26 replies to this topic

[Jim_Cross]

So, the hunt for the future car continues. After my glowing review of the R32 I'm starting to have doubts, mostly centred around the Haldex 4WD system. Unfortunately, you can't really "push on" during a test drive, so it's difficult to judge just how understeery it might be. So now I'm left with straight fight. E46 330Ci vs Golf R32. Both offer similar levels of performance and similar weight. They're both similarly comfortable inside and offer similar levels practicality. Looking on Autotrader, for listed at £17k are: 1. 330Ci - 03 Reg Facelifted model, 51k miles with leather, parking sensors, multi-function steering wheel 2. R32 - 03 Reg, 31k miles with leather, sat nav, cruise control Advantages I see for the Golf are: - Can get a lower mileage car for the same money - Exclusivity - Probably cheaper to run - Sounds a little bit better Advantages for the 330: - Done more depreciating - RWD - Possibly easier to sell Any other thoughts? I think I need a 330Ci test drive...

[Teatowel]

RX8, lower miles, cheaper, RWD and a hoot

[Wellus]

i love the golf.. really does look the nuts. but does it look a bit "chavy"? what does the BMW330 look like. BMW are as common as "common things". there every where. it had better be a nice one to be considered!! RX8 - Arent they expensive to run and maintaint. i thought the fuel consumption was poop 350Z. Audi S3? Audi A4?

Edited by Wellus, 24 August 2006 - 07:48 AM.

[Ollie_VXT]

i love the golf.. really does look the nuts. but does it look a bit "chavy"?

Yeah thats what goes through my head to be honest.

Dont think i would consider buying one...

The 330 on the other hand i do like, and think ill have to sort out a test drive once im back off hols.

I do like the 330ci, but also the 4 door saloon as its a bit more subtle, and understated, yet still well spec'd and quick.

If you do a test drive before me Jim, give me a full run down!

[Jim_Cross]

Thanks guys. I don't think the Golf looks chavvy - in the flesh is looks purposeful, without the bits looking too "add-on" IMO. The facelifted 330Ci also looks good, though I wonder what impact the new 3-series Coupe will have on that? RX-8 - the reviews I've read have always said it's good but not great, and I don't think I'd get on with the engine 350Z - too expensive S3 - similar money to the R32. Gold is nicer inside, has a much, much better engine and according to the reviews, better steering and handling. Evo ran an article a couple of years ago featuring the R32, S3, Cupra R and Impreza WRX, and the R32 came out on top ... S3 was a long way down the list. A4 - just not sporty enough, unless looking at the S4/RS4, which are just too expensive really. Time to see if I can find a 330Ci to test drive this weekend...

[johnboy_78]

350Z - too expensive

Prices of 350Z's are starting to fall. You can now pick up UK examples for £17-18k.

Here's a quick example <Cheap 350Z>

[HRL]

Selling my 2nd car today, 330Ci. TBH it just seems overweight, cumbersome and downright slow after driving the VX. And it's bloody expensive to run. Bit like sitting in a small, luxury living room on wheels. I don't like it. The R32 would be my choice. It'll handle better and it's certainly quicker.

[i need nos]

what a lot of car for 17.5 k as u have probably read in one of my previous posts my aunt lent me hers a few weeks back and i took it out for the day, was brand new with 1700 miles on the clock, gt pact whatever it was 30 odd grands worth, it came back the same evening with 100 miles extra on the clock and i didnt want to get out of it, the engine noise, zorst humming and drive was so comfy and fast even if it was as nimble as a ferry, id still buy one!

[stevenflappy]

A Golf = 350Z

[stuntman]

Jim, that 330ci seems very expensive indeed at that price. I'm sure you could get one for less than £15k quite easily. If funds will stretch to £20k, you can get a 51-plate M3 for that kind of price now, even from a dealer. Insurance and running costs aren't as bad as you might imagine, and it's a totally different animal to a 330ci. 330ci vs R32? As an all-rounder for 100% road use, I'd probably choose a 330ci. If I was even remotely thinking of tracking it, though, I'd plump for the R32, even though that might sound a bit counter-intuitive.

[Wellus]

350Z - too expensive

Prices of 350Z's are starting to fall. You can now pick up UK examples for £17-18k.

Here's a quick example <Cheap 350Z>

DO IT

it looks the nuts. knock £700 off the price as it private. you got the nuts of a car!

[Teatowel]

I can vouch for the fact that the 350z is a great car and that you can get UK ones for £17k Seriously, just for the hell of it give the RX8 a try - you'd be surprised.

[Jim_Cross]

I definitely can't stretch to £20k for an M3, and it would cost a lot more to service. My budget is £16.5k tops, and I definitely won't get a good UK 350Z for that money. Having chatted to a guy with an R32 last night who spent a lot of time test driving 325 and 330 Coupes, he's convinced me, as most of you have suggested, that the R32 is the more exciting option. stuntman - why do you feel the R32 would be better on track?

[TurboTomato]

I can vouch for the fact that the 350z is a great car and that you can get UK ones for £17k

Seriously, just for the hell of it give the RX8 a try - you'd be surprised.

RX8s are good cars but I know of at least 2 people getting rid due to abysmal fuel consumption

[pure]

18-19k will get you a good 350Z GT. 16-17k will get you a non GT, so you dont get leather, bose, cruise etc. Just sold my 04 350Z GT for 20k last week. It was a fantastic car. Prices of the 2003-2005 350Z are comming down as more and more owners are trading them in to get the MY06 which has a little more power. I am waiting for the supercharged 350Z to come out (hopefully some time in 2007) I will trade the VXR in for one then. I'd defo have another one. The golf r32 is a great car, but it does suffer from loads of understeer. THis can easily be fixed tho by installing neuspeed ARBs, rear adjustable arms, different suspension and adjusting the camber and toe in. Same goes for the S3. The good thing about the S3, having previously owned one. You can remap the ECU to get around 270bhp and 300+ lb ft torque. Do that and get the suspension sorted and the car is totally transformed. I'd have another S3, but I think they are starting to look dated now. The interior in the S3 is superior to the R32 imo, but you have to get a 2001 face lift car. My S3 was black with silver and black alantara interior and piano black dash inserts. It's looked the dogs danglies. But saying all that. I'd still go for the 350Z. I don't think there is any other car that gives you the same spec and value for money. Plus the haldex system on the R32 and S3 is a bit pants. Your basically 99% front wheel drive most of the time unless you boot it. Saying that, you can get different haldex controllers that split it 50/50 or what ever you desire, but they cost ££££ Hope that helps. Sorry to waffel on LOL

[Tony_M]

I definitely can't stretch to £20k for an M3, and it would cost a lot more to service.
My budget is £16.5k tops, and I definitely won't get a good UK 350Z for that money.

Having chatted to a guy with an R32 last night who spent a lot of time test driving 325 and 330 Coupes, he's convinced me, as most of you have suggested, that the R32 is the more exciting option.

stuntman - why do you feel the R32 would be better on track?

Don't BMW's have far too many air bags to take on track

[pure]

Forgot to say, you could get a decent Jap 350 for 16.5k. The jap 350Z's seem to have a much better AF ratio compared to the UK cars. However there is a huge difference in specs, they dont have GT's. Cant remeber what the equivalent is called either.

http://www.350zukownersclub.com/ has lots of info. there have also been some bargains in the cars for sale section of that forum.

[Teatowel]

Slightly off topic, but nice to see ytou made it over here Pure

[Foxy]

330ci will be a wollowy boat unless you go for the sport model.

[pure]

Slightly off topic, but nice to see ytou made it over here Pure

LOL eventually :-D Thanks for your help matey.