E46 330ci prices

[Fox-]

twoblacklines said:

I also want to check the cooling system as everyone says it is bad (except Fox in his previous posts) especially at this mileage point and for piece of mind.

The cooling system on these is fairly notorious for failure - people are right. I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with it, I'm saying don't rush into fixing something that isn't broken. Just be aware that at some point, you might find you need a new rad or similar and when that happens it's then probably prudent to overhaul it with new bits whilst it's being done.

I just don't think it's worth it if everything is working fine. Over the last 8 years or so we've had quite a few M54 engined cars in the family - my 530i needed a new cooling system at 5 years old and 150k miles and then required another radiator again at 10 years old and 190k miles. On the other hand only after 11 years and 80k did anything finally go wrong with the system in the Z4 and that was just a waterpump.

So my advice is be aware that it might need replacing at some point - perhaps keep some cash aside and always stop at the first sign of trouble. Just keep an eye your levels weekly etc etc.

You can check anyway - take the undertray off and look up at the radiator, what happens is that they bow out and eventually split - it's fairly obvious if it's bowing out from underneath. If it's looking dodgy, consider replacing it, if it looks fine, don't.

[twoblacklines]

So I purchased this today, they gave me 8k for mine and i gave them 5500 for this..

Perfectly happy with the car except it doesn't feel like it had 230hp, I put my foot down on the a38 and it makes a wierd rustling sound from the far right air vent area and doesn't really go anywhere fast.

Also when I switch it across into manual mode (not just sport) and it comes up with say, M 5, I have noticed it seems to choose its own gears anyway as if its in D? Even though the digits on dash do not change and I am not using kickdown.

How do I reset the autobox? I tried key position 2 for 20 seconds, didn't hear a clunk from gearbox, seems to drive no differently.

Its also bad on fuel I was getting 11mpg in traffic and just under 30mpg on a run from Plymouth to Liskeard.

[twoblacklines]

It's pretty quick over 4krpm but I rarely go that high...

Took it for a spin just now, it seems it has a wheel bearing gone at the front and also, the last 3 miles it has developed some kind of belt squeek :/

[hornetrider]

Just take it back to the dealer.

[twoblacklines]

Suppose it is complimentary to the way you look after a car that a dealer lists the car you traded in about 4 hours after you traded it in....

http://www.specialistvehicles.co.uk/audi-a3-1.8-t-...

Will miss it but it has no soul IMO.

[lewis328]

I think the dealer has won this battle.

[twoblacklines]

I think I agree.

The last 2 days I have realised I made a bit of a mistake, in that I am not finding the 330ci actually fun to drive. In fact tbh the last year or two I have slowly come to the conclusion that I simply don't find driving fun anymore. Certainly not fun enough to be spending tons on preventative maintenance and getting 23mpg on momentum 99 fuel. I think I made a mistake choosing auto over manual as the auto box is nowhere near as dynamic as S-Tronic was.

I am thinking of selling it, buying something like a 2k passat tdi and just finding a new hobby :/

[daemon]

twoblacklines said:

I think I agree.

The last 2 days I have realised I made a bit of a mistake, in that I am not finding the 330ci actually fun to drive. In fact tbh the last year or two I have slowly come to the conclusion that I simply don't find driving fun anymore. Certainly not fun enough to be spending tons on preventative maintenance and getting 23mpg on momentum 99 fuel. I think I made a mistake choosing auto over manual as the auto box is nowhere near as dynamic as S-Tronic was.

I am thinking of selling it, buying something like a 2k passat tdi and just finding a new hobby :/

Prepare for a severe bath on its value

[hornetrider]

Did you give it a good test drive?!

Personally I'd keep it a while and see if you grow into it. Otherwise you'll take a reaming.

[Smuler]

Try WBAC , I've used them twice. But I agree with the chap who said you'll take a financial hit.

[bodhi]

twoblacklines said:

It's pretty quick over 4krpm but I rarely go that high...

That's probably why you aren't finding it hugely entertaining, as that's where the fun bit lies in a 330i.

Mine was a 330d, so I missed out on the high rev fun, was still a perfectly entertaining steer. Initially seemed a bit dull after my E36, it just needed picked up by the scruff of the neck a bit more.

