It is Worth moving from a newer non-m model to an older M car?

Howsit Guys

So I have an M240i Coupe Lci which I've had for about 8 months or so now and I can honestly say that I love her to bits and I want to keep her for many more years. I know its not exactly an M car but if I'm being honest its as good as an M2, if not, then better. B58 life is a gift.

However, I can't seem to get the thought of an E92 M3 Competition or a 1M out of my head, and I was wondering should I find a low mileage one of either the two at a good price, and I end up getting a decent price for the M240i, what would I do considering the M240i is the newer and faster than the two?

So guys, obviously I doubt this will happen anytime soon but should I find either of the two, be it the M3 or the 1M, what should I do considering they older cars and are probably going to both be out of plan.

I love both of them and its honestly a hard one if I was ever to make a decision.
 

TurboLlew

Honorary ///Member
If the feel and character of one of those really appeals to you (and in the long term maintaining or appreciating in value) then go for it. With the turbo era, I don't think it is any cheaper having e.g. an M240 out of plan vs. an M car... actually might be cheaper if whatsapp groups and facebook are to be believed. M2?

The next few cars I buy over time will probably be older M cars (E46 M3, E39 M5, V10 M6 and E92 M3)... despite having newer cars. IMHO the newer 6 cyl turbo cars just feel like the same car in different sizes and you could probably suspension-mod them to feel nearly the same as one another.

Would I get rid of my newer cars to get the older cars? Definitely not.
 

F21GP

Active member
nish_M240i said:
Howsit Guys

So I have an M240i Coupe Lci which I've had for about 8 months or so now and I can honestly say that I love her to bits and I want to keep her for many more years. I know its not exactly an M car but if I'm being honest its as good as an M2, if not, then better. B58 life is a gift.

However, I can't seem to get the thought of an E92 M3 Competition or a 1M out of my head, and I was wondering should I find a low mileage one of either the two at a good price, and I end up getting a decent price for the M240i, what would I do considering the M240i is the newer and faster than the two?

So guys, obviously I doubt this will happen anytime soon but should I find either of the two, be it the M3 or the 1M, what should I do considering they older cars and are probably going to both be out of plan.

I love both of them and its honestly a hard one if I was ever to make a decision.
At the end of the day it's your call. The older M cars will not have some of the features your car currently have. LCI e92 M3 will have music streaming, auto high beam etc. You also won't have a motor plan.

I know with e92 you'll have to do bearings, actuators, some suspension goodies, may need to do some belts etc. Your fuel bill will be about the same. You can buy one with all that done but always a chance of something. These were extra cars for me so if they had to go in and were out of commission really didn't impact me logistically but definitely on the pocket. I had warranties too by the way.

I had a E60 M5 did bearings and replaced numerous items, one day vanos gear gets stuck while driving, you dont want to know what it cost. Check the price of a vanos solenoid on a s85 these days. These cars are fun as hell and the experience awesome.

Look, for me there's nothing better than a e92 m3 v8 but if you can, I'd say save up and buy it whilst keeping your current car. I had pre lci m3 and when jumping into it the age was noticeable in the tech mainly.

At the end of the day its your call, I will never tell any man not to by a M car but this was my experience.

Sorry for the S85 rant just sharing an experience, I know not specific to your options but illustration of realities of a older M car.





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KPM3_30

Moderator
Staff member
F21GP said:
nish_M240i said:
I had warranties too by the way.

@"F21GP" interested to know more, happy for you to drop me a PM if you prefer.. I looked at warranties on the M3 and the benefit amounts just didn't make sense given the car's age (innovation/msure). 

@"nish_M240i" I would keep the M240i and pay it off, then look at adding another M car on, especially one without plan.. That being said, its all about what matters to you. I have zero issues running my E46 as a daily, I feel no need to uptrade and I certainly won't sell that car to replace with a newer model. All the newer cars are, is just tech and styling IMO.

Not saying I wouldn't want to own a new car, just not at the expense of selling a car with a soul.. I would also not run a V8 or N54 as a daily, even with a fuel card.
 

UpNcOmiNg!

Events Organiser
e9x V8 will give you the most smiles per mile just because of the sound track.
Get yourself a nice spec Competition pack (not a white one) and you will more than likely hang onto that for a very long time.

The 1M probably will feel as lacking from the M240i seeing as it is also "just" a turbo i6. The steering feel and drive is WAY different though and the dimensions are PERFECT!

