loaded, DCT, TV, professional sound system etc I reckon depreciation in the first two years from new was around £20k and I am budgeting for £7k depreciation in the my first year, which is the third and final year of BMW warranty. I plan to extend the warranty for the years that I continue to own it.
You will have to ask Mikey what his similar aged V8 Vantage roadster depreciated by in the year or so he owned it but I am guessing at least £12k, although difficult to judge as he is buying new (I think) and getting a good deal from a hungry dealer who is off the beaten track
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,880
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From: The further north, the better
Thanks for the responses folks.
Here's a bit more info for you
I have driven the E92 M3 before for about 6 laps, on a driving experience at Oulton Park. That car was DCT, which I had never used before, and didn't get on too well with it. I also thought the car felt big, heavy and understeery. Overall, quite disappointed.
I called at my local AM dealer and had a look around. They didn't have any cars in my budget but took my details and said they would contact me should something in my price range become available. A week or so later I was sniffing around the classifieds and noticed they had several cars I might be interested in; I'm still waiting for their call. To be honest I felt like a bit of a pauper in there, so maybe they felt I wasn't worthy of one of their cars? I certainly wasn't ringing them.
I found a lovely XKR in (off) white which I took for a test drive. A really nice car that sounded the business but, the experience of the car felt a bit lazy for me; the engine, the gearbox, etc. Kathryn also said I wasn't old enough for a Jag.
My criteria are -
Main dealer purchase
Warranty
PX my car
Cruise control (std on Jag and M3)
No dull/boring colours
2007 model or newer
I can honestly say I have no interest in "badges", unless it's a prancing horse. The vast majority of the decision will be made on the driving experience.
Here's a bit more info for you
I have driven the E92 M3 before for about 6 laps, on a driving experience at Oulton Park. That car was DCT, which I had never used before, and didn't get on too well with it. I also thought the car felt big, heavy and understeery. Overall, quite disappointed.
I called at my local AM dealer and had a look around. They didn't have any cars in my budget but took my details and said they would contact me should something in my price range become available. A week or so later I was sniffing around the classifieds and noticed they had several cars I might be interested in; I'm still waiting for their call. To be honest I felt like a bit of a pauper in there, so maybe they felt I wasn't worthy of one of their cars? I certainly wasn't ringing them.
I found a lovely XKR in (off) white which I took for a test drive. A really nice car that sounded the business but, the experience of the car felt a bit lazy for me; the engine, the gearbox, etc. Kathryn also said I wasn't old enough for a Jag.
My criteria are -
Main dealer purchase
Warranty
PX my car
Cruise control (std on Jag and M3)
No dull/boring colours
2007 model or newer
I can honestly say I have no interest in "badges", unless it's a prancing horse. The vast majority of the decision will be made on the driving experience.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 11,504
Likes: 241
From: Sunny Norf*ck
Dave, your trips are presumably the reason for cruise control? Hopefully you can get to get along with DCT on the road but yes it is a 'big' feeling car not a small tight roadster anymore It is quite a change. I can imagine that to use DCT optimally on the track might take some practice. Also your track experience might depend on the year and setup? They upgrade quite a lot from year to year. For example the latest model year is 10% quicker 0-62mph than the early ones (not that dragster timing is in your criteria list 
)
A Ferrari I shouldn't think will last or hold it's value subject to high mileage trips and will be well past any maker's warranty on the budget stated. But that is 'outside the box' thinking from Gad. Talking of which, where is soulcrew and his big muscle car mouth
Actually I think the M3 is the only one will meet your criteria/budget.
For which as I said I think you're looking at an 09 plate.
Jag would be 07 (but you're not old enough
).
AM would be an 05
It is quite a change. I can imagine that to use DCT optimally on the track might take some practice. Also your track experience might depend on the year and setup? They upgrade quite a lot from year to year. For example the latest model year is 10% quicker 0-62mph than the early ones (not that dragster timing is in your criteria list )A Ferrari I shouldn't think will last or hold it's value subject to high mileage trips and will be well past any maker's warranty on the budget stated. But that is 'outside the box' thinking from Gad. Talking of which, where is soulcrew and his big muscle car mouth
Actually I think the M3 is the only one will meet your criteria/budget.
For which as I said I think you're looking at an 09 plate.
Jag would be 07 (but you're not old enough
).AM would be an 05
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,330
Likes: 0
From: Frustration
Dave,
Having discussed it with you before and having read the above thread, I knew you'd not be fond of the Bimmer. Your current effort is a nice car and will be hard to beat.
I'm with Pete on this one - get the Ferrari.
A 360, admittedly CS, pulled into a petrol station when I was walking up the road yesterday. Even at sub 3krpm, it sounded brilliant in a way the E92 M3 could only dream of.
Nothing will beat it for a full on true petrolhead sense of ocassion.
Having discussed it with you before and having read the above thread, I knew you'd not be fond of the Bimmer. Your current effort is a nice car and will be hard to beat.
I'm with Pete on this one - get the Ferrari.
A 360, admittedly CS, pulled into a petrol station when I was walking up the road yesterday. Even at sub 3krpm, it sounded brilliant in a way the E92 M3 could only dream of.
Nothing will beat it for a full on true petrolhead sense of ocassion.
