M3 vs. 330ci sport

[Fordey]

Looking to get myself a recent 330 sport coupe but keep being tempted by a slightly older M3 for the same cash(early £30Ks). Daft question in some respect, but is the M3 worth the extra?

btw, I'm not looking to get track days from the car.

[Li'l pugs]

Check out the classifieds.....just put my good lady wifes 330 CI Sport for sale, at a reasonable price too I might add !!

[Fordey]

Nice try but looking for less miles and sat nav/tv etc. Good luck with the sale.

[Li'l pugs]

I don't know......some people are just too picky !!

Good luck with your search

[Zod]

I had a 330Ci before my M3. The 330Ci is a lovely, quick car, but the M3 is in a different league: it has 50% more power, sounds fantastic and is a much less "smooth" experience.

[x5x3]

I had to make this choice a while ago - and as I do a lot of miles (about 40K a year) the 330Ci with Auto was the decision.

I can't really see you will go wrong with either decision - both are excellent cars.

[hornyphil]

Both engines are superb but different.
The 3 ltr silky smooth, relaxed, quickish
The M potters around happily at low revs but to get the benefit it needs to be revved. Get it to 5000rpm and its awesome --no other word for it.
I've got an M Roadster and when you stick it in third at 3500 rpm you just hang on up to 7000rpm while the horizon approaches ever more rapidly and the noise is just sensational.
Not exactly relaxing though.

[Fordey]

Appreciate all replies. Will keep you posted of final decision.

[jumjum]

Had a 330 sport cab then an m3 cab

M3 has much stiffer ride economy 21mpg day to day, engine flies above 5000 rpm as stated above, fairly quick just pottering, thrash it and it flies but you do need to give it some to get the best out it, more grip than the 330, more chassis feed back, better steering, some noise. Really quite good brakes. Dynamically the M3 is in a class above and much quicker a to b when you push it.

330 cab was a disappointing 24.5 mpg day to day (my 328 saloon did 27mpg), very smooth engine linear power delivery smooth up to redline, good noise. Nice steering, chassis,good brakes.

The 330 is a good car but although the M3 looks the same it's in a different league touching super car performance (but the ride is pretty stiff)

M3 speed run hood down, no launch control, just a run up to the limiter

www.geocities.com/mrjumjum/0-157mph.WMV

Sadly missed

[x5x3]

jumjum said:

330 cab was a disappointing 24.5 mpg day to day

I have averaged 27.9 mpg over 60,000 miles in the 330 Coupe - I guess the difference is the type of miles you do - mine sits at 70 (honest!?!) on the motorway for long periods of time!

[Zod]

I can only compare in litres/100km, because I had my 330Ci and first M3 in Germany, but my experience was around 10 - 10.5 in the 330Ci and 11-12 in the M3.

Owning an M3 in Germany is bliss by the way.

>> Edited by Zod on Monday 24th May 23:36

[Fordey]

330ci auto sport coupe was the choice in the end. A few months old with all the toys loaded.

Mightly tempted, however, by a M3 in the showroom, but the £17k premium put me off...for now!