Thats exactly it. I'm tempted most by the Civic, but a 3 yr warranty means i'm tied to very expensive servicing for what is effectively a family car with a quick engine, whereas i dont mind paying for a quality independent servicing for an M3.
Also sit in both and the quality of the M3 just shines thru. Its not a lot more to insure. hmm. bit expensive if it goes wrong tho!
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Thats exactly it. I'm tempted most by the Civic, but a 3 yr warranty means i'm tied to very expensive servicing for what is effectively a family car with a quick engine, whereas i dont mind paying for a quality independent servicing for an M3.
Effectively you are not tied to the expensive servicing if you want the same guarantee as the M3. ie if you decide not to service thru a mian dealer you will loose the warranty and I presume that the M3 does not come with a warranty.
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But you are if you want maximum resale value after three years. On a three year old car, three nice stamps from the dealer are worth exactly what you paid for them when you sell the car.
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The M3 would have to be seriously considered if you're old and respectable enough to obtain a sane insurance quote.
I had the pleasure of an extended drive in a colleague's '99 M3 convertible last year, and adored everything but the horrid custard paintwork. The engine is the undoubted highlight; an absolute masterpiece of automotive engineering. Crushingly fast yet superbly quiet, smooth and effortless. The E36 cabin still feels fine, it's just dated externally - but who cares when it drives like it does?
The CTR is a lot more than a "fast engine in a family car" but effortlessly quick it ain't. But it's still one of the best ways to blow £16k on a brand new car, and residually very firm. Two very fine and very different pleasures I'd say.
Servicing costs shouldn't enter the equation; specialist servicing for the M3 is absolutely necessary, and just because it's outside the dealer network won't make it cheap. The extra premium imposed by Group 20 as opposed to Group 18 insurance is likely to be just as significant.
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The insurance for me is £1100 on the M3 and £700 on the Civic. The excess is the killer - £250 on the Civc - £700 on the M3.
i'm 26 with full NCD.
The servicing is about £200 for the Civic (if any CTR owners are reading this please let me know the exact amount) and £320 for the M3 at a good specialist. This is for the major service on Civic and Inspection 2 (i think) on the M3. If these figures are out please let me know as my quotes i got may be wrong.
The Tyres are a big consideration. Near on £200 a corner for an M3.
Its still very tempting.....
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You're 26 and you're about to spend £16k on a car. Well done my friend! Where did i go wrong i wonder... ;-)
Personally I'd take the Honda with the warranty, but i can't help thinking you want the M3. Go with your instinct.
Ed.
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cheers E. Have worked hard with no parental financial help so looking forward to it. however about to buy house so this may not happen (damn the gf and her need for a new kitchen!!!)
She also thinks i'd look like a drug dealer in an M3 and an 18yr old boyracer in a CTR. She wants me to buy a CLK but the steering wheel the size of the waltzer puts me off.....!!
I really ache for an M3 but wonder if it will start to look very dated very shortly...
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Ah, the lure of that little M-Power badge is strong. Of course it looks dated, it's based on a 12 year old design! My colleague told me that he always feels it looks a bit old parked up next to the shiny new metal at the dealership. But does it matter? It's still clasically handsome, and - depending on your location - noticeable enough that you'll be making the odd insurance claims for new door mirrors (they turn up on the unlikeliest of heaps).
As for image, I think most performance cars make a strong statement. Especially at the lower end of the market - cars like the CTR, which say clearly that performance and driving enjoyment matters more than luxury and refinement. Incidentally, every CTR I've seen on the roads to date has been driven by blokes of indeterminate thirty-something age, and remarkably sensibly at that.
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Servicing costs shouldn't enter the equation; specialist servicing for the M3 is absolutely necessary, and just because it's outside the dealer network won't make it cheap.
Not necessarily. I have found a BMW specialist in SW London who charges a reasonable £48 for an oil service plus the bits and bobs. He has a good reputation so hope not too many people find him.
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I think at that age and mileage you would be getting one with a FBMWSH and poss 1 owner.that would be good piece of mind.Interesting how the insurance is similar i would have thought the bm pricier. Sounds to me like you like the idea of an M3 - at that age i'd go for it, should be reliable
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Its pricier but only by about £400 so not too bad when you consider the huge performance gap.
I would probably buy an M3 from independent specialist, but if checked by my local specialist BMW servicer i would feel comfortable to buy private.
Having serviced my gf's BMW at a local main dealer and my local specialist i would never use the stealership again.
good point on the fact that you dont have to use the Honda maindealer if you dont mind losing the warranty, but there arent many Honda specialists non main dealer are there?!
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Honda and Leon are good cars, but the quality of the B*W or Merc will shine through.
Lower depreciation may well cover excess fuel/insurance costs.
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Face it, by the sound of it, you're going to be niggled for evermore if you don't get that M3.
Just depends whether the niggles from outside your head, viz your girlfriend, will be worse...
;)
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