Well after being away for quite a while and getting that Jap Bug out of my system, I'm back with BMW again........LOL.

2006 M3 SMG with all the toys and just 34k on the clock. Had it two weeks now and to be honest I have to admit to absolutely loving it. Not as quick as the M5 in a straight line, but loving the handling and agility of the smaller car.

Since selling the Cosworth (Now Owned by James Keiley and in Ireland) I've had the M5, TVR Tuscan and Evo 7, all with around 400bhp. Now I've settled for a mere 343bhp (Maybe I'm getting old) but it really is a drivers car without all the reliability issues of the TVR, and the build quality over the EVO is very obvious. As for the M5, well anyone who's driven one will know how good they are........ Brilliant, but always wanted an M3 so at last my dreams have come true.

Here's a few pics















No comments on the interior colour ......... LOL, Not my first choice of interior colour, but the car is absolutely mint and has been garaged from new, so condition over-rode the interior colour, plus it has all the toys, Real Time Sat Nav, SMG, Leccy everything and six months BMW Extended Warranty Remaining.

I'm happy.

 

My ideal spec E46 M3, apart from the SMG... it looks amazing Jim.


Cheers,
Grant

 

Well someone has to own one not that anything is wrong with that but every tom dick and housewife has one.

 

Maybe every tom dick and housewife is trying to tell you something............. They're damned good.......LOL

 

As ever with you Jim a stunning looking car

Steve

 

Nice motor........I think the interior actually complements the car colour.

..........slowley working your way back to cossies

 

i love the e46 m3

 

Totally agree. Red ROCKS on beemers. Perfect combo almost.

 

Stunning

Not my first choice colour of leather but its looks super mint which means more in my opinion

 

nice car i like the look of the M5's better though.

 

Stunning car although I really cant stand the red interiors TBH either.

As above though, not enough to stop it being a great car

 

very nice motor

 

Great car - but I would of got a yellow one!

SMG is awsome

If you need any help with it Jim...

 

Hi Alex

Tks for the offer............. You never know...LOL.

 

Seventh one I looked at, so as usual I didn't rush into it (9 weeks searching for the right one, since I sold the Evo). First car I've bought off a trader in 20yrs, but with this one I had to bite the bullet, and pay the retail price............. That really hurts, but it was the best I could find.

 

Steel grey and red leather is what i'd want if i was buying one. looks perfect. Although im a poser so would have gone for a vert

 

stunning motor mate

 

Love it mate grey with the red interior is stunning we get asked loads in here for that combo smg is not everyones taste i personally love it when it works can turn a bit nasty/costly when it goes tits up. Looks a proper minter you have bought there

 

Didn't realize it was considered a good colour combo......... Learning everyday.

Aware of the smg arguments (And don't they go on). If it's working properly it's great, but aware that they did have some issues and it's not everyones cup of tea. I'm still learning it, but it's great in town, just like an auto but without a torque converter, and the same clutch and flywheel as a manual, purely the clutch operation is done by the smg (for those who weren't aware).

 

did you buy that from a dealer up heathrow way who normally has a few of them in?

lovely cars and i would love another if i could live with the depreciation mine done in 10 months, i chose the manual tho after trying a few smg's

lovely colour combo you got as well

enjoy

 

Yep I did "Trevor Jones"........Excellent Customer Service, and the choice of plenty of cars to choose from. A real M Power Dealer who only buys the best, and if it's not the best he'll tell you straight away. I actually went to look at a black one, but came away with this.

Depreciation is something we have to live with when buying 3 year old cars unfortunately. It's not until these sort of cars get to the age of the Cosworths that the well looked after ones start appreciating. I had my Cosworth for 14 years after buying it when it was 18 months old, and in 14 years it depreciated 8k from me buying it........LOL.

Really could live with the M3 for some time though, but doubt it will be as long as the Cosworth........... If it does then I'd better start looking for a holder for some walking sticks and a colostomy bag.......LOL.

 

Jim, yet another fine choice..

 

E46 is the best and for thoose not liking the smg take a look at this supercharged M3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3OQZ_YzvOQ

 

Great car looks stunning, the back seats look like they haven't been sat on!

 

Good cars, it just needs a set of CSL rims now.

 

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, that is impressive, and smg does work ! !

 

Have to get together again some time, when's the next meeting and where ????

Oh....... And I know it won't beat your fiesta....LOL

 

Yes, for sure be great to catch up.

There is a Hants AGM meet tomorrow night and then the next day out so to speak is Bedford trackday on Sat 20th Feb, im just going for the social

Dont worry the M3 will whooop the Fiesta, im still waiting on the engine to be assembeld

 

well jim ,you dont keep them long mate ,its been a while since you been on here you must of been embarrassed after buying the evo lol.what made you get out of the evo and into the m3 jim,its a proper stunner .I was never a lover of red interiors uptill now , but that does look a awesome combination.


cheers james

 

Won't be able to do tomorrow night as I'm working (Night Shift) but drop me a pm when the next club nights are and where, and I'll see ya there.

 

Build Quality......... Evo is a great car (But the cosworths were built better). Great car, but only from a performance point of view, after driving an Evo for two hours you get out knackered.

M3 is a better all rounder, not as quick, but a better all round performance car.

How's my old Cossie coming on......??? I want to see it back on the road before i'm an OAP.

"Don't keep them long" ---- Not if I'm not impressed by them. So now you know how good the Cossie was, I kept that for 14yrs. Only car I've ever had that did everything I wanted. But had to move on............ variety is the spice of life.

Regards Jim

 

i like the red interior tbh looks ace

 

yeah i too love the interior, some cars red interiors work, this is deffo one of those cars!

 

your the first person ive ever heard say a cossie was built better than a evo jim,but i will take your word for it mate lol
My two mates have m3,s and they swear by them ,with the only downside being the amount of money they spend to keep tyres on them.
Your old cossie is tucked up safe jim,still gathering the bits to put it back better than new .i bought a four post lift the other week to sit it up on ,but i havent built my garage yet,talk about the cart before the horse lol.
work is quiet at the minute jim so its going to take a bit longer than i thought ,but i aint going to start until i have everything got to build it up in one go .

so far ive collected

autronic sm4
ap 6pots
ap 4pots
small turbo inlet
newly refurbed hocks
new konis
new pump cradle and 044
adjustable bottom arms
radtec intercooler
escos radiator and fans
thinking of going for a t4 to make use of the cams you had in her

so im getting there jim and will definatley be finished for summer 2011,i will bring it over to central day for to see her

cheers james

 

I'll make a point of coming to see her.

Your collection of parts is impressive and I know how much that little lot costs. Take your time and make it the best out there, you don't have alot to do.

 

Lovely choice, love the colour combo

 

stunning car

 

I had red leather interior with carbon black. Loved it.

great allrounders.

amazing value now.

 

Looks really nice Jim, what are you up to these days?

How did you find your Evo?

Mike

 

Beautiful car.

Still not sure I'd get on with the SMG though.