What Car?
What Car?
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?
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
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 ?
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
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 :wink
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 :wink
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
Why not?
It's a but like you: Deceptively powerful especially at high revs, a little contraversial, original, and it has a hunchback.
( only joking! I had to follow up with Colly B's take on the 'Bruce' post.)
It's a but like you: Deceptively powerful especially at high revs, a little contraversial, original, and it has a hunchback.
( only joking! I had to follow up with Colly B's take on the 'Bruce' post.)
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
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.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1127696.htm
I can't quite imagine you without a good manual shift though.
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
whiteminks wrote:Why not?
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
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 ?
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
Why don't you just buy your old M5 back again.?
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.
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.
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
I love these challenges, here's something different:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1094728.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1094728.htm
- Roadmonster
- Z Register organiser
- Joined: Sun 02 Jul, 2006 10:43
- Posts: 151
- Location: Goxhill
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?
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?
BMW - Bitch Makes Whupass.......(Topless)
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
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
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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
this is really nice
BMW 3.0 CS, CSL Specification Race Car- FIA papers (1972)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1129991.htm
BMW 3.0 CS, CSL Specification Race Car- FIA papers (1972)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1129991.htm
Can't afford to keep one of those on the road, OR buy it.321bhp wrote:this is really nice
BMW 3.0 CS, CSL Specification Race Car- FIA papers (1972)
Ciao,
Spokey
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 ?
B5 is too big for country lane driving (unless your name is Andy Bovensiepen, I guess. )stu wrote:DO they do the CSL with erm ..... generous seat fittings GiGiles wrote:CSL mate, seriously. Unless you're scared of course, remember the IoM?
I reckon a B5 E60 Alpina is the tool for Spokey.
Ciao,
Spokey
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 ?
- PhoenixCoupe
- Joined: Wed 02 May, 2007 00:46
- Posts: 739
- Location: Mars
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!!
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!!
Proud owner of #70 of 73 ever built RHD S54 M Roadster.
2000 Evergreen E36/8 M Coupe
2001 Imola Red E39 M5
2002 Phoenix Yellow E36/7 M Roadster
2003 Dakar Yellow E46 M3 Cabriolet
2005 Estoril Blue E53 X5 4.8is
2000 Evergreen E36/8 M Coupe
2001 Imola Red E39 M5
2002 Phoenix Yellow E36/7 M Roadster
2003 Dakar Yellow E46 M3 Cabriolet
2005 Estoril Blue E53 X5 4.8is
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.
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.
Ciao,
Spokey
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 ?
Of course we care, we're car nuts
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
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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"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"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
Mate - why are you even asking??
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?
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
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?
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
In God We Trust - everyone else gets PNC'd.
- whiteminks
- Joined: Tue 26 Sep, 2006 09:58
- Posts: 2768
- Location: Lincoln
Just got to choose the colour now then?
This one looks rather smart.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1120541.htm
This one looks rather smart.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1120541.htm
big cheesy wrote:'I nearly cacked my trolleys till I quickly tuned in'. Yorkshire Cruise 2008.
You need to find yourself an E30 M3 and have a go in that, too.RobBruce wrote:The CSL is the best drivers car I've ever driven.
Ciao,
Spokey
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 ?
Oooh... two months to go before I can buy, though.whiteminks wrote:Just got to choose the colour now then?
This one looks rather smart.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1120541.htm
Ciao,
Spokey
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 ?