E30 Zone

I can't help it, theres an immense itch for a new car. Thinking out loud heres the list of next trams to own, place your thoughts on a postcard because when the cash monies arrive i'm going to be on the hunt. Its a disease and its an M-powered stable that i've not personnaly owned any before

Theres alot of pros and cons but which will tug on the heart strings the most?

Theres some greatest all time M car contenders here!

I'd have the e34 if it's an everyday car or the z3 for fun use

id go for the E39 M5, love that v8 howl when ripping through the gears!

S54 z3m

at a guess the Z3 or e46 are probably cheaper to run and more reliable in some ways. The M5's are very good when looked after but they're defo more costly to run compared. I reckon the Z3 is the best in these terms. It wouldn't be not be for everyday work

It is a minefield as there is a an epic amount of shit about

My e46 M3 spec i'd have no sat nav, 18's and any colour car that sick yellow or while. A hard come buy looking at ads! Plain jane one suits me fine as i'd just want to drive it not attract attention

The others i'm not really that fussy over colour combos i'm too bothered by these days

Z3M coupe with a sunroof. They are so cool.

From an investment point of view (and the most fun!) the Z3M wins hands down!
Running costs for the Z3M will also be the lowest of the four.

The E34 M5 wont lose any more of its value as they are at rock bottom but parts prices are hideously expensive and its also the oldest car off the lot so it will come with old car issues as you know.

The E39 M5 and E46 M3 are the worst of them in terms of value as they are still falling in price. Of the two, there is more to go wrong on the M5 and again, expensive on parts prices.

The E46 M3 is the newest of the lot and has the second cheapest running costs and parts prices but the image is tainted to a degree but then so are many BMW's so who cares.

In your situation the Z3M's practicality is a limiting factor as you have a child now.

I suggest you try and get a drive in all of them and not just a spin round the block.

What is your budget as that's pretty key to this poll as your budget may get you a very good example of one or a not so good one of the the others?

Now costs and practicality aside, from a drivers point of view and having driven all of the above in varying states i would choose the E46 M3 as it has the best performance/chassis/usability balance.

As you know, i was in the exact same situation nearly 18 months ago and went for the M3 and have not regretted that decision. The only one i would swap for is the Z3M but having two children myself puts the paid to that idea.

The only one I wouldn't spend my own money on is the e39 m5.

I know it's probably the best all rounder of the lot, and often said he best bmw ever made, but for some reason they just don't grab me and I don't desire one in any way. And I've seen plenty of reports of pretty ruinous running costs.

In view of the fact that you already have the ultimate E34 I'd go with the E39 - you're capable of fixing it if it breaks so go for it !

We've got a grey facelift E39 M5 down the yard with two f*cked vanos's if you're feeling brave!

If i 'm honest the e34 bi turbo is driving me up the wall its one problem after the other! It really is the ferrari of the BMW world, its amazing when its all working and it makes you sad when something goes wrong! My budget comes from selling the bi turbo so its going to potentially vary lets say 7.5 to 10k Which will buy a rough Z3 and good ones of the others.

The e46 is unlucky in my eyes as they're a victim of their own success. From my own view of our pina B3s touring i've learnt they're a belter to drive hard with similar feedback to an e30

I'd love a nice e34 but what scares me is an M5 than ends up like the bi turbo and spends an equal amount in bits as to driving.

the wife can go in the boot of the Z3 and me and the baby in the front like today!!




New child seat but the rear seat belt wasn't long enough to strap it in!

I like the allure of the e39 M5 for alot of reasons, its big enough for the family, huge V8 (we all need one before you die) manual gearbox, performance nearly on par with bi turbo. Its funny saying this but they're better on fuel than bi turbo! I like the looks but like Harry says it doesn't tug on my strings but i've not driven one yet only sat in one. I love a sunroof and rear shelf and door blinds and these have them a plenty!

I've driven an M3 (Barrys) and i liked it alot plus our B3 helps here, the Z3 well my missus had a 2.8 roadster and that was a handful. The Z3m coupes are in their onw league for nutterness. You needed your A game when driving it hard and they demand all of your attention, which is fine we like that sort of thing.

An e34 M5 wagon well a good one is up there for the ultimate BMW, i get erect for a fast bm estate of any sorts

I've had a v8 and it is a must at least once in your life. It still stands as the only BMW I've owned that the mrs wants back

Z3 M Coupe gets my vote. I'm also on the lookout for one.

E34 M5 for me

ZM has my Vote

For me its a tough choice between the Bread van and the E46 M3, i have been sniffing around some on the net.

i'd say M Coupe but then i am a tad biased, we have 2

very good fun cars but at the same time very impractical, but one of them cars where its faults go out the window when your driving it haha

She's late!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... iment=true

Dont get to hung up about looking for a car with 18's as they were not a common as 19's and the 18's can be picked up quite cheap.

