Doing my Research...

[S3_Graham]

Im after something a bit more fun than my S3. was after an m3 but for some reason the Z3m is cheaper to insure!? i guess its because its not driven by chavs....

Anyway the only thing that worries me is the running costs. I own and audi so parts/tyres etc are already expensive and also petrol doesnt hugely worry me as i only have a 6mile commute to work. so i was just generally wondering if they are a money pit (any more than other cars) or are actually suprisingly good on the wallet? ive looked through your forum and its making me want one more and more. the pros seem to be outweighing the pros. im only 22 and live at home on a decent wage so looking to make the most of it before i have to grow up and get a house.

I usually do 10k miles a year. also... other than the hairdresser comments... is there any real difference between the MC and the MR??

so far as looking through the forum the only things i can see to look for mainly are: vanos, ac, cracks in boot floor, service history, and general "any car" stuff.

[David1975]

With regard to the differnces between the MR and MC:

Same car really but the MC is obviously quite a bit stiffer (due to the roof) and looks like nothing else on the road. the Roadster variant IMHO is easliy mistaken for a "normal" Z3 hence the hairdressers jokes. (however, that could be a plus point for the MR depending on your view point).

When i was looking for my MC i knew that it was an MC i was after and never even considered the MR. Probably due to the fact that i just dont like convertables (certainly not newish ones anyway) but others on this forum have driven/owner both and i am sure they will give you a better comparison.

Hope this helps

David

As far as the engine and stuff is concerned they are the same.

[S3_Graham]

tbh id prefer an MC its only the money issue that would dictate each.

[MGR]

the MC and MR are totally different.

the MR cannot take the power and is horrible to drive.

The MC does a better job (not as good as the M3 but still just about acceptable) at transfering the power to the road well. If you are at all serious about driving the avoid the MR.

[gaz]

MGR l know plenty of people with m roadsters and to say if you
are serious about driving then avoid the MR .Then they will tell you
your talking bollocks.

Gaz

[maahny]

MGR l know plenty of people with m roadsters and to say if you
are serious about driving then avoid the MR .Then they will tell you
your talking bollocks.

Gaz

Have you driven an MR in standard form? After driving an MC it does feel horrible to drive namely the scuttle shake and the body flexing and the one I am talking about was very low mileage and mint. They are very different cars although I can understand the appeal of the MR when the weather is nice and you are not driving very hard. Get some chassis stiffening modfications and then it is much better.

[gaz]

Both car's in standard form are crap and that's a fact we all
know, and that's why we do mod's to them.
But to say the mr can't be a serious car to drive
is rubbish it might not be as good as the mc but it's
not that far off with the right mod's

Gaz

[c_w]

Both car's in standard form are crap and that's a fact we all
know, and that's why we do mod's to them.
But to say the mr can't be a serious car to drive
is rubbish it might not be as good as the mc but it's
not that far off with the right mod's

Gaz

I drove both a standard MR and a MC back to back and they are worlds apart, yes even the standard M Coupe is a bit soft but I would say it's crap. I loved the way mine drove when I first go it (comparing to a Roadster), was just so much more solid and refined. On the right road and the right weather the Roadster is good to drive too, but it has to be that billiard-smooth new tarmac found on some roads.

Even with bracing the Roadster will never drive like a Coupe, in fact fitting front and rear strut braces does nothing for the rigidity on the Roadster in my experience; what it needs is cross bracing front struts to bulkhead to try and reduce the flex as a start.

[ian]

I'd be more concerned about using either car for a 6 mile commute - it takes longer than that for the oil to come up to temperature.

The MC is an altogether different car - depends what you want.

Ian

[S3_Graham]

tbh... i do have 2 cars.... so i wouldnt HAVE to use it for the commute to work. i have an E30 325 sport as a 2nd car to the S3. i was just primarily worried about the cost of running the car as buying is only half the cost.

I see what you are getting at with regards to the rigidity of the MR compared to the coupe. although i like a spirited drive like the next person im not THAT worried about the handling being gods gift. from the cars i already own s3 is understeery and the 325 is oversteery so i would imagine it would be somewhere inbetween those? i do prefer the looks of the coupe as opposed to the MR but they hold their money better so it would probably go on what i could afford. id rather have a good MR than a tired MC... if that makes sense?

[Rags]

325 sport, legendary car!

I would say the MCoupe CAN be more twitchy than the 325 but it depends how you drive. Does your 325 have an LSD?

Pics of your S3? I know someone who needs one.

[c_w]

AFAIK, if it's a proper 325i Sport they should come with the 3.64 LSD.

[kwoffa]

Well having been on this Forum for a little while,and having read about the variouse mods etc that can be done to the MC i will pitch my twopenethworth in..mods are great and some do improve things,but,there is an insurance issue there !i bought mine just because i wanted one ! now surely thats why we buy cars..not just to screem round corners etc........the MC just looks unique handles pretty well as standard and is a joy to drive,sure when things go bang they can be expensive its a fast car !and it will attract the BMW M/// loading factor ! comparing cars sometimes is just silly when considering looks top speed etc.....even the same model can feel different ! even without mods !

[Broccers]

325 sport, legendary car!

I would say the MCoupe CAN be more twitchy than the 325 but it depends how you drive. Does your 325 have an LSD?

As c_w says, I thought 325 sports had them as standard, along with 318is blah blah.

[Igby]

Interesting, I've got an S3 and I'm looking at a M Coupe tomorrow (all being well) Anyone care to comment on running costs of high milleage cars / what to look out for when buying?

I'm aware of vanos etc. and would be getting it inspected before purchase but I'm wondering what sort of things to expect on cars with 100K +

Cheers,
Ben.

[coupe fan]

Presumbly it's an S50 you are looking at ('vanos') tomorrow.
Just spend a couple of hours scouring this forum tomorrow morning - you really need several more before buying.

[Broccers]

This big vanos scare ... its only 1200 quid to sort out or 2k at a dealer.

Not a lot for a performance car.

I'm waiting for Steve1 to report back on GTO-3R running costs - they'll make M Coupes seem like running a Passat.

[nav]

I drive my car every day..!! I do about 400 miles a week and have had no real issues with my car at all..!! It is solid, reliable and every time i get in it and drive it around i feel fantastic..!! There is no other car like it on the road..!! You see more Ferraris and Lambos then you see MC's..!! BUY ONE..!! Simple..!!