330ci M Sport vs 330ci Sport
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm in the market for a used car and really like the idea of changing to my first rear drive car (had a fiat coupe 20vT before which was great and did attend occasional track days with) and was thinking of spending up to £15k on a second hand one so saw some nice 330ci sport's. But after looking further have seen some newer ones badged as M sports from around £20k which I might be able to stretch to as just starting a new job.
So just interested to know if people have driven the two and could give me an apraisal of each and let me know if its worth spending the extra to get the M suspension etc. Does the M version also come with an limited slip diff as noticed in an earlier topic it said that the early sport cars came with one but not the later ones. Is this right? Would I miss not having one?
Not really thinking about getting the M3 yet as want to wait until I can afford a newer version in a few years (gives me something to aim for in life!) and will be used for spirited social only driving, maybe 6000 miles per year at most. Would this car be ideal or should I go for an older M3 and higher running costs?
Finally noticed that the saloon prices are a bit cheaper compared to equivilent coupe's however would I notice a dynamic difference driving the saloon instead of the coupe?
Thanks for any advice given!
I'm in the market for a used car and really like the idea of changing to my first rear drive car (had a fiat coupe 20vT before which was great and did attend occasional track days with) and was thinking of spending up to £15k on a second hand one so saw some nice 330ci sport's. But after looking further have seen some newer ones badged as M sports from around £20k which I might be able to stretch to as just starting a new job.
So just interested to know if people have driven the two and could give me an apraisal of each and let me know if its worth spending the extra to get the M suspension etc. Does the M version also come with an limited slip diff as noticed in an earlier topic it said that the early sport cars came with one but not the later ones. Is this right? Would I miss not having one?
Not really thinking about getting the M3 yet as want to wait until I can afford a newer version in a few years (gives me something to aim for in life!) and will be used for spirited social only driving, maybe 6000 miles per year at most. Would this car be ideal or should I go for an older M3 and higher running costs?
Finally noticed that the saloon prices are a bit cheaper compared to equivilent coupe's however would I notice a dynamic difference driving the saloon instead of the coupe?
Thanks for any advice given!
Edited by elliothand on Thursday 19th October 12:27
Elliot,
Basically I believe it is the last generation 3 Series the cars were badged as Sports. You can still get a Sport version of the 1 Series, Z4 and the X5.
However as I understand it, the M Sport versions available I think since last year come as 1 Series, New 3 Series and 5 Series.
Basically I believe it is the last generation 3 Series the cars were badged as Sports. You can still get a Sport version of the 1 Series, Z4 and the X5.
However as I understand it, the M Sport versions available I think since last year come as 1 Series, New 3 Series and 5 Series.
Hi,
They are pretty much exactly the same cars. BMW have simply decided to call them M Sport instead of just sport. I think this was to avoid confusion, that was occuring because the sport models have little M badges in various places and people were claiming they had a M3 when they really had a 330 sport, by calling them M sport, it sort of explains the reason for having little M badges around. Its also good marketing using the M but without diluting the actual M models.
The saloon chassis is slighty stiffer than the coupe, but you would have to be the stig to notice.
They are pretty much exactly the same cars. BMW have simply decided to call them M Sport instead of just sport. I think this was to avoid confusion, that was occuring because the sport models have little M badges in various places and people were claiming they had a M3 when they really had a 330 sport, by calling them M sport, it sort of explains the reason for having little M badges around. Its also good marketing using the M but without diluting the actual M models.
The saloon chassis is slighty stiffer than the coupe, but you would have to be the stig to notice.
JonRB said:
There is a difference in the Touring models though, I believe. The Sport has stiffer, lower suspension, nicer seats, bigger wheels and stuff.
Confusing, eh?
Confusing, eh?
What you have described is the difference between a sport/M sport and a SE model. And it is the same difference in Touring, Saloon, Coupe, Convertible, and Compact.
I looked into this when getting my 330i saloon.
