Running a BMW M Car

[foz01]

I just got an E46 M3, paid a fair bit for it as wanted a low mileage minter, but glad i did.

Can only really echo the above comments, a greay daily driver imo, good belnd of perfomance and economy, i had a V10 which was awesome but the smg and mpg around town (90% of my driving, were not great, well the mpg was horrific, think 10mpg...

[Jeremy]

Sounds like running costs are roughly on par with a Porsche given some of the figures quoted.

I'm sure I'll buy one, one day, when the timing is right but. . . playing devils advocate for a minute. . . .would a 330Ci fitted with a Birds LSD not provide 98% of the fun for 30% of the cost ?

[jj]

E46 330ci a lot of car for the monies at the moment. This is based on nothing but my own opinion, but I think it would be better for what you want from it than an E36 M3. Its newer, comfier, more refined, still quick, nice noise, RWD. Looking at a few youtube speedo videos they are certainly not slow.

[mattg]

Had an '07 Z4MC for 2 years now.
Nothing gone wrong with it (aside from headlamp washer cover flying off at high speed when i tried to use them).
Nice and comfy, sounds ace (with GruppeM intake and Supersprint exh system), goes pretty quick.. and I think its oh so pretty.
Get around 22mpg, so not too cheap to run, fortunately I don't do too many miles.
Unfortunately an everyday slagmobile + Elise combo isn't an option for me (no garage/driveway) otherwise that would have made a lot of sense.

[foz01]

Sounds like running costs are roughly on par with a Porsche given some of the figures quoted.

I'm sure I'll buy one, one day, when the timing is right but. . . playing devils advocate for a minute. . . .would a 330Ci fitted with a Birds LSD not provide 98% of the fun for 30% of the cost ?

Absolutely not, maybe 60% of the car, aint in the same league at all..