Another selling up thread.. (UPDATED...Been offered moneys...)

[Zeldoz]

So my cars basically complete. Other than some recaro's a livesports bumper and a 98 spec rear lip. But I've gone off the boil with it.

I've recently broken up with my long term girlfriend, and since then i couldn't give a feck about the V. My ambition to complete it has diminished and im toying with the idea of letting it go.

Since its been mapped its ludacrusouly fast. But, i think im getting to the point where its too "boy racer" for my liking.. Its small, most people think its a shitbox until i go past screaming at them. But still, i want something better.

I've been toying with the idea of a Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3, mainly because there utterly porn. There a nice looking car, grown up and civilised. i know they are not as quick as my V as i have played with a convertible M3 and just sat beside it. But, overall the interior and exterior just does it for me.

Im worried that i will regret selling the V. But, honestly.. its really boring me...

I dont know heads gone at the moment.. but i want something new!

thoughts?

Edited April 28, 2014 by Zeldoz

[Socks]

I seen this before...

People get used to the power and get bored of them...

My advice is park it up for a bit, maybe a week, then take it for a spin and see how much you miss it!

Last thing you want to do is part with it, then 2 weeks later miss it!

[Jay85]

Don't. Do. It!

[Zeldoz]

I seen this before...

People get used to the power and get bored of them...

My advice is park it up for a bit, maybe a week, then take it for a spin and see how much you miss it!

Last thing you want to do is part with it, then 2 weeks later miss it!

I know what your saying. But, i dont like the fact its so old. Its small, its uncomfortable. I just want something with power, that is grown up and I've grown extremely fond of the M3's as of late.

I just need to work out a rough price for mine which isn't asking way over the odds!

[TurboTobz]

Sell it... if you miss it get yourself an 040 like you wanted mate.

[daniel_g]

Get a nice daily and use it as a second car ?

[Zeldoz]

Get a nice daily and use it as a second car ?

This has crossed my my mind.

[Idrees]

I have an E46 M3 Convertible, and I drive my GT more than that. Not because the M3 is too thirsty, or I'm scared the subframe might crack and cost me £1500 to repair, or that the head gasket might go and cost me another grand, or the fact that tyres are absolutely stupidly priced, but I just prefer the GT most days of the week. Don't get me wrong, the M3 is an amazing car and it might be grown up, but don't expect trouble free motoring just because it's a BM. Oh, and definitely not cheap motoring.

I agree with Dan, I would get a nice daily and use the Glanza as a toy. Have a look at E46 330D M Sports, awesome all rounders imo.

[Glanza-Ben]

I'm the same sick of being called a boy racer amd having a small pocket rocket and the fact that it will never be finished so a calling it quits, I love driving it I love the way it looks and sounds and all my mates say how cool it is and how they want it but I can't bring my self to spend another 2k plus to make it how I want so was gonna buy a evo instead but would just be the same wanting more power so instead am gonna get a pick up truck and a jet ski to resolve the loss of my glanza

After a mine was off the road for 6 months the 1st few weeks back in it was good then it got boring again

Edited April 22, 2014 by Glanza-Ben

[Zeldoz]

I have an E46 M3 Convertible, and I drive my GT more than that. Not because the M3 is too thirsty, or I'm scared the subframe might crack and cost me £1500 to repair, or that the head gasket might go and cost me another grand, or the fact that tyres are absolutely stupidly priced, but I just prefer the GT most days of the week. Don't get me wrong, the M3 is an amazing car and it might be grown up, but don't expect trouble free motoring just because it's a BM. Oh, and definitely not cheap motoring.

I agree with Dan, I would get a nice daily and use the Glanza as a toy. Have a look at E46 330D M Sports, awesome all rounders imo.

Are they really that bad, I didnt expect trouble free motoring.. but i thought there 3.2's were solid?

[Jay85]

Are they really that bad, I didnt expect trouble free motoring.. but i thought there 3.2's were solid?

Well spread myth about German engineering 😉

[Idrees]

The S54 engines are solid, they call them bulletproof but the head gaskets are almost guaranteed to go due to the thin cylinder walls. Most common points are between cylinder 5 and 6, but I've seen pictures that show splits between cylinder 2-3, and even 1-2.

