BMW 330ci sport

[liller]

HughesR1 said:

Its a 3.0 litre straight 6, as far as I'm aware the 325 is also the same engine. I assume its got smaller injectors and different fuel map etc.

And yup MPG is better than my 2.2 VTEC Accord R and definitely better than my s14A turbo. Average 30 I would say.

325 is definitely smaller engine on the E46 - 325/330 share the same engine on the post E46 3 series (I think)

as for MV1's - totally suit the pre-facelift sports, wouldn't have it any other way!

[HughesR1]

liller said:

325 is definitely smaller engine on the E46 - 325/330 share the same engine on the post E46 3 series (I think)

as for MV1's - totally suit the pre-facelift sports, wouldn't have it any other way!

Ah yes you're correct. Also only just noticed, did they only ever make e46 M3's with pre-facelift style lights?

I always get questioned if its an M3 (clearly says 330 on the boot), and I did wonder why the front has more of an M3 style to it but I think its down to them lights!

[liller]

yes, they only ever made the e46 M3 with pre-facelift lights - apparently the BMW marketing team felt that the older lights made the M3 look more aggressive so they kept them in place.

[HughesR1]

liller said:

yes, they only ever made the e46 M3 with pre-facelift lights - apparently the BMW marketing team felt that the older lights made the M3 look more aggressive so they kept them in place.

I agree with them... but I would be slightly biased

[Mr Pies]

Where did you find yours OP? I am now in the market for one myself

[HughesR1]

Mr Pies said:

Where did you find yours OP? I am now in the market for one myself

eBay UK

Just phoned a few up and viewed rather than doing it through ebay. Autotrader is pretty good aswell. Most of the ones on pistonheads weren't very well maintained unfortunately. (I assume mostly weren't true PH'ers, rather just taking advantage of cheap ads)

The good 330's don't hang around long though, plenty of 325's but if your going for petrol straight 6 you may aswell get the big'un... you know it makes sense

Also worth checking out E46zone.com

[rumple]

liller said:

yes, they only ever made the e46 M3 with pre-facelift lights - apparently the BMW marketing team felt that the older lights made the M3 look more aggressive so they kept them in place.

While i agree they look more aggresive than the bangle facelift, that isnt the reason, the m3 was facelifted had led backlights and a new boot lid plus other bits and pieces but because it had unique wings, bumper and bonnet the decided the retooling wasnt justified

Edited by rumple on Saturday 26th May 08:43

[rumple]

OP that car is stunning, leave it as it is, and yes imola red is the best colour, your original post sums these up, couldnt have put it better myself, oh and i had a s14a previous as well.

[HughesR1]

rumple said:

OP that car is stunning, leave it as it is, and yes imola red is the best colour, your original post sums these up, couldnt have put it better myself, oh and i had a s14a previous as well.

Thanks dude. What made you chop in the SX?

[rumple]

My sx was a total nightmare experiance, broke down a few times, just cost a fortune everytime it was serviced, i brought it 2 years old with 21000 miles on it and had nothing but trouble with it, the 2 inlet valves of number 3 cylinder snapped off and completely destroyed the engine at 51000 miles,nissan had no ansew to why that happened, new engine fitted then found out it was stolen recovered, sold it at a massive loss, i was just glad to be rid of it, it was a great car that id always wanted, and i know they are ultra reliable etc, but mine was horrific, replaced it with a e36 328 coupe, replaced that with the 330ci i now have.

[vsonix]

HughesR1 said:

First thing on my list when I wanted one of these was MV2 wheels, but I think the MV1's look much better on this. I'm not really a fan of modding post-2000 cars especially BMW as I think it tend's to devalue them a bit, but BBS would would look awesome with a small drop!

I just don't want it to turn into one of these scene kid stretched tyred DUB car, front tyres are already tad to stretched for my liking

we have MV2s on our 330d Touring, I'm not a huge fan of those either. I do prefer the look to the MV1 but the lack of lip means the edges of the tyres are very prone to damage on the edges of potholes etc and despite a recent pro refurb and very careful use (no kerbing when parking etc) they've picked up way more damage than the wheels of either of my e36s did in two years :-\

[HughesR1]

rumple said:

My sx was a total nightmare experiance, broke down a few times, just cost a fortune everytime it was serviced, i brought it 2 years old with 21000 miles on it and had nothing but trouble with it, the 2 inlet valves of number 3 cylinder snapped off and completely destroyed the engine at 51000 miles,nissan had no ansew to why that happened, new engine fitted then found out it was stolen recovered, sold it at a massive loss, i was just glad to be rid of it, it was a great car that id always wanted, and i know they are ultra reliable etc, but mine was horrific, replaced it with a e36 328 coupe, replaced that with the 330ci i now have.

That sounds exactly like my SX ownership... I'm glad I did it as it needed ticking off my list but the thing was just trouble. Everyday it had worn something else out, or blown a gasket. What plate was yours btw... as I had one around 54k miles... which was a Cat-D. Kuro black.

[HughesR1]

vsonix said:

we have MV2s on our 330d Touring, I'm not a huge fan of those either. I do prefer the look to the MV1 but the lack of lip means the edges of the tyres are very prone to damage on the edges of potholes etc and despite a recent pro refurb and very careful use (no kerbing when parking etc) they've picked up way more damage than the wheels of either of my e36s did in two years :-\

Now you mention it I have noticed a few older e46's which chunks missing out the tyres when I viewed them... thought it was just coincidence

[rumple]

HughesR1 said:

rumple said:

My sx was a total nightmare experiance, broke down a few times, just cost a fortune everytime it was serviced, i brought it 2 years old with 21000 miles on it and had nothing but trouble with it, the 2 inlet valves of number 3 cylinder snapped off and completely destroyed the engine at 51000 miles,nissan had no ansew to why that happened, new engine fitted then found out it was stolen recovered, sold it at a massive loss, i was just glad to be rid of it, it was a great car that id always wanted, and i know they are ultra reliable etc, but mine was horrific, replaced it with a e36 328 coupe, replaced that with the 330ci i now have.

That sounds exactly like my SX ownership... I'm glad I did it as it needed ticking off my list but the thing was just trouble. Everyday it had worn something else out, or blown a gasket. What plate was yours btw... as I had one around 54k miles... which was a Cat-D. Kuro black.

Mine was S reg, it was a tourer and blue with black leather.
Mine was also standerd so sounded like a Bluebird, same horn as well, fitted fiam twin tones, only mod i did on it, to be honest it was well fast, felt quicker than the figues would have you beleive, but too dam dear for what it was.

[rumple]

Just seen your profile your from shropshire, i grew up around ironbridge, small world, also an imola red 330ci was what i was after, spent 3 months looking but fell in love with a sapphire black one with lemon yellow leather.

[getawayturtle]

OP your bimmer looks like a stunning example, the colour is brilliant. I can't see how most people would pick re-sale silver over that.

If you're in Shropshire you should come along to this:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

Few of us convoying from Telford on the day if you're interested

[HughesR1]

rumple said:

Just seen your profile your from shropshire, i grew up around ironbridge, small world, also an imola red 330ci was what i was after, spent 3 months looking but fell in love with a sapphire black one with lemon yellow leather.

Ah no way, it is a small world!

Yep my SX was probably pushing around 280bhp and it was extremely tail happy. Good fun

The 330ci is deffo a more useable car though

[HughesR1]

getawayturtle said:

OP your bimmer looks like a stunning example, the colour is brilliant. I can't see how most people would pick re-sale silver over that.

If you're in Shropshire you should come along to this:
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

Few of us convoying from Telford on the day if you're interested

Cheers pal.

I hope to come along to that! I usually try and go to west mids meet in Newport but no one ever turns up

I think there is a large Lotus meet that weekend I was planning on going to but shall double check as this looks like a great turnout!

[HughesR1]

So I woke up this morning to see this...



What is wrong with people these days

I live in quite a respectable safe area and the car was parked on the driveway with a few other vehicles. What do people gain from stealing badges!? Its worth practically nothing and is just a pain in the arse! Need to get a new one before Le Mans!