E46 M3 and E46 330ci-not that different at all really
Discussion
I test drove an '06 M3 last week and I have to say I was left somewhat disappointed by the experience. I expected it to be drastically different in character to the E46 330 but it isn't and whisper it, the 3.0 engine is probably better imo.
LJK Setright hit the nail on the head when he said the best engines are the ones where torque and power outputs are about the same; the linear surge of the 330 is barely any different to the fizz-pop of the M3 in the out right "feel" of speed. Unless you're in a constant state of hoonage, the 330 gives you 9.5/10ths of the performance.
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.
I've waited so long to buy an M3; I still have EVO's October 2000 issue with the first shots of the M, so now I'm in limbo. I loved the sound of it but the gear change was cumbersome and the car felt "delicate" compared to a run of the mill E46.
The M was in perfect condition btw, fully serviced, full of extras, and spotless throughout. I'm left scratching my head here; maybe another test drive is in order as I've gone off the idea of buying a 996 Porsche due to their reliability issues.
LJK Setright hit the nail on the head when he said the best engines are the ones where torque and power outputs are about the same; the linear surge of the 330 is barely any different to the fizz-pop of the M3 in the out right "feel" of speed. Unless you're in a constant state of hoonage, the 330 gives you 9.5/10ths of the performance.
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.
I've waited so long to buy an M3; I still have EVO's October 2000 issue with the first shots of the M, so now I'm in limbo. I loved the sound of it but the gear change was cumbersome and the car felt "delicate" compared to a run of the mill E46.
The M was in perfect condition btw, fully serviced, full of extras, and spotless throughout. I'm left scratching my head here; maybe another test drive is in order as I've gone off the idea of buying a 996 Porsche due to their reliability issues.
AC43 said:
daveco said:
LJK Setright hit the nail on the head when he said the best engines are the ones where torque and power outputs are about the same; the linear surge of the 330 is barely any different to the fizz-pop of the M3 in the out right "feel" of speed. Unless you're in a constant state of hoonage, the 330 gives you 9.5/10ths of the performance.
I still that holds today.Another of Setright's maxims was that the peach of any model range was often the one just below the halo model. Best compromise of torque and (accessible) power, slightly more compliant suspension and bushing, sightly narrower and more compliant tyres, etc all of which can create a sweeter-handling car than the one where the engineers have sacrificed some of the above in the pursuit of the ultimate lap time.
I'm not sure how people can say the M3 is 'miles' ahead of the 330, even from a driver's perspective, when the 330 offers more reliable and usable performance, better overall reliability, better fuel economy, and cheaper servicing (with a better gearbox). It is the more complete car.
The M3 wins hands down on noise but my only concern is it would not take the abuse the 330 has taken. I'd like to hear if anyone has driven the M3 as a daily car. 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.
D15CO D4VE said:
Yes massive difference but that is from the way I drive and the way I like my cars to perform, if YOU think there isn't much difference you may be better off in a 330.
You might be right. I'm worried that close to four years of driving 325/330s with absolutely nothing going wrong will come to an abrupt end if I drive an M3 in the same way.markjo said:
daveco said:
You might be right. I'm worried that close to four years of driving 325/330s with absolutely nothing going wrong will come to an abrupt end if I drive an M3 in the same way.
The fact that fuel economy seems to be so high on your list, then the M3 is not for you, its a drivers car, with one of the best engines out there, and so rewarding when you are pushing on..Have you thought about the 330d, that would be miles better for you than the 330ci
I'm worried that an M3 won't take the abuse the 330 will
Crusoe said:
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.
Yes, averaged 26mpg in mine over a year and 15k miles and didn't miss a beat. Worth it for the noise and the m-diff alone.Crusoe said:
daveco said:
What year was your car? Manual or SMG? The noise was fantastic in the M, sounded just as good with the windows up.
Manual 2003 pre led lights upgrade but with the strut brace and steering rack changes.It is only when you switch the traction control off and really drive it do you feel the huge gulf over the 330.
I think I might have another test drive. As I said my biggest worry was reliability on these cars if they are driven hard. Geez, you put forward an opinion and all hell breaks loose...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff