Crazy Man Needs Reality Check

[rdkc01]

I must be crazy. I had the opportunity to drive a JCW Mini this week and loved it. Am I crazy for thinking it is more engaging to drive then my E90 M3? I don't like to even compare the two cars for performance factors. We all know the answer to that out come. However that Mini just puts a grin on your face. If I do buy one I am faced with the dilemma of having too many cars. What would need to go I ask my self. The 07 X3 winter car, the E30 M3 garage queen (all original 39K miles super clean), or the E90 M3? Will the fun factor fade all too soon with the Mini?

I do find that while I am being a good steward of preserving the E30 M3 I find that garage queen is really not in my DNA. I can't help but think the value of bone stock low mileage examples can only keep appreciating.

I may have to pursue finding the coldest beer and ponder this a little more.....

Your thoughts??

[Vise]

If it was up to me... ditch the X3 and put winter tires on your E90 M3 or the Mini. Problem solved.

And I would absolutely not sell the E30 M3, no way!!!

[sameh]

Popcorn anyone?

[rdkc01]

I can't bring myself to driving the E90 M3 in the salty winter. I know what your saying about the E30 M3.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Too many cars can be a bad thing I know I've been there several times, why you might ask, well I am a car nut LOL.

I had a e46, 2002 then got myself a a e85 eventually sold the e46 (big mistake). I sold the e46 due to pressure from the wife and a slight traffic jam in my drive way LOL.

Eventually I traded the e85 up to a e89 ... some bad issues with the e89 then I got back into a ///M3 (since I missed my e46).

Bottom line, if I had to do it all over again, I would have rented a e85 or e89 for a spell to check it out ... so my recommendation to you would be rent a mini for a spell before you make your final decision ... just my 2 cents.

and ... no you are not crazy at all the mini is a fun car.

[mdosu]

my few thoughts:

1. The E30 is really a tough decision since it's been with you for so long. I take it the sentimental value is more than the $ value of the car. The car probably won't appreciate for at least another 20 years, but I think it'll retain it's current value for at least the next 5 years. Hard for me to tell you to sell it.

2. E90 - keep it man, keep it.
3. X3 - i think you should sell it and drive the E90 in the winter
4. JWC Mini. I drove one extensively in an autocross event last summer. It was very fun. But I have to say, if you want to fall back in love witht he M3, take it to the track. Or do an autocross, it'll confirm with you why you bought the car. I would never in my life consider selling the E90 M3 for a JWC. Even if i had the funds to simply add the JWC to my garage, I'm not quite sure how much I would drive it, the M3 to me is the best "all-rounder".

[karussell]

are you kidding? you answered the question. drive the E30 M3! its perfect around town. not a garage queen. will not depreciate. may not go up as high in value with some miles but you didn't buy the car for someone else did you? Mini will plummet in value.

[Gkap]

getting rid of the E90 M3 for a Mini..

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I can't bring myself to driving the E90 M3 in the salty winter.

Then, frankly, I would say sell it. It does not make sense to have a $65k car sit in the garage for half the year. It's one thing to own a classic like an E30 M3 for a garage queen or weekend fun car, but to let a brand new vehicle sit in the garage is pretty wasteful. If you really can't stomach driving the E90 M3 in the winter, then get rid of it.

That said, I wouldn't recommend buying a JCW Cooper just to let that sit around in the garage all winter either. Get something that you are comfortable driving daily all year around - be it your X3 or something more fun - and use the E30 for the fun car when the seasons permit.

Finally, do keep in mind that lots ot people drive luxury vehicles as expensive as an M3 or moreso all year round through all kinds of weather. While you are drinking that cold beer, ask yourself what is so special about an M3 vs. an Escalade or a Lexus GS that you insist upon keeping it out of the snow. It's an amazing car, yes, but it is no exotic. It's meant to be driven.

[I Wanna go Fast!]

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Guys look silly driving Mini's. Do do it.

[Pointerman]

Mini suspension is brutal and the torque steer is crazy as well. I'd drive it again to make sure you won't be wasting your money.

