What age for M3

[Jakes]

Howzit Guys,

I currently drive a E36 318is. So according to books it kicks out about 103 kw, whic for its weight, aint that much.

So I'm looking to get myself an E36 M3. Ive read a few topics that guys are ranting and raving about how you have to mature before being able to own a M3 etc, etc, etc....

What age do you, personally, believe a person must be before considering a M3?

 

[veridico]

Well it depends on the person. Have you ever had any close shaves with your 318is, because of being a bit silly? If so, then dont get an M3. Do you drink and drive ever, even just a little? Dont get an M3. And lastly, can you afford insurance being 21 and owning an M3?

 

[ruaangrobler]

Yeah, it's got to do with maturity of driving style, not whether you have enough wrinkles. Do you like screwing around? See the E36 //M3 is a beast (well, all //Ms). If it's got traction control and you treat it with respect, then you should be OK. Just remember you can go 0-100-dead very quickly. Maybe consider an advanced driving course for good measure. Insurance wise, shop around. Some don't penalise you for being under 25.

For the same money though, you could buy a nice and newer 330i e46. I would really consider this (yes, I'm biased cuz I drive one) - but it would be a nice halfway car to find your footing on first, then go //M. Also cheaper to run and maintain in most cases.

This was my reasoning, and I don't regret my decision at all. That said though, everytime I see an //M I think about it...but I always smile and think I made the right decision.

But back on topic, if you're a good, respectful driver, go for the //M. If you're a bit of an idiot, like me, then maybe consider something faster, but not quite //M. Or mod your 318 maybe?

 

[Sankekur]

I have to agree the e46 330i is also a good choice. I'd say you have to be relativily mature to drive an M3 as they are monsters, my 330 sometimes scares me at how quickly it can go very fast. If you have ever reached the limit of your skills in the 318is, now think how fast that will happen in an ///M3. I am of course not telling you to not get an M3 I am just saying it pays to have grown up a bit metally before moving to such a fast car

 

[444YYY]

I got mine when i was 25, and i was just ready for it.
I would say at least 25. Anything younger, you asking for trouble. Its got no traction control, and when you loose it, it comes around quicker, than you can think it can......
Insurance is expensive, some companies don't cover the car. And if you under 25, the others that are left may not even cover. You will get quotes more than the monthly installment for the insurance, if you don't shop around......

Edit: I'm not putting you off, but after reflecting a while back i realised 25 was the 'right' age

 

[Legacy]

Well it depends on the person. Have you ever had any close shaves with your 318is, because of being a bit silly? If so, then dont get an M3. Do you drink and drive ever, even just a little? Dont get an M3. And lastly, can you afford insurance being 21 and owning an M3?

No 21 year old on the planet can afford the insurance payments on an M3 except mebe Lewis Hamilton like a year ago

 

[Fordkoppie]

If you only insure it against 3rd party, the insurance is very cheap.
That will also encourage you to drive carefully, becuase if you mess up, the insurance co. will repair the other person's car which you slammed into, but your losses will be for your own pocket.:hammerhead:

 

[ClassicB]

Jakes, guys rant and rave about maturity, due to the nature of the cars. They are not for the faint hearted, and in most cases are not forgiving. Many many have been written off.

Age shouldnt be a consideration, if you feel you ready go for it, they are brilliant cars.

Also bear in mind that maintenance is steep compared to your 318 and as the others said insurance costs are high due to the power of the car and hi risk of theft.

 

[zaleonardz]

Driving experiance and self restraint bud.

You cannot go do 200km'h down the road from your house, although the car would want you too.

If you are mature enough to know where and when, and not undertake a high speed chase on the highway cause some guy "looked at you funny", then your ready. If you still battle, then I would recommend a 325 or 330 for a year or two, and then the M...

 

[Jandre]

Okay, here is my 2c worth.

Before I start, this is my own viewpoint, so if I offend in any way, I do apologize, and I don't intend on being nasty or anything. ( I am pretty sure I am a fairly nice guy.)

1) No 2 guys will have the exact amount of maturity at the same age.

2 ) No one on this forum (barring your friends) will be able to say yes or no without a shadow of a doubt.

3) By asking on the forum what we think is the right age to drive an M3, kinda gives me the idea that you yourself aren't really sure, and that in it's own, should maybe give you the indication that you aren't ready yet.

Again, this is just my observation, and I do apologize if I came across as insensitive or a prick. This is not my intention.

 

[moranor@axis]

the question is not if you are old enough its whether you trust yourself with one and if you can afford to run one...
take one for a test drive then you will have some idea of what you are getting into

 

[Jakes]

Hi Guys,

thanks for the input.

