cfoster

Ive got the usual 6 month itch to change me car and have been looking about wondering what to get!!

I test drove a 350Z at the weekend and was really impressed!! Far quicker than i expected and seemed very tail happy!! Having looked on pistonheads though I see that M3's are within that money now. Has anyone driven / had both? How do they compare? I'm thinking the M3 may be a little more practical due to size etc but got a feeling that running costs and servicing will be a lot more??

Or if they are both shite anything else for 14k?!!! Dont particularly want another Evo (yet!!) and I do too many miles for an F150 Lightning!

Chris

Ryan

14k for an e46, will be the bottom end of the pool, with high mileage, and i would suspect near cam belt change time. OUCH! Also will be early model and low spec.

unsure on servicing costs on 350Z, they may be high due to the type of car it is.

cfoster

i see what you mean mate, but ive seen a couple of M3's with good mileage for that money...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/529199.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/585961.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/544678.htm

Not sure when the cambelt is due on them??

With the 350z its every 12000 i believe and main dealer charges about Ł350!

Chris

Ryan

i would imagine its around tripple that for the m3, maria or carlo will answer that when they see this post.

certainly alot of m3's on the market to choose from, so your spoilt for choice and is even more of a buyers market at the moment with every jabbering on about how bad the economy is.

carlo

iTrader: (4)

bm's have timing chains..But i agree fully i wouldnt want a E46 for 14k we see alot through my work & boy are they getting rough now (not all) but most..Alot of they 350z's are imports as well so be carefull uk car would be better for insurance

Ryan

carlo, could you tell us the costing and mileage for a chain change on the m3 mate.

as im going to buy one once i get back from holiday in october, but looking at the higher end of the e46's.

cfoster

I would imagine the BM servicing would be dearer but would never in a million years take it to a main dealer! (friend is a bm specialist).

With the 350z's being an import doesnt bother me in the slightest!!!! its about 50 / 50 with import / UK ones over here. I like em in white which are only imports unfortunately !

Chris

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

think i'd lay my cash in a good 350 tbh.different and a capable car from what ive heard.nice looks and as said not common.

only thing i'd worry on is resale,the bm wont have any issue but dont know on the 350

carlo

iTrader: (4)

Chain is non servicable mate we have ones with 130+k miles & they still sound great what ever m3 you buy make sure it has the all important 1200 mile service done..When i say they are getting rough i mean body wise scuffed & tired,Also front bushes & ball joints they will cost you Ł600 in parts alone,Brakes are costly as well so if you veiw one & brakes are worn & a clunking from the front you want to try take good money off them..You see cheap ones but all the good ones are still at a not bad price with good spec.

carlo

iTrader: (4)

Ryan bite the bullet & buy a CSL they are awesome

& just to add main dealer servicing on bm's is expensive on the m models as they need the tappets checked & adjusted if needed insp 1 service Ł700 roughly & insp2 Ł8-900 depending on dealership.But if you buy the correct oil & parts have someone do it the way they would i dont see a prob with that & save a fortune.Instead of Ł90 a hour dealership rates you could pay someone Ł30 or so.Big saving

Ryan

yeah know what you mean about the bushes, my mates E46 320 seems to eat threw them, think he's done them 3 times, now he's fitted uprated poly items.

yeah know they eat threw brakes and tyres.

AP's & 888's

Ryan

carlo, i cant justift the extra cash purely for a toy, i would really love too, but i've always promised myself i would only spend my toy money on cars, and not my house money, so 20k ish is my limit.

Alps Pacino

i choose a vx220 turbo as it was something a little different and rare

carlo

iTrader: (4)

Ryan in todays market 20k will get you a cracker

Stavros

14k will get you a pretty new and mint 350Z, as they start at about half that.

Great cars, ripe for modding, I like em. M3s are a bit posher, but everywhere, and TBH a few subtle mods and a 350Z looks even more special than one.

cfoster

As much as i like the look of the VX's they are far far too small for me to jump in and out of!! Plus the missus would do her nut!!

Stav - half that? Really?!! Cheapest ive seen the 350's are at about 12k??

