330ci pre-facelift differences?

[twoblacklines]

So the more time I spend casually looking at 330ci's for sale, the more I think "why don't I just buy a pre-facelift?"

I actually like them a lot especially the wheels they come with. And there are more manual ones than manual facelifts.

Now I know the following changes

headlight shape therefore bumper?
headlights don't have projector lenses
rear lights are not LED

Name changed from m-sport to sport or other way round.

Where there any other changes or all cosmetic?

Are there any options for projectors in the pre-facelift headlight assemblies...because I would like xenons ideally.

I'm thinking buy one of these for £3500 and spend the other £5k on a nice watch or something?

[Smuler]

Pre-face lifts could be five speed manuals, I have a hunch ?

Only way I'd spend 5 grand on a watch, was if it came with a free Victoria's Secret Angel

[Rsdop]

All cosmetic except the 6 speed box. Not 100% certain but I think the really early ones had an issue with steering feel being not as good, but was sorted out long before the facelift.

[mon the fish]

When was the change from 218 to 231bhp - post-facelift? My dad had an 03 330, and I'm sure his was the 231bhp engine

[Bungle007]

330 was always 231bhp. Main change was 6 speed manual. Changeover was around 2003/03 plate. Nice cars, but the premium for 6 speed cars is high.

[Vee]

Pre facelift boot handle extends only as far as the number plate recess. On a facelift it is wider than the recess.
Projector headlights on pre facelift mean it has bi xenons.
6 soeed manual is inly on facelift cars.
All engines are the same, m54 3.0 231bhp.

Personally i prefer the pre facelift - the one car I regret selling.

[Aggamemnon]

Rsdop said:

All cosmetic except the 6 speed box. Not 100% certain but I think the really early ones had an issue with steering feel being not as good, but was sorted out long before the facelift.

I think that was 2001?

[cslwannabe]

Had a pre facelift 330Ci and a post facelift 330Cd. I think the front bumper is the same but personally preferred the prefacelift overall apart from the front wing indicators (triangular on later cars versus rectangular on older cars). 12 year anti corrosion warranty on cars registered after 2004 so might be still in place on a late model car. Also coolant change was required on earlier cars but not on later cars. Our 330Cd didn't have xenons but did have a lever so you could switch the headlights when driving on the right such as in France. I reckon the post facelift headlights look more feminine and also preferred MV alloys to MV2s although both were a PITA to clean!

[LC23]

There is also a difference on the control panel where the heater controls are. They moved the buttons for fan speed and temp from being horizontally to vertically aligned.

[Bungle007]

Also facelift cars had mv2 alloys. Pre facelift was MV1's

[Sardonicus]

Bungle007 said:

Also facelift cars had mv2 alloys. Pre facelift was MV1's

If that includes the touring then that is incorrect mine is a facelift with original MV1's

[Bungle007]

Then I think someone has changed the wheels. All facelift cars had MV2s as standard.

[Sardonicus]

Bungle007 said:

Then I think someone has changed the wheels. All facelift cars had MV2s as standard.

Nope got the build spec guess this one slipped through its an 02 car can trace the director of the company who purchased it new & 1 (company owned) one private owner (I know this because I was given every bit of paper work in a folder on purchase) not arguing just an observation all standard apart from the head unit

[LC23]

Early face lift saloons (and Tourings?) had MVI alloys. I think the MVII alloys were introduced with the face lift coupe and convertible.

[MichaelDelaney]

The bonnet is different too. The kidney grilles are a different shape. I have a pre-facelift 330ci convertible and a post-facelift 320ci convertible. I prefer the look of the pre-facelift.

[Sardonicus]

LC23 said:

Early face lift saloons (and Tourings?) had MVI alloys. I think the MVII alloys were introduced with the face lift coupe and convertible.

So it seems

[Matt_N]

Sardonicus said:

f that includes the touring then that is incorrect mine is a facelift with original MV1's

My 52 330i saloon also has MV1s.

[to3m]

Likewise for my E46 330d, a facelift 51 plate, build date September 2001. It has option 0789 M LM-RAEDER MIT MISCHBEREIFUNG 18 - staggered 18" MV1 alloys. I was also under the impression that MV2s came in with one/some/all of the coupé facelift/6 speed manual gearbox/updated 330d engine/maybe some other upgrades.

[anonymous-user]

On the facelift:

1. 6 speed manual.
2. Front indicators turn up rather than down.
3. Side repeaters.
4. Rear lights are LED
5. Electric memory seats? (I think).
6. MV2 alloys.

There are probably more.

[GTEYE]

Matt_N said:

Sardonicus said:

f that includes the touring then that is incorrect mine is a facelift with original MV1's

My 52 330i saloon also has MV1s.

The MV2 was introduced in May 2003 - I had a May 2003 "03" 325i - one of the very last on MV1s.