335i or E46 M3 CS?
Discussion
Ok, thinking of a change, and interested in views...
I presently have a nice sensible E90 320d, but have deicded I'd rather spend a bit more on petrol and have more fun on the commute. I sold an Exige I wasnt using enough.
I do 4-500 miles a week on a nice traffice free 50 mile each way run from Guildford to just outside Southampton.
At the moment, I'm looking at 2 cars. One is a mint (and I mean mint) 2006 06 M3 CS SMG, fully loaded (nav, TV, harmon), 14,000 miles, and the other an E92 335i SE coupe Auto tip with only 8k on the clock on a 56 that was just over 38k new, again with a good spec (Nav and leather).
The M is around £32, the 335i just under £30.
The million dollar questions;
Which will drop more in 6-12 months and 10,000 miles?
Whats sort of economy would you expect out of each in both gentle cruise and "having fun".
Any other thoughts?
I presently have a nice sensible E90 320d, but have deicded I'd rather spend a bit more on petrol and have more fun on the commute. I sold an Exige I wasnt using enough.
I do 4-500 miles a week on a nice traffice free 50 mile each way run from Guildford to just outside Southampton.
At the moment, I'm looking at 2 cars. One is a mint (and I mean mint) 2006 06 M3 CS SMG, fully loaded (nav, TV, harmon), 14,000 miles, and the other an E92 335i SE coupe Auto tip with only 8k on the clock on a 56 that was just over 38k new, again with a good spec (Nav and leather).
The M is around £32, the 335i just under £30.
The million dollar questions;
Which will drop more in 6-12 months and 10,000 miles?
Whats sort of economy would you expect out of each in both gentle cruise and "having fun".
Any other thoughts?
I've not driven an E92 335i although I hear they are excellent cars... but, I'm currently driving an E46 M3 and it's the best car I've ever owned (that includes a 996 Carrera 4, and a couple of E46 330d's amongst many others!).
I'd personally go with the E46 M3 CS - I suspect they'll be in shorter supply than the 335i and (if the CSL derivative is anything to go by) should hold their value pretty well.
Normal scooting about in the M3 gives me about 23 m.p.g. (mainly 30 / 40 zones) although on longer motorway runs at sensible cruising speeds I was getting close to 30 m.p.g. - pretty amazing for a 343 b.h.p. 3.2 litre engine.
You'll be able to find out all sorts of useful info on the M3 forum: www.mtorque.co.uk - that might sway you towards the CS!
Take them both out for an extended drive and buy the one you like best! Not a bad choice either way!!!
I'd personally go with the E46 M3 CS - I suspect they'll be in shorter supply than the 335i and (if the CSL derivative is anything to go by) should hold their value pretty well.
Normal scooting about in the M3 gives me about 23 m.p.g. (mainly 30 / 40 zones) although on longer motorway runs at sensible cruising speeds I was getting close to 30 m.p.g. - pretty amazing for a 343 b.h.p. 3.2 litre engine.
You'll be able to find out all sorts of useful info on the M3 forum: www.mtorque.co.uk - that might sway you towards the CS!
Take them both out for an extended drive and buy the one you like best! Not a bad choice either way!!!
Have you thought about an Alpina if you are mainly doing motorway miles? A mint B3 would be in your price range and should give you enough grunt with the bonus of a switchable auto and miles better mpg than an ///M. With my Alpina (a 3.4) I get around 33mpg+ on a motorway run and average around 25-27mpg on the twisty stuff.
Something like this might suit: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Just a thought...
Something like this might suit: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Just a thought...
Hi,
Yup - well at the moment I get 45 (if I am good) out of the 320d, which equates to nearly 60 quid and I rekon I should easily be able to get 25mpg (again if I am good) out of the CS - so about 90 quid as you say. I can cope with an extra 30 quid a week for the grin factor!
Yup - well at the moment I get 45 (if I am good) out of the 320d, which equates to nearly 60 quid and I rekon I should easily be able to get 25mpg (again if I am good) out of the CS - so about 90 quid as you say. I can cope with an extra 30 quid a week for the grin factor!
Edited by eowen on Tuesday 11th December 22:15
The M3 will be a lot better than the 335. If you get the 335 there will always be that little voice in your head longing for the M.
However, putting 2k miles a month on an M3 will cause its value to plummet. Have you considered a 335d with a 700 pound DMS remap? They are widely considered the countrys best company for re-maps. They can get, if I remember correctly 340bhp from the 335d and 100lbs/ft more torque than the M3. In a sequential car this may tick all the right boxes for your longish commute? Sorry if I have added another factor.
As my commute is quite small (10mls each way) ///M is the only way forwards. Im my view, nothing beats it whatsoever. If its not an M, its not in the game!
However, putting 2k miles a month on an M3 will cause its value to plummet. Have you considered a 335d with a 700 pound DMS remap? They are widely considered the countrys best company for re-maps. They can get, if I remember correctly 340bhp from the 335d and 100lbs/ft more torque than the M3. In a sequential car this may tick all the right boxes for your longish commute? Sorry if I have added another factor.
As my commute is quite small (10mls each way) ///M is the only way forwards. Im my view, nothing beats it whatsoever. If its not an M, its not in the game!
Edited by Neil.D on Thursday 13th December 10:31
BOUGHT!
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...
335d. Has 5 year service and maintenance, 19" alloys, Nav Prof, Bluetooth, dynamic cruise, Leather and only done 5,800 miles. Nice saving of about £10k on new, and got only £1500 less for my 320d than I paid 5,000 miles ago...
Picking up on Friday. :-)
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_details/0,,1260...
335d. Has 5 year service and maintenance, 19" alloys, Nav Prof, Bluetooth, dynamic cruise, Leather and only done 5,800 miles. Nice saving of about £10k on new, and got only £1500 less for my 320d than I paid 5,000 miles ago...
Picking up on Friday. :-)
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