Elvis 3 Report post Posted March 17, 2014 Hi Looking for nz new of above Discovered clubsports Not interested in projects Looking for minter + will pay fair cash Sunroof good Wary of SMG gearboxs Standard scarey work to be done Going to a garaged 50+ who does his speed thing on a ducati Thank you Stephen 021 754 004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted March 17, 2014 The two cars are in a different league, despite being "just one model up" the M car is a totally different drive. There are some nice examples on TradeMe. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-702992582.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 I honestly have never seen someone compare a 330ci to a M3... Even the E36 M3 is in another league. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
my_e36 43 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 100hp difference, aluminum body panel, unique suspension setup tells the whole story really. Though e46 m3 only comes in pre-FL shape. M3 probably holds it's value much better than a 330 over a longer term. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 3 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Excellent feedback Did not intend to imply comparable Understand differences in spec, $ up front & ongoing Keen to see what pops out of forum as available - sadly wife thinks rag top is way to go but Im tin top Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Guess it depends on your budget too. A good M3 will command 10-15k more but hold its value. M cars aren't noted for their economical service costs but if you've done your homework then no probs. As M3s are another level up, you might find they are kept in better condition than most 330's as well. While I've not driven an M3, my 330ci had plenty of get up and go. Can imagine an M3 could be a bit of a handful with another 100hp.... And if youre really keen, one of the guys on here is selling his M5 which looks pretty sharp in black if you like E39's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 3 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Cheers - always preferred the 3's. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ahmedsinc 414 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 You'll have a much higher chance of finding an M3 with 3 pedals than a 330i, if what I've seen come up for sale is anything to go by. Plus in the long run, were I in your position, I'd regret not getting the M3. Forgive the assumptions, but I presume a gentleman in his 50s is probably free from child rearing obligations and is either freehold on his home or very close to it. Not saying that the 330i is a poor car, but it just doesn't compare And you'll never fall off an E46 either Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elmarco 56 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Cheers - always preferred the 3's. Yup - me too. Only 5 series I would even entertain is the E60. The proportions on the others just dont look right to me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liyi_92 37 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Yup - me too. Only 5 series I would even entertain is the E60. The proportions on the others just dont look right to me... E39 > F10 > E34 > E60 lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 3 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Yup - no carseats, wife has her SUV tractor. I'm particular on getting quality. Accept 330 basic auto + just had a good conversation with Ray @ BM on SMG. Interestingly track days seem faster with age & I'm more impatient once decided what I want so looking at both. Theres some m3 1's now but at 6' 2" it'll look odd to be polite Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan 338 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Yup - no carseats, wife has her SUV tractor. I'm particular on getting quality. Accept 330 basic auto + just had a good conversation with Ray @ BM on SMG. Interestingly track days seem faster with age & I'm more impatient once decided what I want so looking at both. Theres some m3 1's now but at 6' 2" it'll look odd to be polite I had a manual E46 M3, and now a manual E92 M3. Doing it all again I'd probably go SMG/DCT. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 545 Report post Posted March 19, 2014 Driven both , 330 is brisk , m3 is fast. 330 has good road holding and is forgiving on bumpy roads. M3 has superb road holding and cornering with larger brakes but you feel every cats eye or road joint. Spec wise the M3 s have more of the options boxes ticked. Don't go for smg as we want to keep the prices for those of us in the know of how good they are in the M3. Plenty of fud about the smg setup on the internet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beemn 50 Report post Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) Hi Looking for nz new of above Discovered clubsports Not interested in projects Looking for minter + will pay fair cash Sunroof good Wary of SMG gearboxs Standard scarey work to be done Going to a garaged 50+ who does his speed thing on a ducati Thank you Stephen 021 754 004 This is my one, 2002 Clubsport NZ new boring silver, the one thing it doesn't have is electric fold in mirrors which bugs me...yet it has PDC etc, the boot spoiler is a love hate thing but i dont mind it....only because its a little bit rare...well not that rare, there is another one not far from me in Herne Bay in Estoril Blue. I bought this to strip out for the next race car but cant do it, its way too fun to drive, although it doesn't go anywhere, sits at home.high kms but driving it you wouldn't know. M3 would have been my choice if i wanted to spend the money...but then again everyone got one...(sorry Neal) Edited March 19, 2014 by beemn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elvis 3 Report post Posted March 19, 2014 Really appreciate clubsport photos - decent sunroof too. If you become bored of it, wing rips best suit etc please give me a call.. Lots 330 + M3 & I appreciate CS differences Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neal 545 Report post Posted March 19, 2014 No need to be sorry in terms of every one owning an M3. Not many clubsports in NZ . I'd be happy to replace the 328 with a 330i at some stage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites