F30 330D to F80 M3

[Reckless_2k]

Hi guys,

Been a while since I posted on bimmerpost.

I've had my 2015 F30 330D for 6.5 years now, it does pretty much everything I need, with the remap I have on it it's more than quick enough for UK roads and the fuel consumption is great on a run. Probably the best all round car out there.

I've been working from home for the past 4 years and will be for the foreseeable future. As a result my annual mileage has plummeted, I probably didn't need the diesel in the first place as I only had an 8 mile commute to work. It still only has 46k miles on it.

I'm tempted to switch over to the F80 M3, i'm in a position where I have my potential 'forever' home, I'm 40 and it's probably now or never to get it.

My main motivation for switching is the handling of the M3, I've heard it is leagues ahead of the F30, is that the case? The 330D sometimes feels like it is going to roll over when taking corners at speed.

The car I'm looking at is 2015 model with 56k miles on it and a warranty until October 2025. It will cost me about £15,000 to make the change.

Is there any reason not make the switch? It would be great to scratch that M car itch but the 330D is such a great all rounder.

[SYT_Shadow]

The 330D may be a great all rounder, but it has nothing to do with a M3. Note that I say M3 without specifying the generation, as any generation M3 is firmly in the 'sporty' side of transportation.

It's not even a question for me. It doesn't matter how much power is added to a 330, it will never handle or feel like an M3, even if it could be faster in a straight line.

[DThr33]

I went from a 2015 330d I'd owned fo 6 years like you to an M3 mid-last year, the 330d was remapped and running KW V2 coilovers, but the M3 (now on KW clubsports) is a night and day difference in handling - it feels like it's on rails in comparison to the 330d.

Only downside in my eyes is the more frequent stops at the petrol station - where half a tank would get me ~200 miles in the 330d I now get ~300 to a full tank in the M3, and obviously any running costs are higher (including general maintenance, a brake job on an M3 is a lot more expensive than on the 330d due to the cost of discs being a lot higher - even though the actual calipers are the same between a 330d with the m sport+ kit and a non-ceramic M3)

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

Hi guys,

Been a while since I posted on bimmerpost.

I've had my 2015 F30 330D for 6.5 years now, it does pretty much everything I need, with the remap I have on it it's more than quick enough for UK roads and the fuel consumption is great on a run. Probably the best all round car out there.

I've been working from home for the past 4 years and will be for the foreseeable future. As a result my annual mileage has plummeted, I probably didn't need the diesel in the first place as I only had an 8 mile commute to work. It still only has 46k miles on it.

I'm tempted to switch over to the F80 M3, i'm in a position where I have my potential 'forever' home, I'm 40 and it's probably now or never to get it.

My main motivation for switching is the handling of the M3, I've heard it is leagues ahead of the F30, is that the case? The 330D sometimes feels like it is going to roll over when taking corners at speed.

The car I'm looking at is 2015 model with 56k miles on it and a warranty until October 2025. It will cost me about £15,000 to make the change.

Is there any reason not make the switch? It would be great to scratch that M car itch but the 330D is such a great all rounder.

It's now or never. Life is too short.

And the F80 is an even better all rounder short of MPG but we should be measuring in smiles per mile anyway.

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by DThr33

I went from a 2015 330d I'd owned fo 6 years like you to an M3 mid-last year, the 330d was remapped and running KW V2 coilovers, but the M3 (now on KW clubsports) is a night and day difference in handling - it feels like it's on rails in comparison to the 330d.

Only downside in my eyes is the more frequent stops at the petrol station - where half a tank would get me ~200 miles in the 330d I now get ~300 to a full tank in the M3, and obviously any running costs are higher (including general maintenance, a brake job on an M3 is a lot more expensive than on the 330d due to the cost of discs being a lot higher - even though the actual calipers are the same between a 330d with the m sport+ kit and a non-ceramic M3)

Thanks for the info mate! Very helpful. I'm probably doing 3000 miles a year now so fuel costs won't be too bad. Insurance will be about £500 more than what I'm currently paying and road tax £200 more.