I see myself as a responsible driver, If I mess around, I make sure its is in a secluded spot where nothing and no one can get hurt.

I keep the races for the race track, thats why we have Street to Strip in Capetown .

I used to drive a CBR 600RR, so drink and driving is something I learned off. Plus the cops here have gotten quite strict.

But the though of jumping from a 318IS to a M3 kinda scares me. Coz as you guys said, loosing control of an M3 is alot faster than loosing control of a 318is.

Insurance wise, I register the car on my Ou Toppies name and then register myself as driver Else it is K@K expensive.

 

[zainm3]

I agree with zaleonardz, I was 21 when I got my M got it for a year now and no issues
As for insurance I don't know koz I havnt insured and don't plan to

You got to respect the car and learn what's it all about 1st and even then respect it even mnore
Koz it a wild bitch

Meaning u can't tame it hehe

 

[Reese130]

From my experience of owning fast cars i would say if your passionate about owning one then go for it you only live once! on the flip side they are extremely expensive to maintain so if you think you wont be able to afford repairs for it or if you have doubts then you should probably go the 330 route, although spares are also not going to be cheap.. Also i would never own an M without insurance this is SA and even if youre schumacher shit can happen

 

[zaleonardz]

Well, I was 24 when I bought my Subaru, and lived to tell the tale...

Also, E36 M3's offer very little in driver compensation, ie if you stuff up, no nanny's are there to help you out, which is why the E36 M3 was the most popular car to write off.

 

[Jakes]

Well, I was 24 when I bought my Subaru, and lived to tell the tale...

Also, E36 M3's offer very little in driver compensation, ie if you stuff up, no nanny's are there to help you out, which is why the E36 M3 was the most popular car to write off.

you got ABS, but thats about that.

 

[Technician]

Everyone is right in part- I can only give my story-

I drove a car that I modified and got faster over a period of 7 years. Every year something was improved and the boost slightly increased. Every step of the way I could learn to handle the extra power in small batches. My best figures before the petrol price forced me to de-tune was 135kw and 239Nm on the wheels on a very light body. Not enormous power but something that was quicker than your average G5.
I went on a few advance driving courses and I learnt a lot.
When I was 25 I bought my ///M and nothing could prepare me for what was in store with the M3
I am a responsible guy- and don’t take chances.
If I got my car any earlier, I would be in serious trouble. No doubt.

An E36 is only for someone with experience.
If you going to take chances you will get yourself into trouble.

A jump from a 318 to a M3 is going to be difficult to handle.
That’s just my opinion.
But each to there own.

It'll be sad to see another ///M written off.
Know of 3 personally that are no more- luckily everyone involved walked away unharmed.

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Not trying to scare anyone- but little driving experience and big power can equal trouble.

 

[George Smooth]

I would follow Technicians advise.
In total I have owned 5 E36 M3's with the strongest one pushing 800bhp+.
I owned my first M3 when I was 19 and had gas on it before I turned twenty. I am a very level headed driver and cannot count the amount of times I was lucky and not dead on both my hands. I did put myself to a certain extent in these situation but the car also offers far more confidence than it should.
If you considering trading up be cautious with the car and maybe try attend some track days so you can learn what the car does and where its limits are. Even then though you must remember the public roads are not tracks. A corner that you normally take at 100 but be wet the next day and compared to modern day cars its not the safest vehicle to be in a accident.

 

[badaz87]

My Dad is considering getting an e46 ///M... Seeing that there WILL definately be a time when I will have to drive his next machine, I'm trying to talk him out of it.

This is because I KNOW I'm not going to be able to handle the power... (It goes to my head... South :mmm: )

So I'm talking him into getting ME:thumbsup: a nice e46 330i (He really wants a steptronic, but to me it doesn't matter)... He plans on buying one up in Joburg when he arrives to conclude business soon, and drive it down...

I had the pleasure of driving Dad's e46 320i Back in '07, and I just fell in love with the e46... Now I want one, BADLY...:cursin:

 

[Kisho135i]

Jakes you will learn to control that car. I'm only 22 years old and i jumped from a slk 200 to a 135i and now i currently got a 335i, and i'm still thinking of getting more power. When you get the car drive fast with caution, in about three weeks to a month, you will know speed, control and braking abilities +-. Just watch the tail dude. keep the racing on the straights, if you wanna go fast around bends go to a track day, simple! Enjoy the M, or like sankeur said 330i e46 is not a bad choice. Its newer and its got 170kw and when you feel you need more power, streetracer says he got some mods that will make the 330 faster than e36 M3.

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You'll see after driving the car a while( month) , the power will become fimiliar, you'll be more comfortable with it. Dont be scared, bmw v6< = Enjoyment personified