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What should I get?

M3 CSL + E34 "snotter"
21
50%
E30 M3 + E39 M5
12
29%
Something else
9
21%
 
Total votes: 42

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spokey
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What Car?

Post by spokey »

I have owned my 130i for nearly two years now, and while it's been cheap, quick and reliable, it hasn't really "grabbed me" as much as I'd hoped.

So I now want to replace it. Two cars I've always hankered after are the M3 CSL and the E30 M3. However, I suspect the E30 would be a "keeper" and the CSL would not (purely for cost reasons -- I could suck up the costs of the CSL for a couple of years, but no longer.)

I also suspect that the CSL will not be a sensible buying decision in the future, but if I did buy one now, I would have to do stuff like go to the 'ring at least a couple of times in the time I did own it. So it would cost me more, not just in maintenance, but also in travel, and that is a tough call to make in the current economic climate. Because I would want a practical car for Tesco car parks, etc. I'd have to get something on the side, which I have decided will be an E34 5er, probably a 525i.

My friendly spannerslinger threw a spanner (what else!?) in the works by extolling the virtues of the E39 M5, another car I wouldn't mind owning. So if I got the E30 M3, my daily drive would probably be an E39 M5. But it probably wouldn't be a "keeper", either.

The cost of either of the options about will be roughly the same for buying and I (wildly) guess that running costs would even out.

So with all that in mind, what would you suggest I go for next and why?
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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whiteminks
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Post by whiteminks »

How about this? Another Marmite car ( I love Marmite.)

Room to sling your brief case and shopping in the back

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/573780.htm

or if you must this............. http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/986429.htm :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

whiteminks wrote:How about this?
Nah.
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Gazza
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Post by Gazza »

How many daily miles do you do?
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

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whiteminks
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Post by whiteminks »

Why not?

It's a but like you: Deceptively powerful especially at high revs, a little contraversial, original, and it has a hunchback. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

( only joking! :wink: I had to follow up with Colly B's take on the 'Bruce' post.) :D
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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whiteminks
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Post by whiteminks »

Would you ever cross over to the 'dark side'?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1127696.htm


I can't quite imagine you without a good manual shift though. :wink:
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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Gazza
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Post by Gazza »

I know of a rather tasty E39 M5 in Imola that is for sale ??????
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

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Post by spokey »

whiteminks wrote:Why not?
:lol: :lol: :lol:

There are too many cars that I want to own. I'd rather scratch an itch I already have than take a chance on something that doesn't really appeal.
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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whiteminks
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Post by whiteminks »

Why don't you just buy your old M5 back again.? :lol: :lol: :lol:

You wish you hadn't sold it don't you?


Keep the 130i as well: It might look more attractive to you when you see the petrol gauge nose diving after some 'spirited' driving in the M5. :D
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
ohrsome
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Post by ohrsome »

I love these challenges, here's something different:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1094728.htm
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Roadmonster
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Post by Roadmonster »

Definitely the E30 M3 combo!
The CSL is very nice and VERY fast but the E30 is so retro cool, looks and goes great on the track, it's the most iconic BMW model ever I think. Not to mention the left hand drive thing isn't gonna faze you out either.
Can you tell I would love one myself? :wink:
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TrickyZ1
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Post by TrickyZ1 »

I prefer the M3 CSL and 525i option :D

Mind you, both sound good :P
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Z3_TJK
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Post by Z3_TJK »

I'd definitely go for the CSL. One of those cars you'd never regret owning, even if only for a short period of time.
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Gazza
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Post by Gazza »

I vote the CSL & E34 option.

You know you've always wanted a CSL and the prices are very stable. In a few years when you want to sell, the prices may even be a bit higher. One 'Ring' trip per year should suffice :wink:
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

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Giles
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Post by Giles »

garythefish wrote:I know of a rather tasty E39 M5 in Imola that is for sale
Oh? Please share Gazza!
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Giles
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Post by Giles »

Spokes - remember you drove my E39 M5 and didn't find it as inspiring as your E34 M5...