Drive the two and see. Definitely the v8 if you at the coast though. I, more than likely, would go the 1M route because it will hold it's value the best.
 

F21GP

Active member
@"KPM3_30" No problem happy to share on this thread as I think it is a consideration for the OP as well. Things are very different in terms of car warranties now then they were as little as 2 years ago or so. One would buy a then SA warranty policy upfront for R14k and a top up upfront for R5k each for 2 years cover. The benefit would be something like R48k engine, R36k gearbox etc etc that is with both the original policy plus the top up benefit per claim. For me made sense as I could have two engine claims one after the other for 48k and they'd cover there was no overall limit of claims just a limit on claim event per component. Every claim was settled at the benefit limit for me no questions asked so I was happy. I probably claimed over R70k on one M car at some point just on the engine over a 18 month period.

As it stands all you get is monthly premium contracts with a benefit of R16k on engine etc etc these days, which I assume you are having to deal with now. It's a different ball game now, hence the view keep a extra car or a motor plan vehicle close by.

I would take a E92 M3 in a heart beat today but would be very cognizant of the fact warranties have lower benefits and these cars getting older so its not just the major preventative items that need to be done that every one speaks of but also the smaller items. My X6 is heading out of plan in March 2021 so I will be extending the plan as no warranty will cover satisfactorily and buying a X6M comp at its price now is just not something I'm interested in or possibly even able to do.

OP, lots of variables, lots of thoughts but this is experience I've had and hope it helps.
 

Kyle

///Member
The F series models are really nice to use daily... In terms of technology they seem to be miles ahead. A good friend of mine purchased a new M240i at the beginning of the year and it's really such an impressive car.

I think an older M car is definitely worth looking at... If you are able to keep the new gen car as a daily. I remember wishing I could keep my V8 parked off for weekend cruises, there may be many that disagree with me here... But I felt a little guilty to expose the car to the daily traffic, for me it there was just too much of an emotional attachment to allow me to park it 'wherever', in the sun etc.. Then there are the days when you just want to get home after a long day without having to worry about oil temps and taking a certain route because potholes...

Also, as you mentioned... these will be far out of plan now, and warranties are kinda like blowing on a forest fire, repairs will be cash and the bill can quickly climb. There's also the little stuff that will catch you out that aren't necessarily a problem on non M cars (things like brakes and general maintenance items). Again not so much of an issue if this isn't your daily driver.

Going from the V8 to an M135i was interesting, what it lacked in character it certainly made up for in the creature comfort department. Things like variable steering / suspension suddenly become "essential". 


In short, the older gen M cars are getting on in life now... I know many would say that they are perfectly suitable for daily use, however in an ideal world I would have something like an F30 320d or a *cough cough, F25 for the mundane trips.
 

MR_Y

Well-known member
YOLO

You already have a reliable Japanese bakkie.
Enjoy yourself and get a proper M car.
Prepare to lose some money on maintenance and possibly resale (if you end up selling the car at the wrong time).

YOLO
 

realtrevor

Active member
If I had R700k to spend on a vehicle, I would definitely split it and spend R300k on an M135i and R400k on an E92 M3. Both are used, but having two cars helps split the mileage between two.

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rsgordini

Active member
Ive had the same thoughts over and over. I also have an m 240i previously had an m140i and before that an 135i n54. Are they m cars no.

I couldve got into An m2 twice before i got in to b58. But because I daily drive them I didn’t. Now that I bought a 2010 125i i can see myself getting rid of the 240 but only to replace with m2c or An m4.

My favorite bmw is a 1m and I’ll Own one one day. I was at the Detroit motoring Show when it was released....

I’d love an m3 V8 but the fact that my 240i eats it for breakfast I can’t. Must get some thing better and faster.
 

///Avi

///Member
I would definitely go for an older M car over a newer model M240i for example.

Most of these newer cars will have the straight line advantage with a few mods though. But if that means nothing to you, then older M, all day, everyday.

They are special cars and drive quite well. I am confident you can daily an E92 M3 but would always advise against it. Rather have a cheap to run daily. They are quite heavy on fuel but comfortable for a daily commute if you really want to.

Just keep money set aside after your purchase, R20-R30k will be fine if all preventative maintenance has been seen to, they are older cars. I just repaired and maintained what I needed to with the cash that I had set aside.
 
KPM3_30 said:
F21GP said:
nish_M240i said:
I had warranties too by the way.

@"F21GP" interested to know more, happy for you to drop me a PM if you prefer.. I looked at warranties on the M3 and the benefit amounts just didn't make sense given the car's age (innovation/msure). 

