330ci vs 97-99 m3 (manual)

[Talzo 330]

What would you guys perfer to buy? Im gonna pass on the g35 coupe and go with the 330ci.. but then now its between a 97-99 m3 or a 330ci..

[fredo]

thats gonna depend on what you prefer.... power is comparable, sure the M3 is faster, but not by a whole lot.... ride in the M3 is gonna be harsher, 330 is a little more luxury.... do you like the E36 body style or the E46 body style....

[Sam]

If it were me, I would take the 330ci, mailny becuase its not used!

[CABimmer]

Like I posted last time, I had this same decision 4 months ago. I went with the 99M3.. The new 330CI was going to be about 43k with the options that I wanted. The 99 I got for 34k (paid a premium), but it is mint and is loaded. And got an additional 5 year 50k war. that covers after market parts. The only thing I need to worry about is Clutch and Shocks. If you are performance minded, In my view there is now way that you can compare a 330 to an e36 m3 (no flames please, just stating my view). I can do all of the mods I want and still be covered under warranty. (Supercharger excluded).

Drive both and make the decision. You can get a 99 that is still under factory warranty for low 30k range.

Everyone has there own preferences, you make the call.

[Talzo 330]

Originally posted by fredo
thats gonna depend on what you prefer.... power is comparable, sure the M3 is faster, but not by a whole lot.... ride in the M3 is gonna be harsher, 330 is a little more luxury.... do you like the E36 body style or the E46 body style....

i love the e46 body style.. but the m3 is not a bad lokin car also..

[SilverStreak]

Yes it depends on you. The used M3 will be sportier and slightly smaller inside. The 330 will be new, and while still sporty, have more of a luxury slant to it.

[Talzo 330]

The 330ci is gonna be probably a 2000-01.. the brand new ones i thikn are overpriced.. and i dont mind buying a car with only 25k miles.. and its hard to find a m3 with good mileage too

[SilverStreak]

Well, either way, the M3 is sportier, rides harder, handles better, has a little more pep, and the 330 is more comfy, a tad slower, not quite as crisp in handling (still a fine handler, though), and a little roomier.

Both can be modded too...

I only have a lowly 3.0... :devillook

[Rel44 M3]

Have you driven both? A test drive of each should do it for you. The 330ci should probably serve as a better all-around car. But there's no comparison (at least to me) when you talk about the responsiveness and feel of the performance-minded M3 versus the 330ci. And do you guys really think the M3 suspension is that much harsher? I've been in both and the M3 with a newer suspension is pretty comparable.

[SilverStreak]

I think back to back, the E36 M3 suspension might appear stiff against an E46 330...

[///MCosmos]

Can someone post the comparative stats... hp, torque, 0-60, 1/4, etc?

Thanks

[Talzo 330]

i have driven a 97 m3.. and thats what made me think twice about buyin a 330.. and i have also driven a 328ci.. i see a difference in it.. but when it comes down to it.. i want the m3 for the ride..and the 330 for its looks.. :dunno

[Rel44 M3]

Okay, then. There's plenty of things you can do to make a 330ci perform more to your liking. Things like steering feel you may not be able to get, but for the most part everything else you can change to make a more performance-oriented car. You can't change the M3 to make it look more like you want. Well, there are body kits and stuff, but it won't end up looking like an E46, like you want. So you should probably go for the 330ci. Personally, I like the looks of the E36 M3 over the E46s, but that's going to be a personal opinion.

[Talzo 330]

i forgot to mention im a girl.. and now what would you guys say? better to get a m3.. or 330?

[CABimmer]

Doesnt matter if your a girl, you still need to pick the one that you like best. My wife tells me that Guys are alway staring at her when she drives my M3. So I dont let her drive it very often.:D

[Rel44 M3]

Originally posted by Talzo 330
i forgot to mention im a girl.. and now what would you guys say? better to get a m3.. or 330?

No diff. Chicks driving M3s are normal, except they tend to drive the cabrios.

[Talzo 330]

i c.. guys somehow think girls should drive 330's.. cuz its a "pretty" car.. or whatever.. but i guess im going toooo just see which one is a better deal and better and lower payments

[Rel44 M3]

Originally posted by Talzo 330
i c.. guys somehow think girls should drive 330's.. cuz its a "pretty" car.. or whatever.. but i guess im going toooo just see which one is a better deal and better and lower payments

Well, it's got rounder lines, which usually equates to softer.

[LateApex]

The 330/328 is a completely different proposition to an E36 M3.

The E46 is so such more quiet, refined, isolated and generally softer feeling the comparision barely makes sense were it not for price points.

Even with the sport package, the 330 is much softer sprung. That's not to say it doesn't do well in the corners, but its reaction speeds and general eagerness is two ticks down from the E36.

Let's not even talk about steering feel. I've driven domestic fleet rentals with more feedback through the controls than the 330.

But you do get a gorgeous interior/exterior, mile-eating highway composure and better features all around.

I agree with the others the 330 is a better daily driver and all around car. The M3 is quite a bit more hardcore, with some consessions towards comfort.

Either way, you can't really lose with either one.


-Apex

[Talzo 330]

thanks alot

[umnitza]

Hey Talzo - one more opinion if you care:

I've driven MANY examples of the BMW line before "settling" for my car.

Sounds like you want a coupe, you want looks, and performance is not top priority. That's basically a 330Ci.

However, for performance, connected driving, and cheaper overall ownership, the M3 is hard to beat at ANY price level.

You *could* split the difference and look for the M3 luxury model, but in the end, the 330Ci will always have the "new" look - as Bangled as the recent models are (though I don't think Bangle touched the coupe).

[Talzo 330]

thanks =o)

[bimmerforce]

i like the E36 look more than
the new facia ... really i think the
look is somehow cleaner and
imparts a clear ultimate-machine
message ... whereas the new
ones say "luxury" but not as much
ultimate driving ...

ps. but then again i have an E36 :)

[vroo//M]

You can also take into consideration that free maintenance (COSTLY!!!:mad: ) for 3yr/36K miles probably comes with the E46 models. Maintenance on BMWs can be pricey, and I'm just talking the regular scheduled maintenance.

-E-

[Jgent]

I was faced with the same decision.

Went with the M3.

M3 just had more of the feeling I was looking for in a car. The steering feel and turn in response is head and shoulders above the 330 or 328. Engine feels more eager as well.

330 is a more refined (luxury) car than the M3. Best bet is to test drive each back to back, that is what I did to make certain I was doing what was right for me.