From ///M to MINI
IMHO these run-flats are so bad for suspension....If you happen to catch a pothole you'll end up spending $$ for a new tire+alignment all the time.....
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
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I love my e90 and the Mini. My wife does not feel the Mini is as comfortable for the passenger, so for longer trips we always take the e90 even though it gets worse gas mileage. The Mini is great for short hops around the city. Having both is ideal.
Coordinator :: Eastern Iowa MINIs
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From: Round Rock, TX
I was thinking the same question actually!
6th Gear
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From: NJerz
mb
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Lower Makefield, PA
you get get early model E46 m3's in the low 20s already. the 135 euro delivery is 32k base. if you had a choice between the two and took the e46 M3 over the 135 for any reason other than space....i don't know what to tell you
6th Gear
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From: NJerz
I understand that. My point was that for below 30k you can have an M3, which to me, is a much more attractive purchase than the 135i. You mentioned the two cars in your post.
mb
mb
That is, until you factor in maintenance costs on an out-of-warranty M car.
6th Gear
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From: NJerz
If you check out the local dealer CPO options, there are some good deals around. No question, though, that if you don't get a CPO from a dealer, you're going to pay to maintain the car. But if you get an M3 for 25-30k and have to maintain it, that's still more attractive to me than a 40k (optioned) 135i. Then I'd have an M3 and not a 1 series.
See here: http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos-08...s-BMW-335i.htm
But then again, I'll never have either of these cars, so it doesn't really matter
.
mb
edit - the reason why the result in the video rings true with me is because I'm an admitted track addict, and there's just something about the M3 that's special in that arena. Maybe I've sipped the marketing kool-aid too much, but it is what it is.
See here: http://www.dpccars.com/car-videos-08...s-BMW-335i.htm
But then again, I'll never have either of these cars, so it doesn't really matter
.mb
edit - the reason why the result in the video rings true with me is because I'm an admitted track addict, and there's just something about the M3 that's special in that arena. Maybe I've sipped the marketing kool-aid too much, but it is what it is.
Last edited by mbcoops; Jun 6, 2008 at 06:20 AM.
I don't think this was meant to be an M3 vs 135 discussion, but it does make me think of a very interesting article:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=125908
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=125908
That was a good comparo. But I say the 135 with a tuned suspension and comparable rubber would take the M3 on the track. Having driven my Mini on tracks with plenty of E36 and E46 M3s, the whole M mystique thing is just not there for me. Give me an R53 over any of these fat pigs! 
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
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Used to have an E30 M3 myself...sure miss that car.https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/68674/size/big/cat//ppuser/31933
6th Gear
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From: NJerz
Haha we definitely agree there!
Great article, eager2own. Love this quote: "The one test that the M3 wins outright is on the road course, and maybe this is the best measure of the car's driving character."
Sorry for the OT.
mb
Great article, eager2own. Love this quote: "The one test that the M3 wins outright is on the road course, and maybe this is the best measure of the car's driving character."
Sorry for the OT.
mb
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 635
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From: Danville
No M car has ever had any forced induction engine thus far. It may change for the future generation.
03 330Ci for a Clubman
I'll be putting my order in for a Clubman S within a few weeks. I love my 330Ci with sport package and manual transmission, but I miss the driver involvement of a small car. Also, BMW messed up on the ergonomics (clutch, drive by wire, and shifter) on the e46 compared to earlier models...this seriously detracts from the driving experience.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Hanover, Pa.
Used to have an E30 M3 myself...sure miss that car.https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/68674/size/big/cat//ppuser/31933
Looking forward to adding a Clubman to the stable.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
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Picked up my new PW MCS today. I cannot believe how fun this thing is to drive. I can honestly say Its just as fun to drive as my M3. The only difference is that the M had like a big man on campus kinda feel to it. Sounds stupid I know, but it's that type of car that you could hang around with the big boys in the na 996's, vettes etc. I absolutley love the mini though, what a blast.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Woodbridge VA
Yes the look of class you get with the //M certainly was great. However it all boils down to that this is just "stuff". If you are enjoying yourself, then that is all that "should" matter. But it sure was fun getting those looks. haha
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Woodbridge VA
FINALLY a thread of folks who feel my pain!
I sold my 2006 e46 M3 cabrio that had 7500 miles on it. I am waiting for my MCS to arrive.
Just about every person says the same thing. "you sold your beautiful M3 for a mini???"
I bought it brand new and it was loaded with everything. However, being it only had 7500 miles on it since I bought it new, I obviously didnt drive it. It was the only vehicle we have that we had a car payment on..
Once the mini arrives, it will be driven every day. Still in our garage is my F150, the wifes 2005 330i, a honda VTX cruiser, and a kawasaki ZX-10..
So i still have choices for speed and wind in my face..
But still annoying when folks give me that "look". Dont get me wrong, the m3 was a BLAST to drive....
I sold my 2006 e46 M3 cabrio that had 7500 miles on it. I am waiting for my MCS to arrive.
Just about every person says the same thing. "you sold your beautiful M3 for a mini???"
I bought it brand new and it was loaded with everything. However, being it only had 7500 miles on it since I bought it new, I obviously didnt drive it. It was the only vehicle we have that we had a car payment on..
Once the mini arrives, it will be driven every day. Still in our garage is my F150, the wifes 2005 330i, a honda VTX cruiser, and a kawasaki ZX-10..
So i still have choices for speed and wind in my face..
But still annoying when folks give me that "look". Dont get me wrong, the m3 was a BLAST to drive....
I am quoting myself to rescind my opinion.
Every day now I have never had so much regret. My MINI has so many rattles..sounds..and issues (chain tensioner, sunroof, clutch plate sound)
I have never in my life wished so much that I could go back in time and beat the crap out of myself.
Now I am stuck with a MINI that I cannot sell to get anywhere near the $$ i put into it.
All those options (JCW stage 1 kit, suspension, rally lights, and strut bar) added up big $$ on the purchase price. Now when the car is valued, it is valued as a regular MCS.
All of which I knew going into it. But damn sometimes we make mistakes that we will regret the rest of out lives. This definitely being one of them.
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