M3 CONVERTIBLE

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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:14 pm

I want to buy this baby now,but just cant make my mind up.
I had a chat with the guy at WLM about the m3 and the possible purchase of my motorsport.
He has offered me about ???? for my car and i still have to put money towards the m3.
He also told me to drive the m3 first as its a strange drive being a dog leg box and lhd.
The car is a bit to far for me to go and look at right now if i find his location if there is anybody near thats into there m3s that could possibly have a looks for me and i would sort you out for your time.
I would also like some feedback from m3 owners at to what they are like to drive and own.
I have only just bought my motorsport and she is a gem so feel alittle guilty with regards to making such a big jump.
The chap that i had a chat with at wlm was more interested in the motorsport funny that.
MOTORSPORT V M3 CONVERTIBLE.What should i do.

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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:18 pm

M3! thats a very nice car
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stevetigger
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:19 pm

No contest, M3 winkeye
ad318i
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:21 pm

whats happened to the m3 spoiler
1989 Alpine White 318i 4 Door - Got Scrapped When I Was Abroad
1993 Metallic Green 316i Touring - Im Selling it before i move back to Greece, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0239342139
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:22 pm

ad318i wrote:whats happened to the m3 spoiler
There aint no spoiler and an M3 convertible
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Zayyan
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:22 pm

Spoiler on a convertible?! :clin:
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Wiggy
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:23 pm

If it checks out to be a straight 'un :drool: MMMMMMMMM3[/code]
60% of the time it works........every time !!!
maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:23 pm

Is that a sticker or has it got 2 locks
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:26 pm

Sh1t the m3 does look good in that pic the motorsport now looks tame when you look at both.

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ad318i
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:29 pm

maxfield wrote:
ad318i wrote:whats happened to the m3 spoiler
There aint no spoiler and an M3 convertible
sorry didnt know..... being a poor student all i can afford is a standard e30!!
1989 Alpine White 318i 4 Door - Got Scrapped When I Was Abroad
1993 Metallic Green 316i Touring - Im Selling it before i move back to Greece, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0239342139
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:29 pm

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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:31 pm

ad318i wrote:
maxfield wrote:
ad318i wrote:whats happened to the m3 spoiler
There aint no spoiler and an M3 convertible
sorry didnt know..... being a poor student all i can afford is a standard e30!!
Im a student to cant even afford a push bike!

Sorry this is off topic
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ad318i
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:32 pm

but ya old mans got 1 lol

again sorry 4 bein off topic

get the car
1989 Alpine White 318i 4 Door - Got Scrapped When I Was Abroad
1993 Metallic Green 316i Touring - Im Selling it before i move back to Greece, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0239342139
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:33 pm

Some feedback from M3 owners please.
I am going to ring him now as i think i will buy her if the chap at WLM takes my Motorsport as he wants first digs if i sell her.

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Rhino
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m3ben05
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:33 pm

M3 no contest mate, it looks like a good one. Where abouts is it?

The photos speak for themselves like you said.
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:55 pm

Rhino
I'd recommend you try to have a go in an M3 saloon before trying the convertible. Some people rather look down on the M3 convertible relative to the driving experience of the saloon. I've owned both and would take the saloon every time.
Having owned an m3 convertible I'd take a 325 convertible next time if I was looking for a drop top.
If you're really set on a convertible despite what I've said above the m3 convertible is still a lot of fun but there is a very limited market for them. A criticism could be that the engine is a bit out of character in the convertible and the firmer suspension only adds to the (admittedly modest) scuttle shake. That said you may find it hard to resist, what with the rarity and nogaro silver (or so it looks) which is in my opinion the very best colour for that car. Good luck with your choice.
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:38 pm

I have just had a good chat with the owner spec as follows.

1990 NOGARO SILVER.
HALF HEATED LEATHER SEATS.
EVO 2 WITH CAT 215BHP.
88 ON THE CLOCK.
99% SERVICE HISTORY WITH ALL THE OLD MOTS.
NEVER BEEN MESSED WITH.

