Manual or Auto E46
Discussion
if you prefer the engagement that comes from driving a manual and have always preferred manual...
The slush box on the 330 is well paired and near enough always in the correct gear. Father in laws auto box is on 120k miles and has oil changed at 70k - e46 330cd
On a different note the 325 feels slightly under powered and IMHO the 330 is a cracking engine. Even the DISA issue has been resolved by a company called German Auto Solutions
The slush box on the 330 is well paired and near enough always in the correct gear. Father in laws auto box is on 120k miles and has oil changed at 70k - e46 330cd
On a different note the 325 feels slightly under powered and IMHO the 330 is a cracking engine. Even the DISA issue has been resolved by a company called German Auto Solutions
Brads67 said:
Does the auto on the 330 E46 have a semi auto arrangement ?
Runs locked most of the time ? I never knew that and reckon that would be a benefit.
Yes. Knock the stick to the left in D and you have a sequential +/-.Runs locked most of the time ? I never knew that and reckon that would be a benefit.
It's still a bit slushy though and I only occasionally use it in my 330d.
I had a 55 plate, face-lift, 325 manual coupe; was an impulse buy , from a friend with a garage (a part ex for a 335i) so I never went thru this 330 v 325 debate, had never joined a forum back then.
It was great car and in a country of slow, often "disease hell" cars, it was plenty fast as a daily driver; though after a while I did get a thirst for (a lot) more power and my budget / daily driver needs led me to E92 335i. I had some issues with the E9X generation, bigger, not as good looking, RFTs as stock, did I want a turbo?
So I knew that before purchasing I needed to try some E46 330ci manuals (I simply don't like auto). They did feel a faster, but not by much and certainly not a different level as the 335i did, also the M3 I now own.
Therefore and bearing in mind the auto 330 ci takes a small drop in performance (compared to a 330ci manual) there is no way I'd chose one over a 325 manual ; assuming, using your example, I was happy with a saloon.
Personally, I prefer a coupe and to join my M3 in providing daily driver duties, I have a 325ci manual; on this occasion, a pre facelift (looks better from front and wheels) and at 0-60 7.2 seconds, is still plenty fast for daily driving and the pairing of the manual and a naturally aspirated engine is an experience to cherish, one that won't be around for much longer as these cars disappear.
You can add paddles, sport mode, but unless you are happy foregoing the proper manual/three pedal do it all yourself experience, I don't think an auto will work for you.
It was great car and in a country of slow, often "disease hell" cars, it was plenty fast as a daily driver; though after a while I did get a thirst for (a lot) more power and my budget / daily driver needs led me to E92 335i. I had some issues with the E9X generation, bigger, not as good looking, RFTs as stock, did I want a turbo?
So I knew that before purchasing I needed to try some E46 330ci manuals (I simply don't like auto). They did feel a faster, but not by much and certainly not a different level as the 335i did, also the M3 I now own.
Therefore and bearing in mind the auto 330 ci takes a small drop in performance (compared to a 330ci manual) there is no way I'd chose one over a 325 manual ; assuming, using your example, I was happy with a saloon.
Personally, I prefer a coupe and to join my M3 in providing daily driver duties, I have a 325ci manual; on this occasion, a pre facelift (looks better from front and wheels) and at 0-60 7.2 seconds, is still plenty fast for daily driving and the pairing of the manual and a naturally aspirated engine is an experience to cherish, one that won't be around for much longer as these cars disappear.
You can add paddles, sport mode, but unless you are happy foregoing the proper manual/three pedal do it all yourself experience, I don't think an auto will work for you.
Drove the 330ci today and loved it.
Have managed to get the price pretty low as well so it looks like a goer.
during the test drive I stopped for a look about it and the obc said an average of 17mpg.
Thought this was a bit much so reset it and drove it back, a distance of around 4 miles or so. The average on a normal drive hit 39mpg.
I`m hoping for something in between as an everyday average !
Pick it up next week.
2003 330ci sport. 50k miles full service history and very nice condition. Silver with grey leather.
Can`t wait. MX5 is sold already.
Have managed to get the price pretty low as well so it looks like a goer.
during the test drive I stopped for a look about it and the obc said an average of 17mpg.
Thought this was a bit much so reset it and drove it back, a distance of around 4 miles or so. The average on a normal drive hit 39mpg.
I`m hoping for something in between as an everyday average !
Pick it up next week.
2003 330ci sport. 50k miles full service history and very nice condition. Silver with grey leather.
Can`t wait. MX5 is sold already.
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