Page 1 of 1
E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:01 am
by mark_eire
I'm hoping to get an e30 M3 soon,
I've got a 2005 Golf Gti dsg at the moment for everyday driving,
I drive about 20 miles per day to and from work (all motorway)
I'm considering moving house next year and will possibly have to sell the Gti to free up some money for the new house,
If I was to get an excellent m3, would it be up to the prospect of starting and driving everyday, without giving any major problems?
I would rather keep an m3 as a weekend car but I will have to be realistic and only keep the one car and that would be the m3!!
My fiancee has an '07 Octavia Vrs Tdi 170 so that would be my alternative car to the m3....
I don't want to destroy a perfect m3 by driving it everyday but I just want to know if it would be up to the challenge of everyday driving?
This may never happen as it's not 100% that I'll be moving but I just want to hear peoples opinion
Thanks

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:19 am
by harry_p
mine has been used avery day for the past 18 months or so, around 50 miles of mixed driving in all weathers.
it's never refused to start, the heater works well, it's quiet enough to be able to hear the radio, comfortable and stable, yet also puts a smile on your face every journey, whether sitting in traffic, thrashing down a b-road or cruising down the motorway.
the only time it has let me down was when the alternator siezed solid on the m25, but it was a cheap and easy fix, and a problem that could happen to virtually any car!
they even give decent mpg if driven sensibly.
i wouldnt waste time lookng for a pristine low mileage pampered car though. one with decent history, bills and reciepts to prove it's been well maintained, and a good solid body and mechanicals should be a priority, as you'll only regret piling the miles on a low mileage minter, and wince everytime you pick up a stone chip.
however, be prepared for shorter service intervals than you might be used to, they do need regular oil changes with good quality stuff.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:22 am
by handpaper
Driving it every day won't kill it; as long as it gets a chance to warm up properly it's probably better for it than being stored!
Stay on top of the maintenance, jump on any chips or rust as soon as they appear and wash it regularly, especially in winter when there's salt about, and it should last a very long time.
250,000 miles isn't optimistic for any e30, treated well an M3 should surpass it easily.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:37 am
by playo
Mines a virtual daily driver and has been for 2 years without a single hitch!
As long as it's serviced and looked after these old girls love to be used

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:25 am
by Demlotcrew
Wheres Rich-W with his extensive and sensible input?

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:38 pm
by miniblob
Cars are made to be driven - drive it everyday and enjoy it!!!!!!
No offence to anyone, but it drives me up the wall when people have a nice motor sitting there and they hardly ever use it!!!
Lack of use will prob cause more problems than everyday use!!!
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:01 pm
by Alfa_Delta
miniblob wrote:Cars are made to be driven - drive it everyday and enjoy it!!!!!!
No offence to anyone, but it drives me up the wall when people have a nice motor sitting there and they hardly ever use it!!!
Lack of use will prob cause more problems than everyday use!!!
Seconded! Lets face it, the E30 M3 is a german built saloon car and as such will be reliable. I guess the only thing I'd be worried about would be doing a shopping run in it and getting a "trolley ding" in one of those lush arches.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:19 pm
by maxfield
Perfectly usable everyday.
It will give you much more pleasure that being stored away in a garage.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:48 pm
by daimlerman
If you are happy with LHD as a daily driver,why not?
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:55 pm
by ShepsEvo3
I've used my Europameister for a whole year close to 20.000 miles and no problems. My Evo2 was an everyday car too, again, no problems... just need to maintain them as you would any other car.
They are actually pretty economical too if well serviced and tuned right too.
The LHD bit was a pain for about 2 days. Don't even think about it now and thats even when I aint driven it for 6 months or so. It has its advantages, your passenger will always pay for Maccy D's in the drive through

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:53 pm
by Rich_W
Demlotcrew wrote:Wheres Rich-W with his extensive and sensible input?

