New member

[Ruth Baxter]

Hi, new member looking to buy a V6.
I am selling my e46 M3 at the moment, then its full speed ahead to find a clio. Still not sure if I want a phase 1 or 2, any thoughts please comment, Ian

 

[Jamesv6]

Welcome Ian.

Browse around our Knowledge Base and consider our price guide at the top of this forum section.

Good hunting.

 

[Kett]

Hi, new member looking to buy a V6.
I am selling my e46 M3 at the moment, then its full speed ahead to find a clio. Still not sure if I want a phase 1 or 2, any thoughts please comment, Ian

There’s a lot of love going around for the e46 M3. Last of the straight-six, NA manual M3s. The gushing is sounding reminiscent of the last air-cooled 911s (993) and prices subsequently hardened.

Regarding Vees - in some respects a Ph1 remains a poor man’s Ph2 - but we’re now learning that later models had some geometry revisions that improved handling. Ph2s are blessed with a plethora of colour options, which lends itself to the more discerning buyer.

All said and done, it’s go to be about underside condition, I reckon anything that’s been ‘properly’ overhauled remain somewhat under-priced in our valuation guide.

 

[E30 M3]

If you are after a vee, maybe you should put the m3 up for sale here see if anyone’s interested in it! Either to buy or part ex as an idea!

 

[Duncan]

Welcome Ian, both phase 1 and phase 2 are great & fun cars to own.

There is a bit of a stigma around phase 1's due to their press reception. If you think of the phase 1 as work in progress rushed to be released and the phase 2 as the finished article - that is exactly what they are.

The phase 2 is measurably improved in every area except weight. But the ph1 does have a certain retro appeal which is getting stronger with age.

I'm writing a book on the Clio V6 at the moment and chatting with some of the TWR engineers who worked on both cars for research. From what I have learnt, I think a particularly shrewd connoisseurs choice on a budget would be a late (2002 MY) left hand drive phase 1.

 

[Lankan]

Welcome aboard Ian.

Some good advice indeed.

Good luck with your hunt - I am sure the right example will come along soon.

I'm writing a book on the Clio V6 at the moment and chatting with some of the TWR engineers who worked on both cars for research. From what I have learnt, I think a particularly shrewd connoisseurs choice on a budget would be a late (2002 MY) left hand drive phase 1.

Duncan, I am intrigued to hear about the reasoning behind why a MY02 LHD is the better choice.

From my end experiences of LHD versions from a certain German manufacturer I know this is a fact, so would be interested to know the rationale behind why a certain LHD Vee is the pick of the bunch when it comes to Phase 1s.

Trust the same does not apply to Phase 2s?

Good luck with the book - look forward to it :approve:

 

[Duncan]

I hasten to say all will be revealed in the book as it’s years away yet, but for numerous reasons, in short RHD is a compromise in both weight distribution & seating position on both ph1 & ph2.
the ph1 clutch mechanism was designed for LHD - it was a bodged for RHD. It is this bodge which gives RHD ph1 vees such a heavy clutch.

MY 02 cars have a few subtle interior improvements and have an revised improved subframe over earlier cars.

I haven’t got on to the subject of the RHD ph2 clutch yet to see if that was also a bodge.

 

[Ruth Baxter]

Hi, thanks for all the replies, I am selling the e46 as although it’s fast with lots of gadgets it’s a very bumpy ride and I prefer driving a e30. They are only used for shows, I think the 46 has done 200 miles this year. The phase 1 falls into my price bracket, as the 2s are a bit dearer,
I was trying to buy a 5 turbo 2 barn find but couldn’t agree a price which was slightly over inflated for what it was worth.
Ian