Is there anything better than an E46 Ci? What Coupe!

[PaperCut]

I currently own an E46 320i Saloon on an X-plate 2001 (which i've had for around 5 years) - and it's great, well apart from when it throws the occasional pricey bill now and again and those times when a bit more performance would come in handy! but it's time to change and since i'm 25 (with no kids incidently!) i think it's a good time to get myself in a coupe - but the problem is which one?!

With a (strict) budget of £5,000, and the knowledge that i don't do a lot of miles (circa 7-8k p.a) plus insurance, maintenance and other costs are not a problem, i.e i can afford it(!), this is what i've been looking at

The 'Shortlist' ;

Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 - love these, but not sure on reliabilty + going back to FWD after years of RWD!

Audi TT 1.8T 225- not really keen on these, but i would like to drive one

Mercedes CLK C209 320 - like the looks, RWD, but not sure if i could live with an autobox, again need to try it!

Mercedes CL 500 - as above, but potentially more expensive to run?

Mazda RX-8 - I could buy two, but i think there is a reason for that! Well documented on here! Plus, not really a coupe! Opinions?

Nissan 350Z - scrapping the barrel for 350s at this price i think...

But, is a 3-Series Ci, in your opinion(!) a superior car, or rather a better all rounder to all the above?

In other words would you consider the BMW to be better from everything from, performance, reliablity, economy, handling, etc.

Also have i missed something of that list?

BTW, the BMW would be a 2002-onwards, 330Ci Sport (no point in going for lower engined i think) , Manual, Leather, possibly facelifted version.

Many Thanks.

[kambites]

The RX-8 is a (significantly) better drivers' car IMO. The BMW probably does everything else that you mention better than all of the others though. Obviously the Mercs will be more comfortable and more relaxed, but it doesn't sound like that's really what you're after. The 350Z will be much more manic and less refined than the BMW, whether that's a good thing depends on your point of view, I suppose.

For me it would be between the RX8 and the 330i.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 26th January 17:02

[RWD cossie wil]

Save up for an M3!

[r7ehw]

Decisions decisions! What a great dilema and all I can say is its a shame the budget is £5K. For an extra 2 you start to get into low mileage really tidy cars of similar ilk but ultimately a much better ownership propersition I feel.

I bought a 2 year old 328ci T plate which was one of the early ones and it was mighty car. I loved it and did quite a lot of miles in it. It had the upgrade pro stereo system and whilst it was SE spec it was a very special car. Your thoughts on a 330ci are therefore my favourite of the bunch. Remember to check things like tyres, are they a quality item or have they gone budget. If the latter they have probably scimped elsewhere and these are not the sort of cars to scimp on.

The big merc will be nice to look at but just don't go there! If you are after a drivers car then seriously look at the 350z and mazda but this brings me bqack to my earlier comment, you probably need to up the budget a bit. I have driven both and they are great. Mazda will drink though!

I had the load of a TT 225 back in the day too and whilst nice car - my bm was a far superior experience.

Have fun and be shrewd!

[Exige77]

Another vote for E46 330ci.

Had mine for 10 years and 140K miles.

Still runs like new.

Ex77

[SimianWonder]

I'm currently looking for a sub-5k coupe, and having tried all the usual suspects the E46 330ci was the clear winner. Wonderfully smooth engine, yet more playful than most of it's competitors. The 350z is a bit of a lout in comparison, though I'd argue it's not really a direct competitor, being only a two seater - that said, the 350Z is a decent bit quicker than the BMW.

Also, budget dependant, if you want something a little rawer, why not try an E36 M3? Sure, they look a little dated now, but pick up a decent Evo and you've got 320-odd bhp, RWD and while they're by no means the most loved of the M3s, they have the potential to make an E46 feel utterly dull by comparison.

[r7ehw]

SimianWonder said:

I'm currently looking for a sub-5k coupe, and having tried all the usual suspects the E46 330ci was the clear winner. Wonderfully smooth engine, yet more playful than most of it's competitors. The 350z is a bit of a lout in comparison, though I'd argue it's not really a direct competitor, being only a two seater - that said, the 350Z is a decent bit quicker than the BMW.

Also, budget dependant, if you want something a little rawer, why not try an E36 M3? Sure, they look a little dated now, but pick up a decent Evo and you've got 320-odd bhp, RWD and while they're by no means the most loved of the M3s, they have the potential to make an E46 feel utterly dull by comparison.

Think you will struggle to find a decent e36 M3! I would go for a sorted or as sorted as you can find 330ci - Winner!

[mini1380cc]

I made this decision recently. A e36 m3 or an e46 330ci. Sense won over an I went for the 330ci. Its sounds great and still looks modern, plus there is for more nice example to choose from than e36 m3's.

If your looking for a 330ci try and get one that has had a cooling system overhaul. Its the only real Achilles heel of the straight 6.

[300bhp/ton]

PaperCut said:

I currently own an E46 320i Saloon on an X-plate 2001 (which i've had for around 5 years) - and it's great, well apart from when it throws the occasional pricey bill now and again and those times when a bit more performance would come in handy! but it's time to change and since i'm 25 (with no kids incidently!) i think it's a good time to get myself in a coupe - but the problem is which one?!

With a (strict) budget of £5,000, and the knowledge that i don't do a lot of miles (circa 7-8k p.a) plus insurance, maintenance and other costs are not a problem, i.e i can afford it(!), this is what i've been looking at

The 'Shortlist' ;

Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 - love these, but not sure on reliabilty + going back to FWD after years of RWD!