How is it as a daily? Have you ever found the ride or engine noise get annoying after a while? Is there anything you miss from the 330D apart from running costs?

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by louielouie

It's now or never. Life is too short.

And the F80 is an even better all rounder short of MPG but we should be measuring in smiles per mile anyway.

You're right! I'll make a booking to see the car.

The M3 will always be an icon and a head turner no matter what generation it is. If I do get it, it will be something I'd keep for another 10 years.

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

You're right! I'll make a booking to see the car.

The M3 will always be an icon and a head turner no matter what generation it is. If I do get it, it will be something I'd keep for another 10 years.

Additional side note is I would consider looking at MY16 onward since that was the start of the Comp pack and LCI tail lights which give the car a much more updated look. I would also take the LED headlights over Xenons.

[gerri]

The only problem IMO is that the S55 takes a long time to warm up (it has 7 radiators) and in an 8 mile journey it can't get up to temperature, in winter it doesn't get there for sure and so you would always run with a cold engine with consequent greater wear, greater consumption and oxidation of some internal parts of the engine (valvetronic eccentric shaft servomotor already happened) due to the condensation that will form and which, as the engine is not very hot, will not evaporate. It is not the right machine for this use.

[Yuille36]

That is a great point, and that is why I let my car idle for 10 minutes in the morning before heading off to work, although I have a 12 miles commute.

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by gerri

The only problem IMO is that the S55 takes a long time to warm up (it has 7 radiators) and in an 8 mile journey it can't get up to temperature, in winter it doesn't get there for sure and so you would always run with a cold engine with consequent greater wear, greater consumption and oxidation of some internal parts of the engine (valvetronic eccentric shaft servomotor already happened) due to the condensation that will form and which, as the engine is not very hot, will not evaporate. It is not the right machine for this use.

I only do this 8 mile commute once a month now. I do a 10 mile drive to my in laws and then back again once a week. The rest is just short journeys around town. I would probably go for a spirited drive once a month in the countryside pushing the car.

They say that diesels should also not be used for short journeys but I've had an E46 320D, F30 320D and 330D over the past 15 years with no engine issues.

Is using an M3 in this way more risky than a diesel?

[Yuille36]

I can see why this is crucial in the fall or winter but not in the spring or summer. But I do understand your point.

[wishbone]

I have a f30 328i and an f80 m3. I really like having both but the entire f80 platform is much more performance and has greater attention to detail than the f30.

I’ve upgraded the suspension and stage 1 tuned my 328i and it’s still not even close in terms of performance.

Having said that I do really like my 328i for most daily activity.

[gerri]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

Is using an M3 in this way more risky than a diesel?

Surely your diesel engines will have been more worn than others used for what they were designed for. Having said that you cannot compare a 150 HP and 4,500 rpm diesel with a 450 HP twin turbo. It is not dangerous but, consumption aside, you could have more problems than one used differently. The condensation oxidizes internal parts and, not evaporating, mixes with the oil, altering the lubrication which is very important in an engine with two turbos that spins at 7,000 rpm. Why are there people who change turbos and so on at 40K while others at 190K (here on the forum) have never had breakdowns? How you use it is everything!

[ajbM4cab]

Been lucky enough to own a 2017 335d xd factory M Performance with adaptive suspension , 2019 M4 F83, 2019 M240 and 2019 X4M for the last few years.
335d xd was by far the best allrounder.
Pace comfort and economy. Quite an astounding all in one package. Huge spec too and owned from new.
The 335d is a Flying machine at stage 2 leaving a ‘stock’ F8* series every time off the line with the 4WD XD. Whilst still achieving circa 45mpg.
Keep the M4 high up in the revs and then you see the difference.

Great car the F30 335d But never once felt like the M4. Missing Taughtness, noise, handling - basically all the bits an M car gives. M4 gives you a grin every time. Never wears off IMO. Whereas the 335d was starting to feel like an older car. M4 still feel special every time I drive it. Makes you want to get up early at weekends to give it a wash and then out for a drive. 335d never did that.

The M240 is nearly there but again just missing some of the M car aesthetics.

