10 Significant BMW 3 Series variants CAR magazine has tested - Your Views?

[KPM3_30]

With another week of lock-down to go and more information on what the 'levels' actually mean in reality, some more content on the forum would be a way to keep us occupied.. Came across this article earlier this week and thought I would share.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/10-of...mw-3-series-variants-car-magazine-has-tested/

1. 333i (E30)
2. 325iS (E30)
3. M3 (E36)
4. M3 (E46)
5. 330i (E46)
6. 320d (E90)
7. 335i (E92)
8. M3 (E92)
9. 320i (F30)
10. M3 (F80)

How many cars from the list have you driven, which do you rank as being the best, and why?

:smilebounce:

 

[KPM3_30]

I've driven an E36 M3, E46 330i, E90 320d, E90 335i and F30 320i

Unfortunately I have only driven one M car so far, so I can't really compare to the others.. The E36 offers something devoid in most newer cars, which is just the raw feel and sense of dramatics from a driving perspective.

The other cars would fall into more of a daily category for me and the obvious winner for me is the 330i (no surprise), the E90 320d is a close second. The 330i just pips it for me due to the petrol power delivery, sonorous 6 cylinder and the characteristic handling of the chassis.

 

[individj]

ive driven the E36 //M, E46 330i & //M and 320i...the 320i in auto was actually a really nice place to be...the E36 was exciting & felt special...the 330i is fun & an enjoyable daily but the E46 //M makes me emotional...its good...magical..i love it..i need to get into an E92 //M as i think ill like it even more. I had plans to change out my Audi for one but with the current situation thats not going to happen any time soon.

 

[evnmopwr]

With another week of lock-down to go and more information on what the 'levels' actually mean in reality, some more content on the forum would be a way to keep us occupied.. Came across this article earlier this week and thought I would share.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/10-of...mw-3-series-variants-car-magazine-has-tested/

1. 333i (E30)
2. 325iS (E30)
3. M3 (E36)
4. M3 (E46)
5. 330i (E46)
6. 320d (E90)
7. 335i (E92)
8. M3 (E92)
9. 320i (F30)
10. M3 (F80)

How many cars from the list have you driven, which do you rank as being the best, and why?

:smilebounce:

My List

1. 325iS (E30)
2. M3 (E36)
3. M3 (E46)
4. 330i (E46)
5. 320d (E90)
6. 335i (E92)
7. M3 (E92)

 

[Kyle]

I have driven all besides the E30s (sadly)... I think there's a big difference between driving a car once and having fun and actually owning and using one daily.

Also, your car is only as enjoyable as the conditions it is driven in... For example, you'd have a pretty terrible time in an E36 M3 if you travelled on gravel roads daily.

My E90 M3 was victim to this theory, because of my very short trips to work, and the fact that I live in a central area. Meaning highway runs (Which IMO is the best suited roads for the V8) where few and far between.

This is obviously a matter of opinion, but for me personally it's all about usable power when you need it, with my E46 330i, I could use all of the power during the daily commute, and it had enough to put a smile on my face.

 

[Peter@AEW]

I have driven all the 3 series cars and in the case of the diesel have driven in one,

By far the F80 M3 is the best I have driven, in that it is the most accomplished of the 3 series cars.

The 333 is the worst of the lot in as much as it is absolutely unbalanced and is an absolute murderer.

The 325iS is a gentleman racer with good all round performance and predictable behaviour.

The 330 is the best bang for buck imho.

The e36M3 is my favourite in as much as it has usable torque right through.
I often tell of my experience of driving one from Johannesburg to Kinross in 5th gear and never having the need to shift down the box (with the exception of the toll gates)

The v8 is a Jekyll and Hide car which is an absolutely delightful machine.

The e46 m3 is so manly that every time I drive one I feel like flexing my flaccid biceps.

The most fun is the e30 M3

 

[TurboLlew]

I haven't driven the 333i and E90 320d

For me, if I had to have 1, it would be close between the E46 M3 and E36 M3 Coupe. E36 for nostalgia and E46 because it is somehow the perfect blend (to me) of older philosophy with newer tech.

The 325is, I love, but I would be paranoid about driving anywhere and the experience is not worth the trouble of owning one. MANY will disagree but this is my opinion.

330i, 320d and 320i are not for me. I am not a believer in daily cars. None of these (again at risk of being shot) are anything special to me. If I can choose to drive my M5 2 or 3 days and my 4C 2 or 3 days I would rather do that than pickling these for 'the weekend' or 'special occasions' or being terrified of putting on miles.

335i Maybe when I had the time and energy to constantly be chasing issues both in the base car itself and due to mods/tuning. I have no desire to form close relationships with my tuner... Maybe I have too many whiny x35 owning friends that have put me off, but I don't think these are any less of a headache or less costly than keeping a turbo M going LOL.

M3 (E92) - this car has its place and is an epic thing for so many reasons. On the right road with the ability to enjoy the handling and that high revving NA V8, precious little will come close - I came close to buying one even at altitude. Unfortunately these moments are probably few and far between unless you're venturing off on runs to twisty places every weekend... You also have to really want to scratch this itch though as it is so different to the others. There are also plenty of objectively better cars out there, even for the money.