[stefan]

I get where you are coming from. I have the same feeling towards the GTI. My thoughts are that you need to drive your M3 at the track. They only come alive when you push them. The grin will be there, and your face will get sore by the end of the track day. Furthermore, no matter how much you master the M3, IMO I find that it always feels like it has the potential to kill you. I don't get that with FWD cars and that's too bad.

Mini's are great fun.. but.. the fun will wear out. I really do believe this... and I think it is probably true for all easy-to-drive FWD cars and hot hatches. On top of that, as it wears off, you'll realize you're driving a Mini. Sorry. It's just like Miata's are great track cars... butttt... I mean.. you know.

Actually while you're at it, go give the VW a drive and let me know what you think. It was one of the most fun test drives I had ever been on.

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by karussell

are you kidding? you answered the question. drive the E30 M3! its perfect around town. not a garage queen. will not depreciate. may not go up as high in value with some miles but you didn't buy the car for someone else did you? Mini will plummet in value.

The Mini holds its value better than most cars out there.

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I must be crazy. I had the opportunity to drive a JCW Mini this week and loved it. Am I crazy for thinking it is more engaging to drive then my E90 M3? I don't like to even compare the two cars for performance factors. We all know the answer to that out come. However that Mini just puts a grin on your face. If I do buy one I am faced with the dilemma of having too many cars. What would need to go I ask my self. The 07 X3 winter car, the E30 M3 garage queen (all original 39K miles super clean), or the E90 M3? Will the fun factor fade all too soon with the Mini?

I do find that while I am being a good steward of preserving the E30 M3 I find that garage queen is really not in my DNA. I can't help but think the value of bone stock low mileage examples can only keep appreciating.

I may have to pursue finding the coldest beer and ponder this a little more.....

Your thoughts??

The mini is a blast to drive, it all depends which car gives you biggest grin factor.
I agree the E30 M3 will probably continue to appreciate but if you are not driving it then it's just taking up space as well.

I'd like to see some pics of the E30 if you get a chance.

[rdkc01]

I drive the E90 M3 for 7 months out of the year and park the X3. the X3 is also good for Sampson our Vizsla to ride in. I draw the line on having the dog ride in the M3. Besides he would likely look like the dog in the BMW M5 add where all you see is the dogs head and paws sticking out from the seam of the rear seat. Love that dogs expression.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/bmw_m5_dog_spoof

I do think that bone stock clean E30 M3's will continue to raise steadily in value. There were less than 5000 brought to the US and many have been ravaged crashed and driven into a state of costly repair to bring them back.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

I drive the E90 M3 for 7 months out of the year and park the X3. the X3 is also good for Sampson our Vizsla to ride in. I draw the line on having the dog ride in the M3. Besides he would likely look like the dog in the BMW M5 add where all you see is the dogs head and paws sticking out from the seam of the rear seat. Love that dogs expression.

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/bmw_m5_dog_spoof

I do think that bone stock clean E30 M3's will continue to raise steadily in value. There were less than 5000 brought to the US and many have been ravaged crashed and driven into a state of costly repair to bring them back.

Yes it's a great photo

[rdkc01]

The thing that still amazes me about the E90 M3 is the bandwidth these cars have from comfortable to full on fast. The Mini does let you have fun on the street at lower speeds without risking all out licence revocation if you know what I mean.

I know, I know there I go taking crazy again.
Ken-A

[Richbot]

There is something really fun about being WOT all the time and nobody around you noticing. A JCW is probably too fast for that though.

[Seattle S65B40]

19 posts and no one has mentioned Erhanh and his recent similar move? He's the guy you need to talk to...

[varsity]

Originally Posted by rdkc01

dilemma of having too many cars

Oxymoron. You're in Wisconsin; I presume it's not like space is at a premium the way it is in a congested city.

That aside, I think the Mini is a fun novelty, but your interest would wane quickly. At some point you'll begin to run into the inherent wall of FWD performance, and you might miss the entertainment and involvement that a well-balanced RWD car offers. I mean, I'd rather have a great FWD car than a mediocre RWD car, but you're comparing a great FWD car to a great RWD car.

[I Wanna go Fast!]

The hardest part of owning a Mini is telling your dad that you're gay.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by I Wanna go Fast!

I've said it once and I'll say it again. Guys look silly driving Mini's. Do do it.

I drive a mini. I guess i look silly.....and gay apparently