E46 M3 or Boxster S

rockits · Feb 6, 2019

Vans have come on a long way since all those showers!

Also spent time in VW Luton LT35 that nearly snapped my arm off hitting a curb a bit too hard while parking once. With 94 turns to lock and the biggest steering wheel in the world. The softest bounciest suspension ever!

Then the 1.7 non turbo diesel Vauxhall Combo was a peach! Not!!

Nayf · Feb 7, 2019

If you can stretch to a CS M3, do so - it has the steering rack from the CSL, and unlike the CSL is available with a manual box. Utterly fantastic sharp steering - spoiled regular M3s for me, which have sl muted steering feel. Up there with the biggest motoring disappointments, personally...

Nayf · Feb 7, 2019

GeoffCapes said:
Boxster over the BMW, I just got rid of an E46 330Ci.

The seating position was shite, the ride was rubbish, the build quality was awful.
I won't be buying one again.
I'm 6ft 3" and I fit in a Boxster. I'd have one.
In fact they're a possibility for Le Mans.

There is more space in an M3 than the 330Ci. It’s weird but true - I think BMW expected more people to sit in the back of the 330ci than the M Department did with the M3.

Nayf · Feb 7, 2019

Sorry to spam the thread - why not try a Z4 M Roadster? They’re fantastic value for money, have the CS/CSL steering rack and are a proper handful in an exciting way. Like most M cars the brakes need upgrading and as it’s American built it rattles a bit, but they’re a great laugh.

Mike X · Feb 7, 2019

I like the Z4Ms too , been looking at them and the Boxster S , I have already got a Beemer as my daily so the Porker would be something different , the Gen 2 Boxsters , 2009 onwards , have solved the IMS problem .
I had my heart set on a TVR before I got my Maserati Spyder , a 450 Chimaera , but after 6 months of being messed about I gave up and went for the Italian beauty .
I think my next fun car will be a Boxster , just a shame you can’t see the engine without pulling off covers and bits of trim , we had an MGF back in the day , still makes me shudder .

philw696 · Feb 7, 2019

Some Good memories coming on here especially the Vans.
Since leaving the UK its now a long time since not having a Transit on my fleet a RWD
of course.
Purely for property maintenance when I tried my luck as a Landlord and for putting the Enduro bikes in to get to and from events.
At the moment the Boxster is leading for me as personally I have never owned a Porsche in my 40 years of driving.
The pleasures of a quick diesel also has got me intrigued too.

rockits · Feb 7, 2019

Mike X said:
I had my heart set on a TVR before I got my Maserati Spyder , a 450 Chimaera , but after 6 months of being messed about I gave up and went for the Italian beauty .

You weren't looking at a late 2002 Chimaera 450 MK3 with a nice retrimmed interior from a seller somewhere near Leamington were you?

If so sounds like same seller that messed me around for months as well!

philw696 · Feb 7, 2019

Nayf said:
If you can stretch to a CS M3, do so - it has the steering rack from the CSL, and unlike the CSL is available with a manual box. Utterly fantastic sharp steering - spoiled regular M3s for me, which have sl muted steering feel. Up there with the biggest motoring disappointments, personally...

Just read some Great reviews on these as they have the best bits of the CSL and Andy reckons that was the Best car he has owned and he has had a few.
If my daughter wasn't getting married I could be tempted as they can only go one way.
The SMG option was also over 2 grand and a lot of buyers went for it.
For once though I fancy a manual box must be my age.

Oneball · Feb 7, 2019

Dan! said:
Your are quite right, Sherpa vans are complete dog ****

Went to get in it one morning to find the window broken and the radio on the front seat. Whoever had broken in had decided the radio was so bad, no tape player, that they left it behind. We swapped it for the just released Merc Sprinter. Never knew a van could be so refined or fast, guess they’re all like it now.

lifes2short · Feb 7, 2019

philw696 said:
At the moment the Boxster is leading for me as personally I have never owned a Porsche in my 40 years of driving.

ditto, always thought about a Porsche but never owned one, the only ones that I really like are the older 911 look, hard choice, I think the e46 m3 will become a classic and hold value well especially if bought right, but would be nice to have a boxster at least once in your life before it's too late

philw696 · Feb 7, 2019

lifes2short said:
ditto, always thought about a Porsche but never owned one, the only ones that I really like are the older 911 look, hard choice, I think the e46 m3 will become a classic and hold value well especially if bought right, but would be nice to have a boxster at least once in your life before it's too late

Totally agreed Love the Classic 911 and spent many hours driving my Old Mans in Europe when he had one living in Switzerland as a 19 year old.
Just something about the Boxster getting under my skin in a nice way after reading many reviews.

