M3 Owners.

[palerider325icab]

Hi could somebody please give me a ring as i need to ask a few question about the e30 m3.
I am trying to sell my 6 and 325 cab to buy this m3 cab.
I went to bmtec a local BMW dealer who told me how shit M3 are and always will be and went on to say that i would be mad to even think of getting 1 at the cost of loseing my 6.
He said the dog leg box is crap and when they where new people where always blowing the engine.
He also rekons my 6 would shit all over the m3 plus the 325 come to that matter.
I says they are like 318is and not worth the trouble.
So what is it with the M3 i like the way the m3 cab looks i am not looking to race anybody are they worth buying and keeping or are they just blown up as a cult car.
He also told me to hpi them as alot got wrapped around lamp posts.

So if a genuine owner would give me a call it would be great as i dont want to buy something and say sh1t what have i done.

Cheers
Rhino my number is in the forsale section.

[hit_23]

hi m8 im lookin for a 325 cab ... jus want to know abit about it and if u got ne1 pics cheers

[Matt_T]

Basically, he is chatting shit

The most successful touring car ever made sort of proves that. The S14 engine and 'box are pretty bullet proof aswell, i really wouldnt worry!

[palerider325icab]

Well Andy worked at the BMW main dealers in Bolton and he said people where always F$$$$$$g them up because of the left hand drive and dog leg box thing.
Like i said i have not been in a m3 before so i dont know,but if a 635 can blow them away it does not say much for m3s maybe its all just hype.

Cheers

[e30bmlover]

ALL HYPE?????????? SORRY MATE BUT THE BLOKE YOU SPOKE TO SOUNDS LIKE A MUG. THE S14 ENGINE WAS MADE TO BE RACED, AS MENTIONE ABOVE IT WAS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TOURING CAR EVER MADE, PROVIDEING YOU SERVICE IT ON TIME AND CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 6000MILES OR SO, IT SHOULD LAST A LONG TIME. IF U ARE THAT WORRIED ASK THE OWNER TO TAKE IT TO A GARAGE AND GET IT PRESSURE TESTED. THAT SHOULD TELL YOU HOW STRONG THE ENGINE IS. AS FOR THE 635 THING..... 3.5 LTR VS 2.3?? ITS NOT ABOUT HOW FAST THE CARS ARE, IN IN MY OPINION I WOULD HAVE AN E30 M3 OVER ANY BMW. THEY ARE A CULT CLASSIC AND A STATUS SYMBOL. AND PLENTY QUICK ENOUGH TOO. I HAVENT DRIVEN A BMW WITH A DOG LEG GEARBOX, I SUPPOSE ITS LIKE ANYTHING.... YOU WILL GET USED TO IT.

[Patm3]

I Agree. if you buy an M3 and its your first experiencing LHD and a dog leg gearbox, then take it easy at first, as you have to get use to it. I hit a couple kerbs in my one and found overtaking a bit of a task, but got use to it within a couple of months and now prefer it to RHD. This guy who is saying they are shit is entitled to his own opinion, but everyone i know who has or had an M3, always states it as being the best car they ever had, you can not beat the drive, and the looks you get can not compare to most cars.

You need to drive one and experience it yourself, and make up your own mind, the car is nearly 16 years old, so its not going to be the fastest thing on the road, but having a convertible is just another luxury in its self.

dont listen to this man, he probably just does not like the car in general

[Simon]

The M3 is a love it or hate it sort of thing, and can take some time to get used to and get the best out of.

LHD is easy after about an hour behind the wheel, dogleg box is also easy, and is awesome for 2nd to 3rd changes, the only thing you will miss is the 6 pot noise, S14 isn't the prettiest sounding engine ever, but once you hear a carbon airboxed S14 hitting 6000rpm +, you will be addicted!

As for the S14 being slower than a 325i, then I'm afraid not, and the handling is just in a different world.

I can see why the salesman might be trying to put you off though, you have 2 very nice well kept cars, and the 6 series in particular, I'd like to have a 6 myself at somepoint!

[palerider325icab]

I suppose you get to a stage in life where how many cars you have are not important anymore as it costs a small fortune to run and maintain and i am thinking now you can only really look after 1 really and keep it in top condition.As for paying 2 taxes,mots and insurance and servicing its just not funny anymore and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
I was just think of having 1 special BM and the m3 cab its that BM.
The way Andy was talking was he does not hold the m3 in very high regard in fact he said a nice 325 sport is better but i cant say as i have never been in a m3.
I know they are rare and i dont want to race anybody it would just be for weekends like the 6 and the cab.
I just dont want to have any regrets.

Cheers

[PaulyV]

I know nothing about M3's to be honest however if you were thinking of buying this one have you not had a testdrive in it at the very least?

best

Pauly

[palerider325icab]

No the only time i would have a test drive is when i am driveing her back home,reason being he is a M3 owner so he is into his BMs plus its a rare car and he is a BMWCARCLUB MEMBER so i would trust what he says about the car unless its falling apart when i get there.
I still have to sell my own cars first lol.

