EVO or BMW M3 E46
#1
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
EVO or BMW M3 E46
Ok...... I haven't driven either of these cars, but I'm in a position to choose one or the other. As alot of you know I've been through most of the performance cars from "Extreme to Exotic" (430bhp Cosworth, E39 M5, TVR Tuscan). Cosworth was a great car that I had for 15 years and was great fun to drive and a genuine enthusiasts car which I loved and still miss, but was a total Money Pit. M5 was the nicest and most reliable car I've ever driven, which I had total confidence in and just couldn't fault. TVR Tuscan was a dream....... and the fastest thing I've ever driven in both acceleration and top speed "extreme to say the least", a fantastic car but potentially horendously expensive if something ever went wrong, and not a car I'd feel totally confident to take into Europe on an enthusiastic long distance drive (But I enjoyed every moment and had a constant grin on my face evertime I got into it.
Now I'm in a position to choose from the above two cars, at around the £14 - 16k mark.
Neither would be modified more than a chip upgrade/mapping session (Been there, done that), they'd be expected to do the odd track day, they'd also be expected to be a daily driver and therefore offer some refinement and reliability. Depreciation is a concern. Not too bothered about miles per gallon, I just fill it up when it gets close to empty.
The EVO offers about the best handing you can get in a performance saloon car, the potential of 380bhp with not much more than a mapping session and an uprated fuel pump is very tempting, and the car looks right at a track day or motorsports events, but can be associated with the boy racer. (And I'm not exactly in my twenties.... I wish I was).
The E46 M3 appears offers performance & reasonable handing with refinement and a hint of class. With the potential to be a reliable high performance saloon that never looks out of place at the race track or in Park Lane, and like the M5 will sit at high speeds for hours with no problems at all.
Having owned the E39 M5, I know to alot of people it might seem like a downward step, but I'm single, don't need a large four door car, and always appreciated the last of the six cylinder M3's and although not quite a fast as the M5 in acceleration, from A - B on an everyday road, is capable of making up time in the handling.
For the money I'm willing to spend, I'm looking at up to a late 2005 EVO, even an "MR"..... or a late 2003/2004 M3 (Both with sensible mileages).
EVO "MR's" are quite rare, and the sellers seem to know what they've got, so prices seem fairly level throughout the market. But I could get what I want for around the £14 - 15k mark. Or I could spend a little less and go for a mint FQ or spend even less and go for a EVO 7 RS, which for around the £10k mark I could possibly find a very low mileage and totally mint example.
M3's come up quite often at auction (British Car Auctions) and you have to potential to get a good car at a bargain price (Relatively Speaking, compared to buying privately or from the trade). Never been afraid of the auctions, and if you know what your looking at then it's down to you.
Anyone with any previous experience of either ????? (From an owners point of view).
Now I'm in a position to choose from the above two cars, at around the £14 - 16k mark.
Neither would be modified more than a chip upgrade/mapping session (Been there, done that), they'd be expected to do the odd track day, they'd also be expected to be a daily driver and therefore offer some refinement and reliability. Depreciation is a concern. Not too bothered about miles per gallon, I just fill it up when it gets close to empty.
The EVO offers about the best handing you can get in a performance saloon car, the potential of 380bhp with not much more than a mapping session and an uprated fuel pump is very tempting, and the car looks right at a track day or motorsports events, but can be associated with the boy racer. (And I'm not exactly in my twenties.... I wish I was).
The E46 M3 appears offers performance & reasonable handing with refinement and a hint of class. With the potential to be a reliable high performance saloon that never looks out of place at the race track or in Park Lane, and like the M5 will sit at high speeds for hours with no problems at all.
Having owned the E39 M5, I know to alot of people it might seem like a downward step, but I'm single, don't need a large four door car, and always appreciated the last of the six cylinder M3's and although not quite a fast as the M5 in acceleration, from A - B on an everyday road, is capable of making up time in the handling.
