Is This a Car That Will Get Me Black Balled?

[Six-cylinder]

Last weekend was a busy car weekend when there were several E bay cars I took a liking too. The Daimler Double Six S1 my wife wanted went for more than I thought it was worth, while still not hitting reserve. The Fiat 500 estate was thankfully removed before the end of the auction, as I did not need another project. I reread the advert for a Citroen H van my wife wants but it was not right for us, I did not bid quite enough to win the silver Peugeot 406 V6 I liked the look of. But while I lost a blue M3 and I managed to win a black one!

 

So I have bought a wild child a 1996  BMW M3 Evo convertible, 94k FSH, black with black leather, all original. I am not sure if it will be universally liked on this forum but this is my defence. While it cost quite a lot compared with most cars discussed on this forum £3000 is not great deal of money in car buying terms, for that I have got a 321bhp classic M BMW.  I am an old git so I can insure the beast without breaking the bank.

 

What were the alternatives with £3000 to spend for a performance touring car that does not have to do daily duties?

 

Anyway I like what I have bought and it feels top value for money.

 

 

[Pillock]

That's a bit of alright. And - don't take this the wrong way - it's also a bit shite.

Shite in the way it cost you £3k compared to £30k for a newish model, but does the same thing.

Shite in the way most of them have been put backwards through phone boxes, but that's nice and original.

Mainly, shite in the way it's got an OMG PRE-2001 PLATE and it's not even personalised. Unless your name is Piggplop. So you'll be shunned by everyone paying out £399 a month for a personal lease on an M-Sport badged 320d.

 

Good work!

[chaseracer]

Well bought, sir!

 

[brickwall]

Bargains are good!

[dollywobbler]

I must concede that I really quite like these, especially in that lairy metallic blue they came in. 

[hairnet]

apart from its a convertible - looks nice

[I_am_Diesel]

It looks nice and original, top buy I'd say.

[rml2345]

£3k isn't an awful lot for a tidy M3 convertible and that looks rather lairy in black.

Besides, the scruffy GS is enough to keep your shitist credentials.

[fordperv]

omg drift weapon yo!!!!!!!!!!  i like that alot i have a bit of a soft spot for the e36 floppytop i really like the purple/violet version they did

 

[saucedoctor]

Well played. Those are good fun, and that looks and sounds like a good one.

[trigger]

Is This a Car That Will Get Me Black Balled?

 

I tend to find most M3 Convertible owners already have black balls.

[saucedoctor]

Or indeed, none at all. I went out with 2 different birds who owned the same car. Not just the same model, mind, the same individual M3.

[nacho man]

I love the e36's I owned a alpina b2.5 and it was mega.

[oman5]

hugely expensive when new, now worth a fraction of that? check

running costs likely to break the bank? check

not even what you were looking to buy? check

 

I'd say its a perfect shiter's car. a good buy!

[purplebargeken]

Worry not. Tis fab.

[cort16]

Best sounding engine ever! The convertibles seem to be well priced compared to the coupes for some reason. It's a load of car for the money.

I think the 3.0 is the sweet spot on these as the 3.2 Evo has the Vvt vanos setup that can be temperamental.

[garbaldy]

I am not a fan of soft tops but I must admit that looks pretty nice,

I don't think I would have another as the car bellow kept trying to spit me of into the hedge back, chewed back tyres for fun and drunk like a fully laden 747.  

Funny enough just two months after selling it the guy ran out of talent (luck) and a tree ran into its path

 

[Partridge]

ALL BMW DRIVERS R WANKERS LOL. etc etc

 

I like it. It could make mincemeat of stuff that costs many, many times that amount. Therefore it is cool.

[Mr Lobster]

I like that a lot, looks a good buy to me. 

 

As I approach 40, I'm finding that I have a desire to own a cabriolet. No idea why and the overweight-baldy-in-a-cabrio look isn't one I fancy but still, I want one.

[londonm]

Brilliant, my mate had one of these new but with white leather interior back in 97. All you need now is a kilo of crack cocaine in a false compartment to sell to the kids in your neighbourhood and you're complete.

[HMC]

Such great value at the mo, it it possible to beat the 0-60 dash for less? (awaits correction)

[Split_Pin]

Very handsome these things. I've just unearthed my 1:18 scale 325 cab in white again after my model car collection purge.

[Six-cylinder]

Well that did not last long, my younger son came to see MY new car this weekend and immediately announced he wanted it. In some deal that is good for me where I get back my 1990 BMW 325i that he has been driving for the last year and he will pay me for the M3 when he can! What we do for our Kids.

 

[Six-cylinder]

Without wishing to sound negative, if he can't afford to pay for the car can he afford to maintain it?

 

I've noticed that old BMWs and Range Rovers ( and probably other used prestige stuff) tends to reach a point where it's purchased by council estate drug dealer types who will happily spend a grand on stupid wheels but not £100 for a basic service. Hence there are a lot of sheddy cars out there that the buyers who'd look after then won't touch with a barge pole.

 

And please don't read this as me besmirching your son, I've never met the guy.

 

Goods points

 

He no longer lives with and supports a girl and her two children and has moved back to his mum. An upsetting time for him as he was happy with the girl and taking on someone else’s kids. The M3 is some what of a consultation for him. He works hard as a reach truck driver doing shifts so earns a good wage but has no cash following the breakup.

 

I have always taught him the importance of maintaining cars and he had the 325i serviced a couple of months ago without me prompting so I think he understands. The only bling for the M3 he is talking about is to upgrade the old wireless set that is in there, so it works with his smart phone.

 

He is 25 with full no claims, no convictions and insurance is 900 pounds. If I thought having the car was a bad idea likely is bankrupt him I would not help him. I want him to enjoy his motoring and when I was his age I had a Jaguar E type, so I am pleased I am able to give him a helping hand. Don’t tell him, if all else fails I will buy it back.