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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Status: Offline
Points: 2098
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:03 |
...and probably touching cloth too!!! lol!
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BM Fan
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 19-January-2004
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 1054
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:18 |
I don't regret buying the M and Eamo is right about the torque but
as Ludo said above, the M only starts to come on song at 90+. But
then Eamo also sold his and moved back to an E30 so its not all about
the bhp.
I reckon if you've got a desire to own an M Power machine then go for it.
If you do move from 328 and particularly one thats as sorted on the
suspension as yours (suspension and LSD were the biggest differences
that I noticed - not the power) I'll be interested to hear how you find
it.
So I suppose if I lived in Germany and had the use of proper roads then
the M would be the car of choice, but for a bit of crack on regular
roads, getting the tail out without killing someone there's not much
between them - especially as the M has a lot more grip.
Just giving you my perspective and not running down the M power
machines as I love them, but hopefully getting accross the point that
the 328 is a spectacular car and in my opinion very underestimated
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Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!)
Previous Models
2001 E39 520i Auto
1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual
1996 E36 328i Coupe
1997 E36 318i Conv
1992 E36 316i Sln
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:32 |
sleeper wrote:
...and probably touching cloth too!!! lol! |
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:38 |
BM Fan wrote:
I don't regret buying the M and Eamo is right about the torque but
as Ludo said above, the M only starts to come on song at 90+. But
then Eamo also sold his and moved back to an E30 so its not all about
the bhp.
I reckon if you've got a desire to own an M Power machine then go for it.
If you do move from 328 and particularly one thats as sorted on the
suspension as yours (suspension and LSD were the biggest differences
that I noticed - not the power) I'll be interested to hear how you find
it.
So I suppose if I lived in Germany and had the use of proper roads then
the M would be the car of choice, but for a bit of crack on regular
roads, getting the tail out without killing someone there's not much
between them - especially as the M has a lot more grip.
Just giving you my perspective and not running down the M power
machines as I love them, but hopefully getting accross the point that
the 328 is a spectacular car and in my opinion very underestimated
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I sure did. The e36 m3 was savage quick in a straight line but looks wise was a bit boring and every boy racer that passed me in civics and the like had m3 mirrors which annoyed me even more!
Anyone can drive fast in a striaght line but going quick around tight twisty bends is a different story altogether. The e30 is awesome in this are and the rawness of the car and the fact that it is driver involving made me go back.
Thats not to say that I wouldnt buy another e36 - I would. There just 2 different cars and you cant compare like for like.
But Martin has had a 328 and an M3 and is offering sound practical advice.
But I'd still buy an m3 over a 328 anyday and prices are on a par anyways.
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:57 |
As per the PM I sent Martin, the extra costs per annum are around €1,000 extra between tax, insurance, petrol, & routine servicing (only the best went into the 328i).
All the advice has been great lads. Ye've all been there and know the ups and downs. But I haven't. And ye know yerselves - ya gotta try these things . I know the 328i keeps alot of cars in touch around the circuit (and a perverse bit of me loves being David to the M-power goliaths on the track)... but what sorta speeds would I be capable of with 286bhp?!? And I wanna do more trackdays in the coming years in the UK and further afield, so perhaps the M3 will be an investment in that regard. The 1,700mile spin to the 'Ring would stretch its legs no doubt . Silverstone is another big power circuit..
My main issue is money. Tight budget @ the mo for it to be feasible for me. If it's not, I won't be too upset. the 2nd prize ain't too bad!
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:59 |
PS @ Eamo... maybe I'll put standard E36 mirrors on to buck the trend
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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kdevitt
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 27-February-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 904
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:59 |
Eamo wrote:
But I'd still buy an m3 over a 328 anyday and prices are on a par anyways. |
Purchase prices for the 328 are still a good bit cheaper than M3, running costs for the M3 will always be more than the 328 though - not necessarily petrol, but tax/insurance etc.
