The largest Civic Type R club forum

Established in 2002 it brings together people from all over the world to discuss their one love of Type R's.

We all move on at some point, get some help from our members on what to buy next. Usually a monster V8 or second hand Lambo will suffice but usually the three letters M P S will be muttered......standard!
User avatar
By SeanEP3
#3696097
in a place at the moment where I don't know what too do.

I love my car, and still puts a smile on my face, every time I put my foot down, but the crashyness, lack of goodies and comfort can wear thin.

im looking at what I could get for 6-7k that is still going to be fast, fun on track etc, but still do my daily commute (30 miles)

I keep looking at M3s.

anyone got any other things to suggest? anyone moved on from a supercharged ep3 and found a car as fun, but with the added comfort?

of shall I stick with the civic (which does everything I need, minus the comfort/gadgets) and keep adding to it? ie, new seats, polybushing etc

:vconf: :vconf:
User avatar
By Mark83
#3696103
Mine, since fitting the KWs has become a good all rounder.

I average 25mpg and get about 300 miles to a tank with normal driving. If its motorways, I get 34ish and over 400 miles to a tank.

Running costs are quite high. In the past few months I've spent several thousand pounds and the only think that was broken was a lower wishbone c£300.
User avatar
By yella
#3696219
Go for a 130i. i wanted an M3 but as i know so many people with them and have seen the endless costs to keep it on the road it put me off.

So i went for the next best thing, the 130i, get a prefacelift so you get the hydraulic steering ( pre 2007), Rear wheel drive of course, 265bhp. the lightest ever straight 6 BMw have made, bullet proof engine, equally on a par with a K20 for reliability. Even a boggo spec M sport has all the toys standard, Very comfortable, low insurance ( cheaper than my old civic by a big margin) averages 30mpg and 38 ish on a run.

Best bit is stick a set of KW coilovers ( £800) and a quaife Diff ( £1000) and it will keep most E46 M3's honest on track.

I use mine as a daily and for trackdays, last week at Spa it was amazing in completly standard form as due to illness i was unable to get new uprated pads fitted. In fairness it never even grumbled. Went with 4 pals all with dedicated trackcars. Mine done all the ferrying around at the ring too the same trackday and came home without a grumble, theirs all had issues and broke down.

If you do want to play with it you can remap, exhaust and filter and see closer 295bhp out of it. The engine noise is very addictive.

heres an example of what your money will buy

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... 05/1771490
User avatar
By Mark83
#3696732
yella wrote:Go for a 130i.
If you do want to play with it you can remap, exhaust and filter and see closer 295bhp out of it.
Optimistic 30bhp gain :salut:
User avatar
By yella
#3696858
Mark83 wrote:
yella wrote:Go for a 130i.
If you do want to play with it you can remap, exhaust and filter and see closer 295bhp out of it.
Optimistic 30bhp gain :salut:
plenty have done it. Don't forget the N52 engine is 272bhp in its original form, just BMW changed the map for other cars. Its actually detuned in the 130i. In the 125i its detuned to 215 Bhp, thats why P-torque remap it straight to 275bhp for £500. Its made the 125i look very tempting now

As for the N52, A descent exhaust header back a proper air intake ( the performance BMW carbon one works well or Simota) and a map jog done. If you want more then you can't supercharge/turbo due to the Magnesium head. However a few have increased capacity to 3.2 for 330-340bhp
User avatar
By keithlou
#3696987
im driving a e46 330ci now after my ep3, my old ep3 was standard power wise but has handling mods done and intake exhaust etc

the reason for that is because it's sooooo cheap nowadays but be careful cause it's loads of dogs out there

the 330ci is fast enough for daily use and can give it some beans when needed, not as urgent as a ep3 but pulls better at top end, not sure how it compares to a JRSC'd ep3, but mine is a 330 and m3 will only be faster, quite a bit i'd imagine

would love a m3 but at the time being can't afford one yet, go to m3cutters forum and check for their m3 buyer's guide