Audi TT 1.8T 225- not really keen on these, but i would like to drive one

Mercedes CLK C209 320 - like the looks, RWD, but not sure if i could live with an autobox, again need to try it!

Mercedes CL 500 - as above, but potentially more expensive to run?

Mazda RX-8 - I could buy two, but i think there is a reason for that! Well documented on here! Plus, not really a coupe! Opinions?

Nissan 350Z - scrapping the barrel for 350s at this price i think...

But, is a 3-Series Ci, in your opinion(!) a superior car, or rather a better all rounder to all the above?

In other words would you consider the BMW to be better from everything from, performance, reliablity, economy, handling, etc.

Also have i missed something of that list?

BTW, the BMW would be a 2002-onwards, 330Ci Sport (no point in going for lower engined i think) , Manual, Leather, possibly facelifted version.

Many Thanks.

I think it all depends what you really want from a car. A BMW Ci is a fine machine - to a point. And that's exactly the reason why it's so popular.

As in, there is nothing really wrong with it, but there are options.

Personally while BMW may call it a coupe, lets face it. It's a 2 door saloon car! For me I would personally want to go with something either a little more wow, more performance or more fun.

At 25 and doing very few miles a year there really is no need to be sensible. To that extent, I quite like the Alfa, but nice as it is to look at and listen too, I think there are more enjoyable cars out there.

The RX-8 scores high with me, it's also practical and your budget should net you a good one. Horrific fuel consumption and quite a specialists car though, so make sure you do your research first.


And maybe a few other ideas:

Chrysler Crossfire 3.2 V6 Manual 2004/54 (2004)
59,000 miles £4,950
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3583408.htm


As a rule received more positive praise than the Merc SLK its built on. Have a look on YouTube and see what Tiff thought on Fifth Gear for instance.

Personally I think they look great. You might find this thread interesting: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...


Toyota Supra 3L (N/A) Manual (1995)
81,000 miles £3,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3523643.htm


TVR 350i White with Blue Roof (1984)
£4,495
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3580924.htm


Black 944 S2 with Linen (1990)
106,000 miles £4,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3576162.htm


NISSAN 200SX TOURING (2001)
27,000 miles £5,495
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3587740.htm


MITSUBISHI 3000GT TWIN TURBO MANUAL GEARBOX (1993)
48,000 miles £4,450
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3574828.htm

[300bhp/ton]

r7ehw said:

Think you will struggle to find a decent e36 M3!

Why?

[300bhp/ton]

SimianWonder said:

I'm currently looking for a sub-5k coupe, and having tried all the usual suspects the E46 330ci was the clear winner.

Did you ever consider or actually try any of the non usual suspects?

[redgriff500]

BMW 330 is a good car but is not a drivers car - too heavy, too safe, too dull.

If you want to do 20k a year with RWD its fine but it's not a fun car. (I got rid of mine after 2 months)

I'd go for something a little less sensible.

E36 M3
Porsche 968 / 944 S2
Supra Mk4 non turbo
200SX

[Chrisw666]

£5k budget, 25 no kids, running costs not a problem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Job done.

[Chrisw666]

Is the 350Z in budget?

[300bhp/ton]

Chrisw666 said:

£5k budget, 25 no kids, running costs not a problem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Job done.

On reflection, why oh why would anyone want to punt £5k in a BMW 3 Series coupe when you could have something like this instead??

[fathomfive]

Chrisw666 said:

£5k budget, 25 no kids, running costs not a problem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Job done.

A rather putrid interior colour though on that one.

[300bhp/ton]

fathomfive said:

Chrisw666 said:

£5k budget, 25 no kids, running costs not a problem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Job done.

A rather putrid interior colour though on that one.

Although a refreshing change to the see of dull blackness you normally find.

[80sboy]

redgriff500 said:

BMW 330 is a good car but is not a drivers car - too heavy, too safe, too dull.

If you want to do 20k a year with RWD its fine but it's not a fun car. (I got rid of mine after 2 months)

I'd go for something a little less sensible.

E36 M3
Porsche 968 / 944 S2
Supra Mk4 non turbo
200SX

Why would you ever go for a non-turbo Supra? A turbo can be had for £5k and it's a much, much better car.

The Supra is rock solid though and shouldn't give you any problems, running costs are reasonable too - apart from the 18-20mpg it'll return. The Turbo is FAST, it'll leave everything else you've listed in it's wake. With a bit of tinkering you're looking at an easy 4.5 to 60 and a 190mph top end.

Edited by 80sboy on Friday 27th January 10:00

[PaperCut]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I did also look at, or at least consider, a Crossfire, but it's not really for me. I hadn't really thought about an older car - such as the 944 for example - but i'll have a look, although i was wanting a fairly modern car.

The Boxster is a good idea too, but i really want a coupe - if i could buy a separate hardtop for it perhaps could create the illusion of a coupe i suppose!

...talking about cabrios, i've just seen A4 Convertibles are within budget (3.0 V6 quattros) - are these worth considering, or too dull!?

Any more suggestions & advice would be welcome!

Cheers

[aizvara]

redgriff500 said:

BMW 330 is a good car but is not a drivers car - too heavy, too safe, too dull.

If you want to do 20k a year with RWD its fine but it's not a fun car. (I got rid of mine after 2 months)

I'd go for something a little less sensible.

E36 M3
Porsche 968 / 944 S2
Supra Mk4 non turbo
200SX

I doubt the Supra, E36 or the 968 are much lighter than the e46 (~1500Kg), though I accept that they may feel as if they are.