Have driven 5/6 M3's, including Evo's, and personally I reckon you'd need to push them very hard to notice a distinct difference over the 328i.
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Robbie Bradford
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 16-July-2004
Location: Co. Laois, Ireland.
Status: Offline
Points: 2124
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 13:49 |
Go for it TJ, M power is the only way to travel
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BM Fan
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 19-January-2004
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 1054
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Posted: 09-January-2006 at 14:28 |
TJ - if you're talking about serious track time and if your going to
the "Ring" then get the M its only on the track that the M will really
start to shine.
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Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!)
Previous Models
2001 E39 520i Auto
1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual
1996 E36 328i Coupe
1997 E36 318i Conv
1992 E36 316i Sln
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DAM998
Senior Member I
Joined: 05-April-2004
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 116
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Posted: 11-January-2006 at 11:48 |
BM Fan wrote:
TJ - Haing made the change and gone from a standard 328 to an M and I hate to have to say this but I'd buy another 328 before I'd buy another E36 M.....
Flame suit now on!
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For curiosity sake, was the M3 much sorer on juice than the 328?
What sorta of mpg did you get for each ?
Thanks
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BM Fan
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 19-January-2004
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 1054
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Posted: 13-January-2006 at 06:07 |
DAM998 - my commute was Portmarnock to Naas (M50 rush hour both ways)
328 - 95 Octane 30mpg
M3 - 98 Octane 30/31mpg
M3 - 95 Octane 27/28 mpg
And before anyone says anything, I wasn'r purposely driving like a
granny!!!! That was driving along with traffic, no racing possible, odd
time you might get to gun them for a few seconds but not often due to
traffic and that was average over several weeks not a single run.
Its only my opinion but as the engines had so much torgue they would
pull them selves along effortlessly at 1000rpm. On a long journey
the mileages did not improve very much (2/3 mpg) - possibly due to more
enthusiatic use of the right foot.
City, with serious stop / go action. knock another mile or two off those figures
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Martin
In BMW exile at the moment (Shame on me for lurking!!!)
Previous Models
2001 E39 520i Auto
1996 E36 M3 Evo Individual
1996 E36 328i Coupe
1997 E36 318i Conv
1992 E36 316i Sln
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AHEALY
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 05-February-2004
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 946
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Posted: 13-January-2006 at 17:37 |
Thats not too bad, my best from the scoobie turbo was 27mpg this week cos of a trip down to Limerick, but is normally only about 22mpg with a mixture of town and country driving.
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Ado
'97 523i & 95 M3
97 Subaru Impreza WRX Sport Wagon (sold)
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 15-January-2006 at 06:29 |
well i think im going for it - have a deal with the owner thats just to good to ignore
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 04:17 |
? waja talking 'bout, Eamo?
Buying an S2k? (Or my 328? )
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 04:31 |
S2k!
How did it go yesterday?
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 06:40 |
Good - M3s are alot quicker than 328is!!! No matter what I do, I need to shift the 328i ASAP. that's my conclusion.
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 07:02 |
welcome to the M club baby!! you wont regret it!!
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 07:43 |
I'm regretting the stress and anxiety I'm feeling @ the mo trying to sell the 328i to get my butt back in one of those seats... that's what I am! Such tasty seats...
The 328i with ACS suspension has the match of it cross country (though a completely different feel - not edgier but a little lighter on its feet and slightly softer sprung), but in terms of straight line overall pace the M is noticably quicker alright, no matter what gear or revs. It's linearity means after a bit you'd get used to it, but bouncing between M3s and 328s yesterday, you feel the power difference alright.
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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Eamo
Moderator Group
Joined: 13-May-2003
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 3450
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 07:57 |
so in summary your saying there is a noticeable differnence between the 328 and an m3.
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 2332
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Posted: 16-January-2006 at 08:32 |
In summary, yes!
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Mazda 6 MPS
S1 Elise 135 Sport
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Formerly E39 TDS, E36 M3, E36 328i, E34 525i, E34 518i
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