The older (pre facelift pre 2001/2002) were just 'sport' with the sport seat, suspension, multifunction steering, 5sp box, bodykit and fruitier exhaust.
The late 2001 facelift model I bought is registered as a Sport on the v5 but it is a bit different from the pre facelift models. Apart from the facelift lights it has Mbagdes on the gearknob (5sp), kickplates on all 4 doors and steering (I have the fatter steering from the m3 which i believe is an optional extra). Thois makes me think it is 'Msprt'. Some of the others I have seen had all the same bits but the steering was thinner and had a 'split-spoke' on the bottom spoke. TBH i prefer the thinner rim as it has a better feel.
The other thing I noticed is that the facelift models sound alot better. I suspected my one had an aftermarket filter or exhaust but its all standard-just has alot more induction sound-lovely...
I have never driven the coupe but the saloons represent far better value. I belive you sit lower in the coupe which is nice. I have my seat on the lowest setting in mine but some days I still feel like I'm sitting too high (I used to have a Honda prelude before which had a superb, low driving position that saloon can never match though..)
None of them have a LSD and you can't buy a ready made LSD so if that is really important to you you better get an M3!!
There are loads of saloons around so take you time shopping, but beware the black ones sell fast. All the cars I viewed sold withing 2 weeks.
Look for ones with nice extras like zenons, Harmon Kardon sound and maybe sat nav (if thats nb to you). I regret not getting the upgrade sound as the standard 'Business' sound is crap.
Also bear in mind tyres are expensive for these cars (500-600 for four) so check he inside edges, especially at the back. If they need replacing bargain hard!
I've loved this car since the day I got it. Its a nice place o, sounds great, loads of grunt, decent fuel economy, plenty of drifting action in the wet, awesome handling, great brakes, quality interior, nice cruising ability etc etc..
The older (pre facelift pre 2001/2002) were just 'sport' with the sport seat, suspension, multifunction steering, 5sp box, bodykit and fruitier exhaust.
The late 2001 facelift model I bought is registered as a Sport on the v5 but it is a bit different from the pre facelift models. Apart from the facelift lights it has Mbagdes on the gearknob (5sp), kickplates on all 4 doors and steering (I have the fatter steering from the m3 which i believe is an optional extra). Thois makes me think it is 'Msprt'. Some of the others I have seen had all the same bits but the steering was thinner and had a 'split-spoke' on the bottom spoke. TBH i prefer the thinner rim as it has a better feel.
The other thing I noticed is that the facelift models sound alot better. I suspected my one had an aftermarket filter or exhaust but its all standard-just has alot more induction sound-lovely...
I have never driven the coupe but the saloons represent far better value. I belive you sit lower in the coupe which is nice. I have my seat on the lowest setting in mine but some days I still feel like I'm sitting too high (I used to have a Honda prelude before which had a superb, low driving position that saloon can never match though..)
None of them have a LSD and you can't buy a ready made LSD so if that is really important to you you better get an M3!!
There are loads of saloons around so take you time shopping, but beware the black ones sell fast. All the cars I viewed sold withing 2 weeks.
Look for ones with nice extras like zenons, Harmon Kardon sound and maybe sat nav (if thats nb to you). I regret not getting the upgrade sound as the standard 'Business' sound is crap.
Also bear in mind tyres are expensive for these cars (500-600 for four) so check he inside edges, especially at the back. If they need replacing bargain hard!
I've loved this car since the day I got it. Its a nice place o, sounds great, loads of grunt, decent fuel economy, plenty of drifting action in the wet, awesome handling, great brakes, quality interior, nice cruising ability etc etc..
Dino D said:
I looked into this when getting my 330i saloon.
The older (pre facelift pre 2001/2002) were just 'sport' with the sport seat, suspension, multifunction steering, 5sp box, bodykit and fruitier exhaust.
