350z to 330i? a variation on 'what car' :)

350z to 330i? a variation on 'what car' :)

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Discussion

scottp3000

Original Poster:

36 posts

206 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Currently have an 05 plate 350z (66k miles)which I like, but don't love (follows on from another thread!) and having had it two years now other cars are catching my eye...

Currently I'm really smitten with a 57 plate BMW 330i m-sport coupe - only catch is its SMG (which I've never driven) and currently just over 100k miles and its up for 9k. Has full BMW service history and 1 previous owner so assume its been 'repped' up and down the motorways to get that mileage so quickly.

Am I mad to consider changing for this? - both in mileage and the actual car?

Timbola

1,956 posts

141 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
330i not quite up there performance-wise with the 350Z. You may miss the extra grunt.

There are 335i's out there for that sorta price. 335i is equivalent to the 350Z.

Benbay001

5,801 posts

158 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
I think its a change you could regret.
Especially if you are getting rid of the Nissan because you're bored.

No matter how you swing things, a 5 seater saloons will always be a family car first, performance car second.
This comes from someone who is starting to get bored of 400hp.

If the Nissan is fine practicality wise then why not go for a lighter, more focused 2 seater?
VX220 maybe?

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

191 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
scottp3000 said:
Currently have an 05 plate 350z (66k miles)which I like, but don't love (follows on from another thread!) and having had it two years now other cars are catching my eye...

Currently I'm really smitten with a 57 plate BMW 330i m-sport coupe - only catch is its SMG (which I've never driven) and currently just over 100k miles and its up for 9k. Has full BMW service history and 1 previous owner so assume its been 'repped' up and down the motorways to get that mileage so quickly.

Am I mad to consider changing for this? - both in mileage and the actual car?
You need to ask yourself, what points about the 350z you don't like, and what points about the BMW you do like. And then ask will the BMW fulfil the complaints of the 350z with no other negatives?

Personally I'd say the BMW is a backwards step from the 350z. Although the BMW would be a more practical car.

If you have a budget of £9k, then that opens the doors to a lot of different cars in your price range. Maybe there is something better than either of these?

neil_bmw

245 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
scottp3000 said:
Currently have an 05 plate 350z (66k miles)which I like, but don't love (follows on from another thread!) and having had it two years now other cars are catching my eye...

Currently I'm really smitten with a 57 plate BMW 330i m-sport coupe - only catch is its SMG (which I've never driven) and currently just over 100k miles and its up for 9k. Has full BMW service history and 1 previous owner so assume its been 'repped' up and down the motorways to get that mileage so quickly.

Am I mad to consider changing for this? - both in mileage and the actual car?
Pretty sure it wont be a proper SMG box, it will be an autobox with paddle shift.

scottp3000

Original Poster:

36 posts

206 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Good points - I'm just missing the german aspect, always had german cars and dipped my toe in the Jap market to see what i'm missing, and while the reliability and performance of the Nissan is unquestionable it doesn't deliver them with much finesse.

Currently do 6k a year in miles and 95% of those miles are at the weekend - had two 986 Boxsters before the 350z and despite being a Porsche fan boy: the rattling, over stiff suspension damping and bit raw for long motorway journeys drove me to the zed - was hoping a Beemer would be the middle ground in refinement against performance..,

SuperVM

1,098 posts

162 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
What about an E46 M3? I imagine it would be a step forward in most regards when compared to a 350Z and £9k should get you a decent one.

philmots

4,632 posts

261 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
As someone else said it won't be SMG on a 57 330i.. It wasn't an option. It'll be the ZF 6 speeder which is a great box... Don't let it put you off in the slightest.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

191 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
scottp3000 said:
Good points - I'm just missing the german aspect, always had german cars and dipped my toe in the Jap market to see what i'm missing, and while the reliability and performance of the Nissan is unquestionable it doesn't deliver them with much finesse.

Currently do 6k a year in miles and 95% of those miles are at the weekend - had two 986 Boxsters before the 350z and despite being a Porsche fan boy: the rattling, over stiff suspension damping and bit raw for long motorway journeys drove me to the zed - was hoping a Beemer would be the middle ground in refinement against performance..,
Remember the 330 is just a 3 Series that is marketed as a coupe, it could equally be marketed as a 2 door saloon, if such models weren't out of fashion.

The long and short is, the BMW is likely to be the more comfy and arguably less focused vehicle. While the 350z is known for being a little porky (but no worse than the 330), it is a low slung 2 seat sports car, built to be a low slung 2 seat sports car.

Best bet is go drive a 330 and see what you think. They certainly aren't bad cars, indeed quite the opposite. But they are much more of "normal" or whitegoods type vehicle, albeit right at the higher end of the performance scale for such vehicles.

To this end, in traffic of when cruising it will look and feel like a 318, the only difference is a bit more power when you use your right foot. And I suspect the 350z never looks or feels like a 318.

scottp3000

Original Poster:

36 posts

206 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
Yeah, have been considering an E46 M3 - but the insurance and running costs appear to be nearly double the 350z, and while I love my cars for a weekend pleasure its a lot more to splash out.

Power wise, don't forget my zed is the 276 model, not the later 300/313bhp model - not to say its not quick, but its not as quick as the 986s when you take the weight into account.

Guess I'll have to try the 330 and put it to rest if its not up to expectations - would the high mileage put anyone off? no major gremlins with excessive mileage?

philmots

4,632 posts

261 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
I think the 330 will be the later one with 272hp.. Can you check? Got the reg?

It'll be very very good on fuel (when you're not hammering it)

But they do have their own issues - injectors mainly.. But you've not got turbos etc to worry about or any diesel only stuff.

scottp3000

Original Poster:

36 posts

206 months

Friday 2nd August 2013
quotequote all
yes, 272 model