Chris

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

i agree steve.the 350 looks an awesome car when it has a few good choice mods.classy ones not tacky shit like some add.and some of the rims you can put on it are stunning

rsnissan

iTrader: (9)

Must admit I think i am going the way of the M3 this winter............would be spending around 20k also as I fancy all the toys comms pack etc

Stavros

Seen a few at 7.5k, a mate got a 7.5k one about 2months back, and though its one of the first, and an import, its pretty fucking mint!

gil

we have a 350z in at the moment, weve put race cats full exhaust and a plenum spacer on it and our customer is over the moon with it,goes really well too. not had much experiance with the m3

carlo

iTrader: (4)

If you could get one for that & was mint go for it thats civic type r money

cfoster

Keep an eye out for us then Steve!!!! Not fussed if its an import etc... I've seen these two on pistonheads and think they look fookin awesome, shame they're a few g's too much!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/559650.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/463208.htm

Chris

carlo

iTrader: (4)

They look really nice

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

simple mods like this! nice front end always helps




seriously,this one is lovely

Bullett

iTrader: (2)

out of those two chris i'd say the white over blue for looks.its stunning.

cfoster

Yeah the white does it for me, shame that one is a bit over my budget!!

Anyone for a DC5 Integra?!!!!

Chris

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

I have a soft spot for 350Zs, and I don't think you will get a good enough M3 for that amount of money.

Check this out . Trying to persuade the other half to have one .

http://www.potn.co.uk/rota-torque-dr...2451_32477.htm

cfoster

that one looks the bollox!!!! The one I test drove was black!! Got a feeling it would be a bitch to keep clean though, worse than white in fact!! I have Rota alloys on my Integra at the moment and they weigh fook all!! (6.5kgs i think)

Chris

FletchCossie

iTrader: (4)

"Far quicker than i expected"

I raced a 350Z off the lights the other day and he only just started pulling away in 3rd, but we had to stop. We went again (Rolling start) going up a straight duel carriageway and he sat behind (In my slipstream) me till he reached 3rd and over took. Once he got past I sat behind him (In his slipstream) and he barely pulled away.

The 350Z is faster than my Skoda Octavia vRS 1.8T, but not by much! Defo not Ł7k+ worth. I was tempted to get a 350Z till me mate brought his (I was looking to get something other people didn't have) and now Im glad I didn't waste the cash!

Go test drive an Octavia vRS and IMO you won't be disapointed (And save Ł7k)

Alps Pacino

I'm 6 foot 6 and about 17 clem, there not bad once your inside them lol. Getting in and out is a different matter though lol

Kev.H

dude i wooped an 07 plate 350z just before I sold my rs lol !

I would go M3 over a 350z.... just my 5 penneth worth

cfoster

With you driving Kev??!!! Blimey was that in a traffic jam?!!!!!!!!!! The Focus RS I drove wasnt a patch on the 350 i drove on sunday!! :P . Not after out and out performance, just want something thats got enough poke not to be boring, reliable and relatively cheap (ish!) to run!

Fletch - I dont think i could buy a skoda unfortunately. I'm unfortunately one of these people that am still blinded by the badge and the fact its a skoda . Wish i wasnt but can't help it!

stonehavencossie

I got this audi S6 for only Ł6500 (bargain) and im absolutely loving it;

https://passionford.com/forum/general-car-related-discussion/245118-my-new-car-pics.html

Newer ones with less miles go up to Ł14k for a minter

indycos

iTrader: (2)

M3 over 350z deffo

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

The 350Z is NOT about straight line speed, as it is a heavy mother (as much as the 4 seat M3 ), it is about having fun - this car is all about driving involvement / fun . I'm sorry, but a fwd "shopping car" just isn't in the same "fun" league IMO .

Ollie.

I used to work for nissan and have done lots of miles in 350z and i definitely would buy the M3 over it any day.

cfoster

Whys that Ollie as a matter of interest? Is the 350z that shite or is it because the M3 is a better car? Interested to hear all views. I'e owned a couple of earlier M3's (one evo and one evo cab) and both bored me senseless . I'm sure the E46 is better than them though.

rigdoctor

i went out in a m5 on sat the 400bhp one is it e39 my mates a trader and it came in on part chop he wants 13 grand for it only done 60,000 it was awesome it lit the rear wheels up from about 1000 revs the torque was unreal wish i had 13 g just runnin costs thats a killa would def recommend it tho

Kev.H

LOL yes with me driving ! the FRS you drove obviously didnt have the right mods I have been in a 350 nice car but abit plastic inside

defo M3 mate sitting in the CSL makes me feel naughty like im about to cause trouble lolol

dannclunk

You could always buy my EO Focus St-3? Around 14k and it's yours!!