Advice - 330i/Megane RS280/Cupra300
Discussion
Hi, looking to buy a new car within the next couple of months. I am 19, quite experienced with RWD/FWD cars, would say I am not the regular idiot teen wanting a fast car. Insurance plays a huge part in this, I cannot insure a 335i/340i. I need something with 5 seats, newer than 2015/16, preferably 4/5 doors and not TOO awful on efficiency (25-30mpg minimum on average).
Ive been wanting a F30 330i as its a decently powerful RWD car, however after a bit of research I have found there are no LSDs available so my “fun” might be limited. My budget is around £21000 so I have a fair bit of options.
I have also looked at the Megane RS 280, very solid car, would get a manual, and the Cupra 280/290/300 is also a good choice, would get that in manual or dsg not too bothered, although DSG can be pushed further modifications wise. (I am going cupra over golf gti/r just because there are way too many of those)
I am happy to take more car suggestions, as I want to get the perfect car for the next couple of years until I can insure an f80 M3CS.
I just want a few opinions from people who have owned any of the previous on their cars and opinions on what people think the best move would be. The car will be used as a daily, commuting 5 days a week, but I will be modifying it slowly, stage 1/2, cosmetics etc. As well as a daily it will be my fun “weekender” and the car I take to shows etc. Thanks in advance.
Ive been wanting a F30 330i as its a decently powerful RWD car, however after a bit of research I have found there are no LSDs available so my “fun” might be limited. My budget is around £21000 so I have a fair bit of options.
I have also looked at the Megane RS 280, very solid car, would get a manual, and the Cupra 280/290/300 is also a good choice, would get that in manual or dsg not too bothered, although DSG can be pushed further modifications wise. (I am going cupra over golf gti/r just because there are way too many of those)
I am happy to take more car suggestions, as I want to get the perfect car for the next couple of years until I can insure an f80 M3CS.
I just want a few opinions from people who have owned any of the previous on their cars and opinions on what people think the best move would be. The car will be used as a daily, commuting 5 days a week, but I will be modifying it slowly, stage 1/2, cosmetics etc. As well as a daily it will be my fun “weekender” and the car I take to shows etc. Thanks in advance.
M140i or M135i of the F2x variety + approx £2k on top for a LSD ? Loads of options - M Performance / Quaife / Wavetrac.
If you've been eyeing up 3 series, these might be too small though?
Not done the LSD upgrade on mine (yet), but the stock passive suspension was poor IMO and I swapped out to a Bilstein B12 package for about 800 quid fitted.
I'm getting approx 25-ish MPG in very heavy city driving on my daily 5 mile commute. Best MPG I've seen is approx 47 on a motorway cruise.
You can get big power numbers cheaply out of the B58 engines in the M140 but the general consensus is to put the money into handling improvements before looking at the engine.
Word to the wise - plan to change out the oil filters on these engines more often than BMW specs as the normal servicing requirement is too long and the paper oil filter can break down if left too long.
If you've been eyeing up 3 series, these might be too small though?
Not done the LSD upgrade on mine (yet), but the stock passive suspension was poor IMO and I swapped out to a Bilstein B12 package for about 800 quid fitted.
I'm getting approx 25-ish MPG in very heavy city driving on my daily 5 mile commute. Best MPG I've seen is approx 47 on a motorway cruise.
You can get big power numbers cheaply out of the B58 engines in the M140 but the general consensus is to put the money into handling improvements before looking at the engine.
Word to the wise - plan to change out the oil filters on these engines more often than BMW specs as the normal servicing requirement is too long and the paper oil filter can break down if left too long.
Edited by Bearings on Thursday 27th October 14:56
Bearings said:
M140i or M135i of the F2x variety + approx £2k on top for a LSD ? Loads of options - M Performance / Quaife / Wavetrac.
If you've been eyeing up 3 series, these might be too small though?
Not done the LSD upgrade on mine (yet), but the stock passive suspension was poor IMO and I swapped out to a Bilstein B12 package for about 800 quid fitted.
I'm getting approx 25-ish MPG in very heavy city driving on my daily 5 mile commute. Best MPG I've seen is approx 47 on a motorway cruise.
You can get big power numbers cheaply out of the B58 engines in the M140 but the general consensus is to put the money into handling improvements before looking at the engine.
Word to the wise - plan to change out the oil filters on these engines more often than BMW specs as the normal servicing requirement is too long and the paper oil filter can break down if left too long.
I did originally want to buy an M140, in fact was at a dealership about to purchase one, but insurance went up to 18,000 so that was out the question. I then checked upon a 340i and same thing, which is very odd because I can get insurance on an M235, but not 135 or 335???? I do want a RWD BMW but I feel like if I'm going to be pushing over 300bph, its not going to be the best experience on an open diff, hence why I started looking at some performance front wheelers. Apparently quaife make an LSD for the 330i and 330d but I have no idea how well it will work as I have heard mixed reviews of quaifes ATB LSD. Its quite annoying being a young car guy in a big city. If the LSD is good might have to stick with a B48 over the B58 until insurance sorts itself out. If you've been eyeing up 3 series, these might be too small though?
