Undecided 330i 350z JCW
Discussion
Undecided on a car and need some help from people in the know!
My faithful old car is coming to an end and have about 8k to spend on a new one. Insurance and tax not an issue and mileage in the region of just 10k a year now.
Been looking at some cars from around 2006-2009 anywhere between 50-110k on mileage. Will buy on condition and SH.
Stuck on the car though. Something fun that I can put a few mods on and quite possible take on the track a few times a year but it will be a daily driver. I know a fair amount about Cooper s and JCW but less about BM and 350z.
So what would you buy for fun driving mainly country lanes with a bit of motorway a month 80/20 split? Would like something with a spot on engine (around 3l, V6) that makes a nice sound
Any other suggestions welcome, cheers all.
My faithful old car is coming to an end and have about 8k to spend on a new one. Insurance and tax not an issue and mileage in the region of just 10k a year now.
Been looking at some cars from around 2006-2009 anywhere between 50-110k on mileage. Will buy on condition and SH.
Stuck on the car though. Something fun that I can put a few mods on and quite possible take on the track a few times a year but it will be a daily driver. I know a fair amount about Cooper s and JCW but less about BM and 350z.
So what would you buy for fun driving mainly country lanes with a bit of motorway a month 80/20 split? Would like something with a spot on engine (around 3l, V6) that makes a nice sound
Any other suggestions welcome, cheers all.
late e46 330Ci M Sports seems to be holding their value / going up in value for nice ones with the right spec and colour combo. I'd probably prefer one of those than an early e92.
350Zs - holding their money well, get a rep for a bit brutish, but quick.
JCW - its a mini so fragile?
All IMHO.
350Zs - holding their money well, get a rep for a bit brutish, but quick.
JCW - its a mini so fragile?
All IMHO.
For me I'd rule out the Mini, I've driven a JCW (second gen, R56 i think it's called) and for me I found the steering completely lifeless and to be honest it wasn't all that fast, not that I think speed is necessarily a requirement for a fun hot hatch. I also felt you sit a bit high in the car. The first generation Cooper S (R53) I found much more engaging.
I think the 350z would feel a bit more special, and even though that motor comes under the occasional criticism for being a tad lifeless at the top end (no experience myself) friends who have had it seem to have really enjoyed it and the sounds is pretty sweet when the exhaust is freed up a bit.
330i wouldn't be special enough in my imho but depends on whether you want something a bit comfier for the family/roadtrips etc
Just my two penneth - all are more interesting than the average econobarge you see pottering around however.
I think the 350z would feel a bit more special, and even though that motor comes under the occasional criticism for being a tad lifeless at the top end (no experience myself) friends who have had it seem to have really enjoyed it and the sounds is pretty sweet when the exhaust is freed up a bit.
330i wouldn't be special enough in my imho but depends on whether you want something a bit comfier for the family/roadtrips etc
Just my two penneth - all are more interesting than the average econobarge you see pottering around however.
Thanks for the replies.
The mini would be a r53 probably without the JCW kit but with the trim and engine speced accordingly at Lohen or 1320
Cheers for the opinions on the other cars. Don't need a family saloon the 330i would be the coupe.
Any other cars feel free to chuck them in the mix.
The mini would be a r53 probably without the JCW kit but with the trim and engine speced accordingly at Lohen or 1320
Cheers for the opinions on the other cars. Don't need a family saloon the 330i would be the coupe.
Any other cars feel free to chuck them in the mix.
the Minis are the most fun I reckon, but they are a bit fragile, cam tensipners, oil usage, had one briefly that didnt go well for us, also the ride is appalling if you end up with the sports suspension, which is a given on a JCW, as are 17 inche wheels and possibly run flat tyres, honestly it was hilariously bad. Not sayign dont get one, just make sure its been looked after and that you can cope with the ride, or lack thereof !
330i, good choice, good all rounder, nice engine, bit of a smoothy, does everything well, but a bit nondescript, looks better as a coupe.