E34 M5's are too old and w@nked, the E39 is a money pit. The E46 M3 is hardly rare or special. I don't like the Z M Coupe but it's the only one of the four that will increase in value and doesn't look like just another £1500 BMW.

One to add to that list is an 850CSi. Far more heroic than any M3 or M5 nonsense as is a Benz E500 or a U R Quattro. How about a bit of Bentley Turbo R or supercharged XJR action?

An 850CSi is horrific on parts prices, a pain in the arse for electrical issues, a big wobbly turd with crap brakes and slower than the M5 and M3.

But they have a V12 and look great!

Id have the ZM, fill the changer with Metallica then drive like a cooont

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The 5's are great cars, but as said already they can bankrupt you, if you want a V8 there are better options than flushing your money away IMO

I'm gonna get a B3







PASSAT

I'd go for a z3 m coupe I loved mine until the vanos went!

The E39 is the best all rounder of your list Si. But that is part of its problem, I have wanted to go in one for a while was a bit underwhelmed by the one I was blasted round Marham in last year, even hitting 150+ mph it's so civilised it borders on being a bit dull. The Holden I went out in however was much more like it, I would be putting my money in a Monaro before an E39 M5 now

If it has no need for family duties then I guess the Z3M is where you should put your money. Does it have to be a BMW ?

E46 m3s are great, probably all the car you ever need but the lack of torque annoyed me around town(which was my daily commute everyday), and the acceleration was never that impressive to me mainly due to the liner nature of the engine. I sold mine a while back as my insurance was stupid, and that was before I got caught speeding twice in the thing. 19 mpg driving like a dead man was pissing me off to. My cousin had an e39 m5 at the same time and it was just as desirable and a little quicker to the ton, but they are even more expensive to run, I think he threw like 5k on servicing in 18 months. The m3 is the much more attractive of the 2 though, and even at 13 years old it still has timeless attractive looks to it in standard form.

Looking at the pictures above of the z3m coupe does make you think how exotic they look. And when do you ever see one? I would love one.

As for the e34 m5, coming from the alpina you will consider them to be to slow. Highlighted more with the big drop in torque. The only upshot is that imo they are one of the best looking m cars ever made.

Be a shame to sell your own car after all the work.


I'd squirrel it away, whatever replacement you choose.

I can't afford at the moment to buy the "other half" out and i've not got £5000 spare each year to keep fixing it.

Out of the 4 the one i've always wanted is the e34 the most in M5 guise or a manual 540i. I'm not that bothered in someways about going faster as i've had the bi turbo as your yard stick that makes most stuff feel slower even if it isn't. The Zed appeals alot but they really are a "toy" type car with 2 seats and small boot.

Another string to the 850CSI's bow is the manual gearbox and 420lb of torque

E32 750? Its just thinking out loud as when you get the itch its hard to resist!

Barry how much for the e39 then? Whats the cue

E39 M5s are just as grim for bills as an E34 M5, their only advantage is they are not as rusty, yet ! To me , they just feel like a faster 540, not a car I could ever get excited by.

On the other hand , a 750i 'Sport' in granite with black sport leatherz , now that is a happening turd and it has your name written all over it !

Guess what I voted for...

Another plus of a z3m over an e46 m3 is the insurance is vastly cheaper on the z3m. Don't ask me why.

I think when the z3m goes it will have to be a porker next. I'd love a GT3 but the values of those are only going one way.

Lets be frank here, £7500-10000 will not get you much of a Z3M coupe.

The E34 M5 is old and you will be fixing it every weekend like the Bi turbo.

The E39 M5 is going to burn a massive hole in your pocket.

Looks like the best contender is an E46 M3.

RE insurance on the M3 for me with 6 points and only 1 year NCB is £600, it will be cheaper for you simon.

And i can ask about that E39 M5 but it will need thousands throwing at it.

E46 M3's are great cars, but (to me) they just aren't that special. It's just another old E46 albeit with a nice engine and they do have a certain tattooed knuckle dragger image. Nobody will look twice at it, but most car nuts will cross a busy road to check out a nice 850CSi. Also consider an 840Ci Sport. I loved mine with the 5 speed auto, even if the brakes weren't that hot. It was fast enough for most situations and values of nice ones will start rising because they have yet to properly replace it (the 6 Series certainly doesn't count.)


This is what you want 13. Big old V12, no vanos or that kind of shite.

Voted m5 e39, I drove a 540i the other week and that was mega! Can't imagine another massive lump of power hurts.......

That is a ludicrous video! I love it. Passing someone at 180mph, respect. It was the time he was travelling at that speed that is remarkable, he would have done nigh on 9 miles and only passed one car.