Opinions on 2004 330CI vs 2001 M3

[JPinTO]

So I've got the option to buy a 2001 M3 Coupe Silver on Red with 20k miles.

Production date was 04/2001 so it's one of the early M3's. Current owner bought it from a BMW dealer 1 year ago with 6k miles on it. So you can figure it was flogged for 6 months at a dealer then babied (maybe) by an owner for 12.

Price is equivalent to a 2004 330CI with comparable equipment (leather, Power seats, M-technic aero pkg, 6-speed, reliable engine).

So, is the risk of having a car that has been beaten for 20k miles worth it to get an M3? The extended engine warranty issue is a positive.

So I guess it's a choice between: Brand new, never beaten 330CI with reliable engine vs Flogged M3 with warranted engine. :eeps:

[The HACK]

M3.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

M3.

You won't be happy with a 330.

[The Other Tom]

Get the M3.

[Mr. The Edge]

M3

[Guest84]

How do you plan to use the car? That should determine what you buy.

If you're just using it for a commuter, then I'd get the 2004 330. If you plan on some aggressive driving on the week-ends, or maybe auto-X or tracking it, M3!

[nate]

M3, so we don't have to listen to your moanings about lack of power :eeps:

[Alex Baumann]

M3

:D

[Guest84]

Originally posted by nate328Ci
M3, so we don't have to listen to your moanings about lack of power :eeps:

Ah, he must be a former M3 owner...in that case, M3! :) Never go backward, always onward and upward! :)

[ride365]

i'll have to be the sole voice of reason and say 330ci, and here's why...

oh who am i kidding... get the M3!

[Patrick]

Although a new car is a new car, you really should own a M someday -- go for it!

M3

[Alex Baumann]

OK, how many M3 replies do we need till he orders


:angel:

[ride365]

Originally posted by Alex Baumann
OK, how many M3 replies do we need till he orders

and you thought peer pressure ended in high school :p

[JPinTO]

Ok... the M3's seem to be the loudest voice.

You all will just have to listen to me moaning about what problems it has.

Uses will be primarily for commuting... but I use the capabilities of whatever car I have.

I offroad with our ML320 because I can. I used to track my 91 Talon because it could.... and I'd track the M3.

It won't be available for 3 weeks until the owners 350z comes in.

[JPinTO]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Ah, he must be a former M3 owner...in that case, M3! :) Never go backward, always onward and upward! :)

Not a former M3 owner... former owner of several turbocharged cars: 86 Volvo Turbo, 91 Talon AWD heavily modded, 97 Saab 900T.

As a result, always b*tching about the lethargic 323 that I drive.... with power mods that didn't do much.

To me, the turbo vehicles were more entertaining with their non-linear power delivery. The BMW engines (other than the 4.4L) are so linear and smooth... almost to a fault. The fault is they aren't much fun.

I've held off on a 330 because I've never been that impressed with the increased power.... endlessly waiting for the Valvetronic 3.0.

[ezsce46]

Originally posted by JPinTO
Not a former M3 owner... former owner of several turbocharged cars: 86 Volvo Turbo, 91 Talon AWD heavily modded, 97 Saab 900T.

As a result, always b*tching about the lethargic 323 that I drive.... with power mods that didn't do much.

To me, the turbo vehicles were more entertaining with their non-linear power delivery. The BMW engines (other than the 4.4L) are so linear and smooth... almost to a fault. The fault is they aren't much fun.

I've held off on a 330 because I've never been that impressed with the increased power.... endlessly waiting for the Valvetronic 3.0.


Get a 330ZHP wait for the SC or TC ...balabang ..

[webguy330i]

I have the same quandry, except I've got about 15 months to think about it. ;)

'02 M3 or '03 330 HP?

M3 is where I wanna be, but will I be able to pull it off? We shall see.

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by webguy330i
I have the same quandry, except I've got about 15 months to think about it. ;)

'02 M3 or '03 330 HP?

M3 is where I wanna be, but will I be able to pull it off? We shall see.

Hey Chris, M3 is the easiest way to get the M-Wheel. No extra installation is required :D

[JPinTO]

Originally posted by ezsce46
Get a 330ZHP wait for the SC or TC ...balabang ..

If I could justify SC or TC... I'd slap one on my 323i. Resale is just too horrific to contemplate... as is lack of warranty. At least the M3 is always an M3.

[webguy330i]

Originally posted by Alex Baumann
Hey Chris, M3 is the easiest way to get the M-Wheel. No extra installation is required :D

SOLD! :lmao:

[ezsce46]

Originally posted by JPinTO
If I could justify SC or TC... I'd slap one on my 323i. Resale is just too horrific to contemplate... as is lack of warranty. At least the M3 is always an M3.


In that case M3 baby!! The 6yr/100K mile engine warranty means that you are set for another 80k miles.

[Mr. The Edge]

Originally posted by ezsce46
In that case M3 baby!! The 6yr/100K mile engine warranty means that you are set for another 80k miles.

(or ~54 months, whichever comes first)

[Euroboy]

I'd go with the 330.

