HELP! Girl seeking BMW - Which 3 Series M Sport Coupe?!
Discussion
I had an X plate 325Ci from new as a company car and did 86k trouble free miles in 3 years. Just before it went back 2 slight niggles emerged, firstly worn suspension bushes on the front end, they were replaced and it was like new again, secondly the central locking started to become a little temperamental in that the drivers door wouldn't always unlock, locking and unlocking using the key fob usually sorted it but I guess a deeper investigation into root cause was needed.
Performance was strong I would have preferred the 330Ci but it was out of the car allowance bracket for me at the time. It remains one of the nicest cars I ever had.
Performance was strong I would have preferred the 330Ci but it was out of the car allowance bracket for me at the time. It remains one of the nicest cars I ever had.
stopextremism said:
Thank you all, but it begs the question...is the 330ci REALLY that different or much "worse" than the M3...I know my needs will be different to others, and most if they could afford it would go for the M3, but is the differential that great?
In performance M3 is much betterLooks yes to the trained eye
M3 has higher running costs
Depends whether you want a quick car with 911 pace or not ?
Good e46 m3s are £8-15k
330Ci is still a great car 0-62 in 6.5 sec 155mph top speed 231bhp
E46 330Ci Manual Coupe
SE or Sport
Prefacelift is 2000-03
Facelift 2003-2006
Getting a good one for about £5k
Ideally get pre purchase inspection before buying
Low owner low mileage cars command a premium
You want to look out for plenty of invoices to back up all the service history
Unless you got £8-10k or more to spend For E46 M3 I would get a really nice E46 330Ci SE for understated looks or Sport which looks similar to M3
Manual
All the toys
Low owner / low mileage if u can find one
Then get Quaife LSD from Birds for sideways action :-)
Edited by 161BMW on Friday 17th October 21:59
E65Ross said:
My thoughts exactly.
And no, I've nothing to add to the relevance of this thread except that the OP needs to learn am "M sport" is a trim level and it has nothing to do with M cars, which is why this forum is actually for.
Agreed! If the title didn't have 'girl' in it no one would of replied.And no, I've nothing to add to the relevance of this thread except that the OP needs to learn am "M sport" is a trim level and it has nothing to do with M cars, which is why this forum is actually for.
Got a E90 330i and had a E92 M3 and for daily driving the 330i is absolutely fine, smooth engine and just about quick enough and at normal speeds it feels identical to the M3, the M3 is all about the engine and chassis plus its nice to have a LSD and they are its strong cards.
Problem with the M3 is that it costs twice as much to run as a 330i and my insurance/servicing/tax/fuel are all half the cost of what the M3 was and for me it didn't warrant the extra running costs as a daily driver.
Having said that on the right road at the right time the M3 can be rewarding but its hard to enjoy what it is best at on uk roads but the chassis is miles more competent than a 330i and the way it handles is very impressive for its size and it gives you loads of confidence.
Problem with the M3 is that it costs twice as much to run as a 330i and my insurance/servicing/tax/fuel are all half the cost of what the M3 was and for me it didn't warrant the extra running costs as a daily driver.
Having said that on the right road at the right time the M3 can be rewarding but its hard to enjoy what it is best at on uk roads but the chassis is miles more competent than a 330i and the way it handles is very impressive for its size and it gives you loads of confidence.
Edited by cerb4.5lee on Saturday 18th October 15:52
The wife's first car was an 03 plate 318i conv manual. She liked the car but thought it was a bit gutless in 2nd.
Next one was an 04 plate 330i conv auto with nav/tv etc. She really liked that one, much more grunt in it and a better stereo etc. Roof was prone to missing the latch though and was a pita to get sorted.
She tried an e46 M3 conv with smg. She didn't like it, said ride was crap and wasn't really into revving the bollacks off of it to go anywhere.
Next (current) one is an e93 335i conv and she loves that but she's had it near 5 years now and it's time for a change. Looks like it will be an F83 M4 next.
So in summary, get the 330i, forget the 4 pots.
Next one was an 04 plate 330i conv auto with nav/tv etc. She really liked that one, much more grunt in it and a better stereo etc. Roof was prone to missing the latch though and was a pita to get sorted.
