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The M3 is sold out in the UK for 2003, so Top Gear posed this question, with a list of what they would settle for....
and this warning - So it's over to you: let's hear some properly left-field suggestions for an M3 replacement. Anyone who suggests a Volvo S80 V8 will be dealt with inhumanely.
I'd go for the second hand M5 (assumption here being that I'd actually have the money to buy the M3 in the first place!)
A Scooby or an Evo any day. Half the price and far more adrenalin...
Problem with the Evo is that they've injected it with so much power, it isn't practical anymore....
I mean, so you really want to take it to get services every 5000 clicks?
Scooby I used to like.... Until the killed the upcoming ones
new 135i would be nice or just a 335i coupe. almost as good as the last gen M3
You're not serious abt the 135i are you?
The 135i that will be available in the USA will be pretty interesting with a big 6 instead of the wimpy 4 bangers. It could be a "pocket" M3 and priced attractively.
UGH!
I wouldn't be caught dead in that car, no matter how much power it has!
Nup.... I still want me an M3
Audi RS4.
The RS4 is sick I agree and will be about the same price as the next M3. Of course I'd like to see the new platform RS4 when it comes out in two years too.
Otherwise the 335 coupe is very very fast and would make most people happy. And the 135 will be crazy. Can't wait for that. I'm not sold on any lexus high performance vehicle though. Just not.
Lexus has high-performance vehicles?!
hehehe
A mate of mine has a 400 Lexus. It's like a slab of plastic set onto bed springs
Lexus is just a big Toyota. All soft and as much emotion as white goods.
It's all a shame, as I recall Lexus, used to make nice cars, about ten years ago. Then they went all Toyota on us.
Can anyone tell me what an M3 is worth? This would help with the decision.process.
I suspect I would get a few things.
Base price abt US$55 000
The last generation M3 retailed in Australia from $140,000 to $156,000. Given the price hike in Europe, we can make an educated guess and estimate the new M3 will also rise in price by at least $15,000 plus on roads (we still pay roughly $30,000 more than the brits!).
Nonetheless, its competitor, the Audi RS4 starts at $165,000, so there is a good chance BMW Australia will raise the price to match the RS4. We estimate the likely starting price for the new BMW M3 will be $164,500.
That's steep.... I'm moving to the UK or US!
Sorry have I missed something, I thought the deal was you could spend £55,000 The base line M3, (A$127,930 or US$110,660)
In any case I'd get a 68 Cooper and take the change in Landies.
I think I'm with the mind of Ruskie on this one. An M3 can never be worth £55K or even AUD$55K to me. I just don't see the point of having a car that dominates my finances. I could never have any fun in it and I could get a used Scooby or Evo VII for under £10K and not worry about scratches and bumps.
Also I think the 3 series shape, old and new, is bland.
Yeah, I tend to agree, tho I still have a soft spot for the M3....
In any case, if I had the money, I'd go for the M5 straight off!
I drove alongside one the other day.... it sounds raw!
Sadly I could not tell the difference.
The boss has a Beemer. I'll have to look closer next time.
You need to spend some time with me Ruski
You can educated me abt Landies, and I'll educate you abt BMs
Deal. Lesson 1 for you in a nutshell ...
Land Rovers leak. Water in and oil out.
The only thing slower than a Land Rover is a diesel Land Rover.
That's about it.
HAHAHAHAHA
Funny that, I reckon an M3 leaks money...
Land Rovers leak money also. Not a hemorrhage mind you. More a constant trickle.
Old Astinas do the same
Buy an old Jaguar. Better to lose money with a bang than a whimper!
Soft
Ok, here is my admission to being a boring car owner. I have a SAAB95 Aero. With 98 octane fuel it puts out 250 odd HP does 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds and handles ok for a front wheel drive estate car (or sportwagon as they like to call it). On the Autobhan (Germany) I can set the cruise for 145mph and it is comfortable. It carries all my fishing gear, is fast, comfortable and does about 25 MPG (UK gallon that is). I can pull away in 3rd gear and not have to change up 'till 120mph (don't know what the relevance of that was but I thought I'd mention it anyway). It has a pile of toys, including anti-everything (which I could switch off if ever I saw reason to) a stereo that would deafen the dullest teenager and leather heated seats. The only thing that hacks me off about the car is the "climate control" which insists on blowing conditioned air at you on one of those bright and sunny, but freezing cold, winter days. It cost me about £25,000 less than an M3. So why would I want an M3?
I have a Ford Taurus SHO (super high output-about 75HP per Litre) that does 0-60MPH in about 6.8-7.0. Looks like your grandfather's Taurus, so it does not attract attention from the Gendarmerie, and goes like stink. Very entertaining, but it's getting old, and Ford does not make anything like it in the USA anymore. A Falcon XR6 Turbo would be nice. Maybe I'll hide one in my luggage when I come home.
The SAAB95 Engine is a 2.3 High Output Turbo which has the unfortunate acronym of HOT. It will also "overboost" for up to 30 secs when accelerating hard. I must admit I am not keen of more than 150HP through the front wheels but SAAB seem to have sorted a lot of the bad characteristics it produces and there is an array of electronic compensation devices for the power and brakes etc... The 95 Aero was advertised as a "Dad Racer" and while it loses value quicker than a BMW it costs a shed load of money less for (equivalent) performance and features. For example when I was looking around I did consider the BMW 530D but for an extra £15K - no chance...
Why would I buy a BM? Same reason I'd buy a Ferrari
To put it simply, it's fandom
It's why I prefer a BMW over a Merc, a Ferrari over a Lambo...
No logic will apply. The only thing that will change it is a bad experience, and I haven't had one yet!
I wonder if that's based on the Subaru Impreza chassis with the 2.5ltr Flat 4 turbo, the same as the USA version of the SAAB 92-X
*shrug*
Since I posted about the 92-X ive found out that it is not based on the Subaru...
Be still my heart.....
hmmmm.... Not sure I like the 4-door M3...
Odd.... too odd looking
Very ordinary.
Rover 75 v8. Same engine as a Ford Mustang.
Pity about the rest of the car and well...the engine 
I suppose it is redeemed by it's performance, comfort and running costs being better than any BMW of twice the cost.
The Top Gear review was very kind to it:
a aston martin v8 vantage defo
Id prefer the db9. Handle's better.
For normal driving conditions I doubt you'd feel the difference
True, true but I base my knowledge both on GT4 and the Top Gear review.
Check out the new Limited Edition Vantage
Nicer than the Lambo colours at least
Very true. Lambos are designed to stand out much more.
Lambo are just ugly. I cringe everytime I see one. The only nice thing abt it is the badge. I like the look of it
But I have been quite taken by the latest one featured on Top Gear. The airplane-y one
At least Lambos run now being owned by Audi. But I'd rather have an R8 than a Lambo. Too brash, even for me. 
hahahah yeah!
It takes a certain kind of person to drive a Lambo, any Lambo, I have to say
Id have a Ford GT but a kit car version not the real version...if I could fit into one.
The Ford GT is nice
4mpg though...Ive seen a non proffessional one with a 1.5l engine before...
You can get a clone with a VW flat 4 as well, but it's pretty pathetic.
It is indeed.
