Portent 0 Posted June 28, 2011 He's looking to change his car to a newer one. When he finds one he's asked if I want his E46 M3 at an unbelievably cheap price (far cheaper than he'd sell it for if he advertised it). It has been very well looked after by him for the last 6 years and is the perfect colour; grey with black leather. Now I already have a family car (4 door Golf 4Motion) which I can't really sell because we definitely need a 4 door. We've owned it for years, the kids would be heartbroken, and it's been a really great car. I can't see my wife living without a 4 door. I have the Corrado that I've not owned long and I'm loving it too much to sell it. Honestly I adore the thing every time I get in it. I can't afford three cars (two is a luxury we don't need). So getting a third isn't an iption. But he's offering it at a crazy silly price (don't want to say how much but it's obviously very cheap because it's family rates). So I'd be absolutely nuts to turn down such a great car, that I know the history of, at such a deal. Half of me hopes he won't find the car he's looking for so I won't need to make a decision for a while. But I suppose it's a nice dilema to have. Cos frankly I'm stumped :scratch: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted June 28, 2011 I'd take the M3 in a heart beat. I've wanted one ever since they came out! I can't imagine the Corrado would compare in any way to one of those, apart from in lower running costs! Please just tell me how much he's offering it to you for.. so I can go and have a cry somewhere! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8vMatt 1 Posted June 28, 2011 Sorn the Corrado for the time you have the M3 and enjoy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KADVR6 0 Posted June 28, 2011 well having owned 3 corrados and driven about 5 M3's, all i will say is the M3 is a far superior car in every way (apart from when it snows) its much much faster/quiter/refined, BUT at the end of the day its just another e46 ok its the best e46 ever, and is probably in the top 5 BMW's ever built, but it will never turn heads like a corrado will. stay with your heart and keep the corrado, unless its just sooo much of a bargain you cant turn it down, even keep the corrado and just sorn it and keep it the garage, and when you get bored of the M3 or crash it, get the corrado de-sorned. ---------- Post added at 09:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 PM ---------- balls Matt beat me to it lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted June 28, 2011 I'd take the M3 in a heart beat. I've wanted one ever since they came out! I can't imagine the Corrado would compare in any way to one of those, apart from in lower running costs Yes, neither the Golf or the Corrado come close to a comparison. But I need to look at the running costs. Insurance and servicing will be quite high. That may force my decision. Sorn the Corrado for the time you have the M3 and enjoy! Sounds a great plan... unfortunately I'd need to sell the Golf or the Corrado to afford to buy it. I have a wife, two kids and a massive mortgage to support. I'm also restoring a house so don't have much spare cash at all. And I expect to move house next year due to schools so probably won't have SORn space next year :( I have a bit of a personal rule with cars; I don't get a loan to buy them. If I don't have the cash then I don't buy it. well having owned 3 corrados and driven about 5 M3's, all i will say is the M3 is a far superior car in every way (apart from when it snows) its much much faster/quiter/refined, BUT at the end of the day its just another e46 ok its the best e46 ever, and is probably in the top 5 BMW's ever built, but it will never turn heads like a corrado will. This is how I'm feeling at the moment. The two cars simply can't be compared as the M3 wins in every department. But getting a Corrado wasn't about buying the quietest, fastest, or most luxurious car. It was about retro 90's motoring and owning something quite unique. But I'll have to see how I feel if/when he does find something. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pete 0 Posted June 28, 2011 Just my two penneth, but I bought an e46 m3 in 06, estoril blue and black leather. loved the looks and pace, but I sold it after 4 months as it didn't feel special. I've had an e36 evo also, and two corrados and for me the vws are so much more charismatic. Sitting in traffic the m3s night as well have been high spec 318s!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Tom 0 Posted June 28, 2011 I'm not saying this because I own a Corrado, but I personally would keep the Corrado. The M3 is a fantastic car and superior to the Corrado in every way, but as you've already said, there is just something about a Corrado that makes you feel great when you sit in it. Also, I can't help but think that from a financial point of view the Corrado is a better bet. They've pretty much hit the bottom of their depreciation curve now in my opinion, and the running costs of a sorted VR are bound to be less than an M3. Obviously you're getting it cheaply from your brother and you can factor that in to your calculations when it comes to depreciation, but I reckon if you sold the VR in favour of the M3 (which you're going to have to do as you can't get rid of the Golf) you'd regret it pretty quickly. An E46 is an E46 is an E46, doesn't really matter what engine its got. Not to mention people will still think you're a drug dealer or a cock if you're riding about in an M3 - sad but true...the Corrado doesn't have an 'image' at all in my opinion and I like that. Just my thoughts... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim 1 Posted June 28, 2011 I admit I've never driven an M3.. but I just can't understand that there would be even a fraction of the enjoyment available in an M3, in a Corrado! If I had the chance to swap I'd be gone in a second! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tonedef 8 Posted June 28, 2011 Take the M3 at the crazy low price...........................and then sell it for a profit, simple!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted June 28, 2011 Thanks for the opinions so far. I'm a little surprised by the Corrado love :) Despite this being a Corrado forum I expected a landslide victory for the M3 and people to question my sanity for even hesitating. Take the M3 at the crazy low price...........................and then sell it for a profit, simple!!! Unfortunately that's not really an option. He's doing me a favour with the price and would advertise it at market rate otherwise. So I'd feel a bit of a git if I took advantage of my brother for profit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KADVR6 0 Posted June 28, 2011 oh yeh agree 100% that you cant/wouldnt make profit out of your bro or a mate, what about having it for a few weeks and see how you feel about the M3, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted June 28, 2011 Yes that's a good idea; keep it for a couple of weekends and see how I feel. Good suggestion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KADVR6 0 Posted June 28, 2011 I admit I've never driven an M3.. but I just can't understand that there would be even a fraction of the enjoyment available in an M3, in a Corrado! If I had the chance to swap I'd be gone in a second! and you would be back in a corrado very soon mate, trust me i do miss my E39 540i, but still prefer driving the corrado more, it just makes you feel like your driving a car, and not the car driving you if you see what i mean?? ---------- Post added at 11:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:05 PM ---------- Yes that's a good idea; keep it for a couple of weekends and see how I feel. Good suggestion. well lets face it mate i'm full of good suggestions and advice lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted June 28, 2011 well lets face it mate i'm full of good suggestions and advice lol Haha so true :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KADVR6 0 Posted June 28, 2011 Not to mention people will still think you're a drug dealer or a cock if you're riding about in an M3 well according to clarkson all the cocks are driving audi rs's, so your wrong there mate lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Tom 0 Posted June 28, 2011 well according to clarkson all the cocks are driving audi rs's, so your wrong there mate lol I would agree with you but I had to drive down the M5 the other day and I think the cocks are back in the BMW's! :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bristolbaron 10 Posted June 28, 2011 all depends how attached you are to the actually corrado you have now and how much you've ever wanted an M3? the corrado will prob cost the same in a year to buy a replacement, the M3 will depreciate but probably only by the saving you'll make buying it cheap. service costs will def need to be considered, is anything looming? with all thats going on house wise, sounds like you're better off not taking the risk.