BMW 330CI (E46) or BMW M3 Evo (E36) ??

[dax911]

Hi

I owned a E36 328, loved it sold that brought a porsche 911(964). However I am now looking for my next purchase. Thought about a 993 porsche but I cant strecth to the price of a RHD. I have max of £20-21 k.

Does anyone think that a M3 E36 on a S plate mint low millage a better buy that a newer 330 ci? Has anyone owned a 330 ci and a M3 and can seperate between them. I had a M3 Evo off a friend who lost his licence. I had it for 3 months and thought it was amazing for the £15,000 he paid, it was quicker and better handling than my porsche. Thats why its gone!!
I've never driven a E46 BM are they much better than the E36?

Thanks

[getcarter]

I too owned a 328 E36 - and now own an E46 M3 - but have driven the 330 and an M3 (36 Evo). In my opinion the 46 is miles better than the 36 - and if it were my money, I'd buy the 330 46 over the M3 Evo. More refined, more safe and more reliable.

It'll also cost you less on insurance and give you more mpg, and there is very little performance difference between the two. It also has 2 proper back seats and a bigger boot.

I'm sure others will beg to differ - and the 330 isn't as 'raw' or as iconic as the 36 Evo (and let's face it the 3 (E46) looks like most other cars) - but as I say... that's where my money would go.

Get a test drive in a new 330 - I bet you are surprised by how swift it is.

Steve
www.SadGit.net


>> Edited by getcarter on Saturday 14th December 15:00

[Tyke]

I sold my E36 M3 summer 2001. I found it a great car to drive everyday. I find the E46 shape rather bland.

[M3EVO]

E46 330CI Combined MPG = 31
E36 M3 Evo Combined MPG = 32

Not a lot in it really.
Ask yourself, do you want half a McLaren F1 engine under your bonnet or a smooth (and quick) run of the mill.

If you go M, watch out for the VANOS and buy with a BMW Warranty!!

IMHO which is biased for obvious reasons, I grew to like the E46 shape, however my feelings are changing and feel it looks quite lardy. Im sure most out there would disagree but its subjective after all.

[speed12]

I would have to say that both are good cars but for me (doing a lot of driving) it has to be the 330Ci - apart from anything else it has a proper automatic box!

[douglasr]

If you have an eye on the £'s, buy the E46 - much easier to sell and will hold its value well. The E36 M3 will be very difficult to sell as it gets older and will depreciate quickly...why not buy an older model to minimise the depreciation.

[Gibo993]

Buy an M Coupe, the best and After my 993, more fun.

[MARKSG]

About 9 months ago, I sold my M3 EVO for a 330 CI Sport. In my opinion, I would have to say that there is no comparison - the 330 is a far superior car.

I was worried about the performance differential at the time (321 bhp vs 230 bhp), but I have been really surprised - first of all, you really had to use of all of the revs on the M3 to get to go at any pace - very little low down torque; this was particularly noticable when on the motorway in sixth; where to get some decent acceleration, you had to drop a cog or two - for me, a high performance car should be effortless - I never found this to be the case with the M3.

The 330 on the other hand is ready to throw you at the horizon in any gear or at any speed. In addition, the 330 sounds fantastic - my M3 used to sound like it had a sump full of gravel - very metallic and unmelodeous; the 330 exhaust note is low and melifluous - fantastic.

Besides this the E46 build quality, specification, ride comfort etc. is in a different class. Perhaps best of all, insurance and service costs are around half what I was paying for the M3 EVO.

Both great cars though !!