So I've had this for just over a year now.
I don't have a
@Sir_Dave cost breakdown, but here's what I think I've done in the last year:
- 11,000 or so miles. Which is fairly unbelievable given how often it felt like it broke
- Replaced a battery (100 odd quid, plus 50 for the diagnostic)
- Replaced a starter motor (200 odd quid, plus a small army to do the work for me whilst I stood around and watched)
- It had an oil service that probably cost me too much, plus it had an oil leak where a bolt came undone
- Two new rear tyres not too long ago @ 150 quid each fitted
- Plugged a laptop into the ECU to make the SMG less annoying on gear changes. Probably the best 20 quid I've ever spent.
- Paid 100 quid to fix the amp that wasn't broken. Turned out to be a loose connection. Guy didn't give me any money back either.
- Threw a warning light on the M25 that's never come back (probably down to not resetting TPMS after I had the rear tyres replaced)
- Still not had the subframe inspected, although at this point I don't really care - I'm not spending 1500 quid on a car that won't see the summer
I've not really gelled with the car over the last year. The only memorable journeys I can remember were driving to Staffordshire and back in a day and getting nearly 35 computer mpg's, and the initial drive back where I kept pelting it through tunnels. I rarely take it out for a thrash, last time was probably 3 months ago. Mostly gets used for normal car things (I suppose that's a pro of having an M3).
The not gelling you would think is down to it failing at really f**king irritating times, like when I was going to collect a new cat (the meow kind), or just before I went on holiday and needed to drive down to Sussex (which nearly ruined the holiday), but really I don't think I ever got over the excitement of having an iconic car vs actually driving it.
That's not to say it's not a fun car to drive, it is, but I don't feel compelled to take it out for a few hours (last time I did that was months ago) like I did with the 172 I had for 5+ years.
I won't be sad when I sell it, and not sure what to replace it with yet. Baby on the way won't really shape what I get, but four doors and something with infotainment created in the 21st century would be nice (Juke is the familywagon)
Probably be around for another 2 months whilst I raise some cash to make up for what will ultimately be a trade in figure so low I'll have a cry.
Shame, really.