E46 M3 vs 330Ci Sport

Yes. Definately. Completely different drive and handling, consider that an E36 M3 will out perform a 330 and it kinda points the way.

IIRC Evo magazine summed up the 330 clubsport by saying that BMW had goofed slightly cos instead of making it a 'poor mans M3' (their words NOT mine) they'd merely made an expensive 330.

Northerner - you must drive one.  The two cars simply aren't comparable at all.

A 330Ci has 231bhp, an M3 has 343bhp....that's about as quantifiable as anyone would want!

You really could be give a list that was pages long.

Here's what to do - get someone to DRIVE YOU in a 330Ci.

Then get the same person to DRIVE YOU in an M3.

In one, you'll feel it's quite quick.  In the other, well I'll let you find out.

therealmccoy wrote: northerner wrote: Newbie question - I'm looking at buying either a 330Ci with the sport pack and with the spare cash buy a E30 M3 or pour it all into a E46 M3. Is the E46 M3 quantifiably better that the 330Ci to justify the extra cash?   It really depends what you want the car(s) for... All three are totally different in all ways... Do you want to do Trackdays? Or just normal roads?

 

I could not agree more.

I am quite sure that an E46 M3 is considerably quicker and a completely different drive to a 330. 

In its defence I would say that a 330 sport has a reasonable turn of speed and in most normal driving situations (ie hundreds of miles up and down the motorway, round town or getting from A to B across country) it is more than adequate.

If however you are looking for an enthusiasts "drive of your life" then I would think it probaly lies in the E46 M3 (not that I have ever had the pleasure of driving one).

Von Paulus wrote: Only buy an M3 with the manual 'box and a BMW warranty. They've had quite a few engine problems.

What????

Sorry, but the engine problems were all resolved on recalls and very few people ended up footing their own bill.  It was purely hype and the odd car story getting blown out of all proportion.

Furthermore, the SMG software issues would have been resolved on recalls too.

I agree about the warranty side personally, but an awful lot of people buy them without one and get few issues.

However, the point I gave my "What???" about was the Manual box statement.

I had an E46 M3 Manual and changed to an E46 M3 SMGII - the latter being far superior in my opinion. 

The manual is notchy, difficult for 1st and 2nd changed in particular, and just not suited to any amount of heavy traffic/slow driving.

SMG holds it's residuals better too and whereas I fell for the original desire to have a "purist" drive with a manual I was soon proved wrong. 

 

Edited by Coasting

I have had a 330ci and am now on my third M3, if your looking for refinement then the 330ci is your car, the M3 is a completely different animal, you can't appreciate the power difference until you have driven both cars, it's quick up to 4000 revs, get it above that and I swear it'll blow you away and I guarantee you won't be able to remove the grin from your face for days. If you drive both I'll put my house on which one you'll choose, there is no comparison!! Manual or SMG, your choice, but make sure you test drive the SMG, I had my SMG doubts before my first M3 arrived and it probably took me a while to appreciate how to get the best from it..... I'm now on my third SMG in a CSL and wouldn't have it any other way. 

Von Paulus wrote: SMG is not that clever. At present the major problem is the clutch slave cylinder and you cannot buy one on it's own so it's a complete gearbox replacement. Also, the electronics are all made by........ MAGNETTI MARELLI (FIAT!!)

Disagree, I think the "SSG" box is made by the above, is/was a five speed variant available on 325 and 330 coupe and saloon models. The SMG box is made by a different manufacturer, whos name has escaped me for now? I have an article somewhere which details the technical differences between the two and which manufacturer made which.

I've yet to see a sub £25k M3 at a dealers anyway!

Coasting wrote: I've yet to see a sub £25k M3 at a dealers anyway!

I'm talking about buying price Coasting,not screen.

I.e 3 examples all at dealers

2002 M3 pheonix gold 62k on clock.Screen price £26,995, will sell at 24-25k with no trade-in.
2001 M3 imola red 30k on clock. Screen price £26k, will sell 24.5k.
2001 M3 carbon black 35k on clock. Screen price £25,995, will sell at 24k.

All are manual. The above are from 2 dealers who were asked straight the question-if I have cash and/or finance with no p'ex what are you going to let it go for? They are there if you look and if you ask the right person.

Point is they sub-25k, low spec or early or not.