Is there a genuinely decent alternative to the E46 330ci?
Discussion
Following on from a recent thread on here about the prices of the E46 being all over the place, I'm asking this question...
I had a 330ci and sold it a couple of years ago for about £1800. Since then prices have been climbing for decent ones, particularly manual. Now, don't get me wrong, they're brilliant - hence why I want one, but I just don't feel like paying upwards of 6-7k for a decent one. Or waiting for a facelift 325ti to come up with the 6 speed box at the right price (which can take an absolute age!!)
With the purchase of a reliable car between me and my OH, I now want something a bit more exciting for me to drive. I look back on my 330 sport with fond memories, so does anything actually come close?
I don't want to spend a fortune, I'm not looking at a new car after all... Budget is flexible but no more than 5k ideally, preferably a grand or two less . The things I like about the BMW:
Sporty ride and excellent chassis without being uncomfortable for every day use,
Great sounding 6cyl,
Looks good and has aged well,
Nice and quick,
Well built and reliable (if a bit expensive to maintain, but thats fine!)
Excellent all rounder and great fun to drive.
I'm looking for a genuine alternitive here, not some crappy old Saab 9-3 with uprated suspension or merc with a typical merc horrendous auto box and boat like handling.
The E39's are nice but obviously the more comfortable and slightly more wollowy choice.
Over to you then PH, what do you think? Or is the only option to suck it up and spend a small fortune on an ageing E46?
I had a 330ci and sold it a couple of years ago for about £1800. Since then prices have been climbing for decent ones, particularly manual. Now, don't get me wrong, they're brilliant - hence why I want one, but I just don't feel like paying upwards of 6-7k for a decent one. Or waiting for a facelift 325ti to come up with the 6 speed box at the right price (which can take an absolute age!!)
With the purchase of a reliable car between me and my OH, I now want something a bit more exciting for me to drive. I look back on my 330 sport with fond memories, so does anything actually come close?
I don't want to spend a fortune, I'm not looking at a new car after all... Budget is flexible but no more than 5k ideally, preferably a grand or two less . The things I like about the BMW:
Sporty ride and excellent chassis without being uncomfortable for every day use,
Great sounding 6cyl,
Looks good and has aged well,
Nice and quick,
Well built and reliable (if a bit expensive to maintain, but thats fine!)
Excellent all rounder and great fun to drive.
I'm looking for a genuine alternitive here, not some crappy old Saab 9-3 with uprated suspension or merc with a typical merc horrendous auto box and boat like handling.
The E39's are nice but obviously the more comfortable and slightly more wollowy choice.
Over to you then PH, what do you think? Or is the only option to suck it up and spend a small fortune on an ageing E46?
Fattyfat said:
Probably got the better chassis over the BMW.Very good cars but no badge appeal.
E90 325 has the 3.0 (N52?) engine with about 220bhp so meets a number of your criteria. I bought a low mileage one on a whim as I needed a car very quickly and knew it wouldn't be bad but it is genuinely a great car to punt around - quick enough, lovely rev range and sound, manual, great brakes, RWD etc...
I'm a real fan of 200-250bhp for road use as I like to hustle along so it is right in my sweet spot and I got the saloon but coupes didn't seem any more expensive.
I'm a real fan of 200-250bhp for road use as I like to hustle along so it is right in my sweet spot and I got the saloon but coupes didn't seem any more expensive.
Edited by Hitch78 on Wednesday 3rd February 17:55
I went from a 328 coupe to a 540i. Obviously it's heavier and the V8 has a different character to the I6, but it really is a lovely car to drive and well screwed together as you'd expect.
Perhaps look at different engines in the 3 series, or try a 5 and see how it compares, you might be surprised.. It doesn't feel as lumpen as it looks.
The Mondeo is a great car too.
Perhaps look at different engines in the 3 series, or try a 5 and see how it compares, you might be surprised.. It doesn't feel as lumpen as it looks.
The Mondeo is a great car too.
I've had a few 330ci sports (lowest mileage one was 42k, highest mileage was 160k) and I didn't think very much of them, certainly not a sporty thing to drive with numb steering.
When I think back to using them I remember numb steering, awful crashy suspension made even worse with the 18" wheels and ultra low profile's, noisy on the motorway and terrible fuel consumption - I could just about get 27 mpg on long trips by driving slower than normal, normal use it was averaging 22-25 mpg.
You can get a very nice 325i E90 for £5k and I would rather spend a little more to have an E90 (they drive a lot better) than rusty old E46.
When I think back to using them I remember numb steering, awful crashy suspension made even worse with the 18" wheels and ultra low profile's, noisy on the motorway and terrible fuel consumption - I could just about get 27 mpg on long trips by driving slower than normal, normal use it was averaging 22-25 mpg.
You can get a very nice 325i E90 for £5k and I would rather spend a little more to have an E90 (they drive a lot better) than rusty old E46.
CX53 said:
Anyone know what the Legacy 3.0 spec B saloons handle like? They're not as good looking, and awd though...
Beauty is in the eye... and all thatThey are reliable, very well engineered and made cars that can be very quick and entertaining cross-country. Lack the last bit of steering feel AWD chassis is very capable and seats are superb - better than the famed Volvo seats, IME.
Only serious mark against it, and its a biggie where PH is concerned, is that its not German, Swedish or a JLR product.
