£5-8k. E46 330Ci vs E46 M3?
Discussion
In terms of my experiences of fuel economy, expect 24-25 with mixed driving.
You should get very low 30s on pure (sensible) motorway driving.
I have however been doing a lot of town driving recently, and am down to 17mpg.
Don't expect to average a huge amount more from a 330ci, unless you spending virtually all of your time on the motorway.
You should get very low 30s on pure (sensible) motorway driving.
I have however been doing a lot of town driving recently, and am down to 17mpg.
Don't expect to average a huge amount more from a 330ci, unless you spending virtually all of your time on the motorway.
Clivey said:
Sir_Dave said:
The M3 is utterly brilliant, far far better than the 330, which is just a motorway barge imho. Unfortunately, mine is also my house deposit, which might need to be turned into cash quite shortly 
For you to think that a 330i is "just" a motorway barge, you've been spoilt (good for you!). 
A 320d is a motorway barge, but not any of the I6 petrol E46s. I "only" have a 320i at present, but it's so much better than Mondeos, Vectras etc. on a country road.Clivey said:
For you to think that a 330i is "just" a motorway barge, you've been spoilt (good for you!). A 320d is a motorway barge, but not any of the I6 petrol E46s. I "only" have a 320i at present, but it's so much better than Mondeos, Vectras etc. on a country road.
When your weekend/track car is a 182 Trophy, & your previous vehicles include 3 x 1*2's, a 306 Rallye, 2 x 106 Gti's and caged saxo Vts, trust me, the 330 is a barge. A very nice one mind you A 320d is a motorway barge, but not any of the I6 petrol E46s. I "only" have a 320i at present, but it's so much better than Mondeos, Vectras etc. on a country road.
OP - The problem you will face when you begin the search for an M3 is finding one that isn't s
t.
Unfortunately £10k is the threshold price for the rasclart ownership bracket and many owners are struggling to run them properly, resorting to home fixing, ignoring or selling when a meaty problem arises. They like the idea of ragging about in an M3 but have little money to maintain one correctly because they have spent it on fuel, speeding fines, weed and beer.
The E46 M3 is fast going the same way as the E36 did and finding a genuine, low owner, low milage unmodified car that is in great condition is difficult. Take your time as a cheap M3 can easily become a wallet opener. A car that needs new brakes, tyres and an inspection 2 can cost over 2k straight away.
If you think about it, owners of todays M3 are facing higher running costs than the original purchasers from 10 years ago due to component failure, inflated fuel and insurance costs so it's not surprising many are getting a bit scabby.
t.Unfortunately £10k is the threshold price for the rasclart ownership bracket and many owners are struggling to run them properly, resorting to home fixing, ignoring or selling when a meaty problem arises. They like the idea of ragging about in an M3 but have little money to maintain one correctly because they have spent it on fuel, speeding fines, weed and beer.
The E46 M3 is fast going the same way as the E36 did and finding a genuine, low owner, low milage unmodified car that is in great condition is difficult. Take your time as a cheap M3 can easily become a wallet opener. A car that needs new brakes, tyres and an inspection 2 can cost over 2k straight away.
If you think about it, owners of todays M3 are facing higher running costs than the original purchasers from 10 years ago due to component failure, inflated fuel and insurance costs so it's not surprising many are getting a bit scabby.
Someone earlier mentioned an Alpina B3. Not a good idea in my opinion. After all, it only has 280bhp. No, what you want is the Alpina B3S. 305bhp (conservatively claimed and probably closer to 320bhp) and rather special all round. Perfect mid-point between 330i and M3. IMHO. I liked mine so much (now sold) I still can't bring myself to remove it from my profile pic
Sir_Dave said:
When your weekend/track car is a 182 Trophy, & your previous vehicles include 3 x 1*2's, a 306 Rallye, 2 x 106 Gti's and caged saxo Vts, trust me, the 330 is a barge. A very nice one mind you
I prefer to use the term "GT". 
I'd love a 330Ci - it'd be a perfect daily driver with a TVR for the weekends!