Mike X · Feb 7, 2019

I

rockits said:
You weren't looking at a late 2002 Chimaera 450 MK3 with a nice retrimmed interior from a seller somewhere near Leamington were you?

If so sounds like same seller that messed me around for months as well!

It was a green one from Steve at Posh Wheels over in Mansfield T50 JHL was the reg No. he still has it for sale but it is now advertised as his own personal car , what is the matter with these people ? never actually got to meet him but he seemed like a stand up guy , go figure !

philw696 · Feb 7, 2019

Wow !
Looking after a Boxster can be expensive.
Been looking at some service history and seen some Big Bills indeed.
Bigger than Maserati ones.
Plus side is spares are readily available as is the technical knowledge so for me not a major concern.
Just amazed that on one car for £9,500 the owner had spent 5 months ago £4,500.
I would feel mean chipping the asking price.

Oneball · Feb 7, 2019

I’m amazed how much people spend on repairs sometimes, my old 540i had a receipt in its service history for £16,000 with a main dealer.

Are radiators and AC condensers on Boxsters a week spot like they are with 911s? Presume they’re in the same place behind the front bumper. They get full of leaves and rot on 996/997.

Navcorr · Feb 7, 2019

Maybe of interest

philw696 · Feb 7, 2019

Oneball said:
I’m amazed how much people spend on repairs sometimes, my old 540i had a receipt in its service history for £16,000 with a main dealer.

Are radiators and AC condensers on Boxsters a week spot like they are with 911s? Presume they’re in the same place behind the front bumper. They get full of leaves and rot on 996/997.

Exactly the same on the Boxster.
I think I have read pretty well all the information out there on line.

Oneball · Feb 7, 2019

Did you know most Boxsters weren’t made in Germany? Most were produced under contract in Finland along side SAABs and later in Austria by Steyr

Lavazza · Feb 7, 2019

lifes2short said:
ditto, always thought about a Porsche but never owned one, the only ones that I really like are the older 911 look, hard choice, I think the e46 m3 will become a classic and hold value well especially if bought right, but would be nice to have a boxster at least once in your life before it's too late

I made £3k on my E46 M3 after 3 years and 20k miles. I regret selling it.

Also, the CS is a big premium for a purple tag steering rack and CSL (non lightweight) wheels that you could fit to any E46 M3.

Lavazza · Feb 7, 2019

Oneball said:
I’m amazed how much people spend on repairs sometimes, my old 540i had a receipt in its service history for £16,000 with a main dealer.

Are radiators and AC condensers on Boxsters a week spot like they are with 911s? Presume they’re in the same place behind the front bumper. They get full of leaves and rot on 996/997.

They needn't be a weak point. Fit mesh grilles, eg. From Zunsport. Not expensive.

Lavazza · Feb 7, 2019

philw696 said:
Wow !
Looking after a Boxster can be expensive.
Been looking at some service history and seen some Big Bills indeed.
Bigger than Maserati ones.
Plus side is spares are readily available as is the technical knowledge so for me not a major concern.
Just amazed that on one car for £9,500 the owner had spent 5 months ago £4,500.
I would feel mean chipping the asking price.

Swings and roundabouts. I've barely owned a GTS and it's cost me about the same as 4 years of Aston Martin V8 ownership.
Maybe I've been unlucky, but I'm hoping that the big spend is out of the way for a while.
I've owned many Porsche cars from 944 to GT3 and air-cooled inbetween. I have to say, that the 993 Carrera and the GT3 were the best cars I've ever owned.
My current favourite car is my 1991 500SL.

E46 M3 or Boxster S

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