I had a 350Z for two years, great car, most of what they say is true, a bit yobbish but good fun to throw about, though you need to turn the stability control off, its an early generation type that allows no messing, you can almost hear a Japanese Voice telling you off, pretty quick but not perhaps as quick as you may expect, the BMW is as quick with less bhp. Mine was rock solid, they dont really break, engine problems are rare but the 2006 ones can use a bit of oil.
I bought mine for seven grand and sold it for seven grand two years later, now that is pretty good going to drive something as interesting as that, i.e. free, the only costs being the difference in fuel economy and VED between that and something else, a chap at work was going on about 22 mpg and £500 VED being "insane" and I must be made, same bloke is leasing a Merc C220D coupe for £350 a month (plus deposit) and doing about 7/8k a year, say the Merc does 44 average and VED is included, I he spends £900 on fuel and I spend double, that is an extra £70/80 in fuel a month, plus £50 VED, so costs maybe £130 a month vs £350, doesnt seem quite that daft really !
330i, good choice, good all rounder, nice engine, bit of a smoothy, does everything well, but a bit nondescript, looks better as a coupe.
I had a 350Z for two years, great car, most of what they say is true, a bit yobbish but good fun to throw about, though you need to turn the stability control off, its an early generation type that allows no messing, you can almost hear a Japanese Voice telling you off, pretty quick but not perhaps as quick as you may expect, the BMW is as quick with less bhp. Mine was rock solid, they dont really break, engine problems are rare but the 2006 ones can use a bit of oil.
I bought mine for seven grand and sold it for seven grand two years later, now that is pretty good going to drive something as interesting as that, i.e. free, the only costs being the difference in fuel economy and VED between that and something else, a chap at work was going on about 22 mpg and £500 VED being "insane" and I must be made, same bloke is leasing a Merc C220D coupe for £350 a month (plus deposit) and doing about 7/8k a year, say the Merc does 44 average and VED is included, I he spends £900 on fuel and I spend double, that is an extra £70/80 in fuel a month, plus £50 VED, so costs maybe £130 a month vs £350, doesnt seem quite that daft really !
I currently run a 330ci Cabrio following years of running modified Volkswagens. It's a great car at what it does; very comfortable, reliable, relatively inexpensive to run and tremendous as a GT car with decent overtaking power and handling.
But I wouldn't really recommend it as a track weapon. It's a bit too heavy, and doesn't really have enough power to be exhilerating on track.
I would suggest you try the Nissan, which already has big brakes & strut braces fitted, & see if you like that.
But I wouldn't really recommend it as a track weapon. It's a bit too heavy, and doesn't really have enough power to be exhilerating on track.
I would suggest you try the Nissan, which already has big brakes & strut braces fitted, & see if you like that.
350Z no contest for me.
Never driven a JCW and I bet it is pretty special, but drove a cooper S (2004 plate I think) about 10 years ago and all I remember is the horrible traction control.
I have driven an E46 330CI, very good but forgettable IMO.
The Nissan, for the exhaust note alone, I'd have it over the other two without ever having driven one.
Never driven a JCW and I bet it is pretty special, but drove a cooper S (2004 plate I think) about 10 years ago and all I remember is the horrible traction control.
I have driven an E46 330CI, very good but forgettable IMO.
The Nissan, for the exhaust note alone, I'd have it over the other two without ever having driven one.
Tricky one. The 330i is a family car - sure, they handle extremely well for what they are and I can't think of a better affordable four door than the 3 series if you like driving, but I'm not sure it's the right car given your use. The 350Z is ok, but I must confess I prefer the 330i, which to me feels lighter and more nimble. Just in case anyone has a comprehension issue there (which I know they will), I didn't say it was lighter, I said it felt much lighter - the 350Z has hefty controls without much feel and the whilst it handles well, it never really feels on tip toes. I personally wouldn't choose either as I couldn't drive a laggy DBW throttle on track (and they both have that problem), but if I had to choose then I'd go for the BMW and upgrade the brakes, suspension and ARBs. A 320si might be worth a look, but I've no idea what money they go for. The E36 M3 springs to mind, but they're getting a big old now.. I'll give it some thought
ETA: I've given this some thought and if it were me I'd buy an MX5 and modify it. I realise you get a 4 cylinder blare rather than the music of the above two cars, but for me driving pleasure is far more important. If you need four seats, I'd say BMW every time, but if you don't, then a sports car would surely be better? Give it a few years and the answer will be GT86 The S2000 might be worth a look too?