She tried an e46 M3 conv with smg. She didn't like it, said ride was crap and wasn't really into revving the bollacks off of it to go anywhere.
Next (current) one is an e93 335i conv and she loves that but she's had it near 5 years now and it's time for a change. Looks like it will be an F83 M4 next.
So in summary, get the 330i, forget the 4 pots.
I don't think you will find a good 330ci for under £5k that will have been looked after. I paid £5.5k for mine based on "condition" and it has a whole host of problems...though atleast it has no rust anywhere as far as I can see.... suspension is rock hard, probably needs new tie rods, springs, dampers, anti roll bars, bushings and control arms... there is £1k in parts alone if you uprate them at the same time, plush bushes.
My brake caliper was siezed and from what I heard today, even after having it fixed on warranty it is still binding. Might need to change everything all the way down to the hubs and ofcourse you cant just change one wheel, need the other side so £300 in parts atleast right there. Plus labour.
Already spent £300 on DISA valve, vanos uprate kit, cam position sensors etc. In parts alone. Will cost me over £500 by the time I pay someone to do it.
Remember these cars were EXPENSIVE brand new, just because you can buy a car for 4grand now doesn't mean the parts, servicing and labour costs are 1/20th of the new price...they are the new price. I went into ownership with open eyes and a few grand in the bank left over to have things changed...it is looking like I will run out of cash soon.
Question is do you spend £10k on a 2006 with 40k and HOPE it doesn't break (if the mileage is even genuine!) or do you spend £5k on a 2003 with 90k miles like I did, knowing parts will need replacing but having £5k left to do so....
Try and buy one from the AUC if you can but I doubt there will be any e46's with BMW warranty still.
I won't be buying 2nd hand again without a BMW warranty. Just too much hassle.
My brake caliper was siezed and from what I heard today, even after having it fixed on warranty it is still binding. Might need to change everything all the way down to the hubs and ofcourse you cant just change one wheel, need the other side so £300 in parts atleast right there. Plus labour.
Already spent £300 on DISA valve, vanos uprate kit, cam position sensors etc. In parts alone. Will cost me over £500 by the time I pay someone to do it.
Remember these cars were EXPENSIVE brand new, just because you can buy a car for 4grand now doesn't mean the parts, servicing and labour costs are 1/20th of the new price...they are the new price. I went into ownership with open eyes and a few grand in the bank left over to have things changed...it is looking like I will run out of cash soon.
Question is do you spend £10k on a 2006 with 40k and HOPE it doesn't break (if the mileage is even genuine!) or do you spend £5k on a 2003 with 90k miles like I did, knowing parts will need replacing but having £5k left to do so....
Try and buy one from the AUC if you can but I doubt there will be any e46's with BMW warranty still.
I won't be buying 2nd hand again without a BMW warranty. Just too much hassle.
Edited by twoblacklines on Tuesday 28th October 19:21
Edited by twoblacklines on Tuesday 28th October 19:22
twoblacklines said:
My brake caliper was siezed and from what I heard today, even after having it fixed on warranty it is still binding.
If they've replaced the caliper but still have a bind have they checked the flexi hose isn't holding pressure by not allowing fluid to return when peddle pressure is released.Why change the roll bars?
TWOBLACKLINES: Thank you for the heads up on costs.
I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
stopextremism said:
TWOBLACKLINES: Thank you for the heads up on costs.
I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
Picture of the Aston v8......?I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
E30M3SE said:
If they've replaced the caliper but still have a bind have they checked the flexi hose isn't holding pressure by not allowing fluid to return when peddle pressure is released.
Why change the roll bars?
It is at a different garage that I trust now having an exhaust cps put in as I couldn't even get the electrical connector off! They are checking if the garage I had the work done under warranty has done it properly or not. I have a gash bright chrome caliper on the offending wheel now but if it is is all good I will spray it high-temp black or something.Why change the roll bars?
I figure change ARBS whilst changing the bushes and links that connect it - I will go for Eibach ARBS front/back.
stopextremism said:
TWOBLACKLINES: Thank you for the heads up on costs.
