My BMW E46 330i Sport
Discussion
BorkFactor said:
What's wrong with the S60? Always fancied one 
Was that an offer to buy it? 
Nothing is wrong with the S60 per se. In fact, I've done 600 miles in it in the last three days...but...it lacks the fun factor. It was designed to be a comfortable cruiser, and that it does very well. Do I get excited by it's handling? Umm, not really. Like I said in my last post, it's time to for me to move on from FWD. And although it's got a stonking mid-range punch, the turbo lag that comes with it removes that connection between car and driver (ahh, I'm sounding like a BMW driver already
).
Max M4X WW said:
Was the flushing thing like they did on Wheeler Dealers? I forget which car but they made it run on an aerosol (not petrol) with the help of a fancy machine?
Umm don't think it was that, some flush and protect treatment thing, I'll ask him next time I speak to him.Synchromesh said:
petrolveins said:
I've decided to stick with the car too. Had an epiphany on the way home from Goodwood last week. 
Damn. Was hoping it would appear in the classifieds some time soon 
. I need to change to Volvo for something RWD and N/A
Thing is while it costs me a lot, and I'm sure there are other cars that are cheaper and more fun, I know what I've got is a damn good example of a rare car. I'd regret selling it. Every time I get back into it it makes me smile. I'd be a fool to get rid of it. Though when I do you'll be first to know.Synchromesh said:
Was that an offer to buy it?
Nothing is wrong with the S60 per se. In fact, I've done 600 miles in it in the last three days...but...it lacks the fun factor. It was designed to be a comfortable cruiser, and that it does very well. Do I get excited by it's handling? Umm, not really. Like I said in my last post, it's time to for me to move on from FWD. And although it's got a stonking mid-range punch, the turbo lag that comes with it removes that connection between car and driver (ahh, I'm sounding like a BMW driver already).
Unfortunately not - always liked them, but I ended up with an E46 328i instead which I love to bits! It is my first RWD car too, and what a difference. I haven't actually owned a turbo car before, but the BMW's power delivery is possibly some of the best I have experienced. No real shove in the back like you will get in the Volvo, but it feels like a constant linear wave of power which is VERY addictive! Nothing is wrong with the S60 per se. In fact, I've done 600 miles in it in the last three days...but...it lacks the fun factor. It was designed to be a comfortable cruiser, and that it does very well. Do I get excited by it's handling? Umm, not really. Like I said in my last post, it's time to for me to move on from FWD. And although it's got a stonking mid-range punch, the turbo lag that comes with it removes that connection between car and driver (ahh, I'm sounding like a BMW driver already
).Sounds great too - I would highly recommend one!
jonnydm said:
The 330 looks great. Such competent all rounders for the money, I'm on my second one. Both of mine have been Coupes, I don't really need the extra doors although I would have preferred one. One downside of the ci is the massive heavy doors.
I looked at two Coupes, one had a dodgy xenon headlight, and on both the window drop mechanisms on the doors sounded really tired. That and I couldn't get a facelift coupe with low miles for the same price as a facelift saloon which IMO looks much better. petrolveins said:
jonnydm said:
The 330 looks great. Such competent all rounders for the money, I'm on my second one. Both of mine have been Coupes, I don't really need the extra doors although I would have preferred one. One downside of the ci is the massive heavy doors.
I looked at two Coupes, one had a dodgy xenon headlight, and on both the window drop mechanisms on the doors sounded really tired. That and I couldn't get a facelift coupe with low miles for the same price as a facelift saloon which IMO looks much better. I actually put mine up for sale recently not too sure why as I'll inevitably come back to another. It does everything so well that after a while I want a change and then I'll miss 25mpg along with decent grunt and come straight back!
ajb85 said:
Only just noticed this thread. Nice car. Here's my contribution; buy some household wire wool! BM chrome tail pipe tips respond really well to it.
Got mine valeted at work by the Merc guys a while ago, they find toilet cleaner works wonders on exhausts, mine were black until they cleaned them, looked fantastic, sort of black and brown again now BorkFactor said:
Am I correct in thinking you did the "golf tee" mod on your car - jamming the flap in one of the exhausts open? If so, how difficult was it?
Planning to do it on mine
On mine it was much more difficult, the flap had seized shut on mine, so I wanted it open to I could run through both pipes. Took a lot of time with a chisel, screwdriver and a hammer, but when I stopped fannying about and just smacked it good and hard the whole flap came off completely. Massive difference at 1500-2000rpm, it is really deep and bassy, just bellows and sounds brilliant, have had rear passengers moan a bit though. The upside is that on the motorway in 6th gear you are above those engine speeds so doesn't drone. But I would definitely do it, pops and spits a little when hot. Planning to do it on mine
You have a 328i right? Pretty sure just the 325 and 330 had the flap, may be wrong though.
petrolveins said:
BorkFactor said:
Am I correct in thinking you did the "golf tee" mod on your car - jamming the flap in one of the exhausts open? If so, how difficult was it?
Planning to do it on mine
On mine it was much more difficult, the flap had seized shut on mine, so I wanted it open to I could run through both pipes. Took a lot of time with a chisel, screwdriver and a hammer, but when I stopped fannying about and just smacked it good and hard the whole flap came off completely. Massive difference at 1500-2000rpm, it is really deep and bassy, just bellows and sounds brilliant, have had rear passengers moan a bit though. The upside is that on the motorway in 6th gear you are above those engine speeds so doesn't drone. But I would definitely do it, pops and spits a little when hot. Planning to do it on mine
You have a 328i right? Pretty sure just the 325 and 330 had the flap, may be wrong though.
Need to jam it open now
BorkFactor said:
I can confirm that mine does indeed have one - just checked! Looked up the pipe when the car was idling and sure enough - the one on the right was shut off. Turned the car off and looked again, and I saw it open! When the car is off, the flap is open.
Need to jam it open now
In that case, locate the vacuum hose above the flap and just pull it off, and plug it with a screw or golf tee and tuck it somewhere out of the way.Need to jam it open now
Got the wheel alignment done today, now all the wheels are pointing the right way, actually all very good, just 3 areas needed some minor adjustment, and on the drive home I could feel the difference immediately. Very pleased, also finally replaced that broken parking sensor with a used one off eBay, so for once everything on the car actually works at the moment, touch wood that it will stay that way. I'm now looking into exhaust modification, and possible remap. Also toying with the idea of an LSD, but for the money I could buy a shed Volvo and have a lot more fun, so just having a think at the moment, and enjoying the car as it is.
petrolveins said:
I've decided to stick with the car too. Had an epiphany on the way home from Goodwood last week.
Told you so. 
I wish I could afford a 330i / ci. I've reached the point where I don't want to spend money making our 320i immaculate because I know I want the 330. As I said, we bought a house though so that's swallowing our money at the moment.
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