I used to have a used E36 M3 and 6 months after purchase date it turned out to be a freaking lemon. Had the dealer 100,000 mile warranty, but it turned out that the M3 spent more time getting towed to and from the dealership and getting so-called "fixed" then I was able to drive it! I then promised myself to NEVER buy a used car. I bought a new E46 328i and now I'm on my 3rd BMW, just purchased a 2003 325CI! FYI, I sold my 2000 sedan, which had no problems, because I wanted a new COUPE!

Me no trust used cars.

Party on!

;) :bigpimp:

[pdz]

M3.

always, always, always get the most HP you can get.

and all of the things which are superior on the M3 compared to a run of the mill car. better brakes.....6th cog.....effortless power......

fiscally, the depreciation is thus paid for on the M3 whereas on a 2004 E46, you're getting closer and closer to the E90 and your depreciation, therefore, as indicated by E36 prices, will be worse than you think.

[Mystikal]

Titanium and Imola?! :drool:

I'll take your clears for 100 bucks. :angel:

[JPinTO]

Originally posted by Euroboy
I'd go with the 330.

I used to have a used E36 M3 and 6 months after purchase date it turned out to be a freaking lemon. Had the dealer 100,000 mile warranty, but it turned out that the M3 spent more time getting towed to and from the dealership and getting so-called "fixed" then I was able to drive it! I then promised myself to NEVER buy a used car. I bought a new E46 328i and now I'm on my 3rd BMW, just purchased a 2003 325CI! FYI, I sold my 2000 sedan, which had no problems, because I wanted a new COUPE!

Me no trust used cars.



This is what I'm afraid of--- a lemon. I'm getting the M3 for wholesale, so worst case I'll sell it in a few months if it's a lemon. I'll keep my 323i until the M3 proves itself. My 2000 323i has also been flawless, so I loath to get rid of a perfect vehicle for a unknown one that could turn out crap. My financial downside is minimal--- just my time and hassle if it turns out bad.

[Mystikal]

Originally posted by JPinTO
My financial downside is minimal--- just my time and hassle if it turns out bad.

Oh yeah? What about all those mods you invested in?

[jrubens]

Just be sure that you're comfortable commuting in the M3, parking it at work, having people hit it while trying to get in and out of parking places, having 18-wheelers spray dirt/rocks on it, having to fill it up regularly at the gas station, having to change the tires out every 15k miles (according to my dealer), and all of the other little and expensive differences.

Alright, well, um.... if the ride is comfortable for you, M3. It will hold its value to the extent that you won't lose much if you decide that you want to get rid of it in a week. My Uncle has an M3 and I drove it once, and decided that I should never drive it again or I would be forever cursed with wanting one. They hug the road like nothing else.

[webguy330i]

Originally posted by Mystikal
Titanium and Imola?! :drool:

I'll take your clears for 100 bucks. :angel:

Beware, that's only like $5 USD. :eeps:

[JST]

Originally posted by jrubens
Just be sure that you're comfortable commuting in the M3, parking it at work, having people hit it while trying to get in and out of parking places, having 18-wheelers spray dirt/rocks on it, having to fill it up regularly at the gas station, having to change the tires out every 15k miles (according to my dealer), and all of the other little and expensive differences.

Alright, well, um.... if the ride is comfortable for you, M3. It will hold its value to the extent that you won't lose much if you decide that you want to get rid of it in a week. My Uncle has an M3 and I drove it once, and decided that I should never drive it again or I would be forever cursed with wanting one. They hug the road like nothing else.

Not sure you'll get 15K miles out of the tires. I get more like 10K out of mine, and I just have the fake US engine.

[pdz]

...."the fake" engine.

because i know that we americans really wanted that engine with 321hp that required constant valve adjustment and was heavy and peaky.

we all wanted that engine. and the fake one is such a terrible facsimile.

:D

[TD]

Originally posted by pdz
...."the fake" engine.

because i know that we americans really wanted that engine with 321hp that required constant valve adjustment and was heavy and peaky.

we all wanted that engine. and the fake one is such a terrible facsimile.

:D

Hell, I'll admit I'm perfectly happy with the fake one.

Anyone who has read comparisons knows the engines have very similar torque down low. It's only at the top end that the Euro motor pulls away. And, really, we just don't get a lot of opportunities to take it much past 100 mph here in the states. The low end is much more relevent.

And even I would hate dealing with that much maintenance.

[JST]

Originally posted by pdz
...."the fake" engine.

because i know that we americans really wanted that engine with 321hp that required constant valve adjustment and was heavy and peaky.

we all wanted that engine. and the fake one is such a terrible facsimile.

:D

Often, when driving, I say to myself "what this car needs more than anything else is 71 more horsepower."

Oh, wait.

I've never said that.

:bigpimp:

I love the US engine. Feels a lot like a good old small block V8, except with better breathing up top.

[JPinTO]

Originally posted by Mystikal
Oh yeah? What about all those mods you invested in?

Your going to buy them off of me! :p

[Mystikal]

Originally posted by JPinTO
Your going to buy them off of me! :p

Throw everything in for like 150 and I'll consider it. ;)