M3 (F80) - if I wanted one car to do it all and I didn't have an M5 already, then maybe. Another one I came close to buying but 3 german sedans, 2 of which are Ms in a garage? Not logical. I couldn't bring myself to part with my M5 to go into a new M3. M8 needs to be my next BMW if I am adding.

 

[KPM3_30]

Interesting points of view and I agree to a large degree on most that's been said.

Personally I've never been a huge E46 M fan and always had a thing for the E92 V8M.. Recently however the E46 has started growing on me from a driver appeal standpoint, any feedback from someone that has owned both?

 

[TurboLlew]

@Neven can help

 

[Woodies]

The e46 just seems like the underdog and that's a huge factor in its appeal to me. The "little" 3.2l just revs up so quickly and with huge excitement, whether being that fast or not, its just damn exciting. The e92 feels faster/stronger/bigger, but it should as its the newer version. They definitely make them faster each model. BUT the e46 ticks more personal enjoyment factors for me. Is it a better car, depends what you define as better. Cars have way too many levels of enjoyment/variables to make the old, "what's better" comparison.
They both drive amazing, and like all M cars I guess they shine closer to the limit. The limit of the e92 speed wise is damn near terrifying and that's the exciting part of that car for me. Its just hard finding the place to do that. The e46 I'm have fun at the end of 2nd gear already.
Just my 2c

 

[Yuben]

For me the E46 330i was the best as a daily, best of both worlds.
From the list, I haven't driven the 2 E30's but have driven the rest

 

[individj]

Interesting points of view and I agree to a large degree on most that's been said.

Personally I've never been a huge E46 M fan and always had a thing for the E92 V8M.. Recently however the E46 has started growing on me from a driver appeal standpoint, any feedback from someone that has owned both?

what didn't you like about the E46 //M?

 

[KPM3_30]

Interesting points of view and I agree to a large degree on most that's been said.

Personally I've never been a huge E46 M fan and always had a thing for the E92 V8M.. Recently however the E46 has started growing on me from a driver appeal standpoint, any feedback from someone that has owned both?

what didn't you like about the E46 //M?

 
@individj, honestly, the rasp was a huge put off for me.. I've also had an E46 330i for the better part of 6 years and I suppose the thought of an interior that is the same wasn't the most appealing. The power output was another thing I had thought about, is 80kw enough of a jump from the car I currently have when you compare to the V8M with 139kw more.. I've also wanted a V8 for as long as I can remember and I find the E92 design to be particularly appealing.

Having progressed with my E46 over the years, I have now come to realize that its the driver feel that makes all the difference and not the absolute performance numbers. Its why I could sell my 335i and not the 330i.  

Hearing from the guys here, its made me think and I haven't driven an E46 M or an E92 M, so my mind hasn't been made up just yet.. One thing I know for sure, I REALLY would love me a coupe..
:inlove:

 

[individj]

Interesting points of view and I agree to a large degree on most that's been said.

Personally I've never been a huge E46 M fan and always had a thing for the E92 V8M.. Recently however the E46 has started growing on me from a driver appeal standpoint, any feedback from someone that has owned both?

what didn't you like about the E46 //M?

 
@individj, honestly, the rasp was a huge put off for me.. I've also had an E46 330i for the better part of 6 years and I suppose the thought of an interior that is the same wasn't the most appealing. The power output was another thing I had thought about, is 80kw enough of a jump from the car I currently have when you compare to the V8M with 139kw more.. I've also wanted a V8 for as long as I can remember and I find the E92 design to be particularly appealing.

Having progressed with my E46 over the years, I have now come to realize that its the driver feel that makes all the difference and not the absolute performance numbers. Its why I could sell my 335i and not the 330i.  

Hearing from the guys here, its made me think and I haven't driven an E46 M or an E92 M, so my mind hasn't been made up just yet.. One thing I know for sure, I REALLY would love me a coupe..
:inlove:

i hear you...i cant really speak for the other points but from a power perspective it really is chalk and cheese between the //M and the 330.....i always liked the E46 but ive fallen in love with the E92.

 

[KPM3_30]

Interesting points of view and I agree to a large degree on most that's been said.

Personally I've never been a huge E46 M fan and always had a thing for the E92 V8M.. Recently however the E46 has started growing on me from a driver appeal standpoint, any feedback from someone that has owned both?

what didn't you like about the E46 //M?

 
@individj, honestly, the rasp was a huge put off for me.. I've also had an E46 330i for the better part of 6 years and I suppose the thought of an interior that is the same wasn't the most appealing. The power output was another thing I had thought about, is 80kw enough of a jump from the car I currently have when you compare to the V8M with 139kw more.. I've also wanted a V8 for as long as I can remember and I find the E92 design to be particularly appealing.

Having progressed with my E46 over the years, I have now come to realize that its the driver feel that makes all the difference and not the absolute performance numbers. Its why I could sell my 335i and not the 330i.  

Hearing from the guys here, its made me think and I haven't driven an E46 M or an E92 M, so my mind hasn't been made up just yet.. One thing I know for sure, I REALLY would love me a coupe..
:inlove:

i hear you...i cant really speak for the other points but from a power perspective it really is chalk and cheese between the //M and the 330.....i always liked the E46 but ive fallen in love with the E92.

@"individj", I would've liked to start off with the E36 but given the age of them, they are either cheap and nasty or very expensive. 

I am keeping an eye out for now on the market. I just need to move the 320d and find a car that ticks the boxes, of which there are many.