A friend has a beautiful Laguna Sega, maintained to a high standard with full BMW history and his head gasket needed replacing at ~75k miles. Another friend has a Red one, same again with full BMW history and sub 80k miles, he just had his done last year too. Touch wood mine is spot on however I am going to do a compression test just for peace of mind at some point.

There are other known faults too such as noisy vanos bolts etc, but it's a £50k car and most are 10s years old so faults are to be expected. They have less faults than other cars in the same league though imo.

[Chris Green]

Get yourself a comfy daily. I bought an IS220d to get me to work and back, but to be honest, I miss my EP being on the road. Yes the Lexus ticks all the boxes as a daily, but you cant wing it in to corners.

[Gainzy]

I think you should wait a few month, I wouldn't listen to people all that boy racer bollocks they don't know what there talking about most people are jelous anyways, there is always something else to buy with any car more things to want if you don't appreciate everything you have to the max you won't be content with anything, you have done most of the hard work already...time to enjoy it summer is almost here

[TimD]

A cheap one will cost you a heap of money to get right, and will no doubt have been scrimped on. The issue with something like the M3 is that, when it goes wrong, and they do go wrong, it's going to cost you a cheap Starlet GT to put right!

I'm not sure I'd have chosen a Starlet over my M3 to drive on the road, ever. But, I didn't buy a convertible, so perhaps that's got something to do with it?

I have an E39 530 Sport Touring now, and it's very similar to the M3 inside, exactly the same steering wheel for example. It's comfy, and eats miles, just as bad on fuel as the M3 though but that's by the by. I'm not fearful of the engine imploding due to incorrect valve clearances, I don't need to worry about the floor cracking either. It's also only worth a quarter of my M3's value, so if the worse happens it isn't the end of the world.

If it were me, and I didn't need to tow, then I'd have the M3, and suck up the running costs. Driving one is an event, it's a proper car after all, and I do miss mine from time to time. I've been having a car discussion lately, and came to the conclusion that 3 cars is the perfect number:

- Van / Tow vehicle (T4 or similar)

- Daily / Fun (MX5 or similar)

- Track / Race Car (In my case, Starlet GT)

Good luck with whatever it is you choose..

S2000's are cheap as chips these days!

[iamlegend]

knew that feeling man... why I sold mine after just having a shit load spent(forged etc etc) on it...

went threw a stage where just could not justify spending another penny on it! there was loads to do left and it was just getting annoying tbh..

have to say the joys of going out to my ibiza boc is lovley its so comfy as well as been fast..inside is luxury and its comfy all around

altho have to admit I do get days where I miss that "race car yo" day!

if was to do it again.. do it just like my white V! not forge it etc

[Ollieh17]

The way i see it, you are young and at the age where looking like a 'boy racer' is kind of acceptable. I want to own as many stupid, uncomfortable, shit on fuel, loud and annoying but fun cars before i get to old and can't get away with it anymore. Also a young male in a performance car is always gonna be seen as a boy racer, from a M3 to a Glanza.

I think of selling my glanza all the time, but if i was to sell it i'd buy something equally 'silly'. Just remember you have 40 years plus of worrying about comfort and being civilised

[Zeldoz]

A cheap one will cost you a heap of money to get right, and will no doubt have been scrimped on. The issue with something like the M3 is that, when it goes wrong, and they do go wrong, it's going to cost you a cheap Starlet GT to put right!

I'm not sure I'd have chosen a Starlet over my M3 to drive on the road, ever. But, I didn't buy a convertible, so perhaps that's got something to do with it?

I have an E39 530 Sport Touring now, and it's very similar to the M3 inside, exactly the same steering wheel for example. It's comfy, and eats miles, just as bad on fuel as the M3 though but that's by the by. I'm not fearful of the engine imploding due to incorrect valve clearances, I don't need to worry about the floor cracking either. It's also only worth a quarter of my M3's value, so if the worse happens it isn't the end of the world.

