Hi folks. Noob here. Just sold my e46 ///M after two wonderful years. I drove a MCS today and absolutely fell in love. The wife doesn't really get it though and is kind of busting my junk. She wants me to get like an e90 328. The only thing that really bugs me is that I'm paying more for a mini than I sold my M for but I need something that can sit at the train station all day.

I was making payments on the M for 2 more years based on an almost 40k purchase price and it just didnt make sense anymore. I commute to NYC every day.

I could use a few words of encouragement and figured this was the best place to come

 

I understand completely. I used to have a e46 330Ci, but no car puts a smile on my face like a MCS.

It's funny how people react to the fact that I'm getting a MINI -- they don't seem to understand. Husband & I call them the "uninformed masses."

 

I second that, must people look at my funny when I say I'm getting a MINI S, but 2 of them change there mind really quick after I took them to test drive one...

 

I did the same thing. E46 M3 got trade for a Cooper S after having the M car for about 4 years.

 

I understand. The test drive sold me as well. Blast to drive. Plus mileage was 13 with the S4.

 

I would not be buying a Mini to leave at a typical tri state train station. Get a proper commuter IMO.

 

same here, had the M for 4 years and went for the 07' MCS.

 

Monty, I did the same thing -- I'm selling the M3 that took over 1.5 years of waiting to ORDER (back in 2002). While I think it's the last of the beautiful M's, it needs a new home where it can get the love it deserves. I feel guilty when I see it in the garage...for a moment. Then I hop in the MCS, and the smile is back.

Woohoo!
ButchV

 

I too went from a M3 ( although it was an e36) and agree that not many understand why, ....unless they've driven one. The mileage is the double bonus!

TAS

 

335 to MCS...test drove the MCS and knew right then I had to have it.

 

I currently own an '06 M Roadster and commute in it daily...I can honestly say, its NOT a commuter car. The Mini Cooper S puts a smile on my face the way the M does! Who cares about 0to60 times.... the handling of the Cooper is amazing and the fit and finish is definitely BMW quality. I cant wait to get mine! You are not crazy for selling the M....too bad you couldnt keep both?

 

First, excellent call. As I have stated in another thread, the E46 M3 is a bloated luxo barge. kopov fully agrees with me on that.

If you fell in love with an R56, you really owe it to yourself to drive an R53. There are great deals to be had on slightly used 05-06s, and the driving dynamics are on a whole different (and higher) level than the R56, imo.

 

Wow! I'm not alone then. Had mt e46 M for 3 years before selling it and getting into a MCS. Totally different feel, but I like that it has its own charater.

 

We just picked up an MCS yesterday and we are In Love!

We have a fleet of cars and so far, the MCS is our new baby.

I didnt have to get rid off any cars but so far the Mini does put a smile on my face.

 

Personaly I love the hell out of My R53. But If someone threw a E46 M3 at me i would be thrilled Its a wonderful car. it Drives wonderfully. and The only beef i have with it is. the Stupid exaust note.

 

Somewhat similar situation...
Bought a '08 R56 MCS, but kept my '05 E46 M3.

On a side note though... just change the exhaust if you think the exhaust isn't that great.
I got a full titanium catback setup on mine and it sounds wonderful (although a bit on the loud side...).
However, even if the stock note sounded great, I still would've changed it though since the stock exhaust is incredibly heavy.

 

See, this is my quandry!
I have a 335i Coupe and just ordered an 08 MCS for my wife.
Now I find myself looking at all the stuff I could do to a Mini if I had one for so much cheaper than on my 335i. I love the awesome power of the 335i engine, but what I love more than anything is tight handling.
So, I told my wife I was thinking of selling it and getting an MCS for myself. She thinks I am crazy. I think so too, but still think about it once a day at least.

 

Monty: Well if size constraints aren't a concern, and you really like the way the MCS drives...I say stick with it. A new 328i will cost you into the 40K, and a new MINI would be 30K or less. You could show her the economics...BTW, has she sat in the MINI, or even driven it? I bet once she does, she'll know why you want the MCS. I've changed a few minds after people were skeptical about why I chose a MINI. I had them sit in it...not drive though

Also you could tell her it is made by BMW...that seems to make people respect them a little better too. BTW, what is your other vehicle?

Side NOte: Monty...are you from bimmerforums? Your SN looks familiar to me.

 

With a MINI a routine ride to the train station can be an adventure. And mpg a good thing during these days of record crude and gasoline prices. Not to mention some exhilarating weekend motoring the best way to unwind from work and get ready for the next week. I commute to Manhattan by bus and park my MINI in a Park N Ride.

 

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'm noticing a lot of E46M3 owners going the MCS side. I also had an M3 and the Mini is a very good alternative.

 

My current other two cars are '00 M Coupe with mild suspension modifications and a 07 A4 (company car). I sold my '02 530i with sports package to make room for the MINI.

I have to say my stock 08 MCS with sports package is probably the most tossable into corners out of the 3 cars. Doesn't mean it's the best handling (that would be the M Coupe), but the light weight does make it easier to change directions.

I ended up paying 2x the amount I got from selling the 530i (one of the best handling sedans I've ever owned) which happened to be the same price I paid for the 530i (CPO) and I've no regrets and never looked back

 

Keep the 335i Coupe and get a stripped down MCS. That's what I'm doing- a MCS with DSC, LSD and MFSW only. I can't wait to mod it.

 

when the lease on my company car is up in 5 months, I'll most likely replace it with a stripped MCS or MCCS :D so no you're not crazy, everyone else besides us are crazy :D

 

this thread makes me feel so much better..