650i / E46 M3 / E92 330/5i

[CharlieB]

Well, the 5 sale is finally going through, so should have an update on this thread in a couple of weeks.

A slight change of tact, has anyone owned a 650 and a Jag XK (4.2 non SC), and have any thoughts between the two? I suppose the XK would be a closer rival to the 630i.

Cheers,

Charlie

[jayemm89]

I've HAD a 645, and I HAVE an E46 M3.

I say get the 650. An XK is nice, but I believe the BMW is a much better driver's car. Based on my minimal Jag experience, anyway.

Edited by jayemm89 on Wednesday 20th April 11:29

[CRA1G]

CharlieB said:

Left field choice would be a late 840

I wouldn't dismiss the 840 if you could find a sensible mileage/owner FSH late Sport there a great car with classis status so will only go up in value now and not down as im sure the other cars mentioned will.

[CharlieB]

Still have not seen much come up that I am entirely happy with and the budget is a little flexible. However this has swung up on the radar.

Thoughts on this one? Its top money but does look immaculate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[parksie]

That one really looks nice, you'd be paying a premium for the low mileage , watch out for the £500 road tax!
l

[Theophany]

Stratus grey

Looks very honest to me. Not my first choice for wheels but otherwise very well specced.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

cerb4.5lee said:

Crackie said:

Not tried a 330i...

I wouldn't bother as it will only lead to disappointment!

Strangely though and even I admit it does seem crazy but I actually prefer the N52 engine to the S54 engine because although the N52 is pretty gutless...it sounds far better to me than the tinny and annoying sound that the S54 makes.

The main problem I have with the N/A engines in the M3's(S54/S65)is that you really have to thrash the life out of them to get the reward...whereas with a 330i you know it isn't a fireball but for everyday driving it does hit the spot pretty well.

The 4.8 V8 engine is the sweet spot for me though and hence my love for the 650i because it has the power and torque and it just delivers...plus it makes a wonderful noise while doing so.

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Friday 18th March 22:37

My experience is there reverse - the N52 (in a manual 530i) I have is totally in engaging and feels slow and certainly lacks torque. Sure it can pick up its skirts if you really thrash it but the rewards aren't great. The S54 on the other hand always feels characterful and lively even at low speeds - including torquey low down. And, of course, really flies when you want it to and also sounds insane.

However - I'd think that an E46 is getting old for every day use now and are prone to rust. If go for the e9X 335i -
But it also begs the question - why not get another M135i?

[CharlieB]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

But it also begs the question - why not get another M135i?

It is a very fair point and they are dipping further in value. I think I just fancy a V8/something a little different.

As an aside I had a lot of problems with mine in the first few months of ownership, day 1 and only 18 miles old it stranded me, low oil pressure/faulty oil pressure sender recovered back to dealer, then had multiple episodes of suffering from the dreaded 'fan/loss of power' the thing went back into the dealer 4 times!

With the benefit of hindsight that left a bitter taste to the experience.

Also now on the radar as a pure 2nd car is the Z4 E89. My wife prefers these, I prefer the 6er!

[Billy_Whizzzz]

CharlieB said:

Billy_Whizzzz said:

But it also begs the question - why not get another M135i?

It is a very fair point and they are dipping further in value. I think I just fancy a V8/something a little different.

As an aside I had a lot of problems with mine in the first few months of ownership, day 1 and only 18 miles old it stranded me, low oil pressure/faulty oil pressure sender recovered back to dealer, then had multiple episodes of suffering from the dreaded 'fan/loss of power' the thing went back into the dealer 4 times!

With the benefit of hindsight that left a bitter taste to the experience.

Also now on the radar as a pure 2nd car is the Z4 E89. My wife prefers these, I prefer the 6er!

I only ask as I've just ordered an M140i to accompany my Z4M and I've sold an E61 530i M Sport to make way for it as it just wasn't gutsy enough or dynamically sharp enough. I was tempted by the 6er but don't quite like the image. I've heard really good things about the Z4 35iS though. Not sure if manuals are your bag but - going back to the 6 for a minute, a manual 650 would be a very nice package. Either way however nice e46s are I wouldn't have one now as a daily. I've had an e91 and dynamically it was brilliant.