The X4M is again a very fast and superb package. M car yes but this new generation seems to have lost some of the F8* series M3 and M4 character.
To me it is as though they have smoothed over the rough edges. I kinda liked them rough edges.

The F series quick diesels and M series are very different cars.
There is a great YouTube video comparing the F80 M3 with an F series 30d 360-370 bhp Alpina diesel. Have a watch. It shows very well that there isn’t a great difference in the performance but how each delivers it in a very different way.
Hopefully the link below works.

https://youtu.be/NoRAeL8qgSM?feature=shared

Great cars You will not be disappointed.

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by gerri

Surely your diesel engines will have been more worn than others used for what they were designed for. Having said that you cannot compare a 150 HP and 4,500 rpm diesel with a 450 HP twin turbo. It is not dangerous but, consumption aside, you could have more problems than one used differently. The condensation oxidizes internal parts and, not evaporating, mixes with the oil, altering the lubrication which is very important in an engine with two turbos that spins at 7,000 rpm. Why are there people who change turbos and so on at 40K while others at 190K (here on the forum) have never had breakdowns? How you use it is everything!

It's actually 313BHP with 750NM torque but I see what you mean and many thanks for the advice.

I could use my wife's Honda Jazz to drop my son to nursery and use the M3 once or twice a week for longer journeys and for a spirited drive. Is that ok? Is there anything wrong with it sitting unused for 4-5 days a week?

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by wishbone

I have a f30 328i and an f80 m3. I really like having both but the entire f80 platform is much more performance and has greater attention to detail than the f30.

I’ve upgraded the suspension and stage 1 tuned my 328i and it’s still not even close in terms of performance.

Having said that I do really like my 328i for most daily activity.

Is there any reason why you have both? Is the F80 not good as a daily?

In an ideal world I'd get my wife to sell her Honda Jazz and take my 330D but she prefers smaller cars.

[gerri]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

I could use my wife's Honda Jazz to drop my son to nursery and use the M3 once or twice a week for longer journeys and for a spirited drive. Is that ok? Is there anything wrong with it sitting unused for 4-5 days a week?

So it's perfect. You also enjoy it more when you use it. There is nothing wrong, I use it even less like 1 or 2 times a month and in winter even less and there is no problem. BMW recommends a recharge every 6 weeks of non-use and I have seen that after 6 weeks the battery is still at 60/70%.

[wishbone]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

Is there any reason why you have both? Is the F80 not good as a daily?

In an ideal world I'd get my wife to sell her Honda Jazz and take my 330D but she prefers smaller cars.

The original one I owned for about 6 years was the 328i before buying the m3. I intended to sell the 328i after the purchased however, when I went to sell the market was soft and manuals are increasingly rare (read somewhat lower non-enthusiast demand) here and so for the nominal amount I was going to get from the car (IIRC about $13-$15k) I thought I would have some fun doing some upgrades and then through that learning process apply it to the m3.

Also, driving the m3 gets people excited and honestly I've been in more situations where a hellcat, a c63, audi RS or another platform pulls up on the highway or a spirited road and wants to do some pulls or race, etc. Honestly, I love driving the car but on roads that are kept up for maintenance and minimum safety I don't feel like doing that.

The 328i blends in and I've really had a lot of fun doing some of the cosmetic, mechanical, and electric upgrades. I also don't love driving the m3 in inclement weather, the additional brake horse and torque are a lot (given the above road rationale).

If you can, I would keep both. I have the space and love having both options available.

Originally Posted by gerri

So it's perfect. You also enjoy it more when you use it. There is nothing wrong, I use it even less like 1 or 2 times a month and in winter even less and there is no problem. BMW recommends a recharge every 6 weeks of non-use and I have seen that after 6 weeks the battery is still at 60/70%.

I put my m3 on a tender (c tek) for extended non-use. 6-weeks seems long but if that's BMW recommended, sounds good. I don't want the battery on the m3 to die as it's quite expensive.

