Are e46 330i tourings with manual gearboxes rare?

Are e46 330i tourings with manual gearboxes rare?

Author
Discussion

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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Looking for a car as above and can only find 4 on auto trader. There are none on here or ebay. Am I just unlucky to be looking today or are there always very few available?

Any other sources i should be investigating?

I hate to comprimise but is there a huge difference between the 192bhp of the 325i and the 230bhp from the 330i? How about exhaust note (which is the main reason for the change from the uninspiring 2.0T vag engine in my current car)?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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If exhaust note is the main reason for swapping you will be in for one hell of a treat!!!


Manuals are rare yeah.

325i will be much nicer than your VAG 2.0T but still not as nice as the 330i.

Tea Pot One

1,842 posts

227 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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Exhaust note of an E46 330i is lovely smile

Luca Brasi

885 posts

173 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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Stock exhaust on M54 engined cars is far too quiet & civilised, needs a decent ss exhaust or at least a muffler delete. Great cars though, my 325i just keeps on going!

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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Yes; manual 330s are relatively rare, none more so than the Touring, unfortunately. Worth waiting for a good one to come around though. thumbup

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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I'm after one too so feel your pain..

It has to be manual 53 onwards sport touring.. Can be petrol or diesel, must have xenons, no grey leather.

I'd have an auto though if it was cheap enough!

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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Why 53? Was there an update or something that year? Facelift?

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Saturday 6th September 2014
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Around then, some 03's got it, some 53's didn't..

DIesel went from 184 to 204, both got 6 speed manual instead of 5 and new style wheels.

CB 987

382 posts

146 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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As others have said they are quite a 'rare' car especially in manual with Sport trim and more importantly in decent condition with sensible miles and a solid history. I wouldn't rule out a decent 5 speed car at all.

I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.

It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!

RichardM5

1,733 posts

135 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I had a manual 330i touring followed by a manual 330d touring, both very good, if different, cars. I sold the 330i privately so had both for about a week



When selling both, the buyers commented how few manual versions were about.

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
I may have to consider a 325i then as there are several more available. Thing is, if I do that there'll always be a small voice in the back of my mind saying "its not the 330".

Perhaps I comprimise and get a 4 door, but the blue one above does look lovely.

When you say the i and d are different cars, in what way?

RichardM5

1,733 posts

135 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
The blue car (330d) was an Individual LeMans Blue, they were doing a special price at the end of the E46 production as LeMans was a stock E60 colour.

The day to day performance of the two was remarkably similar, just the way the power was delivered is totally different. The i being very happy to rev right to the red line, the d more happy to pull in the middle of the rev range. Obviously the d was more economical than the i, but maybe not as much as you might think unless you drove like a granny, then the d was significantly better. I managed over 60mpg in the 330d over a 240 mile journey, but normally it was in the mid 30's. The 330i was in the high 20s to low 30s with a maximum of about 45mpg.

RichardM5

1,733 posts

135 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Just checked and both my old cars are still taxed, interested to know if anyone knows where they are.

Synchromesh

2,428 posts

165 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I wanted a 330i but went for a 325i in the end. My advice would be to stay strong and hold on for the right 330i. After owning an E36 328i a while back, the performance of the 25i engine is disappointing, feels gutless low down.

Clivey

5,108 posts

203 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I agree with those saying "Wait for a 330i." - I currently have a 320i as a runaround (bought it cheap) and will be swapping for a 330ci (or maybe a Z4 3.0Si), hopefully next year.

CB 987

382 posts

146 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
RichardM5 said:
I had a manual 330i touring followed by a manual 330d touring, both very good, if different, cars. I sold the 330i privately so had both for about a week



When selling both, the buyers commented how few manual versions were about.
Nice mine was Oxford Green but with natural brown leather interior, quite 'rare' and different to the usual black/grey/cream. Most people seem to dislike the green, but personally I love it.

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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CB 987 said:
As others have said they are quite a 'rare' car especially in manual with Sport trim and more importantly in decent condition with sensible miles and a solid history. I wouldn't rule out a decent 5 speed car at all.

I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.

It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!
Recognised this tale, I bought your 330i a few months ago!

Hope the 135i is treating you well.

WetPaint

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

180 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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Would you like to sell it to me?

Matt_N

8,900 posts

201 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
WetPaint said:
Would you like to sell it to me?
I bought his saloon, a 5spd manual 330i facelift.

Tedders

39 posts

225 months

Monday 8th September 2014
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I have a 2003 facelift model 330i Sport Touring. Fitted with a Prins LPG conversion. I think I may have bought it from one of the above Poster's. Could be looking to sell soon...
Oxford Green metallic with tan leather. 6 speed 230bhp, Manual. 136,000 miles but very well maintained.