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy 0 Posted June 28, 2011 My thoughts - I would keep the Corrado. I have had some excellent fun in M3's and think they are a pretty sorted drivers car - hiring one every month for a weekend would be enough though or Track Days even better. Personally and without looking - I really would not fancy keeping it on the road, with the fuel and repairs costs. I also would not dare leave it anywhere but locked up in my garage. It will attract a lot of idiots - on the road and then the envy crowd. Then allow children to get in it - are you mad ??? !!!! ;-) It is lacking in character to the Corrado - and I am not that in love with mine at the moment ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjcp 0 Posted June 29, 2011 My E36 M3 cab (3.2 straight 6, very similar to the E46 lump) cost c. £250 for an Inspection 1 and c. £450 for an inspection 2. These were at a specialist, not a $tealer. (M3's use a virtual fuel tank with (I recall, could be wrong) 2500 litres in it. They need servicing when the tank is empty, ie drive quick, need a service sooner. The Inspection 2 service includes checking and replacing the shims on the valves - they are solid lifters/tappets, not hydraulic - hence, not a job for your local "we service all cars" type of garage.) I would get c. 25 mpg but it could get much lower without too much trouble Insurance was c. £650 p.a fully comp (full NCB, Windsor post code, garage). My 16v Corrado costs about £100 to service, also gets 25mpg (should be closer to 30-35 mpg but has mixture issues), but with spirited driving and costs me £250 p.a. to insure. but... I'd have another soft top M3 any day... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin Bacon 5 Posted June 30, 2011 Ask your brother if you can borrow it for a week and get to know it before making a decision. The M3's pedigree and performance are never in question, but compared to a Corrado the general running costs and maintenance are horrific. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frandaman 0 Posted July 1, 2011 The M3 is an amazing car, without a shadow of a doubt; a real everyday supercar. The engines last forever, they handle like almost no other FR car out there and they are one of those few machines which can pull a low 8 minute lap of the 'ring with a week's worth of shopping in the boot. However, I work for BMW and I've seen how ridiculously expensive they can be to run, especially when a rear subframe issue rears its head. They devour tyres and fuel (and rear suspension bushes), the servicing costs are sky high and they have a reputation as a bit of a cock's car. The Corrado is just a simple, amazingly involving drivers' car, which has that rare quality of a real personality. I'm looking for an E46 M3 Coupé at the moment, but only as a weekend plaything. I wouldn't want the expense of running it day to day and I just enjoy the Corrado far too much! If it was me in that situation, I'd find a way of squeezing the family into the M3, or just SORN the Corrado and squirrel it away somewhere until you can afford to run both :bonk: BTW, is it a manual or an SMG? Never driven the E46 SMG and would be interested to hear what it's like. If you want any insider info just drop me a PM Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pete 0 Posted July 1, 2011 I test drove a CSL with SMG before buying my manual E46 M3, was fab on hard charging but I really hated it around town. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
v8rumbler 0 Posted July 2, 2011 I had an E36 m3 Evo about 8 years ago- that was a great driver's car. No traction control- just great balance. I still miss it. I have driven a few E46 M3 and they are incredible . The expensive service on the Inspection 2 . See which was is due next and when it would be. If the next one is an oil service and not for a few months you could run her for 9 months for peanuts. Sent from iPhone 4 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjcp 0 Posted July 2, 2011 Not sure what the rear bush issues are that were mentioned above. The Rear Trailing arm bushes on my E36 needed doing, My mate and I did them in a day (without the tool) and my E39's rear subframe bushes also took a day (with the tool)... so not to difficult! The E36 (3.2) suffered from VANOS (variable valve timing unit) problems though mine didn't, did seem to make much difference as to service history or driving style... I'm not sure if they modified this on the e46, but if not, budget for the possibility of a £2K bill! There were also a larger than expected number of engine replacements on the earlier e46 M3s. (I used to hang out on an M3 forum around the time the e46 came out) I don't recall what the issue was but there was a recall about 1-1/2 to 2 years in and then the new cars didn't suffer. mjcp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
v8rumbler 0 Posted July 2, 2011 Re vanos units. I saw a few where the Vanos was failing and they make a distinctive noise if I recall. With these cars S/H is everything. During the inspection 2 the tappets or valves need adjusting and the car MUST be stone cold to do this correctly. Once you have an M3 you are treated differently by dealer. They are more whiling to loan you a decent car during servicing. Once I got a Cooper S Works for a couple of days- it was well loaded with extras& so much fun. Don't worry about the image either. all the knobs are in Audis now!!!! Sent from iPhone 4 using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
