£5-8k. E46 330Ci vs E46 M3?

[nsi]

EDIT: BUDGET FOR THE M3 WOULD NOW BE £10K.


Currently driving an E65 730d and doing 20-30k miles per year.
It's a good cruising car but having run an Evo and an E46 330d as daily's in the past I'm finding the big 7 doesn't give me the same driving fun that I used to have, and am starting to miss.

So I'm considering selling the 7 to free up some cash and get either an E46 330Ci or an E46 M3. I think I've secretly lusted after an M3 for many years, but still having the Evo for weekends and trackdays I don't know if I'd be insane to get an M3 as my daily car? Would it be a LOT more to run than a 330Ci? Should I just keep the 7?

Help!

[PS - Don't seem to be able to add a poll, but if I could it would be "E46 330Ci vs E46 M3 vs Keep the 7".]

Edited by nsi on Sunday 26th February 23:09

[nsi]

Kinky said:

NSI - you can start polls now. So go fill yer boots

Cheers Kinky. I don't seem to be able to put one on the top of this thread though? I click "Edit" and "Add a Poll" doesn't come up. (I think it's only possible to do on new threads, but I'd like one on this thread if it's not too much trouble? Cheers.)

[nsi]

redgriff500 said:

Simple really if you can afford to buy / run it get the M3.

If you can't get the 330.

I can afford to buy either (I could potentially spend a little more than £8k for a good M3 if required... I'm sure I'd find the cash if I want to!)

Main concern will be the difference in running costs, so anyone who can give me a steer on the comparison between the 330Ci, the M3 and the 730d would be really handy!!

Yes most mileage will be motorway. About 10k will be private, with the remaining 10-20k being business, for which I receive 45p per mile for the first 10k, and then 25p thereafter. I'll do at least 10k business miles per year, meaning that I'm basically getting at least £4.5k towards the running costs of any car, less the fuel used in covering those miles:

Almost all my business mileage will be motorway so...
...say the 730d does 37mpg on motorway, with diesel costing 145p that'll cost £1,780 in fuel, giving me £2,720 towards the tyres/servicing etc.
...say the 330Ci does 35mpg on motorway, with petrol costing 135p that'll cost £1,753 in fuel, giving me £2,746 towards the tyres/servicing etc.
...say the M3 does 30mpg on motorway, with petrol costing 135p that'll cost £2,045 in fuel, giving me £2,454 towards the tyres/servicing etc.

Am I getting fooled by "Man Maths" or does there not seem to be a big difference?

[nsi]

Yeah, I'm into my cars LOL! However there are loads of people on this forum running much more exotic stables than me. I prefer, in general, to get an older higher spec car and spend money on running costs/repairs vs. getting a brand new 320d and spending money on interest (lease payments) and depreciation.

Anyway, returning to the crux of the thread: Why would the running costs be double for the M3 vs. the 330Ci? I know the MPG's will be worse, and the servicing more - however nothing I've seen indicates 50% MPG or double servicing costs.

This guy will be doing my servicing.

Model	Oil Service	Insp 1	Insp 2	Annual Inspection
730d	£162	£236*	£380**	£??
330Ci	£120	£175	£285	£90
M3	£170	£405	£555	£110

* Assuming oil and air filter
** Assuming oil, air filter, micro filter and coolant

Again... maybe it's Man Maths seeing what I want to see, but the M3 doesn't look mental compared to the other two.

[nsi]

So far my thinking goes like this:
A 330Ci would be a bit cheaper. But... it's not an "M3".
Cost difference doesn't appear ruinous, from what I've seen so far.

[nsi]

Also, can anyone recommend a good owners club for M3's? I'd prefer to buy from a Forum Member than just autotrader for a car like this. Cheers.

[nsi]

E38Ross said:

OP - M3 services alone may not cost 50% more, but parts will, and labour is probably a little more intensive on the M3.

if running costs is an issue, get the 330. please don't let another M3 turn into a poor example through poor maintenance.

Thanks for the advice. From what I've seen so far the running costs don't seem mental to me. (Bearing in mind I used to use the Evo as a daily... I'm used to these kind of costs.) The biggest concern at the moment is probably fuel. When I was running the Evo I was doing about 15k PA, but now I'm doing between 50-100% more. I was getting about 22mpg from the Evo on a motorway run. So if I can get 30ish from an M3 on a motorway run then I think that would be manageable.

[nsi]

I've also had a look at some comparative stats from Parkers:

Model	Urban	Combined *	Motorway	Insurance Group	Power	0-60mph
730d	??	34 mpg	??	Grp 45	227bhp	7.6s
330Ci	??	31 mpg	??	Grp 35	227bhp	6.3s
M3	??	21 mpg	??	Grp 44	338bhp	5.0s

* Per Parkers Guide

21mpg for the M3 looks scary compared to 31 for the 330Ci, is that really right? Parkers only quotes a single MPG figure, which I therefore assume (hope!) must be a combined figure and that the motorway figures will be better.

On an earlier post I guessed at 730d = 37, 33Ci = 35 and M3 = 30. Is that realistic? Where can I proper motorway MPG figures for each car?

Cheers

[nsi]

andrewh said:

M3 cutters forum

BMW owner forum , mostly e36 though

Thanks

[nsi]

E38Ross said:

not sure on the E46 M3 on the motorway but rumour was the new V8 M3 is very nearly almost as economical as the old straight 6, and my dad averages 19mpg in that, admittedly with more town than you're going to be doing and he does drive it as intended every now and again so i'd say 25mpg overall from the straight 6 M3 is doing more motorway miles would be a reasonable expectation.

you should get a tad more than 37mpg on a run in a 730d too if sticking to the legal limit. i'd have thought low 40's

25 as an average on the M3 would be do-able, but I couldn't afford to do that on the motorway, where I think I'd need more like 30 really. I'll see if anyone else has some input on that too.