[BMK]

As said the guys entitled to his opinion but as an owner of such a vehicle and having been in various 325i's and 6 series, the M3 wins out on all counts for me!

Surely if a 325i sport was as good if not better than the M3 then the M3 wouldnt exsist?!

Nice choice, it looks mint. How much is it ?

[e30bmlover]

because he is in the bmw owners club, dosent mean he isnt hideing anything. im in the bmw car club too and im sure many zone members are, i would still be very cautiouse, you never know what things people are hideing. i would take someone else with you when u go and buy it. 2 sets of eyes are better than 1. im sure when you drive it u will know its in a different class to a sport. i will have one oneday........oneday

[palerider325icab]

I am going to go for the M3 like i said i have made my offer,will see if there is anybody on the zone that lives close by or will travel down with me expenses paid on condition that they know there m3s
Just got to wait and see what happens with mine.

Cheers

[M5pilot]

Dont listen to these extreme opinions.

Find yourself a decent E30 m3 and its a pleasure to own. The engine may not sound thebest at idle but that can be sorted with a decent exhaust.

The power delivery is not as bad as people say it is. Its got a decent amount of torque low down. Power really starts rising after about 4000 rpm and the noise is fantastic.

Just make sure you buy a well maintained example.

[gazm3]

Andy at BMTEC does know his stuff.

Ryan, you know my thoughts, I wouldn't even entertain a M3cab if you allready have the 6 and the mint motorsport.

I would buy a M3 with a roof however.

And don't trust anybody, get the car checked over by someone before you go down and buy it.

The Touring I bought from a 'Zone member', Is a total dog. And I have the court paper's here to prove it. He was a BMW carclub member, and is attempting to take me to court. After I stopped the cheque, after I trusted his word. Only to watch a nice oil and water mix on the rear window most of the way home.

Cheers Gareth.

[stevetigger]

I went to bmtec a local BMW dealer who told me how shit M3 are and always will be and went on to say that I would be mad to even think of getting 1 at the cost of loseing my 635csi.

He also rekons my 6 would shit all over the m3

The guy is wrong about M3's being shit, I do want one after the M50!

But he is right on the other two points, Why lose a MOTORSPORT and a 635csi just for a roofless M3??

And your 6 series would shit all over the M3!

[Nadeem]

I bought an E30 M3 cab about a month ago and I must admit that it took a while to get used to LHD + the dogleg gear box ....but I got used to it in 1 day flat and now I love it to bits. I have an E36 328 sport coupe (which will be featured in PBMW in next month's issue.............it's the N13E BM ) and I love my coupe, but I'm always finding excuses to drive the M3 cab instead and I have driven a few cars in my time(E36 M3 as well),but I have to honestly say that the E30 M3 is one of the best cars I have ever had the pleasure of driving/owning.......it's not about racing for me, but to know that I have a rare + diserable car that looks the boll**ks and isn't slow either ......so trust me mate......you'll never ever regret the e30 M3 cab......lovin mine at the mo and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it

[Foomanchu]

Well I first read this tread the other day but wanted to read other members views first....

My father has a 635csi Auto I have probably done 20k miles in it over my 10 years driving I do love the car and it made me buy into BMW's I went and bought a 325i Cab Auto which is off the road as some prick t-boned me.. but I have had it for nearly 2 years and I've done 40k in it, I truly love it it feels nearly as quick a the 6 and really out handles it
I also have with my Dad an E30 M3 and it really is a truly different machine to both of the other cars, in every aspect of driving and design the M3 is the far supeior car.

When I first drove the car I was expecting alot in fact loads and it didn't seem to offer a great deal more than I had experienced with the other BMW's Sure it was quicker and way louder.... But then it all started to make sense... the speed in which it corners 20mph more than was possible in my Cab or 6 the way it holds the chosen line the way it lets go at the back end all so fluid and precise it's so sweet it makes you laugh and laugh loud, it isn't like a Subaru or Evo it doesn't make a shit driver great you have to be capable and willing to take it and drive it and boy will you relish the pleasure.
Our M3 has over 150k on the clock and thats miles as it is a UK car it still feels tight and will keep going if looked after as it is. I was tempted to have a look at the M3 your entertaing and only wish I could of raised the dough as for me it would be perfect but in all honesty I don't know if the M3 Cab would be a comprimise as the sound and feel of the E30 M3 is very raw and precise the lack of a tin roof might lack the true feel of a razor sharp car... And be as loud as you like maybe to a distraction.
So in my view you really must drive the car first and maybe a tintop M3 aswell, if you come down this way you can have a little go in mine.

After a long drive in the M3 it's quite a drain,compared to the Cab the straight six as smooth and relaxed as ever it is calm feeling as if you can just take it all in and chill... Not worried that people want to race you, steal your car or stop you and talk about it or take photos of it or compare it.

In nutshell the E30 M3 is a brilliant drive no other BMW is like it or any other car really. The cars you own are also brillant I know but SO different to the Legend...