----


the 330ci is similar to a m3 bar the power, service cost of the M is higher than normal 3er and ep3, but if you're handy with tools it's not too bad

for 6 to 7k i doubt you'll find one with proper service history, or it's due an inspection 2 (the BIG service) and is about £600 for an m3, so perhaps up it 8k and you should be able to find a 03,04 one with good history

and also beaware of the rear boot floor/ subframe crack issue as BMW doesn't warranty them after they're 10 years old+

look out for one that had the subframe replaced or make sure it's not crack (hard to tell just to get down the car, have to check it up the ramp)

bushes on these car are know to go fairly quick, but I guess it's usual wear and tear and I have upgraded mine to powerflex itmes, feels tighter

i'd say go for it, the service cost and repair bill for a JRSC'd ep3 would be similar to a standard m3 i guess
User avatar
By chippyleigh
#3697051
I went from a Rotrex'd EP3 with 370bhp to an E46 M3. I took the M3 to Le Mans this year for a good shake down, I got 35mpg and the car drove really well. I have since had the car remapped at evolve in Luton and it drives so much better, with a bit more power and torque higher up in the rev range.

For 6-7k you probably won't find a "nice" one but if you look around a bit you should find something decent. I've not seen any of the huge running costs spoke about on here, having said that I haven't tracked the car yet and probably won't.

Have a look on m3cutters of totalmcars for buying guidance and make sure you get the subframe checked !!

I have never driven an 125 or a 130 but I do own a new shape 120d as a second car,
User avatar
By chippyleigh
#3697052
I went from a Rotrex'd EP3 with 370bhp to an E46 M3. I took the M3 to Le Mans this year for a good shake down, I got 35mpg and the car drove really well. I have since had the car remapped at evolve in Luton and it drives so much better, with a bit more power and torque higher up in the rev range. I would say it is not nearly as quick as the EP3 but is much more fun to drive.

For 6-7k you probably won't find a "nice" one but if you look around a bit you should find something decent. I've not seen any of the huge running costs spoke about on here, having said that I haven't tracked the car yet and probably won't.

Have a look on m3cutters of totalmcars for buying guidance and make sure you get the subframe checked !!

I have never driven an 125 or a 130 but I do own a new shape 120d M-Sport as a second car, they are great cars with a really good spec.
User avatar
By Mark83
#3697086
My first post probably wasn't much help so I'll elaborate a little more.

When I was looking, there were a lot of rough ones out there. They're cheap now so are bought by people who may not have the funds to maintain one properly. It took me over 6 months to find one that met my criteria. I wanted sensible mileage, sensible colour and with 18s. I had also asked my friend who maintains my cars to keep an eye out for me. I wasn't too bothered about gearboxes, I had tried SMG2 and manual. I swayed towards manual as there's just less to go wrong.

Eventually one was for sale less than 20 miles away. I went to have a look and stumbled upon a good one from a seller that instilled me with confidence. He had owned the car for the past 5 years. Genuine reason for sale; he and his wife had just had a second baby, they'd bought a new 5-Series and needed to shift the M3. He had a file full of service history. He showed me the £1700 bill for the last service (Inspection 2 + odd jobs that added up). Premium tyres all round (I find this a quick way to assess how someone maintains their cars). It was also within the time window for BMW to repair the chocolate rear sub-frame. The car was advertised on PH on a Sunday, I viewed and purchased Monday.

My biggest fear, not being to mechanically minded was buying without an inspection but seeing the service history from BMW and a respected specialist I gambled. I took it down to my mate's garage and held my breath with he put it up on the ramps and took it for a drive. "Mark, that's all right that". Phew. That's praise as far as I'm concerned. He found no issues and gave the car a clean bill of health. He knows his M3s too. He build his own M3 CS track car from the shell up.

I've covered about 10k miles in mine in the past 15 months. I only drive at weekends as I commute by train to work. I average 25mpg (on super). My weekend driving isn't the most economical.

I don't want to tempt fate but I've had no issues with mine but then again it goes up on ramps and is inspected a few times a year at my mate's workshop.

Costs so far:
Continental Sport Contacts x2 front & x2 rear
Front brake discs
Front brake pads x2
Rear brake pads
Inspection 1
Rear trailing arm bushes replaced
KW V3 purchased, fitted, corner weighted etc
Front lower wishbones
MOT
M-Track mode engaged (The CSL's traction control settings)

I pay £500 to insure it but I'm 30 now. Last year it cost circa £800.

I've done a few track days in it. It's much faster than I am but I'd rather that than sit at the limit of a FWD hot hatch. Nothing FWD on track, or the road for that matter, can give you the satisfaction of accelerating out of a corner like a RWD car.

