Thinking about an M3 Convertible....

[Grunty-Motor]

....to replace the MX5. Now, i will go and do some research, but thought id just throw this out there and see the feedback

Probably a 4.0 v8 model around the £20k mark.

any advice welcome!

 

[boba fett]

I've had a few M3 V8's and they are lovely, trouble is with the Vert is you can feel the extra weight (about 200 kilo) couple that with an engine that needs more torque and has to be in the power band to be fast and it can feel slow!

Don't buy one without the rod bearings done, or budget about £1700 to have them done. Its a real problem and a design flaw! Actuators are inexpensive to fix and they go at around 60k miles, they are replaced with lifetime ones now. They are £630 tax and expect 17 mpg! Other than that it should hold its money, so its free motoring!

It needs the exhaust to be played with to sound good and it does sound good with a two pipe mod especially with the roof down.

Nice looking cars, I really enjoyed my Dakar!

 

[Grunty-Motor]

Very helpful - cheers

 

[moonstone]

I loved my M3 and I really like my M4 convertible. I look back on that car and think I under-appreciated the convertible aspect.

So much so that with the current run of weather I’ve been looking at M3 and M4 cabs recently.

The M3 sounds tremendous.

 

[StuartK]

....to replace the MX5. Now, i will go and do some research, but thought id just throw this out there and see the feedback

Probably a 4.0 v8 model around the £20k mark.

any advice welcome!

Buying an M3 and a convertible is like buying cheese and then garnishing it with chalk.

I would highly recommend buying an M3 in coupe form with a sunroof. Namely the M4 in actual fact. The V8 was truly woeful.

Now if you really must spend under £20k and own a delightful V8 motor vehicle then really there is only one. A C63 AMG. The end.

 

[Grunty-Motor]

Buying an M3 and a convertible is like buying cheese and then garnishing it with chalk.

I would highly recommend buying an M3 in coupe form with a sunroof. Namely the M4 in actual fact. The V8 was truly woeful.

Now if you really must spend under £20k and own a delightful V8 motor vehicle then really there is only one. A C63 AMG. The end.

has to be a convertible - and i realise that simply doesnt appeal to everyone. I have test drove the M4 and it was a nice car, but in some ways too close to the X3M i have, so currently not pursuing that (have thought about a m240 though).

Interesting your comment on the v8 - care to share more?

 

[StuartK]

has to be a convertible - and i realise that simply doesnt appeal to everyone. I have test drove the M4 and it was a nice car, but in some ways too close to the X3M i have, so currently not pursuing that (have thought about a m240 though).

Interesting your comment on the v8 - care to share more?

I didn’t get on with mine at all. A v8 should be effortless grunt. The E92 felt flat and really needs charging.

 

[Grunty-Motor]

I didn’t get on with mine at all. A v8 should be effortless grunt. The E92 felt flat and really needs charging.

Ahh, think i know what you mean - I briefly thought i wanted a 5.0 Mustang but the test drive swiftly put that to bed. Gutless.

 

[Grunty-Motor]

As my search continues, a few out there circa 50k miles without the rod bearing done. Are there any tell tale signs?

I presume the bearings spin and the only sign will be bottom end knocking. But by then, its big bucks?

 

[boba fett]

As my search continues, a few out there circa 50k miles without the rod bearing done. Are there any tell tale signs?

I presume the bearings spin and the only sign will be bottom end knocking. But by then, its big bucks?

Its a design flaw with the V8 engine. and its inevatable its going to happen at some stage and at some mileage. There are cases of engines going pop at 30k miles and some are still going at over 100k. The process of rod bearing wear through contact is sped up by not allowing the car to be warmed up before going over higher revs in general, but the flaw is the bearings will wear with this engine, and then spin destroying it.

You can get lucky of course and crack on without them being done, Only you can decide that and role the dice! I've had three V8's now, one was under BMW warranty so if it went pop, I got a new engine, one I bought with the bearings done, Nice, and the last V8 I had saw 50k miles on the engine and I could not relax until I had them done for piece of mind.

 

[Senna11]

Its a design flaw with the V8 engine. and its inevatable its going to happen at some stage and at some mileage. There are cases of engines going pop at 30k miles and some are still going at over 100k. The process of rod bearing wear through contact is sped up by not allowing the car to be warmed up before going over higher revs in general, but the flaw is the bearings will wear with this engine, and then spin destroying it.

You can get lucky of course and crack on without them being done, Only you can decide that and role the dice! I've had three V8's now, one was under BMW warranty so if it went pop, I got a new engine, one I bought with the bearings done, Nice, and the last V8 I had saw 50k miles on the engine and I could not relax until I had them done for piece of mind.

Are there specific specialists that need to have completed the work on the rod bearings?

 

[boba fett]

Are there specific specialists that need to have completed the work on the rod bearings?

People seem to go to the same M specialists for the work, but any competent mechanic could do it. Just need the specific bearings with the better upgraded tolerances and ARP bolts. The job is around 1500 to 2000 these days. I used a company called ETA motorsport who where doing about 3 a week!

 

[Senna11]

People seem to go to the same M specialists for the work, but any competent mechanic could do it. Just need the specific bearings with the better upgraded tolerances and ARP bolts. The job is around 1500 to 2000 these days. I used a company called ETA motorsport who where doing about 3 a week!

So buying used and if the bearings have been done you would need receipts of work completed or allow for cost with purchase price? No receipt then assume not done.

 

[boba fett]

So buying used and if the bearings have been done you would need receipts of work completed or allow for cost with purchase price? No receipt then assume not done.

Yes would need proof, and some put new OEM bearings back in which defeats the object!

 

[Senna11]

Yes would need proof, and some put new OEM bearings back in which defeats the object!

Glad you mentioned that as I did think that if the original bearings were the issue then surely the same problem would occur. Would you happen to know what parts should be recommended?

 

[boba fett]

Glad you mentioned that as I did think that if the original bearings were the issue then surely the same problem would occur. Would you happen to know what parts should be recommended?

If I recall, ACL and BE bearings are the best, I went with BE and ARP bolts as they where considered the Best and well documented.

Are you getting one then ?

 

[Senna11]

If I recall, ACL and BE bearings are the best, I went with BE and ARP bolts as they where considered the Best and well documented.

Are you getting one then ?

Once I get the centre pillar removed from the garage so I can have one large door rather than 2 singles then will have to short list a few cars. Just waiting for a cost to get this done once the landscapers are finished.

 

[boba fett]

Once I get the centre pillar removed from the garage so I can have one large door rather than 2 singles then will have to short list a few cars. Just waiting for a cost to get this done once the landscapers are finished.

Nice !

 

[Grunty-Motor]

going to have look at this one, cause its near me

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regarding rod bearings - i was meaning when they go i presume you hear rumble from the bottom end? Do they take the rest of the motor with them, or just bearings?

 

[boba fett]

going to have look at this one, cause its near me

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Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

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regarding rod bearings - i was meaning when they go i presume you hear rumble from the bottom end? Do they take the rest of the motor with them, or just bearings?

You will need a new engine, there is no warnings!