330i or ST220 or VRS ??
#1
330i or ST220 or VRS ??
got £3-£3.5k to spend on a runabout.
fancy a 3 litre V6 for the smoothness not power
preferably 4 door (toying with skoda VRS also but would spend less on one of those - and presume no where near as smooth)
do I go for BMW (even a 323 or 325 would do) or Ford
very low mileage and mpg not really a concern.
any recommendations one over the other ??
cheers DC
fancy a 3 litre V6 for the smoothness not power
preferably 4 door (toying with skoda VRS also but would spend less on one of those - and presume no where near as smooth)
do I go for BMW (even a 323 or 325 would do) or Ford
very low mileage and mpg not really a concern.
any recommendations one over the other ??
cheers DC
#4
I've got an E46 323i SE 4 door for the daily driver, and it's a great car!
Sits on the motorway at 90+ nice and quiet, nippy enough round town, and has a decent spec. Doesn't look too shabby, and still passes itself off as a reasonably classy car.
Absolute bargain at the moment as well....
Sits on the motorway at 90+ nice and quiet, nippy enough round town, and has a decent spec. Doesn't look too shabby, and still passes itself off as a reasonably classy car.
Absolute bargain at the moment as well....
#6
the BMW's are dearer - but probably better - could get a newer ST220
my brother p/xd his 1999 323i E46 122000 miles and only got £2000 and that was on a £20K BMW. (only found out when he came round in his new car).
There are alot of E46's around year 2000 all under £4k - 330i's included. but can get a 2002 ST220 0r 2003/4 VRS - but I fancy the V6 smoothness (previously had the old mondeo V6 in 1996 and always liked it).
I suppose first good one at a good price that comes up will suffice.
my brother p/xd his 1999 323i E46 122000 miles and only got £2000 and that was on a £20K BMW. (only found out when he came round in his new car).
There are alot of E46's around year 2000 all under £4k - 330i's included. but can get a 2002 ST220 0r 2003/4 VRS - but I fancy the V6 smoothness (previously had the old mondeo V6 in 1996 and always liked it).
I suppose first good one at a good price that comes up will suffice.
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#10
I've got an E46 330d as an every dayer, very smooth, sounds like a proper 6 banger, goes like stink and returns 30mpg. I paid 6k 3 years ago with 147,000 on the clock (nothing on a diesel BM), must be available in your budget these days.
#14
Ive got a mondeo zetec s tdci,i know its not an ST220, but its nowhere near the same league as my octavia VRS was. Although given the choice itd be between the VRS and a 330i imo, the Ford is never going to compare.
Sarah
Sarah
#16
#17
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 0
From: Sudbury Suffolk, Drives: Octavia VRS & XR2i 1800 Zetec track car
I was trying to chose between Megane 225 cup, Focus ST and VRS - went for the Skoda
I love the look of the ST220's, BM's are a bit more 'class' but I found 325 not that quick - VRS! Go test drive a couple
Z
I love the look of the ST220's, BM's are a bit more 'class' but I found 325 not that quick - VRS! Go test drive a couple
Z
#18
I know I should test drive them and compare
but I hate to mess people about, and always feel obliged to buy a car once I've spent time talking to someone and test driving the car when it is as described.
I dont want out and out speed - just a little bit of get up and go.
cheers again
David
but I hate to mess people about, and always feel obliged to buy a car once I've spent time talking to someone and test driving the car when it is as described.
I dont want out and out speed - just a little bit of get up and go.
cheers again
David
#20
They're not top of their class for the first 60 mph but the next 60 is very impressive...
Here you see it as 0-100kmh and 0-200kmh but easy to do the sums
www.fastestlaps.com/car45a53d87ae81f.html
www.fastestlaps.com/car45cf0995a67ec.html
Here you see it as 0-100kmh and 0-200kmh but easy to do the sums
www.fastestlaps.com/car45a53d87ae81f.html
www.fastestlaps.com/car45cf0995a67ec.html
#22
At that price what ever you get will break something. The VRs would be my pick you can get all the parts from a maindealer and they are still going to be cheaper than the cheapo parts for the BM or the Ford.
VRS are very underrated and that 1.8t is a little cracker.!
VRS are very underrated and that 1.8t is a little cracker.!
#23
They're not top of their class for the first 60 mph but the next 60 is very impressive...
Here you see it as 0-100kmh and 0-200kmh but easy to do the sums
www.fastestlaps.com/car45a53d87ae81f.html
www.fastestlaps.com/car45cf0995a67ec.html
Here you see it as 0-100kmh and 0-200kmh but easy to do the sums
www.fastestlaps.com/car45a53d87ae81f.html
www.fastestlaps.com/car45cf0995a67ec.html
#26
BM is rwd, so get that.
Is that round town bouncing off the governor?
What I want, not with that mpg though
What I want, not with that mpg though
#32
never really been a fan of the st220 until i saw a silver one with red recaro leather and it looked really good i thought.
i've driven the older five speed st220 and wasn't that impressed, alot better cars available for the money, vrs for example.
i've driven the older five speed st220 and wasn't that impressed, alot better cars available for the money, vrs for example.
#34
#35
Hi fellas - well I drove a 330i and wasnt impressed
Ok car - but but for me. not alot of car for the money.
couldnt find the right Vrs or ST220 in my budget - so bought a 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero.
loads of gadgets and 250bhp 2.3 turbo engine.
nice smooth car - excellent seats and chassis.
I wouldnt rule out the ST220 or VRS in the future - I just need to save up a bit more so I can get a newer version.
cheers for the advice and replies - I change my car every few months so I dont think it will be long before onto next one.
Ok car - but but for me. not alot of car for the money.
couldnt find the right Vrs or ST220 in my budget - so bought a 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero.
loads of gadgets and 250bhp 2.3 turbo engine.
nice smooth car - excellent seats and chassis.
I wouldnt rule out the ST220 or VRS in the future - I just need to save up a bit more so I can get a newer version.
cheers for the advice and replies - I change my car every few months so I dont think it will be long before onto next one.
#40
I'd have the ST220 and I have friends with both. The ST is quicker than the 330i. I've been all over Germany in one and we seen 161mph on the GPS. We also ovetook a Focus RS on a long sweeping bend, which is good going. Putting the badge aside, I'm sure the ST220 is a better car.
Benni.
Benni.