E46 330ci Vs M3
Discussion
Hey guys,
Having recently been made redundant I sold my 1999 E46 328ci Auto and started about looking for a new job. I found a new job a lot sooner than I'd thought I would and it's only over the road from me so within walking distance.
Now, I'm in the market to spend around £5000 in a few months to buy another car, and as I walk to work the fuel costs aren't really that big a deal so I was considering getting an early E46 M3 Manual.
The thing is, even though M3s have sort of hit the 5K price range now, is it going to be risky buying one at this sort of figure??? I've had a fully specd 330ci with sports leather and aero pack a few years ago and really that thing was quick enough for me. And these can be picked up in mint condition with low miles for half the price of an M3
I really want an M3 but hear horror stories about boot floors and sub frames exploding lol
A budget M3, is it worth it or should I just buy a 330ci manual? I know a lot of people will say 'Well if you're asking that then youndont need an M3'. I know I don't need one but I REALLY want one lol. But not if buying at that price range is a horrendous idea.
Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!!!
Having recently been made redundant I sold my 1999 E46 328ci Auto and started about looking for a new job. I found a new job a lot sooner than I'd thought I would and it's only over the road from me so within walking distance.
Now, I'm in the market to spend around £5000 in a few months to buy another car, and as I walk to work the fuel costs aren't really that big a deal so I was considering getting an early E46 M3 Manual.
The thing is, even though M3s have sort of hit the 5K price range now, is it going to be risky buying one at this sort of figure??? I've had a fully specd 330ci with sports leather and aero pack a few years ago and really that thing was quick enough for me. And these can be picked up in mint condition with low miles for half the price of an M3
I really want an M3 but hear horror stories about boot floors and sub frames exploding lol
A budget M3, is it worth it or should I just buy a 330ci manual? I know a lot of people will say 'Well if you're asking that then youndont need an M3'. I know I don't need one but I REALLY want one lol. But not if buying at that price range is a horrendous idea.
Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated!!!
That's my thoughts exactly. Looking around PH and ebay you can snap up decent bargains with the 330cis and get a decent one for around £2500. As you say the M3 is in a completely different league but at 27 the days of thundering around are getting a bit behind me and driving for a living means I tend to stick to the limit anyway lol
Having had the 330 manual before the 328 auto I've probably forgotten how fun the 330 was. The 328 auto was quick enough in a straight line but being an auto it was very boring.
To get an equivalent condition M3 I'd have to spend about £7000 I reckon. And although it's a lot of car for the money is it £4500 more car? In my eyes no as I'd never use it as much as I'd want to and if you have an M3 you want to drive it like an M3
Having had the 330 manual before the 328 auto I've probably forgotten how fun the 330 was. The 328 auto was quick enough in a straight line but being an auto it was very boring.
To get an equivalent condition M3 I'd have to spend about £7000 I reckon. And although it's a lot of car for the money is it £4500 more car? In my eyes no as I'd never use it as much as I'd want to and if you have an M3 you want to drive it like an M3
Regardless of which car you do decide to go for - a £5k e46 m3 is really asking for trouble, if you can even find one that cheap. I spent months looking for examples when I recently bought mine, there are even a lot of sheds out there for closer to 10k than 5k and its an expensive car to fix up so you don't want to get a dog.
With regards to the choice, the 330 is a great car and the engine is very good but the m3 is in a different league. I think it really boils down to how often you intend to drive enthusiastically as opposed to just pootling about, and how much you'd really appreciate having masses of extra performance over the 330. If it isnt very often you'll be in the mood for driving hard then the 330 makes more sense as you do pay a large premium for the M car. But if you decide the M is what you want after all, save for a bit longer and wait for a mint car, you wont regret it! I'm still in complete love with mine after a couple of thousand miles
With regards to the choice, the 330 is a great car and the engine is very good but the m3 is in a different league. I think it really boils down to how often you intend to drive enthusiastically as opposed to just pootling about, and how much you'd really appreciate having masses of extra performance over the 330. If it isnt very often you'll be in the mood for driving hard then the 330 makes more sense as you do pay a large premium for the M car. But if you decide the M is what you want after all, save for a bit longer and wait for a mint car, you wont regret it! I'm still in complete love with mine after a couple of thousand miles
not for £5000. You Will soon spend the same putting things right. You need to spend close to £10k and even then you have to be careful. I did, and yet I need some paint work sorted and maybe new front tyres soon but it was mechanically sound.
Much rather have a 330ci at that price. In all honesty it is a great car and you wouldn't be disapointed!
Much rather have a 330ci at that price. In all honesty it is a great car and you wouldn't be disapointed!
