Yes, yes, comparing apples to oranges, I know. But hear me out.

I've gotten permission from the misses to pursue an e92 if I so choose. I'm stationed overseas currently, and can purchase through BMW military sales which would cut about 8k from the price.

My mini is fully paid off, 38k miles, and moderately modified. Pulley, intake, chip, exhaust is the full extent of powertrain mods. But there are plenty of other functional and aesthetic mods. I believe I can get 30k. Then the e92 would be within reach financially.

The Mini community is awesome. I love you guys. But c'mon, we're talking a spankin new M3!

But back on the flipside, I could afford a whole new Mini for the same price, while keeping my own, instead of another M3. More than twice the power, but half the mileage (not that there are many miles to drive here on Guam).

I'm on the fence. Opinions?

 

That's tough. The E92 is a beast. But, you say you could keep your current MINI and get another. Why not do that and turn that one into a *****-to-the-wall track car? I say do that and make friend's with a new M3 owner and convince him to let you drive it.

 

I thought of that. But there's no track here in Guam (yet... estimated completion date 2010), I have 2 very young kids now, and I don't know if the wife (or insurance company) would support a track habit. Plus I think in the long run, a track habit would run much more than an M3 costs.

I heard a quote once, "Racing is an addiction that only poverty can cure". Unless sponsored, I don't forsee going that route. And not going that route greatly reduces the chance of getting sponsored.

And I plan on getting the e92 4 door sedan, if I get one at all. Family friendly, dad friendly.

 

and it's a very, very nice car. But you're gonna pay and pay to feed the tank, cause the motor is at it's sweetest at high RPM. And while the service is covered for a while, I'd hate to think of what non-warranty repairs cost!

Anyway, it will have a much higher cost to run cause it's thirsty, I'd guess insurance will cost a lot more, but it's a fun ride for sure.

How bad do you want it?

Or you could keep the Mini and get a used Elise..... Just a thought...

Matt

 

Excellent question. I want it, period.

I don't really really omgz omgz omgz, have to have it because I'm a teenage schoolgirl want it.

I seriously want it. But I'm also practical knowing that I could use that money for other stuff, like home upgrades or whatnot... But the wife insists that I can get it if I want it, and I do.

The cost of feeding the motor is a small factor to me. I drive 20 miles a day currently, so thats about a gallon a day, where as currently in the Mini its about a gallon every two days.

I think a bit more history may be needed. At first, I didn't want a car, because I thought they were 'trendy' because a lot of cars look a lot alike. Then I realized that my basis was based on economical sedans like the Camry and such... The first car I wanted was a Mitsu-eclipse... I went to buy one, and (short story version) got swindled into a dodge neon that I got royally boned on. Traded that for a 94 camaro. Awesome car, loved it. At 250k I traded it for a 96 camaro. Awesome car, loved it, but it had more issues than the 94. Tired of used cars, I bought my Mini. Best car I've ever owned. I don't like Japanese cars, US cars are alright, but after the Mini my eyes turned towards Euro cars. I am now a Mini/Bimmer fan.

So why the M3? Because it's an upgrade. Why not a 3 or 5 series? Because they're trendy sedans. An M car is unique. 1 trim level, top of the line for it's 'class'. Also with the sedan option, I can easily accomodate my 4 person family while 2 of them are in baby seats and beyond. Our second car is a jeep, and likely will be the main mode of family transport (as it is currently), but having 4 doors on my car will certainly help when I need to drive the kids to and fro.

Oh, and about the elise. If I was on the mainland, I may consider it. But I refuse to own 3 cars on Guam, because the military will only ship one, and I'll have to pay for each other out of pocket. I'll pay for one, but not two or more.

 

Are you really on the fence? 'Cause if it was me picking between two Minis or an E92 M3, the M3 would win everyday and twice on Sunday. There is only one downside to the car for me and while the car is phenomenal to drive on an empty, long stretch of road, it sucks for short commutes in the city. Don't know how that might affect you in Guam, but that was my take when I test drove it with my father...very ordinary at regular speeds and just BEGS to be hammered on.

