E46 330i, E46 M3 question

[GPGrobler]

Hallo all,

I have read a while ago that someone wrote here that they enjoyed driving his E46 330i more than the E46 M3. Could fellow members please elaborate on this? Thanks

 

[AdiS]

In a way I can understand this, but it depends on what you want from a car and the context of when and how you drive.

The 330i is more comfortable, quieter, lighter clutch and more economical in fuel and maintenance terms. So if you have a rather mundane commute on a daily basis where you can't really exploit a high performance car, a 330 is perhaps more relaxing and nicer to drive. However if you want to take a car and wring it's neck for the purposes of an exciting driving experience, a 330 is just boring in comparison, and an m3 will always be better.

So really, it depends on the context.

 

[Yuben]

Exactly what Adis said.

I think the 330i is better as I daily drive in terms of comfort and has suitable performance for a daily.

I think Spiro will be best to explain after driving my 330i and comparing to his E46 M3

 

[Spiro]

i think everyone just explained everything to the point....

i tend to use my M on a moderate to often basis, sometimes the daily for the week, if i'm leaving late to the office and coming back late....

the M Clutch hates traffic, although, i've managed in some instances...

the 330i is very very very smooth... and you wont go wrong with that as a daily, my daily is a e46 320i... the 6 pot is one of the most remarkable engines i know of...

The M... is not heavy on juice... keeping in mind, i service both the cars very often...

:=):

 

[Xack]

i use my //M3 everyday to the office and back, from starting it up, is where my experience starts, warm up procedure...the sound of a de-catted //M3 is unbeatable, jus above 2500rpm she starts to scream!!! i enjoy that sound way too much, the clutch not heavy at all, i think what the 330i drivers are referring to is the more torquiness of the engine low down and its softer ride maybe...the //M3 is free revving, the revs fly to 8000rpm with no hassle and still return 7.2l/100km on the highway.....the two cannot be compared, one is a family sedan,build with comfort in mind, and the other one a driver focused super saloon.

 

[AdiS]

the clutch not heavy at all,

The clutch is not heavy in the broader scheme of things, but it is heavier than that of a 330i. Hop out of a 330i and into an M3 and you will definitely notice it.

 

[H|TM@N]

the clutch not heavy at all,

The clutch is not heavy in the broader scheme of things, but it is heavier than that of a 330i. Hop out of a 330i and into an M3 and you will definitely notice it.

Clutches should in all fairness not be too different. The only real difference should be the suspension and the power.

 

[GPGrobler]

i think everyone just explained everything to the point....

i tend to use my M on a moderate to often basis, sometimes the daily for the week, if i'm leaving late to the office and coming back late....

the M Clutch hates traffic, although, i've managed in some instances...

the 330i is very very very smooth... and you wont go wrong with that as a daily, my daily is a e46 320i... the 6 pot is one of the most remarkable engines i know of...

The M... is not heavy on juice... keeping in mind, i service both the cars very often...

:=):

Hi Spiro,

So do you own a 330i or a 320i? I have also found that the 320i is an absolute pleasure to drive. :clapper:

---

i use my //M3 everyday to the office and back, from starting it up, is where my experience starts, warm up procedure...the sound of a de-catted //M3 is unbeatable, jus above 2500rpm she starts to scream!!! i enjoy that sound way too much, the clutch not heavy at all, i think what the 330i drivers are referring to is the more torquiness of the engine low down and its softer ride maybe...the //M3 is free revving, the revs fly to 8000rpm with no hassle and still return 7.2l/100km on the highway.....the two cannot be compared, one is a family sedan,build with comfort in mind, and the other one a driver focused super saloon.

To the 330i owners out there, how is the free revving responsiveness as compared to the M3? - I have heard in many circles the 330i being dubbed the "poor man's M3" so I'm just wondering if there is a very big difference between the two, let's say the 330i 2-dr Coupe and the M3?

 

[Fordkoppie]

I'm just wondering if there is a very big difference between the two, let's say the 330i 2-dr Coupe and the M3?

There is no such thing as a 330i 2dr coupe in SA

 

[Xack]

There you go:

somebody embed the video please

 

[AdiS]

To the 330i owners out there, how is the free revving responsiveness as compared to the M3? - I have heard in many circles the 330i being dubbed the "poor man's M3" so I'm just wondering if there is a very big difference between the two, let's say the 330i 2-dr Coupe and the M3?

The response of the engines is no comparison. The throttling on the 330i is a bit daft and disconnected, whereas the M3 is like lightning. Revving an M3 out is exciting, revving a 330i out is sort of mundane in comparison.. its quick, but just not very exciting.

I don't feel its fair to say a 330i is a poor mans m3. It's simply not - the character of the two cars is very different.

 

[MKVally]

I drive a 330i , as a daily its okay , but in terms of power its nowhere near the M3 in the excitement and power factor.

the 330i is just a cruiser compared to the M3 , spiro obliterated my 330i many times with his M3 it's worlds apart in the performance category

 

[KPM3_30]

There you go:

somebody embed the video please

In South Africa there is a 325ci (coupe) and a 330ci (convertible), they are only available coupled with the respective engine to body type from the factory.

 

[Jamaine]

M3 for weekends and Wednesday nights. :rollsmile: 330i for weekdays and sunday morning for church. :rollsmile: what Adis said is very true. the M3 is just a beast overall from 1st to 5th and the 330i is more of the innocent looking child who will try naughty things only with his friends (3rd & 4th gear).

 

[GPGrobler]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback :thumbs:

 

[GPGrobler]

So South Africa lost out on something like this, once again:

 

[AdiS]

Or rather, this:

 

[Gizmo]

...Must have a healthy bank account to have a healthy M3. If you live on a budget then the 330i is for you.

 

[msm]

Both are very different cars. The 330i is more relaxing as a daily, where the M as a daily feels like a fast car driven slow... if that makes sense. Different story when you put your foot down, where the M3 simply comes alive and the 330i runs out of breath.

One subjective area not mentioned here though is that I think the stock 330i exhaust has a nicer tone than the M3. Wish the M3 had less rasp and more of a deeper rumble/tone. I know some prefer it the other way.

 

[GPGrobler]

I guess we are talking about stock standard 330i's here as well running out of breath, on the other hand it is perhaps the same scenario as comparing an E46 320i and 330i to each other, or an M3 to a Hammann Laguna Seca ...