E46 330ci 325ci differences
Discussion
twoblacklines said:
Isn't Imola even rarer than Estoril in these? Certainly looks better to my eye.
Well, its depends what you mean be 'these' (E46, 330/325, or a Clubsport) from what I have read they might never have made a Imola clubsport edition. As for 330sports, this is the first I have seen in 6months of looking. I saw a few 325's in Imola, and a couple of 325Ti's in Imola. I think its a great colour.
I recently bought a 325ci, manual, 06 plate, 60K, good spec car. Like you, I set out looking for a 330ci manual, but they were either over priced or poor quality. I "settled" for the smaller engine car because, for me, I get more enjoyment from owning a good quality example over more power. The 325ci isn't a rocket ship, it has reasonable performance and sounds good, but even the 330ci isn't that quick a car by the standards of today, depending on what you are used to driving.
How is the convertible in terms of motorway refinement?
I would like an E46 (had most of the other BMW numbers!) and there are 2 I am looking at which are nearly identical but one is a coupe and the other a convertible.
Convertible obviously great for those good days but do you lose much in refinement?
I would like an E46 (had most of the other BMW numbers!) and there are 2 I am looking at which are nearly identical but one is a coupe and the other a convertible.
Convertible obviously great for those good days but do you lose much in refinement?
junglie said:
How is the convertible in terms of motorway refinement?
I would like an E46 (had most of the other BMW numbers!) and there are 2 I am looking at which are nearly identical but one is a coupe and the other a convertible.
Convertible obviously great for those good days but do you lose much in refinement?
They're more sensitive to tyre noise than the hardtops IMHO - on noisy concrete stretches I struggle to talk to the kids in the back, but it's ok on quieter stretches. Motorway with the roof down isn't particularly loud, but sometimes the buffeting on my ears gets a bit much so I wear a beanie. Might be better with a wind deflector though...I would like an E46 (had most of the other BMW numbers!) and there are 2 I am looking at which are nearly identical but one is a coupe and the other a convertible.
Convertible obviously great for those good days but do you lose much in refinement?
Oh, and you may be surprised by just how many "good" days there are for putting the roof down. 3 good 'uns this week...
Edited by Mave on Saturday 5th December 19:02
earlycarrera said:
I recently bought a 325ci, manual, 06 plate, 60K, good spec car. Like you, I set out looking for a 330ci manual, but they were either over priced or poor quality. I "settled" for the smaller engine car because, for me, I get more enjoyment from owning a good quality example over more power. The 325ci isn't a rocket ship, it has reasonable performance and sounds good, but even the 330ci isn't that quick a car by the standards of today, depending on what you are used to driving.
Yeah, this is the way I am going to go when I move house. IT also seems that people when they bought 325ci's they paid more money on spec like heated seats and HK whereas 330ci customers just bought the base model. The extras are a rarity in all the 330ci's I find for sale whereas most of the 325ci's have them.According to a "tuner" the 330ci engine goes straight into a 325ci, all I need is key reprogramming, and the 330ci gearbox, and clutch.
Are you seriously considering an engine swap just for the sake of a low mileage car with HK and heated seats?
You bought a dud last time but these are generally very robust cars and good for high miles. As has been said many times before, buy on condition not mileage. Mines gone from 100k to 130k without issue, maybe it would benefit from new shocks/bushes but the same could be said of a low mileage one, they're still over 10 years old.
This looks good - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
You bought a dud last time but these are generally very robust cars and good for high miles. As has been said many times before, buy on condition not mileage. Mines gone from 100k to 130k without issue, maybe it would benefit from new shocks/bushes but the same could be said of a low mileage one, they're still over 10 years old.
This looks good - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Edited by duff on Friday 11th December 08:45
duff said:
Are you seriously considering an engine swap just for the sake of a low mileage car with HK and heated seats?
You bought a dud last time but these are generally very robust cars and good for high miles. As has been said many times before, buy on condition not mileage. Mines gone from 100k to 130k without issue, maybe it would benefit from new shocks/bushes but the same could be said of a low mileage one, they're still over 10 years old.
This looks good - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
How can you tell condition of stuff like chassis or engine sensors before you buy though?You bought a dud last time but these are generally very robust cars and good for high miles. As has been said many times before, buy on condition not mileage. Mines gone from 100k to 130k without issue, maybe it would benefit from new shocks/bushes but the same could be said of a low mileage one, they're still over 10 years old.
This looks good - http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
Edited by duff on Friday 11th December 08:45
At least with lower, genuine mileage, you have more chance of a car being better condition.
As it happens I was reading yesturday about my old BMW having been MOT'd in Jan 2015 at 95k miles, which is extraordinary because when I owned it in October 2014, it had 108k miles...
I wonder how many times that car has been clocked?
twoblacklines said:
Yeah, this is the way I am going to go when I move house. IT also seems that people when they bought 325ci's they paid more money on spec like heated seats and HK whereas 330ci customers just bought the base model. The extras are a rarity in all the 330ci's I find for sale whereas most of the 325ci's have them.
According to a "tuner" the 330ci engine goes straight into a 325ci, all I need is key reprogramming, and the 330ci gearbox, and clutch.
IF you have to change the gearbox too is it not possible to buy a 330ci auto and change that to manual, then you are only changing one aspect instead of engine AND gearbox? Plus this way at the least the car is a proper 330ci. when I considered such a change, I think the insurance would have treated my car as a modified 325. complicated in my opinion and would it not ruin resale value when, as we know, genuine examples of these cars are increasing in (relative) value.According to a "tuner" the 330ci engine goes straight into a 325ci, all I need is key reprogramming, and the 330ci gearbox, and clutch.
It probably would but if I were to find a minter I probably wouldn't sell it. Getting to the point financially now that I don't need to sell on to fund my next idea!
I like the idea of owning multiple cars especially as it means you can run something nice like say, an S600 and if it breaks it doesn't cripple you.
I like the idea of owning multiple cars especially as it means you can run something nice like say, an S600 and if it breaks it doesn't cripple you.
twoblacklines said:
Vee said:
I think you need a reality check on your expectations.
You are after a car that has done less than 6k miles per year.
Anything that low is practically brand new condition in E46 terms so they're priced accordingly £7-£10k, excluding Hexagon Highgate stuff which is always ridiculously priced.
You are comparing to 100k mile E92s which will have poor history, probably need money spending on them, are double the road tax and cost more to insure because of the theft issue.
Yes? It is not a fYou are after a car that has done less than 6k miles per year.
Anything that low is practically brand new condition in E46 terms so they're priced accordingly £7-£10k, excluding Hexagon Highgate stuff which is always ridiculously priced.
You are comparing to 100k mile E92s which will have poor history, probably need money spending on them, are double the road tax and cost more to insure because of the theft issue.
king M3. It is a 330ci. Plenty of other marques sell with the mileage I want and condition I want for the price I expect to pay. Considering they actually go for that on autotrader with "buts" I can't see how I need a reality check.Maybe you need a reality check thinking a 12 year old low mileage tourer is worth the same price as a 3 year old V8 M3?
I've had my 2004 330 Ci M Sport for 4 years now, from 66k miles to 87k miles - What a great car it has been and is. I was looking at M3's at the time, but the daily commute and overall running costs vs the 330 Ci put me off massively. Mines black / black, fully specd, sat/nav, Harmon Kardon, heated seats, electric everything, xenons, original condition. It's about to go up for sale as Im spending a massive whack extra on a Porsche. Im almost regretting my decision in advance, great cars, quick enough, very economical on longer trips for a 3 litre, lovely ride and drive. If they still made E46's I'd be tempted to get a newer one in the future.
I've had my 2004 330 Ci M Sport for 4 years now, from 66k miles to 87k miles - What a great car it has been and is. I was looking at M3's at the time, but the daily commute and overall running costs vs the 330 Ci put me off massively. Mines black / black, fully specd, sat/nav, Harmon Kardon, heated seats, electric everything, xenons, original condition. It's about to go up for sale as Im spending a massive whack extra on a Porsche. Im almost regretting my decision in advance, great cars, quick enough, very economical on longer trips for a 3 litre, lovely ride and drive. If they still made E46's I'd be tempted to get a newer one in the future.
A guy came to see mine who had a 325 a couple of years back when I was toying with selling, the main difference is power, which changes the entire driving experience. I decided not to sell at the time, the right decision.
A guy came to see mine who had a 325 a couple of years back when I was toying with selling, the main difference is power, which changes the entire driving experience. I decided not to sell at the time, the right decision.
Vinny73 said:
I've had my 2004 330 Ci M Sport for 4 years now, from 66k miles to 87k miles - What a great car it has been and is. I was looking at M3's at the time, but the daily commute and overall running costs vs the 330 Ci put me off massively. Mines black / black, fully specd, sat/nav, Harmon Kardon, heated seats, electric everything, xenons, original condition. It's about to go up for sale as Im spending a massive whack extra on a Porsche. Im almost regretting my decision in advance, great cars, quick enough, very economical on longer trips for a 3 litre, lovely ride and drive. If they still made E46's I'd be tempted to get a newer one in the future.
Yes, it's hard to sell a E46. My friend is a therapist if you want "post sale trauma" counselling 
I hope you get a (deservedly) good price for it.
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