Thinking about a Gransport

[JoeHow]

Evening all,

I stumbled across this place whilst researching a Gransport and thought I might as well join up to learn as much as I can.

I currently own an e46 M3 and I absolutely love it, the chassis is stunning and the engine is a work of art, potentially the best inline six ever made?

Anyway since moving into my new home I now have a garage and a daily driver I fancy something a bit more exotic. Something to roll out on an early Sunday morning and late summer evenings.

A Gransport seems to fit that bill perfectly being a natural extension of the M3 in terms of front engine rear wheel drive. Coming from an S54 engined car with an SMG box I can't see the running costs as being too big a jump in anything but fuel. Seeing as I won't have to be worrying about valve clearances, vanos etc.

I'm used to Italian ways having grown up with Alfas and currently share a 147GTA track car with my father so that bit doesn't scare me too much.

I'm going to pop down to ADG in Sevenoaks this week to have a proper poke around a car but any thoughts in out would be really helpful.

I'm based in West Malling in Kent should anyone want to show me around a Gransport

Thanks
joe

 

[philw696]

Welcome do it you will love it all the info is here and everyone will help you.
Then enjoy

 

[JoeHow]

Welcome do it you will love it all the info is here and everyone will help you.
Then enjoy

Thanks.

The thing I'm keen to understand is how flustered it will get at 8/10ths where the M3 really excels. I imagine it won't be quite as good but will make up for it in looks, noise and that general feeling?

 

[EnzoMC]

hi welcome, better place to talk to a saleman about these cars is Nareman from Nuvola London - he provides a great service both during and after sales - couldn't fault him

this forum is jam'd full of info on these, start in the 3200,4200,GS section....

I came from the awesome Audi sport range and jumped to a Gransport - do regret getting rid of the Audi but love every minute in the GS - however you will see a big jump in service cost but if looked after they are just as strong - some on here us the coupe as everyday cars and no major issues

I think some on here suggest about £2k per year on service as a min

good luck in your search

 

[safrane]

Welcome,

I know you area and spent a lot of time there at the airfield and at the Chequers inn at Smarden sine 2000.

The coupe range are lovely cars; I have had three and now run a GS.

Good luck with the search ADG do get a lot of stock as does Richard Grace.

 

[jluis]

hi welcome, better place to talk to a saleman about these cars is Nareman from Nuvola London - he provides a great service both during and after sales - couldn't fault him

this forum is jam'd full of info on these, start in the 3200,4200,GS section....

I came from the awesome Audi sport range and jumped to a Gransport - do regret getting rid of the Audi but love every minute in the GS - however you will see a big jump in service cost but if looked after they are just as strong - some on here us the coupe as everyday cars and no major issues

I think some on here suggest about £2k per year on service as a min

good luck in your search

I always tought of the 4200 range as cheaper to maintain than the 3200.
What does a service normally include?
I assume at those prices you are factoring in brakes and tyres?

 

[JoeHow]

Hi enzo, I think the E46 M3 will be quite a bit more expensive to run than the Audi sport range. I've got a mate with an RS4 and bar fuel its 'cheap'

For example an E92 is cheaper to run than an e46 aside from the fuel. Due to the nature of the s54 lump and the fine tolerances it really is a labour of financial love.

M tax is brutal!

Thanks all for he welcome.

 

[MAF260]

Thanks.

The thing I'm keen to understand is how flustered it will get at 8/10ths where the M3 really excels. I imagine it won't be quite as good but will make up for it in looks, noise and that general feeling?

My experience is that it doesn't get flustered at 8/10. It's a remarkably capable car given how heavy it is. I've driven mine at high speed through the mountains in Italy, round a race track and cross country in Europe. Providing the suspension geometry is properly set up and decent tyres are fitted you should have no concerns at all. The weak spot in my view is the brakes - they could be improved IMO. I doubt the GS is as focused a driver's car as the M3, but it'll be close (and generally faster overall!)

