Mike1

C32 AMGs are quite cheap. I'm always astonished by their pace.
Same as a Lotus Carlton to 100mph according to the timed road tests in Autocar.

No-one knows what they are generally either - 4-dr sleeper

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

Honda S2000... then if you want more from it, get it supercharged for mega performance.


Cheers,
Grant

Mike1

Or as above, if you want a sporty 2-seater, an SLK32AMG...already supercharged.

Check out the annual 0-100-0 showdown in Autocar mag 2001. Beat the M5, M3 and Evo 7 and Holden GTS-R

twoblacklines

corrected

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

Been in teh same predicament and narrowed my cars down to the same choices plus a Merc. Driven and worked on loads and the M5 won. Never do I drive the M3 or Merc I fancied and wonder "What If..." The M5 is an incredible daily car.

Budget some cash to replace suspension bushes with powerflex as a one time only fix as soon as you buy one as the fronts take a beating and make them feel sloppy under braking and fast direction changes. Rear tyres arent cheap, nor are brake discs. Pads need an upgrade to EBS yellow Stuff. Nothing else will break.

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

I love E36 M3's, Whats wrong with that shape will?

RC4

a bit dated nowadays i.m.o
i,m (will be) looking for a silver-grey e46 m3 cab in march/april
love m5,s though but my kid brother has just bought a minty mint e60 so a e39 would leave me in a doubtfull mood

fordsportjay

iTrader: (6)

as said above merc c32 amg is an awesome car and really surprised me-a very close second to the m5 in my opinion,in fact maybe even better in some ways

Mike1

I'd certainly try driving one if I was going to spend 10k.
I'm sure dynamically the M-cars will be sharper tools ( all the mags say they are more satisfying drivers' cars ) but for stealth factor the C32 AMG wins hands-down i'd say as i bet a lot of people will just think it's a 4-door Merc.

The only thing is they are an autobox. If you like shifting a manual that will be disappointing but the mags did report that the 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and 10.8 seconds to 100 was attainable by anyone who could drive as you have no chance of mucking the changes up.

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

Dated? So are saphs etc but you still get people craving them... Find a nice E36 M3 Evo and you got yourself a nice, quick car!

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

I must admit i will also own up to thinking e36 is "dated" and i know that's rich when i own a sierra

I'd always feel like i wanted an E46 instead

Charlie Chalk

iTrader: (1)

What about E30 M3's then?

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

I really like them

You wouldnt buy an E30 to be an everyday nice car. Its more like buying a cosse. It's a fun toy.

If i had an E36 i know i'd want it to be an E46, simple

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

...I'd probably still prefer to own an decent E46 M3 to be honest. I'm sure BMW diehards would think thats a mental point of view. However, I'm sure a lot of people would probably think that wanting a D-Reg Sierra over a 59-plate FRS is crazy. All depends what you're into.


Cheers,
Grant

C4llyT

The M5 is so comfortable, that should factor into it.
Also the torque, be easier to drive.
I often forget to change gear and find myself turning into side roads in 5th - and fifth will do 165, so quite a spread of speed there!
6th will cope with 30mph up a steep hill.
Just pick a gear and use the cruise

RC4

theres a bit of a difference radders mate
e36 m3-dated i.m.o as there is loads of e46 m3,s mate
cossies and e30 m3,s are classics mate,e36 m3,s unfortunatley aint

C4llyT

E36 M3 is one of best all rounders out there.
My old one, I wouldn't like money on an M5 leaving it tbh.
Had 7700 redline seen regularly, and went from 107k to 147k without needing a drop of engine oil.
I don't think many appreciate just how good they are/can be.

Think they can still look smart enough:

RC4

dont get me wrong mate they are a nice looking car
i had a 4 door one in that purple colour for a few weeks nice cars

C4llyT

All the 318 M3's does you put you off too lol.
No mistaking the E46 M3, I thought about one, but fancied grunt over wailing banshee this time.

RS Grant

iTrader: (1)

C4llyT was yours an Evo or Non-Evo... if Evo then had its Vanos been replaced at any point, since I see thats a weak point and would be rare to see one at 147k that hadn't had a replacement surely?? Looks brilliant in that photo though.


Cheers,
Grant

C4llyT

Non evo, didn't want vanos worries after engine melt worries on the calibra lol.
Nicer box too.
Bit old now, but still nice ones about.
Vanos is very over hyped, but nevertheless a worry.
Only seems to happen in the uk too...