E46 M3 and E46 330ci-not that different at all really
Discussion
Ive not driven a 330 but owned an E46 M3 for 3 years and have been in my E92 M3 for 2.5 years. Whilst I agree its a discussion to be had it all depends on where you look at it from. As you've mentioned, running costs, economy etc if they play a part then so be it.
But despite you might not have got the 50% additional thrill you expected from the M3 it is the better car and dont forget price difference wise what yout get extra in the M3 is a lot of extra everythign for what is in the real world not a lot of extra money.
But what I have always preached is that with the high rev'ing N/A M engines and general set-up is you 100% do not experience unless you take it away to the good twisty B roads, its only then you get it. I'm lucky enough to live near the North York moors, do regular driving across Northumberland (Coldstream roads) and this year will be my 3rd in a row touring the Scottigh Highlands and these cars come alive.
A small comparison id make to your thoughts is people who claim EDC in an E9X M3 makes no difference. Go round a twisty corner at (?) speed in its normal setting, then do the same corner in sport+ and if you cant experience the difference then all your senses are shot.
330 and M3 are both great cars however, dont forget its also about the overall experience.
But despite you might not have got the 50% additional thrill you expected from the M3 it is the better car and dont forget price difference wise what yout get extra in the M3 is a lot of extra everythign for what is in the real world not a lot of extra money.
But what I have always preached is that with the high rev'ing N/A M engines and general set-up is you 100% do not experience unless you take it away to the good twisty B roads, its only then you get it. I'm lucky enough to live near the North York moors, do regular driving across Northumberland (Coldstream roads) and this year will be my 3rd in a row touring the Scottigh Highlands and these cars come alive.
A small comparison id make to your thoughts is people who claim EDC in an E9X M3 makes no difference. Go round a twisty corner at (?) speed in its normal setting, then do the same corner in sport+ and if you cant experience the difference then all your senses are shot.
330 and M3 are both great cars however, dont forget its also about the overall experience.
doogz said:
crispyshark said:
It was meant as a turn of phrase to highlight that it would concern me more than a 330.
Generally i don't worry about any car in my mirror unless they are driving like a complete knobber.
Groovy, thought for a second you were one of these "live my life a quarter mile at a time" kind of guys Generally i don't worry about any car in my mirror unless they are driving like a complete knobber.
I was torn between the porsche and the M3 but at present it's only myself and the missus to worry about, plus i wanted a 2 seater to better my S2000, hence the Boxster S
I love the power delivery on the M3 but i really like the styling of the 330....always thought they look lovely....unfortunately the types of people driving them now where i live has 'driven' me away from them! Excuse the pun.
300bhp/ton said:
Why would they be drastically different? 
Pretty much the same car in many regards tbh, the M3 is just more focused with a lot more power if you keep your foot in it.
A 320 or even a 318 is fundamentally very similar to a 330 unless you are driving flat out all the time.
The M3 feels a lot different to a 330ci. Trust me, you need to drive both and then you'll see what I mean Pretty much the same car in many regards tbh, the M3 is just more focused with a lot more power if you keep your foot in it.A 320 or even a 318 is fundamentally very similar to a 330 unless you are driving flat out all the time.
St John Smythe said:
The M3 feels a lot different to a 330ci. Trust me, you need to drive both and then you'll see what I mean
I'm not saying that, but the op said character. After all it's still an e46, so same basic chassis, same layout, same weight distribution pretty much, same suspension design, same seating position, same look and feel. The M3 should be miles better, but if all you do is potter about in town at low speed and only infrequently plant the throttle at 2000rpms then I can see why character-wise a 330 isn't all that different.Really drive the car and the differences should be abundant.
J4CKO said:
Why does the M3 cost more to service ?
I am thinking if I got one and serviced it at home it would cost the same or very little more, same shell, same drive layout, both need a cambelt, both need oil and air filters, both need fuel filters, cabin filters etc, both will need coolant and brake fluid changes, really cant see the extra expense, is it down to intervals ?
Both are chain engines.I am thinking if I got one and serviced it at home it would cost the same or very little more, same shell, same drive layout, both need a cambelt, both need oil and air filters, both need fuel filters, cabin filters etc, both will need coolant and brake fluid changes, really cant see the extra expense, is it down to intervals ?