Lui

P.S
A 6 wouldn't shit all over an M3 it really wouldn't see which way it went I tried an M635csi before we bought the M3 and it was only at the top end that really made a difference and it didn't handle any thing like the real thing.... and thats the M power version not the standard 6.

Lui

[palerider325icab]

I had my mind set on the cab,but the owner rang me this morning at work to tell me it had been sold.
Some guy rang up last night and came right over with the cash £8500 i am really gutted
I had to remove my cars now and have had loads of people ringing its pointless selling now,so to make me feel better i ordered a wind deflector this afternoon from my local bmw dealer.
I might still look around for a tintop and give it ago i suppose you have to own 1 before you die

Cheers

[Matt_T]

There is more than one M3 cab for sale in the UK! Sell the cars, get a cheapo run around and take your time and look for another one.

IMO the saloon M3 is ALOT better than the cab anyway, the cab goes against the whole design brief and ethos of the M3.

[e30bmlover]

There is more than one M3 cab for sale in the UK! Sell the cars, get a cheapo run around and take your time and look for another one.

IMO the saloon M3 is ALOT better than the cab anyway, the cab goes against the whole design brief and ethos of the M3.

here here, well said!!!

[palerider325icab]

I might do I hope its nobody from the zone doing a move as that would be bang out of order
Thanks guys for all the info i think i have a mild dose of M3 fever now

Cheers

[Falkster]

Well Andy worked at the BMW main dealers in Bolton and he said people where always F$$$$$$g them up because of the left hand drive and dog leg box thing.


Cheers

Says it all really!! When I first bought mine I took it to my local dealers thinking they would be the best bet to look after it.....how wrong can you be when one of the mechanics came out and said he thought my 325 was quite nice with the bodykit!

If you read any review about the E30 M3 (and as said before) the S14 is bullet proof and the gearbox in a blinda. You dont become the best touring car ever by having a crap engine and box do you?

[palerider325icab]

I think it relates to the dogleg box and being lefthand drive when new, alot of owners where missing gears sending the engine to sky high revs and blowing the engine.
Nothing wrong with the box and engine its just getting used to it.
He said you really have to work the engine to get it to go not like the silky 325s where you have power all round he said a proper sorted 325i sport is a better car but then again that his choice.
He was not dishing the m3 he was just saying the car is overrated and there is alot better out there for m3 money he is a genuine BMW tec that worked for Williams in Bolton [IAN ANTHONEYS] so its not like he does not know what he is on about.
He is buying a late 840ci sport so that what he likes

Cheers

[gazm3]

It wont be your's soon, get the picture off. Thank god for that.

[palerider325icab]

Yeah well

[kevscecotto]

ive had a 635 & an m3 (still got it) & id have the m3 any day, the 6 is pretty quick but in a smooth refined way where the m3 is on the edge & begs to be driven hard , i had my cecotto up for sale lsat week but not now im keeping it ,cant bear to sell it yet , ive just bought an e30 318is for everyday so i dont wear my m3 out

[GermanGorilla]

Interesting thread.

The main issues that always seems to be overlooked is that if you want a E30 M3 for it's handling, precise feel and driver ability, buy the Coupe.

If you like the sunshine, are looking for a vehicle that will retain and even increase in value, and the car's ability is not the essential reason for purchasing it, then a M3 Cab will be a nice option.

If you do buy the Cab, remember your not buying a E30 M3, simple close inspection will clearly tell you why.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[M3RAGS]

If you do buy the Cab, remember your not buying a E30 M3, simple close inspection will clearly tell you why.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Well yes, thats because its an m3 convertible

[GermanGorilla]

Incorrect RagsM3,

Convertible yes, M3, NO.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

[herman]

One of the best drives ever, 2nd to 3rd to 2nd, into the corner set the line and power down pure bliss

[Demlotcrew]

I think it relates to the dogleg box and being lefthand drive when new, alot of owners where missing gears sending the engine to sky high revs and blowing the engine.
Nothing wrong with the box and engine its just getting used to it.
He said you really have to work the engine to get it to go not like the silky 325s where you have power all round he said a proper sorted 325i sport is a better car but then again that his choice.

Never heard so much shit in my life!

Andrew

[BMK]

Incorrect RagsM3,

Convertible yes, M3, NO.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

What ?

[pacerpete]

Don't worry BMK ,poor Gorillas judgement has been impaired by all the fibreglass fumes he has been breathing !
An M3 cab is a great car ,yes it is not as sharp and focussed as the tintop but on a sunny day it more than makes up for it.
Another plus point for cabs is most are standard and unmolested and haven't been 'improved' by sparco cock types who take great pleasure in wasting lots of money molesting M3 coupes.

[Jimb]

If you do buy the Cab, remember your not buying a E30 M3, simple close inspection will clearly tell you why.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

Sorry...but what a bunch of bunk!

I have an E30 Me Cab, and a good friend has a tin top E30 M3. Yes, the Cab is not for the track, but the onoly difference on the street is, the Cab is far more fun.
Cheers,
Jim