RSBryden

Morning all, I'm in 2 minds of what to buy here!
I'm not rich or anything just work hard like everyone else!

I have around 10k to buy myself a car, thing is I don't wan buy a car that drops in value in a few years and I'm after something that has power and presence with it,
I've narrowed it down to either an e46 m3 or a saph cosworth.

M3 convertable to me will hold its money and will always be able to play with the big boys and it's a whole lot of car for the money!

The saph for me is a classic well known for bein the daddy! That will hold its money too! Also u can get. Resonable tuned one for around 10k.

I have had a look at s3 too but they have too many miles on them and I don't honk hold value!

10k is a hell of a lot of money to me so it's not a desicion I will rush into ! What's your thoughts lads?

gcfcos

For daily duties for me it would have to be the bmw

For a second car as a toy then for me it'd be the saph all day long.

Both great cars

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

M3 but not the convertable, 10k these days will not get you a good Sapph, it's gone crazy price wise.

But if a Sapph is your car of choice lot for a 2WD.

RSBryden

I don't really like the coupe! Prefer the convertable or not at all lol!


It's gona be my daily drive obviously when I say daily I mean weekends and maybe throu the week 1 or 2x as I work alot

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

if it was a weekend toy i would say the saff,but as a daily i wouldnt be too sure tbh

155lee

iTrader: (10)

Beware of e46 boot floors/subframes,I thought about 1 but seeing how they fall apart puts me right off.
There are decent saphs for 10k but the way things are they will be money pits.

RSBryden

I would pay a expert to check the car over top to bottom first as I couldn't imagine bein striped up 10k,

I know of a magenta saph near me with ecos wheels running 330bhp that's tidy and wants 9 for it

STeve

iTrader: (11)

out of the 2 choices bmw wins

Oranoco

BMW M3 all day long. Powerful, refined, easy to drive.

But, and it's a big but, boot floors can be an issue and if it breaks it can be painful. My brothers threw a rod and the repair is looking to eat 3k DIY

RSBryden

Jesus 3k!

I know that if the inspection 2 comes around that can be very expensive too! I have seen a few that hav had a full health check and the all important run in service with fsh for around 8-10k

I'm guessing there very exspensive to run and maintain

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

So they're not decent Sapphs then Lee

gcfcos

I've driven an e36 m3 and it didn't seem any faster than my mates 328i I drove? Not sure what the e46 is like having never driven one, they look and sound ace though I thought. I've only driven e46 m3s in and out the workshop or on and off the mot ramp and fell in love with a black coupe one a bloke brought in once

dan le moignan

If it's a daily drive I would go for the M3.
They are not particularly fast but a jack of all trades car.
They have many inherent faults though so do your research or take someone that knows what they are looking at.
If the boot floor has not been replaced or reinforced it is a case of when not if it fails so try and keep some money back for this st a later date as most cars are out of warranty now.

burnzy

Early e46's like to rust too, unsure on the later ones but it's not just the arches that like to go, oh and bottom ends aren't common but do go as has happened to oranoco's bro, I was tempted a few months ago but got cold feet and bought a b5 s4 instead for my circumstances it was the much better choice.

dan le moignan

Yes they are partial to rust, mostly on the front wings.
My one also wrecked its engine, so was sold at a massive loss.

Weeksy

iTrader: (1)

As said, Sapphire for play, BMW for daily duties. Works for me!

RSBryden

Now I am in too minds ..... What else would u recommend for the 10k mark!

Obviously the 10k I have is pretty much it as for repairs etc I would need to save etc so unsure about it now! In theory a car for that price shouldn't have these faults surely

Weeksy

iTrader: (1)

I think M5's are pretty good value, but you need to be careful you dont buy a pup as they arent cheap things to fix!

ajamesc

Rwd saff all day long if it's a toy. Plus I'd rather an e36 m3 over a e46

_Jimmy_

I don't think any 20 year old car is suitable as a daily so it would have to be the M3.
If it's not a daily, not having driven either they both seem like great cars so I doubt you'll be disappointed either way.

155lee

iTrader: (10)

You could prob get a decent saph for 10k but it's going to be used and not minty mint,any saph is a money pit regardless of what you pay.

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

100% lee.


you done well top get out of tyhem pete ,i bet you havent needed to spend too much on the tommi since yoiu got it compared to any of your cossies.


i would forget both the m3 and the saff and get yourself a mk1 focus rs

155lee

iTrader: (10)

Mk1 frs,now there's a safe place to put 10k and you will get a good 1 for that......I think?
Go search on youtube for m3 convertible subframe failure,it would put anybody off owning 1.
Wouldn't mind an interlagos blue cs though but would lose me a lot of sleep!

dan le moignan

At the time I went from an e46 m3 to a mk1 focus rs with decat and bluefin and found the focus more fun on the road and no worries about silly bills.
Just the gash plastic and blue interior let it down.

800bhp

Honda Integra DC5 if you want a fun reliable car and they hold there money to.