Not done the LSD upgrade on mine (yet), but the stock passive suspension was poor IMO and I swapped out to a Bilstein B12 package for about 800 quid fitted.
I'm getting approx 25-ish MPG in very heavy city driving on my daily 5 mile commute. Best MPG I've seen is approx 47 on a motorway cruise.
You can get big power numbers cheaply out of the B58 engines in the M140 but the general consensus is to put the money into handling improvements before looking at the engine.
Word to the wise - plan to change out the oil filters on these engines more often than BMW specs as the normal servicing requirement is too long and the paper oil filter can break down if left too long.
Edited by Bearings on Thursday 27th October 14:56
The 330i is a better all rounder but the Megane is a touch sharper to drive. I own a Megane Trophy, spent a couple of days with a 330i (and my mate has a 330e). The only one I don't have experience of is the Cupra, I like the look of them though.
Don't think you can go wrong with any of them, maybe need to book some test drives!
Don't think you can go wrong with any of them, maybe need to book some test drives!
I think it’s going to be a more head (financial decision) than heart due your age.
All the cars you’ve mentioned are quite different so it will be personal choice.
Probably best question to ask if you want a German saloon or a hot hatch?
I’d probably edge it to the Cupra or R.S Megane as I like hot hatches and the two you listed both great.
Just to mess up your list a bit more what about the I30N or FK2 Civic Type-R?
All the cars you’ve mentioned are quite different so it will be personal choice.
Probably best question to ask if you want a German saloon or a hot hatch?
I’d probably edge it to the Cupra or R.S Megane as I like hot hatches and the two you listed both great.
Just to mess up your list a bit more what about the I30N or FK2 Civic Type-R?
Watchthis said:
Buy a 320i lci, have the 2.0 b48 remapped to ~280hp and be smug that it cost less than a 330i ( with the same engine albeit slightly different CR )
The 330i I have found is quite sweet, 21,000 for a black exterior, oyster interior with h/k sound, pro media etc quite highly specced. As I am going to be modifying I don't know which variant will be more reliable over the long run, I haven't been able to find too much about the 320i vs 330i b48 other than CR and piston types, apparently 320i uses 340i pistons, and the 330i uses the i8s pistons? But I'll have a look around, if I can find a similair specced 320i for a lot cheaper than that might be a big move. Thanks for the advice.resolve10 said:
The 330i is a better all rounder but the Megane is a touch sharper to drive. I own a Megane Trophy, spent a couple of days with a 330i (and my mate has a 330e). The only one I don't have experience of is the Cupra, I like the look of them though.
Don't think you can go wrong with any of them, maybe need to book some test drives!
I feel like the megane RS might be the best of the bunch, Imo it looks way better than the cupra, although its a 1.8 compared to the 2.0, the only reason I want the 330i is because of the RWD even though it isn't really a performance car. But yeah, test drives it is.Don't think you can go wrong with any of them, maybe need to book some test drives!
CG2020UK said:
I think it’s going to be a more head (financial decision) than heart due your age.
All the cars you’ve mentioned are quite different so it will be personal choice.
Probably best question to ask if you want a German saloon or a hot hatch?
I’d probably edge it to the Cupra or R.S Megane as I like hot hatches and the two you listed both great.
Just to mess up your list a bit more what about the I30N or FK2 Civic Type-R?
i30N is also another great choice to be honest, the reason I want the 330i is because 1. RWD, 2. Decent power and tunability, 3. Comfort, whereas performance wise, megane and cupra take it, I love the feeling of hatchbacks especially around b roads but I don't know how well they will be on a hour both ways trek to work.All the cars you’ve mentioned are quite different so it will be personal choice.
Probably best question to ask if you want a German saloon or a hot hatch?
I’d probably edge it to the Cupra or R.S Megane as I like hot hatches and the two you listed both great.
Just to mess up your list a bit more what about the I30N or FK2 Civic Type-R?
3CylinderOP said:
i30N is also another great choice to be honest, the reason I want the 330i is because 1. RWD, 2. Decent power and tunability, 3. Comfort, whereas performance wise, megane and cupra take it, I love the feeling of hatchbacks especially around b roads but I don't know how well they will be on a hour both ways trek to work.
Honestly they’d be fine especially the Cupra as it has adaptive dampeners as standard I’m fairly certain.If you have your heart set on RWD you obviously aren’t going to be disappointed by the 330i as it will be brilliant to live with.
A pity about the M140i insurance as it probably the best of both worlds for you.
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