For the money I'm willing to spend, I'm looking at up to a late 2005 EVO, even an "MR"..... or a late 2003/2004 M3 (Both with sensible mileages).
EVO "MR's" are quite rare, and the sellers seem to know what they've got, so prices seem fairly level throughout the market. But I could get what I want for around the £14 - 15k mark. Or I could spend a little less and go for a mint FQ or spend even less and go for a EVO 7 RS, which for around the £10k mark I could possibly find a very low mileage and totally mint example.
M3's come up quite often at auction (British Car Auctions) and you have to potential to get a good car at a bargain price (Relatively Speaking, compared to buying privately or from the trade). Never been afraid of the auctions, and if you know what your looking at then it's down to you.
Anyone with any previous experience of either ????? (From an owners point of view).
Last edited by Jim Green; 08-06-2009 at 01:32 AM.
#2
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: in mozzys bullshitting book
Posts: 4,610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i,d choose the m3 for that money you will get a nice spec,late car in silver grey (best colour i.m.h.o) just cant seem to get along with evo,s for some reason
good luck in whatever you choose jim but with all your knowledge about the m5 you had isnt the obvious choice e46?
good luck in whatever you choose jim but with all your knowledge about the m5 you had isnt the obvious choice e46?
#3
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Yep...... Always appreciated the build quality of BM's and know the E39 M5's like the back of my hand, so logically my brain should tell me to go with the E46 M3, but those damned japs seem to build a reliable performance car too.
Agree with your colour choice...................Silver is faster too.
Agree with your colour choice...................Silver is faster too.
Last edited by Jim Green; 16-05-2009 at 06:25 AM.
#4
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Id go for the EVO.They look good, goes like stink. a mate of mine has a M5 and he has just bought a M3 to sell on and said the M3 seems total shite to the m5 .
Last edited by Harris.; 16-05-2009 at 07:10 AM.
#5
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (5)
hi jim ,it woud have to be the mr for me as i feel after owning a m5 you have owned the ultimate in the bmw range and you may find the m3 a lesser version of the m5 over time.The evo on the other hand will offer that drivers car feeling you know you love like your old saff and tvr had whilst retaining the everyday appeal of reliability and drivability.
cheers james
cheers james
#6
PassionFord Post Troll
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently sold my 8 MR FQ400 replica (made more power than a standard FQ400) but had all the genuine ralliart goodies to bring it up to the power. Genuine FQ badging as well. This was my second Evo, first one was a 2001 VII. Both cars were faultless and coming from cossie ownership, I wanted something I could drive hard and put away until the next weekend not something I was forever listening for something to break.
Not sure in the UK but Evo's are very cheap to service and parts are dirt cheap for all the consumables here. I would recommend buying a lightly modified one if possible that has been well maintained.
This was mine:
Not sure in the UK but Evo's are very cheap to service and parts are dirt cheap for all the consumables here. I would recommend buying a lightly modified one if possible that has been well maintained.
This was mine:
#7
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: onshore at the moment
Posts: 4,320
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Id say the M3 as thats what i've recently bought BUT i also had an Evo.
The Evo was brilliant and i used and abused it every day for a year including about 400miles on various track days.
Only thing the Evo needed was a couple of Clutches, Brakes and servicing every 4K miles.
Had it not been written off then i might still have one today.
The M3 on the other hand is just soooo much fun out on track. It also has the comfort factor which is nice.
AndyR would be the man to answer this as he has an MR and he also had a shot of my BM about a month ago.
The BM @ a local track day: http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1817
The Evo was brilliant and i used and abused it every day for a year including about 400miles on various track days.
Only thing the Evo needed was a couple of Clutches, Brakes and servicing every 4K miles.
Had it not been written off then i might still have one today.
The M3 on the other hand is just soooo much fun out on track. It also has the comfort factor which is nice.