[DThr33]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

Thanks for the info mate! Very helpful. I'm probably doing 3000 miles a year now so fuel costs won't be too bad. Insurance will be about £500 more than what I'm currently paying and road tax £200 more.

How is it as a daily? Have you ever found the ride or engine noise get annoying after a while? Is there anything you miss from the 330D apart from running costs?

i can't comment on the ride much as i only had stock suspension on the m3 for about a month, and most of my time with the f30 was on coilovers too. stock for stock the m3 is definitely harsher due to it being stiffer but nothing that i'd consider a dealbreaker.

engine noise shouldn't get annoying at all, even with the equal length midpipes i have now there's no noticeable drone at any speed, especially with the valves closed.

the only things i can miss from the f30 is just spec related really, the only thing my m3 is missing that the 330d had was the extended storage pack which gives you a cubby on the dash on the driver's side (that i would've lost anyway with the lane departure warning & early collision warning buttons taking that ******* and the extra 12v/cigarrete lighters (one for the rear passengers, one in the boot).

one thing that did take a bit of time to get used to was the fact the rear seats don't have folding headrests now, so you'll always have those in your rear view - and if you do have any rear passengers there's no armrest/cupholder to fold down in the rear now.

regarding it sitting 4/5 days a week, shouldn't be an issue - i don't drive to work and don't have to drive most evenings so mine sits during the week and only really gets driven on weekends.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by Reckless_2k

Is there any reason why you have both? Is the F80 not good as a daily?

In an ideal world I'd get my wife to sell her Honda Jazz and take my 330D but she prefers smaller cars.

I daily drive my F82 so I can give you some insight.

1. Road and Wind Noise is higher than a normal car on the freeway. It's not unbearable but it's noticeably louder than a normal 3 series. Below 50 MPH it's not noticeable.

2. The suspension (even in comfort mode) is much stiffer than a normal car. Some of my passengers get nauseous because they aren't used to how stiff the suspension and the roads, I have here are terrible except in certain areas where Sport+ Suspension will still ride super smooth lol.

But compared my 992 TTS, this car is a lot more functional and is more daily drivable LOL.

[Boznien]

I upgraded from an F30 328i into an F80 M3 and was shockingly surprised how comfortable and daily drivable this car is.

My F30 was lowered on Bilstein B14 (non-adjustable dampening) coilovers, tuned on Stage 2 BM3, and I loved how it was as a daily driver.

I also have a relatively short commute of 6-7 miles one way and if I drive in Efficient mode. I get upwards of 22mpg to 25mpg.

Obviously, I don't drive like that all the time so in reality it's about 17mpg to 19mpg.

However, like others have said, I would look for one with the LCI and the EDC function. Makes the ride quality drastically better.

+1 for whoever said life is short, buy your dream car.

You won't even look back on your 330d.. I only miss the F30 based on how it looked but the F80 M3 is just pure sex.

[Reckless_2k]

Originally Posted by Boznien

I upgraded from an F30 328i into an F80 M3 and was shockingly surprised how comfortable and daily drivable this car is.

My F30 was lowered on Bilstein B14 (non-adjustable dampening) coilovers, tuned on Stage 2 BM3, and I loved how it was as a daily driver.

I also have a relatively short commute of 6-7 miles one way and if I drive in Efficient mode. I get upwards of 22mpg to 25mpg.

Obviously, I don't drive like that all the time so in reality it's about 17mpg to 19mpg.

However, like others have said, I would look for one with the LCI and the EDC function. Makes the ride quality drastically better.

+1 for whoever said life is short, buy your dream car.

You won't even look back on your 330d.. I only miss the F30 based on how it looked but the F80 M3 is just pure sex.

Thanks for the advice, this is the one I'm looking at tomorrow

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312064612138?sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&exclude-writeoff-categories=on&make=BMW&model=M3&page=3&postcode=SL 3%207PD&radius=25&year-from=2015&year-to=2018&fromsra

The Silverstone is my favourite colour along with Austin Yellow. I also like the white seats. The sunroof is also cool.

I probably don't want to spend any more than this.

The fact that it comes with a year and a half BMW warranty is appealing.

Any opinions on this car?