 

[Andyk]

I Joe and a big warm welcome to the forum. GS is a great car and ADG have a couple of nice ones there so worth a look......Your thoughts on the M£ are perfect had a normal E46 M3 and an M3 CSL and both fantastic but the GS is a natural car to go for after the M3 as it has the exotic you are after.

 

[JoeHow]

My experience is that it doesn't get flustered at 8/10. It's a remarkably capable car given how heavy it is. I've driven mine at high speed through the mountains in Italy, round a race track and cross country in Europe. Providing the suspension geometry is properly set up and decent tyres are fitted you should have no concerns at all. The weak spot in my view is the brakes - they could be improved IMO. I doubt the GS is as focused a driver's car as the M3, but it'll be close (and generally faster overall!)

A full geo setup when the car is purchased is a must I think and then a new set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports - they are an unbelievable tyre and bring so many chassis up to date.

Yeah I don't expect it to be as raw as the e46 but to hear it still feels good is a positive, EVO seem to love it. Sounds like he gearbox is better than the SMG2 box in the BMW as well.

 

[Andyk]

I don't agree.....when I test drove the GS when I had the CSL the GS box felt slow compared to the SMG box. It's not a bad box but the CSL was far quicker....

 

[Maseratiman]

I've got MAF's old car (The GS Nero) and I'm sometimes scared to reverse it as its so powerful. I don't know much about M's and all that but I do know that driving a GS is different to driving a normal car, its like a delicate ball of energy that vents when you touch the throttle. You have to respect it or I suspect you'll end up in a ditch or central reservation . You sound like you know much more about cars and fast driving than than me so your probably used to it. I'm not!

 

[JoeHow]

I don't agree.....when I test drove the GS when I had the CSL the GS box felt slow compared to the SMG box. It's not a bad box but the CSL was far quicker....

Ah okay! I have CSL mapping on mine as well, I guess something I'll have to see let's the car down too much. It sounds as if the whole reverse thing is a bit odd.

 

[JoeHow]

I've got MAF's old car (The GS Nero) and I'm sometimes scared to reverse it as its so powerful. I don't know much about M's and all that but I do know that driving a GS is different to driving a normal car, its like a delicate ball of energy that vents when you touch the throttle. You have to respect it or I suspect you'll end up in a ditch or central reservation . You sound like you know much more about cars and fast driving than than me so your probably used to it. I'm not!

I have had the chance to grow up around some nuts stuff but I know what you mean! First time I had the M3 in the ice winter it was a bit touch and go.

My uncle has just bought a 996 GT2... The widow maker one and that is genuinely terrifying.

I find its all about respect and learning how the car moves and feels under you

 

[Maseratiman]

I suppose confidence grows with time! Good luck with it all, hope it works out...

 

[Andyk]

Ah okay! I have CSL mapping on mine as well, I guess something I'll have to see let's the car down too much. It sounds as if the whole reverse thing is a bit odd.

The GS is a great car....like any of the older paddle shift boxes takes time to get it.

 

[JoeHow]

The GS is a great car....like any of the older paddle shift boxes takes time to get it.

Part of the fun I guess! None of this boring DSG rubbish!

Thanks for all the welcomes - can anyone link me to a buyers guide / spec options sort of thread?

 

[Maseratiman]

With regards to Widowmaking - my father in law has a Mercedes CL600 V12. He took me out in that and put his foot to the floor. I absolutely cried for my mother. That was closest to death I have felt? Apart from being in MAF's yellow one, cutting across 4 lanes of M25 without even looking behind him.. that was nearly a one way trip to the crematorium.

 

[drewf]

With regards to Widowmaking - my father in law has a Mercedes CL600 V12. He took me out in that and put his foot to the floor. I absolutely cried for my mother. That was closest to death I have felt?

Had one of those - there's no drama, no sense of speed, no noise. Closest to having a personal jet on the road (that you can't actually feel passing under the car), rather than closest to death, surely?

 

[Maseratiman]

To me it was scary! You boys are all petrol heads. I've come from lesser cars like R32 which is quick but by no means in the same league as M's and Massers etc. Our other car is an XC90! You have to floor it to get out on the roundabout before somebody hits you..