AndyR would be the man to answer this as he has an MR and he also had a shot of my BM about a month ago.
The BM @ a local track day: http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1817
Trending Topics
#8
Needs Beer Tokens.....
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Bristol
Posts: 3,878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recently sold my 8 MR FQ400 replica (made more power than a standard FQ400) but had all the genuine ralliart goodies to bring it up to the power. Genuine FQ badging as well. This was my second Evo, first one was a 2001 VII. Both cars were faultless and coming from cossie ownership, I wanted something I could drive hard and put away until the next weekend not something I was forever listening for something to break.
Not sure in the UK but Evo's are very cheap to service and parts are dirt cheap for all the consumables here. I would recommend buying a lightly modified one if possible that has been well maintained.
This was mine:
Not sure in the UK but Evo's are very cheap to service and parts are dirt cheap for all the consumables here. I would recommend buying a lightly modified one if possible that has been well maintained.
This was mine:
#11
20K+ Super Poster.
iTrader: (1)
Neither Jim, go and try a Hawkeye Spec C, i think you might be suprised....
Remember mine?? stunning out of the box cars.
I,ve had a MR 320 aswell remember, running 460bhp/442ft/lb courtsey of Mr Shead with a forged Engine and Autronic etc. Great car yes, very capable but the Spec C is in another league for handling..
Remember mine?? stunning out of the box cars.
I,ve had a MR 320 aswell remember, running 460bhp/442ft/lb courtsey of Mr Shead with a forged Engine and Autronic etc. Great car yes, very capable but the Spec C is in another league for handling..
#12
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies so far.............. Keep them coming I still haven't made my mind up.
PETE : I've been searching for your number and hoped you'd come on this thread as I followed your EVO threads on MLR. And have been looking at Hawkeye Scoobs as well, but not with quite the enthusiasum of the EVO's. But they're selling at VERY good prices compared to the EVO MR's.
Jim
PETE : I've been searching for your number and hoped you'd come on this thread as I followed your EVO threads on MLR. And have been looking at Hawkeye Scoobs as well, but not with quite the enthusiasum of the EVO's. But they're selling at VERY good prices compared to the EVO MR's.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Green; 16-05-2009 at 10:02 AM.
#13
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
I know what your saying....................... But was hoping the M3's agility would make up for the slightly slower acceleration. There's not alot between them, but the M5 certainly is a fantasic car.
#14
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: oldham / manchester
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
have never been in or driven an M3 so can't comment on that side. however i have just last week bought an evo 8 MR the car is spotless has done 20,000 miles and is running around the 400 BHP mark i paid a good few k less that what you are saying above, expensive toys just are not selling so be cheeky. i realy can't fault mine at all
#16
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Newton Aycliffe
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you cannot get a MR 360 E8 mate only in the E9's and they have the mivec engines aswell which are fantastic
my mate has a E8 FQ340 MR and with just a decat made 366 bhp and it goes really well so with a exhaust and remap you are up to 400bhp and a excellant road car
my mate has a E8 FQ340 MR and with just a decat made 366 bhp and it goes really well so with a exhaust and remap you are up to 400bhp and a excellant road car
#17
15K+ Super Poster!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Southampton
Posts: 18,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
in exactly the same boat as you jim, cant decide but im pretty much fixed on an m3, but may push myself and get a csl, but unsure if i can justify it as a toy in the current climate, and seeing as im only going to do probably 4000-5000 a year, same as you depreciation is a factor
im hunting for a grey or black m3, smg, and with either black or red leather
im hunting for a grey or black m3, smg, and with either black or red leather
#20
15K+ Super Poster!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Wales, GB
Posts: 18,745
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One thing to consider with the EVO is they need a service very regular, where as the M3 you can go 13k+ miles etc.
If i was in your situation i would also be finding it hard to choose. But i think i would end up going with an M3 juse because it is a much more quality car to be in etc. As where by the EVO rocks in performance when you curising about it does not have that luxury car feel the BMW will have. And for me i think that would push me towards the M3.
