E46 330i opinions?

Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:22 am

also forgot to add, how can you compare a car that is set up for track use to a bone stock car with the same tyres as most other road cars??

no comparison

Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:33 am

I used to have a Mondeo tdci estate she had 250k on the dash, gaffa taped bumpers and Ling longs,

I can safely say it didn't handle the twisty bits that well

Sun Apr 19, 2015 11:33 am

B7 wrote:Andy. You should know by now that if it ain't got a blue and white roundel, it's shite........

The Mondeo and indeed the focus, are very good cars that have got better over time. They've improved with every model. More than can be said for most of the BMW range I reckon. Whereas Ford have come back with a vengeance, BMW and Merc have just sat on their laurels with their mainstream stuff and ended up churning out cars that actually, give more issues with every model they produce.

Last week I had a 63 plate Fiesta ST on the drive and the guy who owns it has raved about it non stop. Not short of a few bob, when his nephew in law wrote his prized 530D e61 off (which he truly loved despite him having the normal turbo dramas), he needed a car quick once the insurance paid out. A runabout if you like. He walked into the local Ford dealer and paid (IIRC) about £15k for the ST brand new on the road (with a bit of discount). He's not looked back. It's very loaded (the seats are proper mad recaros) and I have to admit. He's right. It's a seriously fun bit of kit out the box. It's a nice little hooligan that handles really nice and just drive so right. Reminds me of the wifes old '93 16V XR2i. And it goes in next month for Mountune conversion which will push it to 220hp. He's been on about ordering a new Golf R but this little fester just does everything so well, there seems little point.

Trev I collected a 2008 focus for a mate from a bodyshop after it had some minor scuffs sorted last year, I drove it about 20 miles and I can safely say its one of the worst cars ive ever driven, everything about the steering is just horrible, the older ones are much better, I dont ever want to get in one again. The ST/volvo wagon might be totally different, I dont know, but if it is I expect it to feel very numb TBH

Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:28 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:The thing is, none of you take track driving seriously so you're basing your conclusions from what you read online.

How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:41 pm

jonb wrote:
Demlotcrew wrote:The thing is, none of you take track driving seriously so you're basing your conclusions from what you read online.
How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.

Once you get behind a wheel of a car that can pull some impressive corner acceleration you soon realise what is good handling and what isn't, the very fact that some of you cant even tell the difference between a good tyre and a bad tyre and the rest believe that a Mondeo is a good handling car without even understanding 'handling' can only lead me to one conclusion...........

Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:35 pm

I didn't know i was stupid, I'm glad someone pointed it out for me

Sun Apr 19, 2015 3:41 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:
jonb wrote:
Demlotcrew wrote:The thing is, none of you take track driving seriously so you're basing your conclusions from what you read online.
How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.
Once you get behind a wheel of a car that can pull some impressive corner acceleration you soon realise what is good handling and what isn't, the very fact that some of you cant even tell the difference between a good tyre and a bad tyre and the rest believe that a Mondeo is a good handling car without even understanding 'handling' can only lead me to one conclusion...........

hmm now let me see how many "normal" drivers think about how much lateral G they can pull in ther bends while on their way to work/shops??

not many i'm sure.

most folk don't care about a "good" or "bad" tyre just so long as they don't get points for a bald tyre & htat they stay on the road.

i agree with jonb, that post is ignorant. sorry but it is.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:03 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:
jonb wrote:
Demlotcrew wrote:The thing is, none of you take track driving seriously so you're basing your conclusions from what you read online.
How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.
Once you get behind a wheel of a car that can pull some impressive corner acceleration you soon realise what is good handling and what isn't, the very fact that some of you cant even tell the difference between a good tyre and a bad tyre and the rest believe that a Mondeo is a good handling car without even understanding 'handling' can only lead me to one conclusion...........

We're not worthy.

John Barker - step aside.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 4:14 pm

Andyboy wrote:
Demlotcrew wrote:
jonb wrote: How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.
Once you get behind a wheel of a car that can pull some impressive corner acceleration you soon realise what is good handling and what isn't, the very fact that some of you cant even tell the difference between a good tyre and a bad tyre and the rest believe that a Mondeo is a good handling car without even understanding 'handling' can only lead me to one conclusion...........
We're not worthy.

John Barker - step aside.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:06 pm

Simon13 wrote:I didn't know i was stupid, I'm glad someone pointed it out for me

Sun Apr 19, 2015 6:06 pm

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Back on topic, I also rate E46's very much!

Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:12 pm

Simon13 wrote:Some of the peoples driving in this thread i've experienced first hand Some times on track also and it leaves alot to be desired

Who is that aimed at?

Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:20 pm

Its all aimed at you, everything i say.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:29 pm

I suppose as we are comparing saloon cars of the last 10-15 years we could look at the last 15 years of the bttc to see if FWD can cut it...

13 of the 15 winners were in FWD cars.

Obviously FWD is comprimised but there are some nice chassis' out there in this platform. As I am no hero I can guarantee that I could get my 205, with a similar power to weight as my M coupe, round a track a LOT quicker. They are just easier on the limit for your average Joe.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:39 pm

Simon13 wrote:Its all aimed at you, everything i say.

