The leap from non-M to M
Discussion
Last year i bought a 330ci Sport which has been a great car in most aspects, but as you can imagine there has always been that M3 itch that goes along with it. Has anyone here gone from 330 to M3? I appreciate that the M3 is a different beast altogether, but I'd like to know if the M3 was worth the extra money in their eyes?
Basically to go from 330 to M3 in the same year/mileage/equipment would cost an extra £7k or so. It seems like a big pill to swallow for what is an engine change.
Basically to go from 330 to M3 in the same year/mileage/equipment would cost an extra £7k or so. It seems like a big pill to swallow for what is an engine change.
For sure. What i should have said is " what effectively is an engine change for me". By this i mean I'm not bothered about the enhanced brakes/suspension, its the engine that i want an M3 for, and maybe the LSD.
The 330 has all the toys that the M3 has so there is no "upgrade" there.
The 330 has all the toys that the M3 has so there is no "upgrade" there.
Because it still wont be an M3 
. I know I'm contradicting myself already.
I suppose the simple question is, Is the M3 such an improvement in terms of driver enjoyment that it can warrant a purchase price 3 times that of the 330? I'm figuring my 330ci is worth £3500 if i'm lucky in a private sale, more likely £2000 as trade in against the same age/milage/spec M3 which are advertised around the 10k mark.
So i'm trying to figure out if the M3 will offer at least twice the amount of enjoyment.
. I know I'm contradicting myself already. I suppose the simple question is, Is the M3 such an improvement in terms of driver enjoyment that it can warrant a purchase price 3 times that of the 330? I'm figuring my 330ci is worth £3500 if i'm lucky in a private sale, more likely £2000 as trade in against the same age/milage/spec M3 which are advertised around the 10k mark.
So i'm trying to figure out if the M3 will offer at least twice the amount of enjoyment.
To me, yes it would, even if that power can only be used 10% of the time, to you? don't know, go and drive one, it's the only way you will know.
Don't forget, it's not just the initial outlay on the car, but servicing, parts [///M tax can be a b
h), tyres, fuel and insurance that will also be more costly than a 330Ci.
Don't forget, it's not just the initial outlay on the car, but servicing, parts [///M tax can be a b
h), tyres, fuel and insurance that will also be more costly than a 330Ci.Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 10th December 14:41
CHALK/CHEESE!
I had an E46 M3, then an E90 330i and now an E92 M3.
The M3, needs to be driven hard to get the most out of it, but it just keeps on giving right up until the readline. If you drive round at 3-4000 rpm you may not think its much different to the 330 but give it full beans and it is different class. Also its more than just an engine. EDC etc.
I had an E46 M3, then an E90 330i and now an E92 M3.
The M3, needs to be driven hard to get the most out of it, but it just keeps on giving right up until the readline. If you drive round at 3-4000 rpm you may not think its much different to the 330 but give it full beans and it is different class. Also its more than just an engine. EDC etc.
The maintenance costs don't bother me at all. I have a commercial garage at my disposal (free labour) and I already get hideous mpg from the 330ci (18mpg combined).
It's simply the purchase cost I'm thinking about. The car itself would sit in traffic during the week and might get opened up every other weekend.
An M3 wouldn't make sense in my situation but damn do I want one.
It's simply the purchase cost I'm thinking about. The car itself would sit in traffic during the week and might get opened up every other weekend.
An M3 wouldn't make sense in my situation but damn do I want one.
I have a 130i and just bought the e46 m3 for weekend use. As I have said on another post I think the 3 ltr engine is plenty for day to day driving. But you get a different buzz from being in an M car even if driving at exactly the same speed on the same roads each day. Depends how much you need that M fix!
I think this pretty much convinces me, especially the bit about even sitting at 30mph is a different experience. Has anyone had experience of SJ Specialists? Going by the photos it seems to be a dealer operating out of his house, but the stocklist he has on M3's is pretty impressive, especially this one:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
mini1380cc said:
I think this pretty much convinces me, especially the bit about even sitting at 30mph is a different experience. Has anyone had experience of SJ Specialists? Going by the photos it seems to be a dealer operating out of his house, but the stocklist he has on M3's is pretty impressive, especially this one:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Seems like a lot of money. Nice colour though.http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
Hi
He does operate from home, not saying anything wrong with his cars but he is a 'Del Boy' character for sure. He posed as a private buyer for my M car, when exchanging general chit chat he went to great lengths to hide the fact he is a trader. He gave cover stories as to who he was and what business he was in and stressed he was looking at my car for his own private use. I was quite shocked to see it for sale again within 48 hours.
He tried to find fault with everything and started to annoy me but the sale did eventually go through, had I not needed such a quick sale I would have said 'look mate clearly this is not happening let us just leave it' I was that close.
If you do see the car drive a hard bargain and really find fault with everything, as I said I cannot say there will be anything wrong with his cars but if you want my advice, given the character I would get it checked by an indy before purchase.
Hope this helps.
He does operate from home, not saying anything wrong with his cars but he is a 'Del Boy' character for sure. He posed as a private buyer for my M car, when exchanging general chit chat he went to great lengths to hide the fact he is a trader. He gave cover stories as to who he was and what business he was in and stressed he was looking at my car for his own private use. I was quite shocked to see it for sale again within 48 hours.
He tried to find fault with everything and started to annoy me but the sale did eventually go through, had I not needed such a quick sale I would have said 'look mate clearly this is not happening let us just leave it' I was that close.
If you do see the car drive a hard bargain and really find fault with everything, as I said I cannot say there will be anything wrong with his cars but if you want my advice, given the character I would get it checked by an indy before purchase.
Hope this helps.
I'm not necessarily sure I agree with being able to tell the difference when driving at 30mph in a straight-line
To me, there isn't too much point in having an M3 if it's mainly going to be sitting in traffic on the daily grind every day, so it depends what weighting in the decision making process you give to the "every other weekend" requirements. Only you can answer that, but maybe something like an Alpina B3 3.4S might work better? Noticeable increase in performance over your 330ci, but better suited to the daily grind than an M3
To me, there isn't too much point in having an M3 if it's mainly going to be sitting in traffic on the daily grind every day, so it depends what weighting in the decision making process you give to the "every other weekend" requirements. Only you can answer that, but maybe something like an Alpina B3 3.4S might work better? Noticeable increase in performance over your 330ci, but better suited to the daily grind than an M3
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