CSL mate, seriously. Unless you're scared of course, remember the IoM? ;-)
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stu
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Post by stu »

Giles wrote:CSL mate, seriously. Unless you're scared of course, remember the IoM? ;-)
DO they do the CSL with erm ..... generous seat fittings Gi :wink:

I reckon a B5 E60 Alpina is the tool for Spokey.
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321bhp
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Post by 321bhp »

this is really nice
BMW 3.0 CS, CSL Specification Race Car- FIA papers (1972)


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1129991.htm
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

321bhp wrote:this is really nice
BMW 3.0 CS, CSL Specification Race Car- FIA papers (1972)
Can't afford to keep one of those on the road, OR buy it. :lol:
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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spokey
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Post by spokey »

stu wrote:
Giles wrote:CSL mate, seriously. Unless you're scared of course, remember the IoM? ;-)
DO they do the CSL with erm ..... generous seat fittings Gi :wink:

I reckon a B5 E60 Alpina is the tool for Spokey.
B5 is too big for country lane driving (unless your name is Andy Bovensiepen, I guess. :oops: )
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Giles
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Post by Giles »

spokey wrote:
B5 is too big for country lane driving (unless your name is Andy Bovensiepen, I guess. :oops: )
On the basis that Mr AB had to start somewhere, I wouldn't be ruling the B5 out if funds permit...remember how it left the CSL for dust at Bergwerk?!
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Alfie
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Post by Alfie »

Giles wrote:.....remember the IoM? ;-)
Oooooohhhh YES....I remember! :squeeze:

Spokey could have any Beemer under the Sun, but he won't be happy until he's owned an E46 CSL.
That desire will live with him 'till he's given up.

Fact.

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PhoenixCoupe
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Post by PhoenixCoupe »

A real M3 (E30) and an M5 is the way to go.

Or a nice E38 750i - surely the bargain of the decade at the minute, I've been looking at some low mileage mint ones for around £5k with amazing specs.
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Post by AussieZ3 »

Tough choice.

If the CSL is what you've always wanted, then that has to be the choice.
E30 M3 and E39 M5 is also an awesome combo.

Out of left field, gas guzzling aside, An 850 CSi would be awesome too!!
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Post by spokey »

850CSi is a contender, but it's further down the list. :D
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Post by spokey »

If anybody cares, I test drove an E30 M3 today. To be honest, while I was driving it, I didn't really think it was all that great (at first, anyway). But when I got out, I realised I had a serious adrenaline rush.

It does take a long time to warm up, which is something I'd have to get used to. However, initially, I was quite happy to just lob it into corners and get a feel for it without thrashing it. It was kind of weird, really, it didn't feel like any other M I'd driven before (E36, E34, E24, E39) and it didn't feel like any E30 I'd driven before, either. I didn't really manage to get comfortable with it and find the right driving style in 10 miles, but it really does seem to like being hustled, rather than relaxed, flowing cornering.

The engine noise was also completely different from anything else I've ever driven, but I got the distinct impression I could learn to live with it. ;)

The things that stood out for me were how much grip this allegedly tail-happy monster had and how utterly perfectly the gears and the engine were matched for "press-on" driving. Wind the engine up to 7.5k, change and BAM! you're right on the power band so you get a continuous surge of acceleration that is quite startling for a "puny" 195 HP.

I suspect that it is a car I will warm to even more when I'm used to it, but at the end of the drive I didn't feel compelled to forgo the CSL. I'm still pretty sure I won't keep the CSL and I will keep the E30, but I didn't think the E30 was sufficiently good to make me feel like I didn't need to scratch the CSL itch any more. However, I'm going to go and find a CSL and make sure about that. :D
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Gazza
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Post by Gazza »

Of course we care, we're car nuts :wink:

If you had an Adrenaline rush with the E30 you'd better take a chill pill before the CSL, but then you know that already :)
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

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RobBruce
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Post by RobBruce »

Mate - why are you even asking?? :puzzle:

Look at the IoM photos (and video) again. Remember the first time you drove Nemesis? You nearly wet your pants before you even got in it! How many cars have made you do that? :roll:

Don't get me wrong, I'd love an original M3, and the M5 is a stonkingly good car.

But if there was any plausible way on this planet I could run a CSL, even for a short while, I'd get one.

IoM - CSL - no speed limits - Groundhog Day please!! The CSL is the best drivers car I've ever driven. If you don't you WILL regret it.

Just do it :thumb:
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whiteminks
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Post by whiteminks »

Just got to choose the colour now then? :colourful:

This one looks rather smart. 8-)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1120541.htm
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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Post by spokey »

RobBruce wrote:The CSL is the best drivers car I've ever driven.
You need to find yourself an E30 M3 and have a go in that, too. :wink:
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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Post by spokey »

whiteminks wrote:Just got to choose the colour now then? :colourful:

This one looks rather smart. 8-)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1120541.htm
Oooh... :bawl: two months to go before I can buy, though.
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
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