IIRC the valve clearance checks on an Insp1/Insp2 take extra time, plus cost for the shims if required. Also, for an Insp2 you change gearbox and diff oil which aren't required on a 330ci. Overall, consumables are probably a bit more expensive for the M-car because of, er, probably because they can get away with it.
I've owned both, and I am amazed someone would think a 330ci is comparable to a M3 in performance, if nothing else because it has 25% more power. I can only conclude you didn't go above 4000rpm.
The genius of the M3 is that last 1/10th. It's like a normal car you can pootle about in. Then when you properly go for it you marvel at what the engineers have achieved with the combination of grip, power and on the edge composure. They eat up British B roads.
But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
It looks like you really want an m3 but don't have the minerals just in case something goes bang, at the end of the day its just a car. Have you thought of the clubsport http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4060038.htm
0836whimper said:
The genius of the M3 is that last 1/10th. It's like a normal car you can pootle about in. Then when you properly go for it you marvel at what the engineers have achieved with the combination of grip, power and on the edge composure. They eat up British B roads.
But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
Do M3s feel special when pootling around? I'd love an M3, but it has to feel special all the time, rather than boring unless thrashed.But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
daveco said:
Not only that, could the M3 take the abuse the 3.0 litre could, day in, day out, and still return 25+ mpg? I've had 20,000 miles in one, and it never missed a beat. 400+ miles from a tank wasn't an oddity as well.
daveco said:
I'm lucky in the sense my drive to and from work takes in a lot of near-empty roads where I can use a good bit of the performance of these cars.
Doesn't compute. You'd need to be averaging 30mpg to get 400+ from a tank and if you are accessing anything like the performance potential of the 330i you wouldn't be hitting that.Motorway cruise at below NSL would give mid-high 30s. Country roads wouldnt get close to something starting with a 3.
[The 330Ci driven to know these numbers was also fully serviced and well looked after]
Captain Muppet said:
0836whimper said:
The genius of the M3 is that last 1/10th. It's like a normal car you can pootle about in. Then when you properly go for it you marvel at what the engineers have achieved with the combination of grip, power and on the edge composure. They eat up British B roads.
But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
Do M3s feel special when pootling around? I'd love an M3, but it has to feel special all the time, rather than boring unless thrashed.But you wouldn't realise this at first on a straight road.
BTW, i'd be very suprised if the M3 engine made less torque at any point in the rev range than the 330i. I suspect the 330i "feels torquier" because it does not have such a strong top end, rather than the M3 actually having less mid range torque!
The problem with the "not worth the extra" argument is that, at the logical end, the only car actually worth buying is a 316i..................
The problem with the "not worth the extra" argument is that, at the logical end, the only car actually worth buying is a 316i..................
A similar argument for the Z4 3.0 vs the Z4M with people saying daft things like the 3.0 is more useable everyday and has a better torque curve etc.
I call bulls
t, the engine that the M3 and the Z4M share is simply awesome, the 3.0 is a good powerful and smooth engine but seriously is nowhere near the M engine.
I call bulls
t, the engine that the M3 and the Z4M share is simply awesome, the 3.0 is a good powerful and smooth engine but seriously is nowhere near the M engine.I've owned both a 330 (2 of them) and an m3. The 330 is a great every day car. As much as you'd ever need. And at first I didn't get the m3. Then i did a round trip to Germany in it and really started using its full potential. And I don't just mean in a straight line. It turned that journey into a memorable trip and I finally got how good the M is. Such a different car to the 330.
300bhp/ton said:
A 320 or even a 318 is fundamentally very similar to a 330 unless you are driving flat out all the time.
sorry but a 318 is NOTHING like a 330 even when pootling around... they may bear a passing resemblance but an asthmatic and harsh 4 pot v a turbine smooth 3 litre six pot (which is a delight ESPECIALLY when pootling around)...? billywhizzzzzz said:
300bhp/ton said:
A 320 or even a 318 is fundamentally very similar to a 330 unless you are driving flat out all the time.
sorry but a 318 is NOTHING like a 330 even when pootling around... they may bear a passing resemblance but an asthmatic and harsh 4 pot v a turbine smooth 3 litre six pot (which is a delight ESPECIALLY when pootling around)...? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff