Gregor
Member
Registered: 28th Nov 03
Location: Paisley, Renfrewshire
User status: Offline
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I am possibly considering one of these as a next car , just wondered what peoples thoughts on them are ? I currently drive a Seat Ibiza Cupra but wouldnt mind something a bit more grown up , as it feels like im jumping into a go-kart after driving my transit all day - wouldnt mind a bit of luxury 
Are these cars basically the step down from the m3 ? What sort of power do they have ? Any idea on the insurance group ?
Cheers
Gregor
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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they are not far off powerwise from the m3 dont know insurance group but m3 is group 20. try and get the facelift as its so much nicer
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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mark_gsi
Member
Registered: 1st Nov 03
Location: Peterlee/darlington
User status: Offline
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think there 230brake? maybe insurance group 16 or 17, id get one no problem. 
actualy could be 250-260 i cant remember
[Edited on 21-05-2009 by mark_gsi]
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harrisp
Member
Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
User status: Offline
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Pointless worrying about insurance groups, actually get a quote.
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Gregor
Member
Registered: 28th Nov 03
Location: Paisley, Renfrewshire
User status: Offline
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Ive had quotes. Just wondered on the group on the basis of the car I already have.
They seem to be priced well. What are they like for servicing etc ?
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mk4_astra
Member
Registered: 15th Oct 03
Location: aylesbury,bucks
User status: Offline
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just bought one, i love it
black o3 facelift model with cream leather
the engine is a peach and it sounds fantastic. even at low speeds its a gentle growl but sounds awsome on full chat at 6k.
its a peaceful and relaxing if driven normal but open it up with the windows down and it feels like a sports car, handles the road perfect and its very well planted, the back end stays very tidy even when being pushed.
average 21.7 mpg and it has been driven hard
[Edited on 21-05-2009 by mk4_astra]
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harrisp
Member
Registered: 15th Dec 07
Location: Derbyshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Gregor
Ive had quotes. Just wondered on the group on the basis of the car I already have.
They seem to be priced well. What are they like for servicing etc ?
Thats ok, it just seems people get hung up on insurance groups when I can get a quote for a jeep cherokee (group 14) for £3600 compared to a E36 M3 (group 19) for £3500
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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not as focussed as the m3 with softer suspension and its more refined than an m3.
E46s are made very well, dash is made of the most awesome materiel, my only gripe is the "grab" handles feel cheap feel crappy. The refinement is what you would expect from a premium car,it feels solid and not made of string and rubber bands.
Get one 
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aron
Member
Registered: 10th May 07
Location: Ware, Hertfordshire
User status: Offline
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i'm VERY keen on them...
231bhp
manual 0-60 6.5 secs
30mpg so i've been told (driven pretty sensibly)
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Tommy L
Member
Registered: 21st Aug 06
Location: Northampton Drives: Audi wagon
User status: Offline
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Insurance group 17
231bhp, 300nm
0-60 - 6.3s
31mpg
M3 is 318bhp
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mk4_astra
Member
Registered: 15th Oct 03
Location: aylesbury,bucks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Gregor
Ive had quotes. Just wondered on the group on the basis of the car I already have.
They seem to be priced well. What are they like for servicing etc ?
not too bad if you go to an independent, bmw labour rate is £115 so an inspection 2(major service) is about £600 but £200-250 at a decent indy
needs service every 15000 miles and iirc every other service is an inspection 1 and an inspection 2 is needed every 50-60k
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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oh forgot about the noise
Straight 6 ftw
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mk4_astra
Member
Registered: 15th Oct 03
Location: aylesbury,bucks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
oh forgot about the noise
Straight 6 ftw
love the noise on mine
so far had 4 different people in mine and everybody has said nice it sounds
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Gregor
Member
Registered: 28th Nov 03
Location: Paisley, Renfrewshire
User status: Offline
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Cheers guys. What about current prices? I've seen from 6.5k upwards some of which have quite high mileage, but being a bmw I'm assuming they should still run well?
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mk4_astra
Member
Registered: 15th Oct 03
Location: aylesbury,bucks
User status: Offline
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got mine from an independent for 9k, black with cream leather, facelift,71k,full bmw service history and an inspection 2 just done on it. feels like a new car very refined and well biult
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davcohen
Member
Registered: 1st Nov 03
Location: North London
User status: Offline
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had one for a night and i love the powerband e.g. pulls like a champ only thing that put me off was the bad fuel economy when driving it although that maybe because its so tempting to test out whats under the bonnet
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IvIarkgraham
Premium Member
Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
User status: Offline
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brother had the 325 m sport
awesome car
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FruitBooTeR
Member
Registered: 18th Jan 07
Location: Wolverhampton Drives: S15
User status: Offline
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Id love a 330ci for my next car but I think id end up choosing an astra vxr purely for the abiliy to tune more easily when bored
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whitter45
Member
Registered: 15th Nov 02
Location: Norton
User status: Offline
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depends how old
231 bhp
then 262 bhp
and now 272 bhp
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C2RL R
Member
Registered: 28th Mar 02
Location: Redcliffe, QLD
User status: Offline
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nearly bought one myself at the start of last year but my house sale fell through so i didn't bother. they are very nice cars mate. as said, group 17 so a bit pricey on insurance.
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Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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I think those times are a little misleading.
Friend has a 330Ci,
needless to say, the Astra absolutly trounces it every single time. So much so I was awfully shocked. Even out of the tunnel tolls.
The BMW is up for sale (if anyones interested), Silver, AC Snitz 19"s
More classy than the astra though
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Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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My mates got one, nice car, really smooth and nice power delivery. His is an auto and it's VERY juicy.
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nik
Member
Registered: 19th Jun 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Tomnova16
they are not far off powerwise from the m3 dont know insurance group but m3 is group 20. try and get the facelift as its so much nicer
If 118bhp and 55 ft lb isn't far off then your right My M3 tanks my friend's 330 out of site. Good cars for the money though.
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nik
Member
Registered: 19th Jun 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by corsa_tomtom
Insurance group 17
231bhp, 300nm
0-60 - 6.3s
31mpg
M3 is 318bhp
M3 is 343bhp.
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Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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M3 E36 was 318bhp, not the E46.
E46 will have 343bhp.
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