[off topic]My dislike for you is all related to 3 comments you made. 1) About Cossie engines being basically a Mondeo engine (Cock) 2) That Hot hatches are easily passed by M3's (optimistic!) and 3) That a 23K SE that was for sale cannot possibly be 23K as you havent seen the car but can tell from the pics. But if anyone doesnt believe YOU they have to provide detailed proof. Bit like a conspiracy theory that. (retarded)
You are a properly strange young man. Ive seen loads of people on S14Power query why you are so antogonistic. I can't for the life of me see why either.

You argue with everyone and you beleive you know best about everything. But I guess its OK because I recall you saying you had two years automotive experience.

At first I thought it was just a wind up poster, but the more I read the more I realise you just are like that. I dont get it and more likely I never will. So "meh"

[/off topic]
Anyhow, I drove my M3 every day for 2.5 years 50 ish miles a day. TBH the car was generally reliable. Burst a few hoses over that time (but they were age related I guess) Got a puncture or 2. Nothing really that was related to using the car every day.
However, with hindsight I hated putting the mileage on the car. Especially when it clicked over 80K, then 90k, then 100K. So I bought a runabout. The other thing was the petrol costs. I caned it every morning and every night, and was putting in £50-60 of Optimax a week. By comparison my runabout diesel does £50 a fortnight. In fact its paid for itself.
Downside is that I use the M3 rarely nowadays. And to quote a phrase I saw the other day on here "A very expensive Garden ornament" I drove it today though and it reminded me why I like it though.

Which is proably better as otherwise I become blase about the car.
In summary. Yes you can use them every day. But whether its actually a good idea to you is relative. If I was doing 5-6 miles a day like I did a few years back Id probably still use it every day.
Rambling over

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 11:55 pm
by dannyboy759
Used my Cecotto every day for 3 years including driving back and forward from the UK to Germany 3 times a years, never missed a beat.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:14 am
by Demlotcrew
Rich_W wrote:Demlotcrew wrote:Wheres Rich-W with his extensive and sensible input?

[off topic]My dislike for you is all related to 3 comments you made. 1) About Cossie engines being basically a Mondeo engine (c**k) 2) That Hot hatches are easily passed by M3's (optimistic!) and 3) That a 23K SE that was for sale cannot possibly be 23K as you havent seen the car but can tell from the pics. But if anyone doesnt believe YOU they have to provide detailed proof. Bit like a conspiracy theory that. (retarded)
You are a properly strange young man. Ive seen loads of people on S14Power query why you are so antogonistic. I can't for the life of me see why either.

You argue with everyone and you beleive you know best about everything. But I guess its OK because I recall you saying you had two years automotive experience.

At first I thought it was just a wind up poster, but the more I read the more I realise you just are like that. I dont get it and more likely I never will. So "meh"

[/off topic]
A very clever use of smilies from
www.passionford.com
One would say you need to get your facts straight before you keep on 'rambling' on this forum

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:45 pm
by Rich_W
Demlotcrew wrote:
A very clever use of smilies from
www.passionford.com
One would say you need to get your facts straight before you keep on 'rambling' on this forum

One might, but then I've seen enough of your posts to realise that despite facts being presented to you, clearly you know more than anybody else on every subject.
I know that you'll discount every one of these links. Its sad and fairly predictable.
How
you can proove a car hasnt done the mileage claimed by looking at pics
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... t=#1006514
(on a related note, I recently changed a seat cover on a 3K mile GTI Mark 5 which had torn and the seat foam had all deformed. Guy who owned it wasnt overweight or anything either. Surprised us.)
How the Cossie YB engine is a Mondeo engine
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... t=#1004392
How Hot Hatches cant beat a 215
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... t=#1000580
Like I say, I dont get it. What possible enjoyment would you get from making people dislike you.

