scoobysnacks

In a bit of a dilema at the moment. Considering one of the above (Good M3 EVO's are over my price limit of 10k and the double VANOS problems have really put me off...) so was wondering if anyone has had experience of both and can offer some advice?
A couple of questions for those in the know:
Does the 328i Coupe Sport have the quicker steering and better handling of the EVO M3 or is it more like the 1995 M3 but with less power?
Is there a significant difference in mpg, servicing and parts costs between the 328i and M3?

Any help much appreciated.

fatherpierre

I'd go for the 328i.

If cash is your issue then it's got to be the 328i.

It'll do 35mpg on a run 25+ around town and insurance will be about 1/3 of the M3's.

But then again the M3's a beast.

**** knows!

Have a blast in an M3 1st, then try the 328i and if you can live with the big gap in performance then go with it.

Miles cheaper to run.

DAYZEE

I've got a 328 coupe and it won't touch an M3. Ever.
The steering is fairly sloppy on the 328 and the suspension rolls too much for my liking. That being said it makes a great noise and once its off the line it shifts.
I really wish I had bought an M3 instead but I was scared of the running costs. After chatting to my BMW specialist about M3's he said there not much more too run if you use a specialist. You live and learn.

fatherpierre

Until you hit a major serv with the M3!

Then the running costs hurt.

mrklaw

how about a 1998 323iSE saloon? Only £7k

keithD

Dont't now if this is appropriate but no doubt some one will advise if it isn't.I have a 328 sport i am selling at the moment to purchase a new sti. if you are interested e-mail me for all the details.

For info my 328 returns 25mpg abut town 30-35 on a run. also cheaper to look after and insure than a M3.

Freak

having the same dilemma

328 sport or m3 evo...or an e46 coupe instead...

Will more than likely be the Evo to be honest- might as well go the whole hog- even tho the insurance is twice waht the 328 sport would cost

Blackscooby

I went from a modified Scooby to a 328i coupe. Initally I hated it, but its smoothness and torque is excellent. I must be getting old !

Done around 35K in it (has 61K in total) and its faultless. Quiet as a mouse if you're crusing, but sounds fantastic when you open up the taps.

Returns 27MPG day in day out. Haven't seen much over 30MPG and the worst being about 20MPG on a tank.

Skittles

All you prople with 328s,

There is a rubber pipe you can detach on the exhaust to open a flap so that BOTH exhausts open up at normal cruising speed. Normally only one is open (as you will see when you start the car in the cold - vapour), and both open with sufficient revs.

This makes the car sound great

I believe this was put in place to keep noise low at slower speeds.

Do a search on bm3w.co.uk.

I had a 328 and loved it, but had sold it before I knew about the above.

BTW, Top Gear had done a test a while back comparing the NONEVO M3 and the 328, and concluded the 328 was a better bet.

[Edited by Skittles - 8/27/2003 3:07:39 PM]

Blackscooby

aaahhh really its just for noise ?

I was thinking it was for something much more techincal such as increasing exhaust back pressure for better torque or something of that nature !

Skittles

COuld well be, I've never tried it. As I said, do the search on Bm3W.co.uk to see details

AlexB

I'm on my second 328 now (1997 328i coupe and now a 1997 328i sport coupe). To be honest, servicing has never been OTT even from a BMW main dealer.

MPG - would agree 25 in town, 30-35 on longer runs.

Noise - quiet when you want it to be, noisy if you wind up the revs. They are so smooth on motorways.

If you're anything like me, I aspire to an Evo and will wait a couple of years until prices are a bit lower and insurance less steep for me.

For now (thread hijack - sorry) my '97 328 sport coupe is actually for sale for about £7k on Autotrader. Let me know if you want the details.

PS Rubber pipes on exhaust firmly in place.

Freak

7k?

Whats the color/spec chief....
Or just gimme the link to it on autotrader..

turboman786

M3 every time.........better interior, better engine, better acceleration, better handling....yes the costs can be big, but buy wiely, bargain hard and use a specialist to service

scoobysnacks

I think you're right. I'm used to 276 bhp and don't think 193 will be enough... 286 sounds much more like it!

AlexB

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/CARS_search.asp?page=5&modelexact=1&make=BMW&min_p r=7000&postcode=sw17+9ae&source=0&model=3+SERIES&m ax_pr=8000&sort=3&variant=&mileage=&miles=40&keywo rds=&agerange=&max_records=100&search.x=42&search. y=8

Dream Weaver

Clicky

AlexB

Cheers for that bit of electronic wizardry DW