Hi all,
Today marks the day that I picked up my M Coupe 1 year ago and I thought I'd post a running report of my time with the car.
So 1 year in, what do I think about it? - It's a car I've wanted to own for as long as I can remember and I've always been cautious about buying an M car due to the chance of a big bill (or multiple bills as I've since found out), however having taken the plunge, I’ve really not looked back!
It's a car that makes me smile whenever I drive it, I find its an occasion every time I turn the key, the warming up of the engine to 90 degrees before you give it some beans, the sound, the smell of the leather... it really does make a good ownership experience.
When I bought my MC, I knew there were certainly cheaper ones that I could have bought... there were certainly more expensive ones, however impatience got the better of me, and I bought the one closest to my house which had sensible miles (75k), full service history and what seemed like a caring previous owner - As it turned out, things are never as good as they seem!
In the year I've covered about 5k on the car, I've done 2 track days, 1 ring trip and plenty of Sunday evening drives through the Surrey/Sussex countryside!
I've not kept a complete tally, however if I were to put a figure on it, I would suggest that it's cost in the region of £5k this year to keep it in tip top condition, however like most cars if money were no object there are things I'd like to do (repaint front bumper - stone chips) but haven’t got round to yet.
Lots of the money spent is future proofing the car for the next few years, as I've done things replacing the bolts for ARP ones with new shells, completely overhauled the AC system, new clutch, prop bearing, replaced discs and pads (OEM), rogue top mounts to name a few.
On top of the above, I also treated it to a set of BBS LM's (with new tyres now, as the ones supplied rubbed the wheel arch liners) - however the wheels are not going anywhere (in 18" fitment they will fit other BMW's so they are keepers!), having fitted them I think set the look of the MC off to a tee.
The biggest bill I had was for an engine out head gasket replacement, which could happen to anyone I guess and whilst it was out I decided to go to town with the ARP bolts, shells, clutch etc (false economy not to) - but other than that, it's mainly been my attention to detail which has caused me to spend many a morning at Coopers BMW parts dept!
Anyway, that about it, I just thought I'd share for some of the lurkers yet to take the plunge.
Ultimately is it worth the investment to run an MC - yes in a word... for the time you take it out on track for the first time and experience the performance properly, or the first time someone in a petrol station wants to chat to you, it really does make your day!
rdgs
andrew
Today marks the day that I picked up my M Coupe 1 year ago and I thought I'd post a running report of my time with the car.
So 1 year in, what do I think about it? - It's a car I've wanted to own for as long as I can remember and I've always been cautious about buying an M car due to the chance of a big bill (or multiple bills as I've since found out), however having taken the plunge, I’ve really not looked back!
It's a car that makes me smile whenever I drive it, I find its an occasion every time I turn the key, the warming up of the engine to 90 degrees before you give it some beans, the sound, the smell of the leather... it really does make a good ownership experience.
When I bought my MC, I knew there were certainly cheaper ones that I could have bought... there were certainly more expensive ones, however impatience got the better of me, and I bought the one closest to my house which had sensible miles (75k), full service history and what seemed like a caring previous owner - As it turned out, things are never as good as they seem!
In the year I've covered about 5k on the car, I've done 2 track days, 1 ring trip and plenty of Sunday evening drives through the Surrey/Sussex countryside!
I've not kept a complete tally, however if I were to put a figure on it, I would suggest that it's cost in the region of £5k this year to keep it in tip top condition, however like most cars if money were no object there are things I'd like to do (repaint front bumper - stone chips) but haven’t got round to yet.
Lots of the money spent is future proofing the car for the next few years, as I've done things replacing the bolts for ARP ones with new shells, completely overhauled the AC system, new clutch, prop bearing, replaced discs and pads (OEM), rogue top mounts to name a few.
On top of the above, I also treated it to a set of BBS LM's (with new tyres now, as the ones supplied rubbed the wheel arch liners) - however the wheels are not going anywhere (in 18" fitment they will fit other BMW's so they are keepers!), having fitted them I think set the look of the MC off to a tee.
The biggest bill I had was for an engine out head gasket replacement, which could happen to anyone I guess and whilst it was out I decided to go to town with the ARP bolts, shells, clutch etc (false economy not to) - but other than that, it's mainly been my attention to detail which has caused me to spend many a morning at Coopers BMW parts dept!
Anyway, that about it, I just thought I'd share for some of the lurkers yet to take the plunge.
Ultimately is it worth the investment to run an MC - yes in a word... for the time you take it out on track for the first time and experience the performance properly, or the first time someone in a petrol station wants to chat to you, it really does make your day!
rdgs
andrew
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