If i was in your situation i would also be finding it hard to choose. But i think i would end up going with an M3 juse because it is a much more quality car to be in etc. As where by the EVO rocks in performance when you curising about it does not have that luxury car feel the BMW will have. And for me i think that would push me towards the M3.
#21
Get on That!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lake District
Posts: 2,701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Evo 8 MR FQ320 in Gunmetal or ultra rare white (if you can find 1)
don't bother with a 8 MR FQ340 if you are planning on re-mapping it as they come with a crappy after market inline chipped module to get the extra 20bhp
if you look on the MLR now there is this lovely example it a MR FQ300 so doesn't have the HKS hard-pipe kit or sports CAT
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=260828
but the basics of all the 8 MR's are the same
all you'd need for that car is a full 3" exhaust (£450-£500) a walbro fuel pump (£70) and a re-map (£350-£400) & a wide-band setup (£250) and your good to go for 380bhp+
I would also invest on some decent brake pads & discs (Carbotec XP8's & PF Discs)
you can also save money by using 1 of the many free modified ECU roms for the ECU to get you to 380bhp+ and they guy you need to speak to on the MLR is: GrayW
These modified ECU roms have many extra built in like:
: Engine knock detection (flashs ecu light)
: Duel Maps
: Intercooler spray to come on at lower temperature and when knock is detected etc
: Valet mode (engine can not be rev'd past a set rpm when activated
there are also some other aswell.
buy 1 and enjoy miss mine everyday they are very capable cars indeed
don't bother with a 8 MR FQ340 if you are planning on re-mapping it as they come with a crappy after market inline chipped module to get the extra 20bhp
if you look on the MLR now there is this lovely example it a MR FQ300 so doesn't have the HKS hard-pipe kit or sports CAT
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=260828
but the basics of all the 8 MR's are the same
all you'd need for that car is a full 3" exhaust (£450-£500) a walbro fuel pump (£70) and a re-map (£350-£400) & a wide-band setup (£250) and your good to go for 380bhp+
I would also invest on some decent brake pads & discs (Carbotec XP8's & PF Discs)
you can also save money by using 1 of the many free modified ECU roms for the ECU to get you to 380bhp+ and they guy you need to speak to on the MLR is: GrayW
These modified ECU roms have many extra built in like:
: Engine knock detection (flashs ecu light)
: Duel Maps
: Intercooler spray to come on at lower temperature and when knock is detected etc
: Valet mode (engine can not be rev'd past a set rpm when activated
there are also some other aswell.
buy 1 and enjoy miss mine everyday they are very capable cars indeed
#22
Regular Contributor
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EVO 8 MR FQ320 everyday. Build quality on BMW is great, but the evo is way way more fun. Ive had the pleasure of owning a MR FQ320 from new, for the past 4 years and seen many a M3 owner off. Mine was totally standard, no engine issues and tbh the panels didnt rattle as bad as I thought they would.
#23
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
Mmmm....... EVO is certainly getting alot of votes. I've spent about a month browsing the MLR web site and took in all of the info on what to look for. Tuning is relatively straight forward and it appears I could get close to 400bhp without much expence. (Certainly a lot less than I spent on the cossie to get the same, and at the end of the day I think they are the modern escort cossie).
Decisions Decisions.
STU : Thanks for the PM. (Stealth........LOL, You know me too well).
Thanks for the info guys. Really appreciated.
Regards Jim
Decisions Decisions.
STU : Thanks for the PM. (Stealth........LOL, You know me too well).
Thanks for the info guys. Really appreciated.
Regards Jim
#29
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: onshore at the moment
Posts: 4,320
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EVO 8 MR FQ320 everyday. Build quality on BMW is great, but the evo is way way more fun. Ive had the pleasure of owning a MR FQ320 from new, for the past 4 years and seen many a M3 owner off. Mine was totally standard, no engine issues and tbh the panels didnt rattle as bad as I thought they would.
