330 Convertible or M3 hardtop?

[Blonde_in_a_Beamer]

Hi

Im new to these forums so please be gentle!

Im looking at buying either a 330 convertible or M3 hardtop, approx manf. 2001 - 2003 (I really wanted an M3 convertible but the budget right now wont stretch that far and I dont want to wait...)

So, Im a little stuck on what to go for... any help or advice regarding performance, insurance, services, what to look out for much appreciated.

Also, what is the average mpg for both? Ive looked on autotrader and they give a general difference of 6mpg - is this reasonable?

Thanx in advance

 

[codex57]

What's your priority?

For most people, the 330 convert is better if they want a convertible. A hardtop just isn't the same. Plus, the insurance on the M3 can really make a difference. Unless you want max performance, the 330 should be more than enough performance for most people out on the street.

They're completely different animals. One is relatively rough riding sports car (and I don't remember England roads being all that smooth) and the other is a nice sporty GT.

Being in England, the gas mileage difference might be enough to tip the scales too.

 

[deutsch100]

This is a hard question. Since I have had both cars you are interested in, they both have mutliple pluses and minuses. With you being in England, the hardtop will be better suited for the rain. The 330cic has an amazing, weather proof top, but you will have to keep it up for a lot of time.

The M3 will for sure take a lot more gas, although the 330cic is by no means an economy car...the M3 will drink more.

The M3 also has a very tight, hard ride, that can be bouncy on many roads....but it handles amazingly!!!!

If you want an automatic, then go with the 330cic. The SMG on the M3 is NOT an automatic, and will NOT shift like one.

 

[Blonde_in_a_Beamer]

Thanks for replying.

I dont want an auto, and pref not SMG either. Not really bothered too much about the rain issues - even considering getting the convertible with the removable hard top.

Whilst I know they will both drink petrol, Autotrader suggest the 330 will do around 29 mpg, the M3 not much over 24 - how accurate is this? I dont really want to drop any lower than this fuel consumption on a car as my day to day driving is round town.

Which car did you enjoy the most? And are the services and parts on the M3 a lot more expensive than the 330? Any problems to look out for on either car?

Thanks

 

[Blonde_in_a_Beamer]

English roads arent too bad - most of my driving will be round my home town, or up and down motorways, and they're pretty good.

Insurance group difference isnt too bad, only 2 groups between them (330 group 18, M3 group 20)

Thanks for your reply

 

[codex57]

Well, the manual tranny on BMW's is particularly sweet. Only Honda/Acura has an easier to shift manual tranny (haven't had a chance to try the Mazda Miata on the road yet). Either 330 or M3 will be fine in the tranny department.

I dunno about the M3, but 29 mpg would be purely highway miles. And that's towards the high side. Around town, with you giving it some gas to enjoy the speed, you're not gonna get 29 mpg.

 

[deutsch100]

Yeah, I don't even think you will get 29mpg on the highway, even in perfect driving conditions. I had 2 E46 330cic's and the M3, and NEVER saw mpg anywhere near that (and I don't drive crazy either).

 

[codex57]

I touched 29 mpg once. Just once. And it literally was pure freeway driving. Only non-freeway part was leaving the gas station and getting to the gas station. Both times, the freeway onramps were only about 100 yards away from the gas station. Only went about 75 mph on cruise control. And this is on the smaller 2.5L engine.

My day to day gas mileage is about 22 mpg with 50/50 freeway vs city driving. And I don't drive crazy either. If it's pure city and I do give it more gas than normal, I've seen it dip into the high 15 range. Otherwise, 17-18 seems normal for city driving.

 

[nadroj]

i get 16-17 mpg on my m3 :X