 

E92 M3 for sure. Try something different. Coming from E46 M3 (actually two of them in different color and 6MT and SMG), i really enjoyed every day of ownership of them. S54 engine is just a phenomenal work of machinery considering its release back in 1999/2000. Last of its I6 racing engine and still keeps up with most of the modern new cars.


Im just trying something different now with R56. Yes it is slower and cannot be compared to E46 M3 or E92 M3, but we all know that they are different purposeful car (at least to me)

E92 M3 is a beautiful car. It is a luxurious beast. Since you have the military pricing advantage, I would go for it. Drive and enjoy it, then something different may come out in several years. We all know that..

I may go for the E90 M3 in few years... i just never buy new model M cars. Im shooting for 2011/2012 model.

 

I was definitely a candidate for the E92 M3. I have a long history with BMW, including being selected to test ride their K1200S (most powerful production BMW ever made at the time) on the Nurburgring, 44 laps, over 150 mph on the long straight.

Owned E36 M3 Sedan, E36 328i Sedan, E28 535is, e39 M5 (modified to 395.5 rwhp).

Owned several BMW motorcycles.

Love BMW and the ///Motorsport division.

Ultimately though, I wish they had stayed with the 6 cylinder engine for the M3 and tuned it higher. I have test driven the current models of 135i, 335i, M3, and 328i. (I have test driven the current WRX STI, EVO GSR, GTI, and .:R32)

Having never had a Mini, I decided to go for a pristine 2006 Dinan S2 Mini Cooper S.

One thing I will note is that the front interior room seems huge in comparison to the E92 3 Series.

I've never been one to care about gas mileage, but I will say the V8 M3 is terrible. One of the reasons, is that it is a heavy vehicle.

It's an amazing car no doubt, and seriously capable of high performance. I went with the Dinan since I wanted performance that I could use all the time every day.

I test drove the current M3, and the current version almost feels a little isolated on the streets. Does everything well.

However, you do have a Mini, and different is good. I was ready for something different.

 

That is huge. I loved my E36 M3 Sedan. Great combination of performance and practicality.

I think you should go for it. Nothing quite like an M car. The one thing I felt with my M5 sedan, is that since it was practical, and I often had the family with me, I ended up not always able to drive it like it was capable of being driven. Sure, I brought it to the track and did events with it. But I decided another nice solution would be to have two different cars, than one all around car.

The Elise / Cooper solution would be a neat one.

Since, I have a dedicated 2 seater sports car, I got the Mini for my daily.

My friend's Exige S in the background. He loves it. It's a very cool, but definitely impractical car. The F430 is not mine.

 

Wagnbat, where did you get the rubber for your ALTA intercooler frame. Mine came with foam that looks ugly, I just took it off and need a replacement. Did you make it yourself?

Here is what mine looked like before I removed it.

 

Stop posting these pics! You're making me jealous!

 

Sorry. Not sure who is reading what threads. Are you stalking my Mini?

Oh, wagnbat, take a good look at the 135i, I know it's not an "M" per se, but it's a pretty sweet car. If you can get a discount on that, it could be a good blend of a Mini and a e92 M3. As for power, you can probably get them to around 400hp, if you desire, without too much expense.

 

I was oogling your car and your friend's cars in your "500 Miles in a Dinan R53" thread.

 

Well, honestly, I'm still on the fence. I'm car paymentless, and finding it hard to justify getting rid of my beloved Mini as well as spending so much on an M3.

I think I'll leave the Mini up for sale on Guam, see what offers I get, and consider buying a used M3 when I get back stateside.

 

Wow, that is ugly. Sorry I didn't reply sooner, couldn't see the pictures from at work. The rubber gasket came with the intercooler diverter... But your intercooler looks way larger than mine. I assume it's not a stock intercooler then? Because mine has the sprayer as well, and I don't see that on yours. Why not just buy gasket material from your local hardware store?


Well... Turns out the stand-down has been stood-down. Took the wife to Prestige BMW here on Guam today. Long story short, thoroughly discussed finances (including excel spreadsheets, promotion opportunity, military rotations, etc...) and she wants to go for it. Love at first sight? Good enough for me. And we can swing it, so why not? Only live once, right?

So it looks like it's a go again. Working on a flyer to put it up for sale officially. I'll remain an NAM'er of course though. MOTOR ON!!!

Will update as necessary.