Yeah, the thing is £5000 is my maximum budget including any repairs I'd need to sort for the first year and also servicing and consumables like tyres etc. So really weighing it all up I'm probably in a dream world even contemplating an M3 E46 as the figures just don't add up.
The other contenders I was looking at were an early model Z4 3.0i convertible and Nissan 350Z,s, but as with the M3 these are still likely to be ropey examples at the £5K marker.
Also, having had quite a few BMW's in the past I ideally want to stick with the brand. Iv'e had an E39 523i, an E36 323i Convertible, an E36 328i Coupe, an E46 330ci and lastly the E46 328ci Auto. It was a decent Automatic but still lacked all of the enjoyment I had driving the other cars. Including the smaller 2.5 straight six in the 523i and 323i. The 523i was a BRILLIANT car and was alot faster than I'd expected. So looking at that comment I do ask myself why I need an M3, lol
I did view a 540i manual years ago and it was a wreck so it put me off of them for a bit, massive oil leak and a dodgy petrol station forecort salesman put me right off. It had no fuel so the test drive consisted of me driving it to the petrol station and this bloke putting a fivers worth of fuel in, haha
Is it possible to modify a 330ci to get the power up nearer the 300BHP mark or are we talking thousands for that???
The other contenders I was looking at were an early model Z4 3.0i convertible and Nissan 350Z,s, but as with the M3 these are still likely to be ropey examples at the £5K marker.
Also, having had quite a few BMW's in the past I ideally want to stick with the brand. Iv'e had an E39 523i, an E36 323i Convertible, an E36 328i Coupe, an E46 330ci and lastly the E46 328ci Auto. It was a decent Automatic but still lacked all of the enjoyment I had driving the other cars. Including the smaller 2.5 straight six in the 523i and 323i. The 523i was a BRILLIANT car and was alot faster than I'd expected. So looking at that comment I do ask myself why I need an M3, lol
I did view a 540i manual years ago and it was a wreck so it put me off of them for a bit, massive oil leak and a dodgy petrol station forecort salesman put me right off. It had no fuel so the test drive consisted of me driving it to the petrol station and this bloke putting a fivers worth of fuel in, haha
Is it possible to modify a 330ci to get the power up nearer the 300BHP mark or are we talking thousands for that???
Darren156 said:
Yeah, the thing is £5000 is my maximum budget including any repairs I'd need to sort for the first year and also servicing and consumables like tyres etc. So really weighing it all up I'm probably in a dream world even contemplating an M3 E46 as the figures just don't add up.
The other contenders I was looking at were an early model Z4 3.0i convertible and Nissan 350Z,s, but as with the M3 these are still likely to be ropey examples at the £5K marker.
Also, having had quite a few BMW's in the past I ideally want to stick with the brand. Iv'e had an E39 523i, an E36 323i Convertible, an E36 328i Coupe, an E46 330ci and lastly the E46 328ci Auto. It was a decent Automatic but still lacked all of the enjoyment I had driving the other cars. Including the smaller 2.5 straight six in the 523i and 323i. The 523i was a BRILLIANT car and was alot faster than I'd expected. So looking at that comment I do ask myself why I need an M3, lol
I did view a 540i manual years ago and it was a wreck so it put me off of them for a bit, massive oil leak and a dodgy petrol station forecort salesman put me right off. It had no fuel so the test drive consisted of me driving it to the petrol station and this bloke putting a fivers worth of fuel in, haha
Is it possible to modify a 330ci to get the power up nearer the 300BHP mark or are we talking thousands for that???
I'd be wary of even a 330 for that budget if it needs to cover everything for a year. You'd want to look for one that's already had a cooling system overhaul already and not need any brakes or tyres for a while.The other contenders I was looking at were an early model Z4 3.0i convertible and Nissan 350Z,s, but as with the M3 these are still likely to be ropey examples at the £5K marker.
Also, having had quite a few BMW's in the past I ideally want to stick with the brand. Iv'e had an E39 523i, an E36 323i Convertible, an E36 328i Coupe, an E46 330ci and lastly the E46 328ci Auto. It was a decent Automatic but still lacked all of the enjoyment I had driving the other cars. Including the smaller 2.5 straight six in the 523i and 323i. The 523i was a BRILLIANT car and was alot faster than I'd expected. So looking at that comment I do ask myself why I need an M3, lol
I did view a 540i manual years ago and it was a wreck so it put me off of them for a bit, massive oil leak and a dodgy petrol station forecort salesman put me right off. It had no fuel so the test drive consisted of me driving it to the petrol station and this bloke putting a fivers worth of fuel in, haha
Is it possible to modify a 330ci to get the power up nearer the 300BHP mark or are we talking thousands for that???