@"nish_M240i" I would keep the M240i and pay it off, then look at adding another M car on, especially one without plan.. That being said, its all about what matters to you. I have zero issues running my E46 as a daily, I feel no need to uptrade and I certainly won't sell that car to replace with a newer model. All the newer cars are, is just tech and styling IMO.

Not saying I wouldn't want to own a new car, just not at the expense of selling a car with a soul.. I would also not run a V8 or N54 as a daily, even with a fuel card.

Well ideally I would like to keep the 240 for sure, I really do enjoy driving that car whenever I do take it out. Maybe I would upgrade it to the G20 M340i eventually but we shall see.

I definitely would like to save up to add either of the two depending on which I find first. But should there come a time where I end up finding both cars, I think the 1M is the one I'd opt for. Back in the day my ballie actually nearly bought one brand new, had placed an order and last minute he cancelled it. To this day he regrets that decision. So I'll probably end up with the 1M over the E92 for sure.
 

individj

Well-known member
nish_M240i said:
KPM3_30 said:
F21GP said:
nish_M240i said:
I had warranties too by the way.

@"F21GP" interested to know more, happy for you to drop me a PM if you prefer.. I looked at warranties on the M3 and the benefit amounts just didn't make sense given the car's age (innovation/msure). 

@"nish_M240i" I would keep the M240i and pay it off, then look at adding another M car on, especially one without plan.. That being said, its all about what matters to you. I have zero issues running my E46 as a daily, I feel no need to uptrade and I certainly won't sell that car to replace with a newer model. All the newer cars are, is just tech and styling IMO.

Not saying I wouldn't want to own a new car, just not at the expense of selling a car with a soul.. I would also not run a V8 or N54 as a daily, even with a fuel card.

Well ideally I would like to keep the 240 for sure, I really do enjoy driving that car whenever I do take it out. Maybe I would upgrade it to the G20 M340i eventually but we shall see.

I definitely would like to save up to add either of the two depending on which I find first. But should there come a time where I end up finding both cars, I think the 1M is the one I'd opt for. Back in the day my ballie actually nearly bought one brand new, had placed an order and last minute he cancelled it. To this day he regrets that decision. So I'll probably end up with the 1M over the E92 for sure.
do you live in Jozi?
 
individj said:
nish_M240i said:
KPM3_30 said:
F21GP said:
nish_M240i said:
I had warranties too by the way.

@"F21GP" interested to know more, happy for you to drop me a PM if you prefer.. I looked at warranties on the M3 and the benefit amounts just didn't make sense given the car's age (innovation/msure). 

@"nish_M240i" I would keep the M240i and pay it off, then look at adding another M car on, especially one without plan.. That being said, its all about what matters to you. I have zero issues running my E46 as a daily, I feel no need to uptrade and I certainly won't sell that car to replace with a newer model. All the newer cars are, is just tech and styling IMO.

Not saying I wouldn't want to own a new car, just not at the expense of selling a car with a soul.. I would also not run a V8 or N54 as a daily, even with a fuel card.

Well ideally I would like to keep the 240 for sure, I really do enjoy driving that car whenever I do take it out. Maybe I would upgrade it to the G20 M340i eventually but we shall see.

I definitely would like to save up to add either of the two depending on which I find first. But should there come a time where I end up finding both cars, I think the 1M is the one I'd opt for. Back in the day my ballie actually nearly bought one brand new, had placed an order and last minute he cancelled it. To this day he regrets that decision. So I'll probably end up with the 1M over the E92 for sure.
do you live in Jozi?

Nah I'm in Durbs bro
 

Ga-3M

Well-known member
You’ve got a great daily in the Hilux Auto D/cab, so I wouldn’t hesitate in selling the M240i for one of those M’s if the right one came up!
 

M-factor

Member
Funny enough, I'm in a similar boat. I've got an M240i and the thought of getting into an M just won't leave me. Of the newer M cars only the M2C and M3C seriously appeal to me, but both are currently out of my budget. I've looked seriously at the 1M and E46 M3. The former I hope to buy one day regardless, but its a bit of a tough pill for me to swallow at the moment to spend R600k+ on a car with no plan. The E46's which I thought would be a much lower entry cost to get into an M are proving hard to come by in decent condition.

I've also toyed around with the idea of installing an LSD but came to the conclusion that my wallet would probably thank me more if I sold the 240 and just bought an M2 instead.
 
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