Cos500

If it has to be for daily duties I'd go for the bmw m3, quick enough, sounds great and more refined, easy to drive.
sapphs are old now, although an incredible car it won't be reliable and will always need something, hard work as a daily unless it's a late 4x4 but then what's the point as we all know 2wd is king, would feel like driving the ark compared to the m3 and for 10k will be a shed.
As the bmw could be a very expensive car to repair if it went wrong I'd choose a mk1 focus RS, great car and should be more than capable of putting a smile on your face, doing daily duties reliably and still looking good on your drive. 10k you'd have some change to leave in the bank.

RSBryden

I've always loved the mk1 Rs when I was in my last year at school they just had released pics of it saying it was on its way to a show room near you!

If the Rs became my choice what would I look for on it ie bad points and what mileage would be ideal! Does anyone know what group they are to insure?

I have 6 yrs no claims and been driving 12.
I would imagine they will hold there money to as a lot of u suggest

Cos500

I'd look for the lowest mileage best unmodified car you could find, I'd stay clear of the 02 plate cars and try and find a 53, should come with stitching across the seat base which was one of a few modifications ford did to them as the early cars suffered with stretched/saggy seats.

Harris.

Id be getting a BMW M3 .


Great all rounder . It has good looks , nice power more reliable and wont drop in value. Boot floor needs to be checked but most have been done under BMW warranty


A Saff is a great car also but 10k will get you a average one? and would I want to use a 28/29 year old car day to day . No .


Both cars will hurt the pocket if they go wrong but BMW still supply new parts where as fords don't .


A Mk1 focus RS is ok , apart from the normal , Rust . I see one the other day and the rear arches were shot ! Also the interior is ok if your 17 and just passed your test otherwise ......


M5 will empty your back account faster than a women !!


You had the red RS turbo didn't you? I was the guy in the café with the 3 door .

costina

iTrader: (1)

I would have to agree with a mk1 RS focus.

What about a older M5 ??

Buying a saff be aware was told today many std shells have been sold to reshell a cos.

10k for a good useable 4x4 saff is a good possibilty but rot will be the biggest issue.
If its classed as MINT its either a polo or a Dog..

RSBryden

That's right mate the cafe down burnt mills,
Did u sell ur focus in the end? I remember ur 3-door plate was D200 or something like that.

I have had a few fiesta turbos and another escort since! Just have a 120d at the min! Want something with more poke now!

RSBryden

My local hairdresser had the m5 on a 56 plate! He sold it after 2 months and 6k later! It cost him an arm and a leg! All the sensors kept playing up! Engine had never been serviced etc.
Put me right off

Adam-M

Mk1 rs's are over priced now much the same as saph cossies, m3's well I was shocked after some you tube vids about the floor damage, we're not talking cracked subframe it's welding to the weak poorly designed floor.

What about an Evo 8 or Impreza sti? Will be more fun than the m3 and focus rs?

R4N SS

iTrader: (6)

There is also a BMW factory recall for the E46 passenger air bag mate so make sure its been done already

Harris.

Steve sold the focus RS last year with 40k on the clock 7k . I sold my 3 door 2 years ago now .

RSBryden

What you driving now pal

RSBryden

We're I live mate every C""" has one! (Subaru) Can't justify paying 8k for an sti that looks like it's came from a cereal box,
Evo 8 r nice mate but there up around 12k mark , too dear for what they are I think. And they won't hold value! I herd the gearboxes in them ain't so great!

burnzy

I'd seriously do your reasearch first before putting cash down on an m3, search all the forums, m3cutters is a good place, enquire about rust and bottom ends, and any other general foibles, make your decision on the SMG box too as it'll be another factor to decide, 10k would buy you a middle of the road car, so bear that in mind.

An m5 in e39 guise for 10k will not be mint, 8k a few years a go would buy you a high miler I can only imagine now that the prices will be on the up.

I had this issue a few months back and as I already said I was put off, you could buy one for 10k and enjoy it for 10 years as a weekend car and it cost you nothing, i decided not to take the gamble, but let actual owners experiences make your decisions than people's opinions.

You could buy a ropeyish rs4 b5 or b6 for 10k you'd probably get a middle of the road RS6 too but then again it has a potential to throw a big bill at you, with the rs6 though, if it's had a recon gearbox and coilovers fitted then you've got a pretty solid car, sound fucking awesome too with a set of pipes, it'll also never loose money as they are probably at there lowest in terms of price now.

tony66

iTrader: (7)

m3-rust,subframe[boot floor] head gaskets,vanos issues,smg pumps[if smg obviously],tired suspension,costly front discs,worn interiors+more,great to drive though
saphs-probably everything but if you bought a decent one to start with a tad cheaper to repair mechanically than the m3,although rs tax on some trim parts
on the 4x4 i always thought the engine was a bit of a pain to remove compared to the 2wd..other than that really really easy to work on

Harris.

Still the courier work mate . Keeping me busy