The late 2001 facelift model I bought is registered as a Sport on the v5 but it is a bit different from the pre facelift models. Apart from the facelift lights it has Mbagdes on the gearknob (5sp), kickplates on all 4 doors and steering (I have the fatter steering from the m3 which i believe is an optional extra). Thois makes me think it is 'Msprt'. Some of the others I have seen had all the same bits but the steering was thinner and had a 'split-spoke' on the bottom spoke. TBH i prefer the thinner rim as it has a better feel.
The older (pre facelift pre 2001/2002) were just 'sport' with the sport seat, suspension, multifunction steering, 5sp box, bodykit and fruitier exhaust.
The late 2001 facelift model I bought is registered as a Sport on the v5 but it is a bit different from the pre facelift models. Apart from the facelift lights it has Mbagdes on the gearknob (5sp), kickplates on all 4 doors and steering (I have the fatter steering from the m3 which i believe is an optional extra). Thois makes me think it is 'Msprt'. Some of the others I have seen had all the same bits but the steering was thinner and had a 'split-spoke' on the bottom spoke. TBH i prefer the thinner rim as it has a better feel.
The facelift cars are NOT all M-Sports.
BMW traditionally sell and SE and Sport variants of 3/5/7 series.
When the 5 series sport was lauched they decided to call them M Sport instead. As a result they called the runout E46 3 series models M sports too.
As somone posted earlier it is simply a branding exercise. A 2003 Sport and a 2004 M Sport will be the same.
Sellers of older models call them M Sport because that is what BMW no refers to its 'Sport' models as.
As for the pre facelift 'sport' saloons, the M kit and accessories WERE fitter to pre facelift cars. The 'Sport' coupe was launched on a Y reg and at the same time the M bits and bodykit were also added to the saloons, even though the facelift was a year away. As such they're worth more than W/X reg 'sports'
Vee said:
As for the pre facelift 'sport' saloons, the M kit and accessories WERE fitter to pre facelift cars. The 'Sport' coupe was launched on a Y reg and at the same time the M bits and bodykit were also added to the saloons, even though the facelift was a year away. As such they're worth more than W/X reg 'sports'
I did say that pre-facelift have the bodykit, suspension, seats and wheels. The prefacelift always had differnt bumpers susp, seats and wheels compared with SE models. I know on the coupe they fitted the facelift bumpers but left the lights untouched for a while before changing them (BTW I think the old lights with facelift bumpers look better as the car looks alot more like an M3as the M3 never changed its front lights!)
The difference I was pointing out was that the pre facelift saloons I looked at did NOT have the m bagdes on the gearknob, steering or kickplates.
For the OP-it loks as there really is no difference between M and Sport-just look for well kept, well priced example.
The prefacelift saloons are excellent value and now come in at 8-10k for 50-60k mile example. In a way the prefacelift is alot more 'classic' bmw and M3-like in its looks.
Dino D said:
Vee said:
As for the pre facelift 'sport' saloons, the M kit and accessories WERE fitter to pre facelift cars. The 'Sport' coupe was launched on a Y reg and at the same time the M bits and bodykit were also added to the saloons, even though the facelift was a year away. As such they're worth more than W/X reg 'sports'
I did say that pre-facelift have the bodykit, suspension, seats and wheels. The prefacelift always had differnt bumpers susp, seats and wheels compared with SE models. I know on the coupe they fitted the facelift bumpers but left the lights untouched for a while before changing them (BTW I think the old lights with facelift bumpers look better as the car looks alot more like an M3as the M3 never changed its front lights!)
The difference I was pointing out was that the pre facelift saloons I looked at did NOT have the m bagdes on the gearknob, steering or kickplates.
For the OP-it loks as there really is no difference between M and Sport-just look for well kept, well priced example.
The prefacelift saloons are excellent value and now come in at 8-10k for 50-60k mile example. In a way the prefacelift is alot more 'classic' bmw and M3-like in its looks.
I mean you can get prefacelift cars with the M bits. They're all Y reg.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff