Differences: E46 330i vs 330Ci?

[christoferlloyd]

I'm looking at 330s at the moment and have found a 330i I like the look of, but ideally want a coupe.

I'm up to speed with the specs and stats for both cars, but can anyone tell me whether there are any differences in the suspension or setup between the two?

Thanks,

Chris

[verbarthe]

Should be the same apart from the obvious differences between M Sport and SE Spec.

[Mr Tidy]

Only things I can think of are that all Coupes have the split/fold rear seats (an option on the saloon) and all Coupes have electric/memory seats - handy if the OH will also be driving it, but unnecessary if not!

Otherwise as has been said the main differences are between SE and Sport as they have different suspension, and the Sport seats are much more supportive!

E46 specs are a bit random - although all the Coupes have electric/memory seats only Sport models have the Sport seats, yet 325 Compacts have Sport seats whether they are SE or Sport!

[christoferlloyd]

Mr Tidy said:

Only things I can think of are that all Coupes have the split/fold rear seats (an option on the saloon) and all Coupes have electric/memory seats - handy if the OH will also be driving it, but unnecessary if not!

Otherwise as has been said the main differences are between SE and Sport as they have different suspension, and the Sport seats are much more supportive!

E46 specs are a bit random - although all the Coupes have electric/memory seats only Sport models have the Sport seats, yet 325 Compacts have Sport seats whether they are SE or Sport!

Hmm, it is odd. It all just sounds like another reason to go for a 325ti...although I might be biased as an ex-325ti owner!

[Mr Tidy]

christoferlloyd said:

Hmm, it is odd. It all just sounds like another reason to go for a 325ti...although I might be biased as an ex-325ti owner!

Well just go and get one then - they are great!

Sound better as standard as the Compact has no exhaust valve so no need for the golf-tee fix and for some reason nobody seems to have rust issues with a Compact, unlike the other E46s!

And they are about half the price - probably not for too long!

Check out the 325ti appreciation thread on here.

Good luck anyway!

[christoferlloyd]

Mr Tidy said:

Well just go and get one then - they are great!

Sound better as standard as the Compact has no exhaust valve so no need for the golf-tee fix and for some reason nobody seems to have rust issues with a Compact, unlike the other E46s!

And they are about half the price - probably not for too long!

Check out the 325ti appreciation thread on here.

Good luck anyway!

I might do just that!

Just have to decide whether doing without the sixth gear of my old 325ti is a problem with the pre-facelift models. Oh yes, I've read that thread about six times!

The rustlessness is a definite pro too. Cheers.

[Mr Tidy]

christoferlloyd said:

I might do just that!

Just have to decide whether doing without the sixth gear of my old 325ti is a problem with the pre-facelift models. Oh yes, I've read that thread about six times!

The rustlessness is a definite pro too. Cheers.

My 325ti is a pre-facelift so a 5-speed and it does about 3,000 rpm at 70 in 5th - facelift is more relaxed but my OBC is reading 32.8mpg so economy isn't really impacted, and it does pick up quicker without a down-shift when you need some grunt to deal with turbo-diseasels!