If I drive at 70mph I do get low 40's from the 730d, but in normal driving I tend to keep pace with lane 3.


[Quick bit of maths, thinking aloud here, assuming 20k miles PA using petrol at 135p/l. At 35mpg it'll cost £3,500. At 30mpg it'll cost £4,100. At 25mpg it'll cost £4,900. Or using diesel at 35mpg and 145p it'll cost £3,800. Which is why 30mpg in a petrol is not much difference to 35mpg in a diesel, in total cost. Plus no turbo or DPF on the petrols. Between my 7er at £3,800 and a petrol at 25mpg (worst case?) at £4,900 that's about £90 per month extra in fuel, which is do-able.]

[nsi]

E38Ross said:

i hate to say it but by the sounds of it i think the best option would be the 330. if you're going to be "just about OK" with the extra fuel bills of the M3, it's probably unlikely you would be OK with the added costs of repairs and consumables....

When did I say that? Of course I'm a powerfully built goatee wearer, so it's all affordable. If I've come across as "on the back foot" about the extra costs then I guess it's a question of "value" and also having to justify it to my wife! I know the 330Ci will be cheaper to run than an M3 - I'm trying to learn about the difference between all the cars so I can make a value judgement, apologies if it came across differently.

[nsi]

E38Ross said:

ah fair enough, it's just how it sounded. apologies

is there any possibility you could wait, save a bit more and get a better example of an M3? that's what i'd try to do....but then it's a question of how long do you wait etc

No worries.

How much do you think I need to be spending to get a "good" E46 M3?

[nsi]

nottyash said:

I know you're not supposed to put ads in the forum, but can you give me a hint where I can view your ad?

Blair357ci said:

You have the M3 itch so you'll regret not scratching it, if sense came into it you'd have a 330d I've had 2 & recently drove 330i & I'd be bored of its lack of performance & torque in a week.

That's what I'm starting to feel like. I did have an E46 330d before the 7er, but I wrote it off a few months ago and bought the 7 as a replacement and regret it now because it doesn't suit me. Having had an E46 before I know they are nice cars to drive and enjoyed the 330d, wouldn't have changed but for the crash. But now the opportunity has come up to change again I know I definitely want a petrol - it's just a case of how extreme(!)

I've managed to convince the wife (and myself!) that the running costs of the M3 will be a bit more than the 730d, but certainly manageable. Her current concern is that the M3's in budget seen to be 2002-2003 era, but the 330Ci's are more like 2005 era. Doesn't bother me, but bothers her!

[nsi]

nottyash said:

You see plenty up for sale that are over priced, but they stay for sale ages before sellers drop the prices.

Lol, yeah feels like that! I was looking at M3Cutters this afternoon and there were some 2001 cars with 90k for over £10k!

[nsi]

Cheers for all your advice chaps. You've reassured me that whilst there will be a difference in the running costs, it's not what I'd consider a deal breaker, so I'm fairly sure at this point that I'll want to get the M3. It's now a case of finding a buyer for my 7 and finding the right M3 to buy. Cheers again

PS - any advice on selling the 7 or buying/choosing an M3 will be appreciated!!

[nsi]

Baz Tench said:

Post up your question in the M cars section. You'll get some proper beardy advice there.

ETA: I was speaking to someone yesterday about his e46 M3. He advised me to go for the manual as his was SMGII and it broke (don't know the exact details). He was quoted about £4500 to get it fixed (I presume by BMW). He couldn't afford it and had to sell it as it was.

He was gutted about it though, that was obvious. He misses that car!

Edited by Baz Tench on Sunday 19th February 22:09

Edited by Baz Tench on Sunday 19th February 22:09

I know I want a Coupé not a Convertible, but the "Manual vs SMG" gearbox will be my next decision. I've done a bit of reading today about these cars in general and I could have sworn that I'd seen comments along the lines of "that SMG is very reliable". Maybe your friend was just unlucky? I certainly can't be doing with a £4.5k bill for a new gearbox I'd like to hear more about their reputation.

Anyone have insights, not only on reliability, but also in terms of driving: which is best?

[nsi]

Onedesi said:

I used to run a mint evo convertible (v plate with 50k on it until some kind soul drove into the back of me ) and on the motorway I'd get around 30mpg.

I couldn't find another so I went through the same debate as you over the E46 M3 or 330 and I went for the 330 in the end as the running costs (insurance/parts/service) were at least double. Funnily enough petrol wasn't a big consideration as the 330 auto I have does about 21mpg round town and 32 on a run which is similar to an M3.

Ultimately though the 330 is not an M are and I know it sounds like badg snobbery but I do miss the M badge even though the 330 is the easier car to live with.

The other consideration for me was the E46 was face lifted in 2003 and the M3 never got the full facelift so it never quit looked right for me, the facelift E46 just looks better to my eyes.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Some very sensible advice, cheers fella.

PS - I feel honoured that your first post on PH was to help me. Cheers matey!

[nsi]

bennyboysvuk said:

My E46 M3 with the cruise set to 80-ish returns a consistent mpg of high 29s. My commute to work sees it return 25mpg with a mix of mostly back roads and a short bit of dual carriageway.

That'll do. :-)

[nsi]

Decision now made, the 730d is now in the PH Classifieds!
Wish me luck chaps.

[nsi]

I don't think the 130i really compares to be fair.

The M5 would be amazing, but running costs would be too heavy for the miles I do.