I dont think it's fair to say the Evo is more fun than the M3 unless you have had both.
Having owned and tracked both id say the M3 beats the evo on the fun factor. Of course thats only my opinion but at my last fun day i had the most requests for passenger laps and was the most entertaining car of the day
#30
PassionFord Post Troll
Thread Starter
They both have there advantages....... M3 looks good, performs well, and has the build quaility. EVO does look abit dated relative to alot of cars, performs well in standard form and for not alot of dosh (Relatively Speaking) you can have almost 400bhp and it'll still be reliable. Image - The BM i think has the better image, depending where you are, EVO lends it's self to the yuppie boy racer.
Depreciation ????????? Which one will depreciated less from its present day price ??????
PETE : Will give you a call after the weekend (I'm at work at the mo...........).
TVR : Got offered a very good price from someone on Piston Heads after putting the car on show at the TVR Car Show at Chatworth House two weekends ago. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. (Lets just say I had the car 8 months and it ended up costing me not a penny.......for 8 months of experiencing real supercar performance). Loved every minute and they're alot more reliable than they're given credit for. A few years down the line I'll probably go back to them, but in the mean time I need a saloon car, with more than one passenger seat.
Jim
Depreciation ????????? Which one will depreciated less from its present day price ??????
PETE : Will give you a call after the weekend (I'm at work at the mo...........).
TVR : Got offered a very good price from someone on Piston Heads after putting the car on show at the TVR Car Show at Chatworth House two weekends ago. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. (Lets just say I had the car 8 months and it ended up costing me not a penny.......for 8 months of experiencing real supercar performance). Loved every minute and they're alot more reliable than they're given credit for. A few years down the line I'll probably go back to them, but in the mean time I need a saloon car, with more than one passenger seat.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Green; 16-05-2009 at 07:21 PM.
#31
Caraholic
iTrader: (3)
Do you want a driver's car, or a car that your Nan could drive 90% as fast as you?
If it is the former, chose the E46 M3 (must have APs, KWs, Gruppe M induction and Supersprint ). If it is the latter, pick the Evo . I have driven both around the Nordschleife, and the M3 did it for me . Really balanced, easy to slide and so much fun. The Evo was easily quicker (370bhp Evo FQ340MR), but was anodyne by comparison.
If it is the former, chose the E46 M3 (must have APs, KWs, Gruppe M induction and Supersprint ). If it is the latter, pick the Evo . I have driven both around the Nordschleife, and the M3 did it for me . Really balanced, easy to slide and so much fun. The Evo was easily quicker (370bhp Evo FQ340MR), but was anodyne by comparison.
#32
Advanced PassionFord User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southampton
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We had an M3 SMG lasy year and it was a great car, good at any speed and always nice to drive. The diffs and SMG box can be expensive to repair if they break, ours only had 32k miles on and the diff went so they arent bullet proof. We were going to get another one but im looking at an 2007/8 RS4
#35
20K+ Super Poster.
ive driven n either but form my passenger experiences of both i'd say mike's comments hold true.
they both drive very differently and either one or the other will suit your driving style
they both drive very differently and either one or the other will suit your driving style
#37
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Jim, you came for a blast in my MR FQ 320, l like the buzz of the turbo but they can be a little basic compared to an M3 l would imagine but as Stu said everybody has to own one at some stage
Mike
Mike
#38
PassionFord Post Troll
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: cumbria
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you now i just cant get to grips with bmw,s they seem great if your about 90 year old , lol, after going down the evo route .. i love them , get the evo mate you wont regret it
andy
andy
#39
evo all the way, i spent all day saturday round combe woke up this morning put my 4 kids in went to tesco and come home with a boot full of shopping without changing a thing.
Serious track car one day family car the next.
Serious track car one day family car the next.