If it were me, and I didn't need to tow, then I'd have the M3, and suck up the running costs. Driving one is an event, it's a proper car after all, and I do miss mine from time to time. I've been having a car discussion lately, and came to the conclusion that 3 cars is the perfect number:

- Van / Tow vehicle (T4 or similar)

- Daily / Fun (MX5 or similar)

- Track / Race Car (In my case, Starlet GT)

Good luck with whatever it is you choose..

S2000's are cheap as chips these days!

Alot of what you say is right.

I dont want a convertible. I want a coupe. My budget is around £7,000 and the cheap ones start at £5,500 or there abouts.

I just dont know.. My dad wants me ti have one purely for his own desire! Even though he wont be insured on it! I just love the looks, noise and everything about them.

S2000 are one of the most boring convertible I've had the disaster of driving. Yeah, its a quick car for what it is. but geniuenly, id prefer a MX5 purely because albeit Honda. Those S2K's are not reliable. I had a friend go through 2 and ended up selling a empty shell!

[Zeldoz]

The way i see it, you are young and at the age where looking like a 'boy racer' is kind of acceptable. I want to own as many stupid, uncomfortable, shit on fuel, loud and annoying but fun cars before i get to old and can't get away with it anymore. Also a young male in a performance car is always gonna be seen as a boy racer, from a M3 to a Glanza.

I think of selling my glanza all the time, but if i was to sell it i'd buy something equally 'silly'. Just remember you have 40 years plus of worrying about comfort and being civilised

Again i somewhat agree with this.

I do enjoy the V. Boosting past something much more expensive, or higher BHP always gives you that adrenaline rush and the feeling of excitment. But im just bored.. I really dont know..

[Idrees]

I'm not sure I'd have chosen a Starlet over my M3 to drive on the road, ever. But, I didn't buy a convertible, so perhaps that's got something to do with it?

Haha, it's awesome to drive but most days I take the GT. It's much better on fuel too, especially around town. I do choose the M3 for longer drives though, but most days I'm just local so the GT suits me better.

As said above though, the M3 is an absolutely awesome car.

[MARC MOSS]

I have a 50k 2001 e46 m3 convertible 6 speed manual (not the pussy smg crap) and it's a great car, in fact I thrash the living hell out of it all the time as it was designed for lol...Yes things go wrong but that's life, if you can afford to run one you can afford to fix it that's my thought.. The last 18 months mine has seen 4 new yokohama advans a new alternator airbag light reset and at the mo it's got an oil leak.. Fortunately it's due an oil service so I'm having it all fixed together. It's great fun especially with the traction off lol and posey as fuck with the roof off.

I miss my starlet but this is more of a machine than a toy, I have my integra for track fun and ripping about in which fun as well..

Don't get a cheap one that's all I say, get it inspected as well especially as iddy mentioned in the boot where the subframe mounts are located.

[Zeldoz]

I have a 50k 2001 e46 m3 convertible 6 speed manual (not the pussy smg crap) and it's a great car, in fact I thrash the living hell out of it all the time as it was designed for lol...Yes things go wrong but that's life, if you can afford to run one you can afford to fix it that's my thought.. The last 18 months mine has seen 4 new yokohama advans a new alternator airbag light reset and at the mo it's got an oil leak.. Fortunately it's due an oil service so I'm having it all fixed together. It's great fun especially with the traction off lol and posey as fuck with the roof off.

I miss my starlet but this is more of a machine than a toy, I have my integra for track fun and ripping about in which fun as well..

Don't get a cheap one that's all I say, get it inspected as well especially as iddy mentioned in the boot where the subframe mounts are located.

This!

I'm going to sit down tonight and have a real read on the forums, to see what to look out for. I have £7k currently but i can stretch out to £8. Ideally want a Laguna Seca Blue.. but would settle for gun metal grey.

I do like the idea of the convertible, and you can pick them up cheaper than some of the coupes, i just dont like the idea as in my eyes its the hair dressers dream!

[MARC MOSS]

The coupe is the one to have mate justake sure you get a manual

Here's mine

Hard tops look great

But then

Edited April 22, 2014 by MARC MOSS

[TimD]

I had a square setup, so 4 rear wheels, looked decent.

[DevonGT]

£8500 should get you a half descent one. Make sure it as FSH including the running in at about 1200 miles and try to get one with the subframe sorted. Also make sure depending on year any recalls have been done.