I normally get bored of cars quickly. I'm undecided about the M3. My only issue is its age. I've been tempted to swap for a new M135i but I cannot make my mind up. Why get rid of a perfectly good car because it's getting old? I love the engine and since fitting the KWs, ride has improved significantly.

Sean, you're local so if you want to have a look around my car and a chat, let me know.
User avatar
By tuf
#3697185
I have an E46 m3 as well now. Fantastic all rounder cars. Having Vanos issues though at the moment :-| , luckily it was only the Solenoids pack and only costing me around the £550 region.

I went for the smg, and love it, however like Mark83 says, there is too much to go wrong. Faulty hydraulic/smg pumps are around £2k, and if it does go, the car is useless and you will have to spend the £2k to replace it. Not to mention relays and sensors etc to go with the smg which could go at anytime. If i were to buy another one, id go for manual. However I bought the SMG bearing all the issues and cost in mind.

They are getting on a bit now, since they all came with leather, interiors can be getting a bit tired now, although most owners take care of the leather seats, so still a fair few minters out there.

They look subtle, very grown up and nice imo, mine below (whoring) :-

Image
User avatar
By Milano Trev
#3697192
tuf wrote:I have an E46 m3 as well now. Fantastic all rounder cars. Having Vanos issues though at the moment :-| , luckily it was only the Solenoids pack and only costing me around the £550 region.

I went for the smg, and love it, however like Mark83 says, there is too much to go wrong. Faulty hydraulic/smg pumps are around £2k, and if it does go, the car is useless and you will have to spend the £2k to replace it. Not to mention relays and sensors etc to go with the smg which could go at anytime. If i were to buy another one, id go for manual. However I bought the SMG bearing all the issues and cost in mind.

They are getting on a bit now, since they all came with leather, interiors can be getting a bit tired now, although most owners take care of the leather seats, so still a fair few minters out there.

They look subtle, very grown up and nice imo, mine below (whoring) :-

Image
Too grown up for you tuff :) you need to take me out in the beast ;)
User avatar
By tuf
#3697216
:lol: will take you out in the M, just need to sort the vanos solenoids out, hopefully be done on friday :WOOT .
User avatar
By Milano Trev
#3697224
tuf wrote::lol: will take you out in the M, just need to sort the vanos solenoids out, hopefully be done on friday :WOOT .
Cheers dude :)
User avatar
By SeanEP3
#3697343
this has been excellent feedback guys, and much appreciated. Going to weigh up my options, as I wouldn't want one rough round the edges, and so would need to extend my budget a bit I think.

good to heard that Chippy went from a charged EP3 to the M3 and finds it more fun.

Thanks Mark, if I do decide to swap over, i'll def take you up on that offer!

going go spend a few hours on M3cutters [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
User avatar
By bornlucky1
#3697365
I've got one too, doesn't feel as raw as the ep3 on the road as its a lot more composed, but on a track its awesome!

i wanted a manual at first but after viewing a few described as mint and getting messed around with another i ended up buying an smg on the basis that it was a clean car and if i didnt like it i could sell it. I've really started to like it now.

Mines had most of the common stuff done already, new alternator, both wishbones and brand new discs and pads all round at bmw just a month before i bought it and apart from me fitting poly bush rear control arm bushes and descent track pads thats been it maintenance wise.

As for a 130i...well if you cant afford to run an M3 then yeah..theyre alright, i suppose..Bit like an ep2 to an ep3...

I've just had eibachs springs put on, with the poly bushes and i have just taken delivery of two of H&R's finest anti-roll bars and it handles great with a descent set up.

Oh yeah, pic moment..
Image
Image

Just buy the best you can afford - and try and get a facelift as they have less issues with big-ends and subframes cracking.
You'll love it [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
User avatar
By Stevo M81
#3697419
smartie wrote:Looks epic in red. :salut:
+1 :twisted:
User avatar
By yella
#3697424
bornlucky1 wrote:
As for a 130i...well if you cant afford to run an M3 then yeah..theyre alright, i suppose..Bit like an ep2 to an ep3...

[smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
yeah exactly the same. :roflmao:

Long time ago I had and Ep3 for 220k kilometers in[…]