Your post makes little sense to me, saying a 330i is quick enough initially and then asking about modding a 330i to go faster.
I'd def get the 330 unless you have a reserve find a 5k m3 is not really a 5k car - there's a reason you can get all that performance for 5k - potentially high bills
I'd def get the 330 unless you have a reserve find a 5k m3 is not really a 5k car - there's a reason you can get all that performance for 5k - potentially high bills
either car id expect seized calipers and some suspension issues, i wouldnt personally be worried about a car at £5k. Just depends on what you are buying...no two are alike. The E36 i bought was 6k years back, was fine -replaced calipers thats all...
it went on to do 10 track days and 30k miles with me and sold for 4.5k///
it went on to do 10 track days and 30k miles with me and sold for 4.5k///
I confuse myself so you aren't alone, lol. I know it makes no sense asking about power upgrades to a 330CI if, as I stated myself, the power was more than adequate for me. So it looks like I'll be on the hunt for a decent 330CI. Sub 5K 330CI's can be found in abundance all over the country, and depending on what year and spec I go for there are great bargains to be had. Bargains that HAVE been looked after.
Ideally I want to buy back my old 330CI, pictured below:
My only gripe with the Aero kit though was the rear bumper looked a bit odd in my opinion. The front bumper and sideskirts though I LOVED.
Bought it for £2000 and drove it for 6 months without a problem, bloke offered me £2500 so stupidly seeing dollar signs in my eyes I sold it, lol. It came with FBMWSH and had a shed load of work done to it by the previous owner. Including recent brake overhaul including all calipers, and alot of suspension work, new shocks all round etc. So there are definitely bargains out there.
I might opt for a later model though this time and buy a proper SPORT with bigger front and rear bumpers. I think they are bigger anyway, they look bigger. When I say 'later model' I mean one of the first slight facelifts as opposed to the facelift headlight version. Can't stand those sadly.
This here ideally is what I'm after:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-3-SERIES-330-CI...
Just not at that price, which sadly may be the price to pay for a facelift in Imola red. If I get a 330CI again I won't want to spend more than £2500 though unless I go for a convertible.
Ideally I want to buy back my old 330CI, pictured below:
My only gripe with the Aero kit though was the rear bumper looked a bit odd in my opinion. The front bumper and sideskirts though I LOVED.
Bought it for £2000 and drove it for 6 months without a problem, bloke offered me £2500 so stupidly seeing dollar signs in my eyes I sold it, lol. It came with FBMWSH and had a shed load of work done to it by the previous owner. Including recent brake overhaul including all calipers, and alot of suspension work, new shocks all round etc. So there are definitely bargains out there.
I might opt for a later model though this time and buy a proper SPORT with bigger front and rear bumpers. I think they are bigger anyway, they look bigger. When I say 'later model' I mean one of the first slight facelifts as opposed to the facelift headlight version. Can't stand those sadly.
This here ideally is what I'm after:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-3-SERIES-330-CI...
Just not at that price, which sadly may be the price to pay for a facelift in Imola red. If I get a 330CI again I won't want to spend more than £2500 though unless I go for a convertible.
solidlad84 said:
Regardless of which car you do decide to go for - a £5k e46 m3 is really asking for trouble, if you can even find one that cheap. I spent months looking for examples when I recently bought mine, there are even a lot of sheds out there for closer to 10k than 5k and its an expensive car to fix up so you don't want to get a dog.
With regards to the choice, the 330 is a great car and the engine is very good but the m3 is in a different league. I think it really boils down to how often you intend to drive enthusiastically as opposed to just pootling about, and how much you'd really appreciate having masses of extra performance over the 330. If it isnt very often you'll be in the mood for driving hard then the 330 makes more sense as you do pay a large premium for the M car. But if you decide the M is what you want after all, save for a bit longer and wait for a mint car, you wont regret it! I'm still in complete love with mine after a couple of thousand miles
Good postWith regards to the choice, the 330 is a great car and the engine is very good but the m3 is in a different league. I think it really boils down to how often you intend to drive enthusiastically as opposed to just pootling about, and how much you'd really appreciate having masses of extra performance over the 330. If it isnt very often you'll be in the mood for driving hard then the 330 makes more sense as you do pay a large premium for the M car. But if you decide the M is what you want after all, save for a bit longer and wait for a mint car, you wont regret it! I'm still in complete love with mine after a couple of thousand miles
I would either find a very nice E46 330Ci Manual or very nice E36 M3 Evolution Manual or very late and nice E39 530i/540i .... Or a E30 325i Sport
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