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:59 pm
by Demlotcrew
Oh no you caught me, guilty as charged. WGAF

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:43 pm
by Rich_W
I do actually. Its people like you that ruin forums.
You shoot your mouth off with unfounded "knowledge" or allegations then "WGAF" when people proove you wrong. You antagonise people then wonder why no one has sympathy for you. What was the phrase I heard the other day?
the people skills of a agoraphobic smack head.
You do know that if it was ANY other user organising that Group Buy there would be 10 genuine takers by now. Its solely becuase YOU are organising it that its not doing so good. Well that and the fact you mentioned there would be a better product along next time. Great way to build sales that!

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:31 pm
by d6dph
Gentlemen, With all due respect this has nothing to do with the thread.
Can we leave these comments to pms or another thread please.
Thanks

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:33 pm
by mark_eire
daimlerman wrote:If you are happy with LHD as a daily driver,why not?
Shouldn't be a problem,
I drive an Hgv which is left hand drive and also done my driving test in a lhd lorry which was a long story but anyway don't think the lhd would pose any problems

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:35 pm
by Chris-W
mark_eire wrote:daimlerman wrote:If you are happy with LHD as a daily driver,why not?
Shouldn't be a problem,
I drive an Hgv which is left hand drive and also done my driving test in a lhd lorry which was a long story but anyway don't think the lhd would pose any problems

I actually quite like 'wrong-side' cars - there are as many advantages as disadvantages.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:43 pm
by ian332isport
mark_eire wrote:I drive an Hgv which is left hand drive and also done my driving test in a lhd lorry which was a long story but anyway don't think the lhd would pose any problems

I suspect you may find sitting high up in an Hgv makes it a whole lot easier. You can see over most things. In an M3, you will find it a lot different.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:08 pm
by Simon
ian332isport wrote:mark_eire wrote:I drive an Hgv which is left hand drive and also done my driving test in a lhd lorry which was a long story but anyway don't think the lhd would pose any problems

I suspect you may find sitting high up in an Hgv makes it a whole lot easier. You can see over most things. In an M3, you will find it a lot different.
Not judging by the amount of LHD HGV's involved in RTC's, especially on roundabouts.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:10 pm
by gary
I have owned M3's for about 10 years, and used them, until 3 years ago, as daily drivers and they never gave me an ounce of trouble
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:26 pm
by Demlotcrew
Rich_W wrote:You do know that if it was ANY other user organising that Group Buy there would be 10 genuine takers by now. Its solely becuase YOU are organising it that its not doing so good. Well that and the fact you mentioned there would be a better product along next time. Great way to build sales that!

Is that the best you can do?

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:19 pm
by HartgeH27
Peeps let keep on topic and talk subject matter.............................
Thankyou.
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:41 pm
by Onz
these ars are meant to be driven, 200,000 miles is k as long as its serviced but how vexed wil you get if your flared arches get a nick or a stone chip? Are you the type of guy that will get upset and want a whole new spray job for a trolley ding? or just take th octavia to sainsburys

Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:52 pm
by 78dude
Let me say it like this, I use a 20 year old E32 735iA for every day use in Sweden with -20c and 10 cm of snow on the roof, bonnet and boot! The price tag for an E30 M3 and my car was around the same back in 87 so my answer is Yes! The reason why ppl buy old German cars is because you can use it every day even when you see rain and snow outside! If you are looking for a car, only for weekend purpose, get your self something more exotic like an old school Italian to an example....
Just my two cents!
Re: E30 M3 everyday car?
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:11 pm
by mark_eire
Onz wrote:these ars are meant to be driven, 200,000 miles is k as long as its serviced but how vexed wil you get if your flared arches get a nick or a stone chip? Are you the type of guy that will get upset and want a whole new spray job for a trolley ding? or just take th octavia to sainsburys

Yea I'd be pi**ed off if the car got damaged/chipped but it's part of my plan!! If I can't take the car to the shop's in case of this happening well then she's gonna have to go in the skoda (alone) isn't she!! lol
Genius.......