I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
I could have afforded an M3 also BUT every cost on the 330ci is double on the M3 plus being a performance car the parts don't last as long in the first place. Also being a performance car and a lot of thefts in its life highers the chance of buying a dog - it might have been ragged with no maintanance for high miles of its life, it might have been stolen and recovered or written off and somehow avoided going on the CAT A-D list...I have actually decided to get the M3 now - after all this deliberation. I figure if something is going to cost me a packet it may as well have the better performance and sound like a beast as well as go like one...otherwise what's the point?
The M3 seems the more fun car, you only live once so let's hope I don't wrap myself round a tree in it...
Thank you all! I expect to be broke by next year...
Get yourself on M3 Cutters and do some due dilligence these cars get VERY expensive very quickly if you are not careful, especially if like me you don't have time/skill to replace everything yourself. And all parts have ///M tax!
Khaki Suit said:
NORTS said:
Agreed! If the title didn't have 'girl' in it no one would of replied.
Quite pathetic really. Much more relevant and interesting threads with no response. Add one word to the title and all the knights in shining armour appear.
hy! I thought I was supposed to be the girl, not you two?!I'll tell you what's pathetic...making stupid odious comments like that when actually you have replied yourselves! If it's not worth your time go somewhere else and part your endless knowledge rather than make chauvinistic negative comments when actually everyone on here has been helpful and very kind giving their time to reply.
And what's wrong with knights in shining armour anyway? We live in a world where real men are hard to come by and for the most part when it comes to traditional "male" stuff I can out-drive, out reverse park, out over-take safely not like a t
t, out-earn, out map read and out road rage most men I come across. I find myself propping up most guys I work with and meet and I'm talking about guys in Khaki suits who dodge bullets for a living so stick that in your exhaust pipes. I think if you want to stop extremism you may want to stay away from a M3 and get a 330ci rather than an 'extreme' 3 series. I say that but if you are really coming from a V8 Aston Martin then personally I would go with the new e90/92 M3. It would mean an increase in budget though.
With GBP 5,000 to spend I think you are limited to a 330ci.
Good luck and let us know how you get on. I am sure that everyone on here would appreciate a picture of you and your 330.
Pip
Ps Cannot the moderators move this to the 'ordinary' BMW section?
With GBP 5,000 to spend I think you are limited to a 330ci.
Good luck and let us know how you get on. I am sure that everyone on here would appreciate a picture of you and your 330.
Pip
Ps Cannot the moderators move this to the 'ordinary' BMW section?
stopextremism said:
OOh...bhy! I thought I was supposed to be the girl, not you two?!
I'll tell you what's pathetic...making stupid odious comments like that when actually you have replied yourselves! If it's not worth your time go somewhere else and part your endless knowledge rather than make chauvinistic negative comments when actually everyone on here has been helpful and very kind giving their time to reply.
And what's wrong with knights in shining armour anyway? We live in a world where real men are hard to come by and for the most part when it comes to traditional "male" stuff I can out-drive, out reverse park, out over-take safely not like a tt, out-earn, out map read and out road rage most men I come across. I find myself propping up most guys I work with and meet and I'm talking about guys in Khaki suits who dodge bullets for a living so stick that in your exhaust pipes.
I'm sorry, was I talking to you?hy! I thought I was supposed to be the girl, not you two?!I'll tell you what's pathetic...making stupid odious comments like that when actually you have replied yourselves! If it's not worth your time go somewhere else and part your endless knowledge rather than make chauvinistic negative comments when actually everyone on here has been helpful and very kind giving their time to reply.
And what's wrong with knights in shining armour anyway? We live in a world where real men are hard to come by and for the most part when it comes to traditional "male" stuff I can out-drive, out reverse park, out over-take safely not like a t
t, out-earn, out map read and out road rage most men I come across. I find myself propping up most guys I work with and meet and I'm talking about guys in Khaki suits who dodge bullets for a living so stick that in your exhaust pipes. What's the matter darling, did your ickle powers not work on us? Please keep your sexism card to yourself. Bragging bout how you can outdo men and then wanting them to be real men? Seems a bit like you want your cake and eat it to me. So don't get your lacy knickers in a twist sweetcheeks as your are promoting chauvinisn, not me.
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