[CharlieB]

Manuals certainly are my bag! My 1er was manual. I thought a 630 manual might work well as a sort of cruiser but others don't rate them. Market is pretty small as well for either.

Image is odd isn't it? I seem to have trouble aligning myself to an E92, yet find the E63 a classy old bus. I am only 32 so that probably sounds even more bizarre.

It's quite an odd ball park budget wise as well, nigh on 10 year old GTs, some 6 year old couples, yet only a few grand more gets you back into the best hatch of the last few years or a current shape Z4!

Something will pop up and grab me. I have spoken to the chap on the stratus grey one and it sounds mint, premium for low miles but it's knocking on 10 y/o.

That and I am being indecisive!

[cerb4.5lee]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Crackie said:

Not tried a 330i...

I wouldn't bother as it will only lead to disappointment!

Strangely though and even I admit it does seem crazy but I actually prefer the N52 engine to the S54 engine because although the N52 is pretty gutless...it sounds far better to me than the tinny and annoying sound that the S54 makes.

The main problem I have with the N/A engines in the M3's(S54/S65)is that you really have to thrash the life out of them to get the reward...whereas with a 330i you know it isn't a fireball but for everyday driving it does hit the spot pretty well.

The 4.8 V8 engine is the sweet spot for me though and hence my love for the 650i because it has the power and torque and it just delivers...plus it makes a wonderful noise while doing so.

Edited by cerb4.5lee on Friday 18th March 22:37

My experience is there reverse - the N52 (in a manual 530i) I have is totally in engaging and feels slow and certainly lacks torque. Sure it can pick up its skirts if you really thrash it but the rewards aren't great. The S54 on the other hand always feels characterful and lively even at low speeds - including torquey low down. And, of course, really flies when you want it to and also sounds insane.

The N52 will feel gutless in a 530i because it struggles in the 330i, I think it's about expectations really and my expectations were very low when I purchased my 330i so it very rarely disappoints me, whereas I had very high expectations of my Z4M/M3(from road tests/watching vids) but they both led to disappointment for me.

I don't like the noise the S54 makes but agree it feels pretty peppy low down yet it still needs revs to deliver, the S65 in the M3 is flatter than a pancake at low revs though and only comes alive at 6k revs due to its weight.

[Mr Tidy]

Strange how perceptions vary - I don't find the N52 in my Z4C at all lacking in torque (and that is after a 123d)!

But I am happy, even enthusiastic, to give it some revs rather than try to drive it as a diesel!

Still that seems to answer my next question about a 330i E9* (big no?) or maybe 130i (lesser no)?

Any thoughts would be welcome - thanks!

BTW a 650i is very appealing for when I go barging but I can't really see it as a realistic alternative to any M car!

[bmwmike]

I've the n53 in a f10 and find it pretty quick low down but I think that's probably thanks to the 8 speed auto. I had/have been considering moving to a e9x with the n52/n53 manual but the comments here are making me question that. Guess I need to drive one.

Only do 10k per year and my work mileage is fully reimbursed so I do wonder why I don't just get a 540 but I struggle to justify the road tax.

[CharlieB]

Just to update this a little. An odd outcome considering the postings above but..

An immaculate 630i sport popped up locally, I sent my tame car purchaser along and he made the call it was a good un.

Its a sort of try it and see exercise until something more powerful/different comes along/I get a windfall to up my budget!

I have not actually seen it so a bit of a punt, but for now I am back in a BMW at least.

Edited by CharlieB on Thursday 2nd June 14:36

[CharlieB]

Quick snap

[cerb4.5lee]

That looks nice and I really like the colour combo, enjoy it

[CharlieB]

Cheers! I am quite looking forward to seeing it in a bit :-)

I have just been told both of the car seats fit (group 0 britax and group 123 recaro) in it fine as well so that's a relief!

[gf15]

Looks lovely!
Glass roof as well.
Enjoy!

[Mr Tidy]

Lovely looking car OP!

Maybe I need to think about some V8 6 Series wafting once I've got over the Z4C hooliganism! (Or once I start struggling to get in or out of it)!

Enjoy the new car!

[RichB]

You just need to update your profile now, you've still got a picture of that lovely 944 Turbo. Or... is it that you can't quite bear to change the picture