ETA: I've given this some thought and if it were me I'd buy an MX5 and modify it. I realise you get a 4 cylinder blare rather than the music of the above two cars, but for me driving pleasure is far more important. If you need four seats, I'd say BMW every time, but if you don't, then a sports car would surely be better? Give it a few years and the answer will be GT86
The S2000 might be worth a look too?Edited by RobM77 on Friday 10th February 13:51
The Mini isn't something I know much about but I've heard the 350Z isn't really a machine to hustle along country lanes. More of a heavy bruiser with a good engine rather than a nimble B road weapon. It would probably feel the most special of all 3 cars though.
The BMW is a fantastic machine but for track work and mainly country lanes, it might be a bit bland and it won't feel special. It's probably the best all rounder and daily of the three. Are Z4's in budget? Most of the good points of the 330 but in a more special and fun package.
The BMW is a fantastic machine but for track work and mainly country lanes, it might be a bit bland and it won't feel special. It's probably the best all rounder and daily of the three. Are Z4's in budget? Most of the good points of the 330 but in a more special and fun package.
Depends on what you're after! I've got an R56 JCW and love it. Has a few flaws and the model has a couple of issues (most of which should have been sorted under recall AFAIK). Ride can be a bit challenging on badly maintained roads, but is quick, lovely throttle response, acceleration is nicely linear even with the turbocharger, and is a nice place to spend long drives, even on the motorway. Keeping it down to 70 on a drive from Reading-Glasgow I averaged about 44mpg, which was a really nice surprise!
Oil usage can be a bit high, mine certainly is. About half a litre every 1000 miles. I used it when I was between sheds to do a 130 mile round trip commute each day for six months, through A-B roads with a little bit of Dual Carriage way. Coped well and didn't throw a hissy fit, which was nice.
Oil usage can be a bit high, mine certainly is. About half a litre every 1000 miles. I used it when I was between sheds to do a 130 mile round trip commute each day for six months, through A-B roads with a little bit of Dual Carriage way. Coped well and didn't throw a hissy fit, which was nice.
Wicked replies thanks. Based N Manchester.
Did look at the z4. I can't bring myself to buy the soft top just not me so it would have to be the hard top coupe which is just in budget with a few more k miles on than I would like really may take a while to find one that's been well maintained at that mileage.
I've found a few cracking 350z over the last few months of searching about, owners seem to look after them well.
Like the point on the Merc pcp costs vs fuel usage etc. Spot on 😀
Did look at the z4. I can't bring myself to buy the soft top just not me so it would have to be the hard top coupe which is just in budget with a few more k miles on than I would like really may take a while to find one that's been well maintained at that mileage.
I've found a few cracking 350z over the last few months of searching about, owners seem to look after them well.
Like the point on the Merc pcp costs vs fuel usage etc. Spot on 😀
Sinkrate said:
Wicked replies thanks. Based N Manchester.
Did look at the z4. I can't bring myself to buy the soft top just not me so it would have to be the hard top coupe which is just in budget with a few more k miles on than I would like really may take a while to find one that's been well maintained at that mileage.
I've found a few cracking 350z over the last few months of searching about, owners seem to look after them well.
Like the point on the Merc pcp costs vs fuel usage etc. Spot on ??
I owned a Z4C for a year and much preferred it to the 350Z in every way (which is why I chose it over the 350). Neither feel natural and fluid to drive though, which is the primary thing I look for in a car.Did look at the z4. I can't bring myself to buy the soft top just not me so it would have to be the hard top coupe which is just in budget with a few more k miles on than I would like really may take a while to find one that's been well maintained at that mileage.
I've found a few cracking 350z over the last few months of searching about, owners seem to look after them well.
Like the point on the Merc pcp costs vs fuel usage etc. Spot on ??
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