Some good points raised above. I'd really consider a cheap M3 as a ferocious gamble, which could well come off brilliantly. Or it could leave you stranded and bankrupt. Some of the prices of work done, even just on consumables make my own car look reasonable, despite it being the joke of the office in terms of running costs where I work.
I consider that a daily driver is a car that needs to be relied on. Maybe you'd be better off buying a cheap E36 M3 and a Renault Cliesel. Just a thought.
Also, I do feel kinda vindicated by all the people reaffirming my earlier comments.
I consider that a daily driver is a car that needs to be relied on. Maybe you'd be better off buying a cheap E36 M3 and a Renault Cliesel. Just a thought.
Also, I do feel kinda vindicated by all the people reaffirming my earlier comments.
Head says 330, heart says M3.
The feedback you are getting is pretty conclusive i.e. 330 is a great car but an M3 is better but will cost more to run.
It would make more sense to either get a 330 alongside the Evo or sell the 7 and evo and get a decent M3.
Actually I would keep the 7, sell the Evo and get an M3.
The feedback you are getting is pretty conclusive i.e. 330 is a great car but an M3 is better but will cost more to run.
It would make more sense to either get a 330 alongside the Evo or sell the 7 and evo and get a decent M3.
Actually I would keep the 7, sell the Evo and get an M3.
sam303 said:
Someone earlier mentioned an Alpina B3. Not a good idea in my opinion. After all, it only has 280bhp. No, what you want is the Alpina B3S. 305bhp (conservatively claimed and probably closer to 320bhp) and rather special all round. Perfect mid-point between 330i and M3. IMHO. I liked mine so much (now sold) I still can't bring myself to remove it from my profile pic
I've got a B3 and know someone with a B3s. There is hardly any difference between the two in real world driving conditions (as we've found out). Heck, another mate's c55 AMG only pulls away at walking pace over a ton (on the Autobahn of course)!
nsi said:
Well yeah, but so's a vectra! Doesn't make it the right choice.
I think I'm going to go for an M3 (timing TBC) and just try to cut down my business miles a bit.
If you can afford it, go for it. I think I'm going to go for an M3 (timing TBC) and just try to cut down my business miles a bit.
- Just make sure you can please. I'd hate to see / hear of yet another M3 falling into a state of disrepair because the owner can't keep up the maintenance. I'd love to be in your position considering these two cars though.
Clivey said:
nsi said:
Well yeah, but so's a vectra! Doesn't make it the right choice.
I think I'm going to go for an M3 (timing TBC) and just try to cut down my business miles a bit.
If you can afford it, go for it. I think I'm going to go for an M3 (timing TBC) and just try to cut down my business miles a bit.
- Just make sure you can please. I'd hate to see / hear of yet another M3 falling into a state of disrepair because the owner can't keep up the maintenance. I'd love to be in your position considering these two cars though.
E38Ross said:
if running costs is an issue, get the 330. please don't let another M3 turn into a poor example through poor maintenance.
I intend getting a well looked after car and then maintaining it in the manner to which it has become accustomed!! lolHi guys. I have been contemplating the exact same choices as the OP, so rather than starting a new thread, I thought it would be better to add to this one.
I have decided on a 330ci Clubsport rather than an M3 as I wouldn't be able to make full use of it with my driving needs (local roads, short journeys) only doing maybe 4-5k miles a year.
The car I'm interested in is an '03 330ci Clubsport, 26k miles, FSH, CSL replica wheels, for just over £6k. Is this the going rate for low mileage Clubsports? The car is mint apart from a slightly kerbed wheel. I have seen most Clubsports with 100k miles priced at £5k+. Any thoughts on the car and its price?
Cheers.
I have decided on a 330ci Clubsport rather than an M3 as I wouldn't be able to make full use of it with my driving needs (local roads, short journeys) only doing maybe 4-5k miles a year.
The car I'm interested in is an '03 330ci Clubsport, 26k miles, FSH, CSL replica wheels, for just over £6k. Is this the going rate for low mileage Clubsports? The car is mint apart from a slightly kerbed wheel. I have seen most Clubsports with 100k miles priced at £5k+. Any thoughts on the car and its price?
Cheers.
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