Discussion
Can someone who's driven both give a summary of the differences in feel between the two?
325i seems 30 bhp down but RHD and many many thousands cheaper. Is there a point to the massively inflated M3 prices? Also 325i can come with auto, which for a summer cabriolet seems a nicer proposition imo.
325i seems 30 bhp down but RHD and many many thousands cheaper. Is there a point to the massively inflated M3 prices? Also 325i can come with auto, which for a summer cabriolet seems a nicer proposition imo.
TomJS said:
Can someone who's driven both give a summary of the differences in feel between the two?
325i seems 30 bhp down but RHD and many many thousands cheaper. Is there a point to the massively inflated M3 prices? Also 325i can come with auto, which for a summer cabriolet seems a nicer proposition imo.
There is no comparison. Having owned three of one and two of the other I can say this with confidence.325i seems 30 bhp down but RHD and many many thousands cheaper. Is there a point to the massively inflated M3 prices? Also 325i can come with auto, which for a summer cabriolet seems a nicer proposition imo.
When I have more time I'll justrify this statement in detail !!
Cheers - Nick
I own both -


I must admit I do prefer driving the 325, it's smoother and alot more refined IMO.
The M3 is a brute that needs to be driven hard to get any gains out of it, it's no good posing doing 2k around town because it will run like a bag of spanners, they need to be driven on open roads doing 5k plus....
I enjoy both cars but my heart lies with the 325, it's a great all round E30.
Depending on the budget for an E30, I'd go for a nice 325i Sport or a nicely specced SE and with all E30's check for rust everywhere and I mean everywhere !!!


I must admit I do prefer driving the 325, it's smoother and alot more refined IMO.
The M3 is a brute that needs to be driven hard to get any gains out of it, it's no good posing doing 2k around town because it will run like a bag of spanners, they need to be driven on open roads doing 5k plus....
I enjoy both cars but my heart lies with the 325, it's a great all round E30.
Depending on the budget for an E30, I'd go for a nice 325i Sport or a nicely specced SE and with all E30's check for rust everywhere and I mean everywhere !!!
He's talking about a covertible though isn't he? In that guise I'd go for the 325i over the M3 as the scuttle shake ruins the M3 experience. As a hardtop though I'd go M3 all the way if finance allows.
I had an E30 325i Convertible with auto box and it was the perfect combination for summer cruising yet still "nipped on" when you wanted to have a bit of fun and the yowl from the staright six with the hood down was just fantastic.
I had an E30 325i Convertible with auto box and it was the perfect combination for summer cruising yet still "nipped on" when you wanted to have a bit of fun and the yowl from the staright six with the hood down was just fantastic.
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