There's a gap in the market...

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Originally Posted by nige

I sincerely mean this Peter, I think you should just stop fannying about and go buy an e46 m3. It's everything you described above. Blisteringly quick and if you find the gears too long, fit a short ratio diff and turn it into a rocket.

Yes they're expensive to maintain, but there's a decent second hand market for parts and lots of knowledgable lads on here and in the UK on M3cutters etc.

You'll be sitting at the traffic lights one day in a 330 and an M3 will pull up beisde you and you'll realise you made the wrong choice!

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No question - I'd take an M3 over a modded 330 any day, Would absolutely love to (there's nothing I'd change about an M3 either), but due to a change in circumstances I simply couldn't afford to buy and maintain one now. I'm just trying to find something that ticks my boxes on a budget rather than an alternative to an M3. I know a 330ci/Z4 3.0 would only be a few hundred cheaper to tax per year, but a good example would literally be half the price of an e46 M3, and maintenance won't be as expensive, it's probably the overall price of the car that's the biggest factor though.

Why are you set on the 2.2 you should include the 2.5 in the Mic tax and fuel is pretty much the same

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Originally Posted by Gar

Why are you set on the 2.2 you should include the 2.5 in the Mic tax and fuel is pretty much the same

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It's a slippery slope Gar:tounge: Then you'll be thinking 'ah sure it's only a bit extra to climb into a 330'...then you start thinking about spending a little more and before you know it Peter's driving an E60 M5:happy::happy::happy:

^ haha :D

I just want to see what they're like to drive cause they have a 3.38 final drive, I wouldn't have a problem buying a 3L once it's in budget. I'm just going for feel/fun rather than max performance.

Also the 2.2 being a 6 pot so would be fun with an exhaust upgrade too :)

I'm sure the fuel consumption would be the same between 2.2/2.5/3.0 though.

I had a 320i a while back, and while it was nippy enough, I do a bit of motorway driving, and sat too high on the revs even at 70mph.
Noise in the cabin and mpg's would put me off again, and I'd go for a 325i next time

....but that said, it might be what you are after!

330Cd
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-330cd-293bhp-2004/9686468?offset=2

And another
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-d-m-sport-full-black-leath/8657679?offset=13

325Ci
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e46-325ci/10409246?offset=21

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Originally Posted by Curran

I had a 320i a while back, and while it was nippy enough, I do a bit of motorway driving, and sat too high on the revs even at 70mph.
Noise in the cabin and mpg's would put me off again, and I'd go for a 325i next time

....but that said, it might be what you are after!

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Sounds like what I'm looking for :p

I really wish they came with a 6 speed but 5 speed will do.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-330ci-m-sport-fsh/10297633?offset=14

^^that's a lovely example! Like the amber leds


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Originally Posted by JohnH

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-330ci-m-sport-fsh/10297633?offset=14

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117,000 miles in a 2004 is about average I'd say (rather than below average as the ad says)