M3 vs 330 dilemna....
 

Yes - still looking at cars - never did go drive the SC430 - just couldn't get myself to look at it. Anyway...I am debating w/myself over 2 auto - looking for comments, opinions, etc. This weekend may be 'the' weekend to get one of these - all other weekends until mid-July are spoken for...

'04 330cica - triple black. 13k miles. auto. prem/cold/sport/no nav. $39k.

pros: well, it is still under maintenance agreement, cheaper to buy/insure/maintain than the M3

cons: not an M3!

'02 M3 SMG conv - silver on grey/black top. 28k miles. prem/cold/no nav. $44k.

pros: OMG the freaking car is unbelievable!

cons: out of maint agreement - could get pricey to maintain (??) - but it is certified; more expensive to buy/insure/maintain than 330. Unsure (in my mind) of long term reliability. 330/auto should be bullet-proof for a long time.

I put about 15k miles/year. Drive from S Jersey to NY at least once a month - recently about 4-5 times a month.

I am concerned - in 3 years I'd have 73k miles on a M3 - and how much would a clutch cost? Brakes? What else is NOT covered in CPO.

PS - I don't believe either would do very well in bad NJ winter weather, but the 330 may do just a smidge better if I unexpectedly get caught in a snow-shower type of event.

Thoughts? Opinions?

I would pick the M3.

From a perfomance stand point, the M is a no brainer. Maintenance wise, the 330 is it. If the M was still in warranty, I'd say go for it without thinking. But being a post M owner, Leave em when the warranty expires. I had no major problems from mine. In fact, my neighbor behind me now owns it and still raves about all of the Dinan upgrades. But my issue would be that you don't know how the last owner treated it.
Ultimately the decision is yours. Good Luck and keep us posted..................Phil

Yeah - heard that before...
 

The 'leave 'em when the warrantee expires' is a common theme. The M3 is what I would classify as a 'stressed' vehicle as compared to your garden variety 330. I know several people who have 330s with no intention of getting rid of them for a long time. Anyway - gotta drive the 330 again - power was good, but compared to the M3...well...

My former cars were: X5 4.4, 540ia, E420.....so will the 330 do it for me? Uggg - dunno!

I'd go for the newer car is most instances. But I'd love an M3. I'm not much of help, but I'm going to purchase a 330ci ZHP next month. Should be a fun car. :)

The 330 is definitely no M, but I think you really have to consider your own driving style. Will you really push am M car to it's limits? Or do you really just like the body style and the options. Either way you won't lose. Both are great cars! I noticed that you have owned Bimmers before so you all ready know that.

5k and 15000 miles difference, I would go for the M3. You would get so much more enjoyment out of the SMG that every other con is worth it.
Go for a test drive before making the decision.

if you're getting the M3 and it's CPO'ed, get a quote from the dealer for the extended maintenance too. It should be no more than $1200 as dealer cost is $1100.

JC: I did that run from SJ to NY way back in mid '70s to mid'80s...after that I was in NY and zooming around NYC and environs all the time, when not on the road. But, I was in CoCar stuff and while "careful", it wasn't my wheel or $. You really wanna commute, on occas., into the City in an M3 and park that sumbitch? Not fully aware of your situ, but that's a highline ride for work runs from SJ to NY,imo. If its about the rest of the time, I understand...though there does not a curve exsist in s Joisey, lol!
GL w/decision. Car fever is tough thing to sublimate and come to a rational choice over. BR,md

:iagree: Very good point, MD. M3 is not a commuter car for NYC. Off course unless you have your own private parking. They will steal the lights and wheels like they did to that X5.