330ci or M3

[drfrank]

Hi

I know it is probably a question you chaps get asked a lot but..... which should I buy the 330ci or M3.

I have recently driven a friends M3 and it was a hoot, but I am not sure the extra expense is worth it given that (on Irish roads) you rarely get chance to push it to its extremes. The 330 seems to offer more comfort (especially on Irish roads) with enough poke to keep a smile on your face.

I have wanted an M3 since I was a teenager and I am now in a position to buy one, my heart says get the M3 but my head says get the 330.

I don't want to take the M3 on the track or push it to its limits, it is just a car I have always wanted and now can afford. Having said that I am not prepared to throw silly money at it on the likes of servicing if the 330 will provide me with sufficient smiles !!

PS I am stepping up from a 306 Turbo diesel so I want to get it right !!

Thanks for any comments.

DrFrank

[EddieSteadyGo]

Hi,

I've owned both a 330ci and and e46 m3.

TBH, I found the 330 I found a bit dull and lifeless. Still a good car, everything it does is too clinical and efficient to be exciting.

M3 much more of an exciting car on the road. The M LSD helps as well for much more fun IMO. Both can be expensive to run so personally would just take the plunge and get the m3 as the prices are really good now.


Cheers, Ed.

[taffyracer]

I had a 330ci for 1 year, really wanted the M3 all the time I had it though so my heart won and I traded it in for the M3, servicing costs are a bit more, fuel is a tad more as is insurance, still goes through a set of tyres every 12-18,000 miles, so i'd say it's 10% more expense but twice the car, go for the M3, the 330 is a good car but the M3 is a great car and miles ahead

[squeezebm]

Taffys right,i went thru this a couple of years back, had a 330i albeit a touring cracking car/engine but like you ALWAYS wanted an M3 so lost a stack on trade in (330 only 3 months old!) but will never regret getting the M,pain in the arse for everyday pootling about but come playtime you have to experience one to restore you faith in motoring nirvana also at the current prices

[Lordsmut]

Pain in the arse?

[Zod]

M3.

I had both. The 330Ci is fine, but the M3 is much, much better in every way.

[djohnson]

M3 all the way. I've had both. The 330 is a good car but the M3 is so much better.