I thought it would have had a MOTORSPORT type interior [all leather] but it seems to be just basic e30 vinyl is this correct.
I have been told by loads of people to drive the car first as its not what it seems,i thought the m3 was a real drivers car and the top of e30 ownership.I know its a droptop but surely it cant be to far behind its tintop brother.
I have now bought the car on condition that i sell mine so hopefully i have done the right thing,but all this drive the car first to see if you like it is cause for a little bit of worry.

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Rhino
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m3ben05
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:41 pm

Good for you mate, im sure you wont regret it. A lot of people are disapointed with the M3 the first time they drive it, they take a while to get the best out of.

Like i said somewhere else the other day, they are not legends by accident!
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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:42 pm

It looks very mint if you keep it that way will be ver valuble in years to come
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:46 pm

Motorsport forsale if anybody is interested :D :cry:

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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:47 pm

Good decision
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:51 pm

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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:52 pm

Vhin spoiler would set that off
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:55 pm

I sure do hope so as my MOTORSPORT is a gem and i know some zoners must think i am mad :cool: .
Whats the up keep like as you always hear timeing chain in the same breath with m3.
And will my hardtop fit the m3, stupid question but you never know :)
Would it be more expensive to look after.

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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:58 pm

As regards owning experience, I'd say don't be concerned about the LHD & dog leg box in the slightest.

I ran an M3 in the mid nineties alongside a Clio Williams and an A4 with an auto 'box. Point being that there's not even really an element of 'getting used to' those aspects of the M3. It's actually a doddle to switch between regular manual/auto/dog-leg/rhd/lhd after a short while.

I actually ended up preferring being on the left - there's actually a wider field of vision, unless you're behind something big!
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m3ben05
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:00 pm

Timing chain is a myth, theres no need to have them done unless your having the engine out anyway. Cars that have had the work done always sell for more though, its a common myth.

As long as its been well looked after you wont have a problem looking after it. Servicing will be more expensive, but what do you expect! Parts are rare, so no chance of finding a bargain at the scrappie.

The best advice i could give you would be to find an M3 specialist nad build up your relationship with them. You will get better prices and someone you trust working on the car.
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Chris-W
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:00 pm

Also, as regards upkeep, they're positively cheap to run. My main expense was tyres, and they are sooo much cheaper than they used to be.

Timing chain, schmining chain. And certainly not bloody 1800 quid to fit a new one, as some say.....
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:01 pm

Whats the power like being a 4pot with regards to the 325i.

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m3ben05
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:02 pm

Chris-W wrote:As regards owning experience, I'd say don't be concerned about the LHD & dog leg box in the slightest.

I ran an M3 in the mid nineties alongside a Clio Williams and an A4 with an auto 'box. Point being that there's not even really an element of 'getting used to' those aspects of the M3. It's actually a doddle to switch between regular manual/auto/dog-leg/rhd/lhd after a short while.

I actually ended up preferring being on the left - there's actually a wider field of vision, unless you're behind something big!
Thats not what i ment, getting used to those things is no problem. I ment getting used to the way it drives and the power/torque curve
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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:02 pm

M3s alot more revvy all the torque comes at 3750
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palerider325icab
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:03 pm

Ԛ£1800 FOR WHAT :cry: Motorsport not for sale now lol.
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m3ben05
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:07 pm

They dont need changing, just change the tensioner so it stays tight. Only change the chains when you have an engine rebuild.

Thats what i did, engine rebuild at 106k, changed the timing chain at the same time. Whole lot cost around 2k
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maxfield
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:07 pm

Its not 1800 my dad just got e36 or e46 tensioner wasn't anywere near 1800
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Chris-W
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:11 pm

In that case, to be honest, if you are concerned about buying an M3 becuase of how and where it produces power, then you shouldn't.
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Post Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:18 pm

This is how I see it, I'd like a convertible, but I'd like to have a convertible for the summer months, top down, and I would have to have a nice 6 pot burble.

The M3 is for when you want to just jump in, and go for a blast across the mountains.

My opinion, for a convertible, it would have to be the motorsport, for a pure driving machine, it would have to be a hardtop M3.

Dogleg and LHD is easy to get used to, and as has been said, LHD feels better then RHD, but I can jump straight back into the touring without a problem, so don't worry about that.

The M3 convertible does sound nice though.
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