BMW 330 Clubsport
Discussion
It's been a long search but finally I managed to pick this up last night.
It's replacing an e36 328 sport that I had for over 8 years but met its end when I out braked the girl behind me.
It's done 101k miles but you would never believe it from the way it looks and drives. Unfortunately this is the only photo I have at the moment, I shall take some more when it stops raining.
So far this morning I have got the stereo working and booked it in for next week for the airbag recall to be sorted.
This is my daily driver so the plan is just to stay on top of the maintenance and enjoy it. Next on my list of jobs is to replace the black kidney grills, source a centre arm rest as the original owner didn't pay the extra for one and find out why the passenger door has stopped unlocking from the remote.
It's replacing an e36 328 sport that I had for over 8 years but met its end when I out braked the girl behind me.
It's done 101k miles but you would never believe it from the way it looks and drives. Unfortunately this is the only photo I have at the moment, I shall take some more when it stops raining.
So far this morning I have got the stereo working and booked it in for next week for the airbag recall to be sorted.
This is my daily driver so the plan is just to stay on top of the maintenance and enjoy it. Next on my list of jobs is to replace the black kidney grills, source a centre arm rest as the original owner didn't pay the extra for one and find out why the passenger door has stopped unlocking from the remote.
zeDuffMan said:
Lovely car. I can't convince myself to like the boot spoiler on these though.
My opinion on the spoiler changed weekly when I was looking. Now I have one, I think I like it. It's also part of what makes the car a little bit different and makes reversing easier.Having said that, I have seen it fitted on an M3 and it looked shocking.
is it manual or auto, enjoy it. Thank you. It's the 5 speed manual, which seems to be rarer than the auto versions from the for sale ads. The manuals also seem to be priced a bit higher.
I've been driving around in it this morning and although I'm not sure it's much quicker that my 328, the engine is much smoother.
Around our awful roads the ride is also noticeably harsher, although as it is on 18s rather than 17s that's no great surprise.
I've been getting lots of positive comments from the neighbours too.
I've been driving around in it this morning and although I'm not sure it's much quicker that my 328, the engine is much smoother.
Around our awful roads the ride is also noticeably harsher, although as it is on 18s rather than 17s that's no great surprise.
I've been getting lots of positive comments from the neighbours too.
Regarding your passenger door not unlocking from the remote, does it not work at all? Have you tried pressing twice S you can set driver side only unlock unless you press twice. Failing that, check your fuses, I believe the passenger lock is on a separate circuit Stunning car, congrats.
Fas1975 said:
Regarding your passenger door not unlocking from the remote, does it not work at all? Have you tried pressing twice S you can set driver side only unlock unless you press twice. Failing that, check your fuses, I believe the passenger lock is on a separate circuit Stunning car, congrats.
Double tapping the button does not work. I can hear the passenger side 'unlock', it sounds just like the functioning drivers side, so I am guessing that a clip or something has broken and is not lifting the rod. Hopefully it will be something that simple. One more job to add to the list, I need to pull out the reversing/fog lights and reseal them. In the mean time, here are some photos from this morning. Sorry, I have not had a chance to give it a proper clean yet.
The front splitters are rubber but I have seen a few with carbon ones fitted. Judging by the number I looked at where they are missing completely, I'm guessing they are quite easy to lose on speed bumps etc.
The seats in this one are the standard with fabric centres, leather was an option although most seem to have had that box ticked. When I saw the pictures in the ad, I started pricing up a leather interior but it looks much better that it looks in the photo and I actually really like it. As I said in my first post though, it desperately need the centre arm rest.
Other than that you're right. I would suggest to anyone with a standard 330 to remove the 20kg (claimed by BMW). Mine is still really quiet and refined when driven normally (admittedly I have just spent 2 months driving a Ford PUMA, so most things would).
The gear change is definitely better than the standard car.
So far I have only done 150 miles in it and it's really starting to grow on me. Also I now have something to take up to TOP CATS for the next Sunday Service as the Cosworth is still SORN'd at the moment.
The seats in this one are the standard with fabric centres, leather was an option although most seem to have had that box ticked. When I saw the pictures in the ad, I started pricing up a leather interior but it looks much better that it looks in the photo and I actually really like it. As I said in my first post though, it desperately need the centre arm rest.
Other than that you're right. I would suggest to anyone with a standard 330 to remove the 20kg (claimed by BMW). Mine is still really quiet and refined when driven normally (admittedly I have just spent 2 months driving a Ford PUMA, so most things would).
The gear change is definitely better than the standard car.
So far I have only done 150 miles in it and it's really starting to grow on me. Also I now have something to take up to TOP CATS for the next Sunday Service as the Cosworth is still SORN'd at the moment.
Good looking car there 
always good to see a clean E46 being I've got a 330i Sport Touring myself : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Did send a PM about the grills and can suggest a few things that would be worth doing to stem any issues.
For one find out if the CCV valve and pipework's been changed, if not get it replaced. Parts cost £140 or so from BMW if you want to do it yourself but I'd highly recommend getting a specialist to do it, costs should be around £250 mark. The reason is that the CCV gets clogged up after 7-8 years and causes the engine to suck it's own oil through the inlet by pressurizing the sump. Also worth putting Castrol Edge 5w40, not 0w30 or 0w40 as this gets sucked through easier.
Also check the conditions of the lolipop bushes and the RTA bushes, these do wear out around the 60k mark and can make the car feel disconnected and soggy to drive (I don't know if the CS has different but if not), it's best to get these replaced either with OEM or if you want something's that fit and forget plus tightens up the handling, a set of Powerflex bushes.
always good to see a clean E46 being I've got a 330i Sport Touring myself : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...Did send a PM about the grills and can suggest a few things that would be worth doing to stem any issues.
For one find out if the CCV valve and pipework's been changed, if not get it replaced. Parts cost £140 or so from BMW if you want to do it yourself but I'd highly recommend getting a specialist to do it, costs should be around £250 mark. The reason is that the CCV gets clogged up after 7-8 years and causes the engine to suck it's own oil through the inlet by pressurizing the sump. Also worth putting Castrol Edge 5w40, not 0w30 or 0w40 as this gets sucked through easier.
Also check the conditions of the lolipop bushes and the RTA bushes, these do wear out around the 60k mark and can make the car feel disconnected and soggy to drive (I don't know if the CS has different but if not), it's best to get these replaced either with OEM or if you want something's that fit and forget plus tightens up the handling, a set of Powerflex bushes.
Thanks for the advice Ian, the bushes will be replaced with Powerflex ones as and when they need doing. A couple of the cars I test drove had the wish bones done and it was definitely better without any more apparent NVH issues that I would have expected.
One fly n the ointment, today the alarm has decided to randomly sound. Did it a few times this afternoon and a couple off times this afternoon.
One fly n the ointment, today the alarm has decided to randomly sound. Did it a few times this afternoon and a couple off times this afternoon.
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