PomBstard said:
Beauty is in the eye... and all that
They are reliable, very well engineered and made cars that can be very quick and entertaining cross-country. Lack the last bit of steering feel AWD chassis is very capable and seats are superb - better than the famed Volvo seats, IME.
Only serious mark against it, and its a biggie where PH is concerned, is that its not German, Swedish or a JLR product.
I really like the looks myself, I like how it doesn't look as quick as it is. Classy and understated, but I do prefer the looks of the e46 coupeThey are reliable, very well engineered and made cars that can be very quick and entertaining cross-country. Lack the last bit of steering feel AWD chassis is very capable and seats are superb - better than the famed Volvo seats, IME.
Only serious mark against it, and its a biggie where PH is concerned, is that its not German, Swedish or a JLR product.
The negatives ive heard are fuel consumption is high and parts are expensive. Ive been tempted by them before though, but there wasnt any manuals around when I was looking. Do you have one?
Edited by CX53 on Wednesday 3rd February 22:52
The101 said:
I'm not quite sure any suggested are genuinely as good....
Sorry, I haven't owned one but have driven them and they were nice cars and nice-looking cars in their day but that was 10-15 years ago. Were they really that amazing? The straight six engines are lovely, I'll give you that but they are not without their issues, especially rust. I don't think that they can command a 7k price tag (even the M3 really).How can a newer E92 coupe/W209 CLK coupe not be better? How about a Mazda RX8?
Sorry, I don't want to cause offence and I would also defend cars that I have owned and loved to the hilt but there are so many good cars out there and I don't tend to revisit ones that I have already owned because I worry that I will not enjoy them as much second time around.
CX53 said:
PomBstard said:
Beauty is in the eye... and all that
They are reliable, very well engineered and made cars that can be very quick and entertaining cross-country. Lack the last bit of steering feel AWD chassis is very capable and seats are superb - better than the famed Volvo seats, IME.
Only serious mark against it, and its a biggie where PH is concerned, is that its not German, Swedish or a JLR product.
I really like the looks myself, I like how it doesn't look as quick as it is. Classy and understated, but I do prefer the looks of the e46 coupeThey are reliable, very well engineered and made cars that can be very quick and entertaining cross-country. Lack the last bit of steering feel AWD chassis is very capable and seats are superb - better than the famed Volvo seats, IME.
Only serious mark against it, and its a biggie where PH is concerned, is that its not German, Swedish or a JLR product.
The negatives ive heard are fuel consumption is high and parts are expensive. Ive been tempted by them before though, but there wasnt any manuals around when I was looking. Do you have one?
Edited by CX53 on Wednesday 3rd February 22:52
Subaru parts are pricey but IME they tend not to need many or need them often. The 3.0 can be thirsty when spanked - and its hard not to press on to the cut off (7200rpm I think) as the engine spins so sweet. I'd reckon mid-20s average. It will cruise easily in sixth though, more than its high torque peak might suggest.
Ride can be crashy over potholes on the 18" rims, more so than the 17" of the GT, but never uncomfortable.
I've always found the Gen4 Lib cabin a nice place to be - all controls set out well, Momo steering wheel just right, seat/pedal/wheel placing perfect for me. 13-speaker stereo is pretty damn good, another Sube bit that's better than the famed Volvo equivalent, IME. Overall, to drive, they just feel well-developed and sorted.
The101 said:
I'm not quite sure any suggested are genuinely as good....
In what way? I think you are either overestimating the BMW or underestimating the rest. Certainly none of them rust like an e46 thats for sure but not many cars of that type and age are rwd.For £5k I'd buy none of the above as you'd get an impreza or older celica gt4 that would be better to drive and more reliable or if you dont need 5 seats a 350z is very nice.
Edited by rb5er on Wednesday 3rd February 23:30
Had my 2001 E46 330Ci Coupe (manual) from new and the only way I'm parting with it is with me in a coffin. The thing is, I don't find it expensive to maintain. I do my own brakes when necessary, and recently I suffered the common power steering pump failure. That cost me £75 for the pump, £5 for a bottle of fluid and 3 hours of my time. If I had to do it again it would take an hour and a half. I still love the way it looks (bar the MV-spoke alloys which I was never that much of a fan of) and love the way it goes. I got nearly every option on the list, so it really doesn't feel that dated.
On many occasions I've thought of getting an M3 but I'm not a track day warrior and in the real world the 330 is 85% of an M3 anyway - plus I'd miss that creamy straight-six exhaust note that got even better when I disconnected and plugged the exhaust valve vacuum hose. I've also thought of how nice it might be to have a 911, AMV8 or 4200GT, but I'd still want to have the 330Ci. Would I prefer a newish Mondeo to replace it? Not on your life. In another 15 years the E46 will be regarded as a modern classic like the E30 is now while the Mondeo will go the way of the Cavalier. For me the answer to your question is "no".
On many occasions I've thought of getting an M3 but I'm not a track day warrior and in the real world the 330 is 85% of an M3 anyway - plus I'd miss that creamy straight-six exhaust note that got even better when I disconnected and plugged the exhaust valve vacuum hose. I've also thought of how nice it might be to have a 911, AMV8 or 4200GT, but I'd still want to have the 330Ci. Would I prefer a newish Mondeo to replace it? Not on your life. In another 15 years the E46 will be regarded as a modern classic like the E30 is now while the Mondeo will go the way of the Cavalier. For me the answer to your question is "no".
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