[philmots]

In manual mode even when you're in gear you're seeing the effects of the torque converter. It's an old tech box that very rarely fully locks up, this is partially why the fuel consumption is dire.

Do check the cars warming up and hitting temperature, my old one had a dodgy thermostat that was stuck at 75ish, because of this the gearbox has more 'slip' as it thinks it's still under cold start and is trying to warm up quicker.

Changing the stat on mine improved the driving experience no end as well as the mpg's.

Other than that I'm not sure what you expected from the car, they're gutless low down with the weight and petrol engine, the diesel would probably be a lot nicer for effortless go.

As a car to drive slow and cruise about in they're lovely. You'll probably learn to love it.

[gaz1234]

just dont test an m3

[twoblacklines]

So my view of the car has completely changed, for the better.

Firstly coming from an 8P2 A3 2008 I will say that this car feels a lot better put together. The doors are heavy, you have to slam them a little to shut them, but they clunk much nicer. The cockpit is generally a much nicer place to be in also.

Last night I drove from Bodmin to Plymouth and it was absolutely hammering it down, a proper storm. I have nankang tyres all round but if I am totally honest, other than the insane road noise, these are the best tyres I have owned when it comes to wet grip. I was super cautious on corners having never owned a RWD car before, but in the middle of a storm doing 50 ish on the A390 liskeard - callington (notoriously bad road for wet accidents) my DSC light did not even flash once!

I have done the golf-tee mod for better noise but unfortunatly it is doing a lot of cabin drone. I am not sure why as other people don't seem to have any drone. Not sure if I am going to put it back to standard or put it on a switch.

What I have found is the car is making me a safer driver, I tend to drive everywhere at 60, like on the A38, inside lane, 60mph, cruise control on, relax. In my A3 it used to run away with me...thinking I am doing 70 and a look at the dash causing me to brake...

Also last night I took £25 out in cash and forgot to take my debit card with me, only realised 30 miles from my house.... ended up putting just 15 quid of fuel in my car when my red light came on at 35mile range in Callington... £15 of Tesco Momentum 99... when I got home it had 40 miles left on the OBD with the red light on. So it cost me £15 to do this journey:
1 h 58 min
69.3 miles
Mix of A and B roads as well as spending about half an hour driving around Plymouth city centre, stop-start movement. I would say that is pretty decent on MPG:

Based on 133.9p/l
69 miles / £15 or 11L of fuel = 28.52MPG!! Which is pretty much what I was getting from my 1.8t FSI A3.

[blippo1984]

I have to say I have very rarely seen the DSC light on and wouldn't want to be pushing it anywhere near hard enough to engage it in driving rain!

Glad you are enjoying it - high revs bring the smiles

[cslwannabe]

My 330Ci always seemed good at putting the power down in the wet - hitting standing water at speed always felt disconcerting though. Try folding down the rear seats and going for a drive...

[twoblacklines]

Enjoying a lot lately. It has some stuff wrong with it - the squeal has gone completely now (must have been rusty pulleys due to lack of use?) such as about 60% of the power it should have until it hits 5000rpm and suddenly you are pushed back in your seat.... (cam position sensors + vanos + disa) when I get them sorted it should be great

Then it is Eisenmann time

[s m]

cslwannabe said:

My 330Ci always seemed good at putting the power down in the wet - hitting standing water at speed always felt disconcerting though. Try folding down the rear seats and going for a drive...

......and open the rear vents

[StuntmanMike]

twoblacklines said:

Enjoying a lot lately. It has some stuff wrong with it - the squeal has gone completely now (must have been rusty pulleys due to lack of use?) such as about 60% of the power it should have until it hits 5000rpm and suddenly you are pushed back in your seat.... (cam position sensors + vanos + disa) when I get them sorted it should be great

Then it is Eisenmann time

DISA valve is a good thing to do, get the repair kit off l6automotive, costs 50 quid and is much better than the original.
Glad your gelling with it, it took a long time to gell with mine as well, I've still got it 5 years later.

[twoblacklines]

The other day i went to overtake a crane on a bend where I could see no one was coming and my car slid out from the back! First ever RWD experience like that and I was quite impressed how I controled it by backing off and countersteering without thinking about it!