That fits!

Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:59 pm

E30 M3 around a track -v- Mitsubishi Colt, cough

Anyway, on the subject of a 330i, I would say steer clear of the sport models as they have a crap ride on the 18" MV's with the low profile tyres and Mtec suspension. A well appointed SE spec car rides a lot better.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 9:20 pm

The 18's is not so much the problem, its the OE sport suspension especially when its tired.

Alpina got it right out the box with their spring and damper rates and they also use an 18" wheel.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 9:54 pm

Yeah, good point.

The cars that have absolutely astounded me with damping/ suspension yet running rubber band tyres were the Lotus Exige & Evora. My brother works for Lotus and often gets a car on a weekend to run some test miles on.

The first time he hit a speed hump at 30 full on I was expecting to be changing a wheel minutes later, but it rode over better than an 80's Merc, barely felt it, yet the cars feel so taught and have levels of mechanical grip I have never encountered.

Sun Apr 19, 2015 10:11 pm

Just goes to show what a properly developed chassis can achieve.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:43 am

jonb wrote:
Demlotcrew wrote:The thing is, none of you take track driving seriously so you're basing your conclusions from what you read online.
How ignorant is that

"Oh, you lot clearly don't take track driving as serious as me, so ultimately you know f**k all"

As a side note you wouldn't last a minute in something like the Clio cup.

For some reason it reminded me of this:

[youtube][/youtube]

Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:50 am

seems strange how demlot has gone silent on this one

Mon Apr 20, 2015 12:13 pm

steve_k wrote:seems strange how demlot has gone silent on this one

He's still on his x-box.

And seeing how all FWD cars don't handle we may as well dismiss all 4WD cars too while we are at it.

911 turbo...garbage, Audi Quattro...garbage, Nissan GTR....garbage.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 12:19 pm

Are you two serious/bored?

Plenty more important tasks to get on with than continue this pointless conversation.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 1:42 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:Are you two serious/bored?

Plenty more important tasks to get on with than continue this pointless conversation.

not bored far from it.

just find it odd/funny how you try to compare a track biased car to a mass produced car

one is set up for solely once purpose while the other is set up so any numpty can jump in & drive it without having to know the in's & out's of a ducks arse.

that like comparing a rolls royce to a tartan shopping trolley, worlds apart.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:11 pm

I think he was trying to say that because he spends his spare time fettling/playing with his heavily track focused car and being involved with people in the know, race carzz etc etc, he has more understanding than others that spend their spare time looking at old renaults and vauxhalls in autotrader/the local rag?

Still sounds a bit "richer than yaaouuw" though

Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:13 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:Yeah, good point.

The cars that have absolutely astounded me with damping/ suspension yet running rubber band tyres were the Lotus Exige & Evora. My brother works for Lotus and often gets a car on a weekend to run some test miles on.

The first time he hit a speed hump at 30 full on I was expecting to be changing a wheel minutes later, but it rode over better than an 80's Merc, barely felt it, yet the cars feel so taught and have levels of mechanical grip I have never encountered.

Probably more to do with new vs 10 year old & shagged suspension Lee?

I need to replace all the mounting bushes on my E39 after driving a mates 60k mile old man owned saloon the other week, it rides like a bag of crap in comparison, even though ive fitted new dampers all round and track control arm bushes on the front

Mon Apr 20, 2015 3:33 pm

steve_k wrote:just find it odd/funny how you try to compare a track biased car to a mass produced car

Sorry what?

Just understand that I am not accountable to you, so despite what you might find 'odd/funny' I am under no obligation to entertain your scrutiny on every topic, I don't even know why I'm wasting my time replying as no where in this thread I've compared a road car with a track car.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 7:00 pm

Jon_Bmw wrote:I suppose as we are comparing saloon cars of the last 10-15 years we could look at the last 15 years of the bttc to see if FWD can cut it...

13 of the 15 winners were in FWD cars.

Yes, but there are other considerations. The E36 would have marched away from the Cavaliers etc back in the day but were weight penalised to keep an even playing field.
Going back a very long way, Minis required a very particular driving style in order to go round bends at great speed. Lotus Cortinas didn't.

Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:43 pm

Andyboy wrote:
Jon_Bmw wrote:I suppose as we are comparing saloon cars of the last 10-15 years we could look at the last 15 years of the bttc to see if FWD can cut it...

13 of the 15 winners were in FWD cars.

Yes, but there are other considerations. The E36 would have marched away from the Cavaliers etc back in the day but were weight penalised to keep an even playing field.
Going back a very long way, Minis required a very particular driving style in order to go round bends at great speed. Lotus Cortinas didn't.

I wasn't thinking quite that far back, but point taken.

If you take the NGTC cars, that have been running since 2011, which tries to equalise the engine(power), suspension pickup points etc then 3 of the 4 winners have still been FWD.

Of course there are many considerations, mainly budget, but FWD can certainly still mix it up with RWD. It can't compete on the start though!

RWD is of course miles better to watch and more fun to drive! Nothing quite like a mk1 / mk2 escort in the forest stages.