what to do with an E46 330ci...

[LanceRS]

Mr Tidy said:

iSore said:

That's true, but an old E46 has the potential to be a pain in the arse old car where every other weekend is spent fixing something. When cars get to that stage, they're best off gone.

But are they really? What are you going to buy that is cheaper to run?

Had a 57 plate E87 123d until 2014 which needed a new starter motor (£600) and battery (best part of £300 by the time it was programmed by the OBC) and the car was still depreciating! In my experience stop/start is not a great idea!

Bought a Z4C (E86) and the electric water pump died - £500 + for an OEM replacement plus thermostat and fitting.

Then with N53 engined E9*s you get to deal with HPFPs and injector issues, and they are still depreciating............

My 325ti had to have a new radiator and cooling system refresh, and while it cost just over £400 for parts and labour I have zero depreciation!

But if you have to chuck £50 notes out of the window I'm sure an M135i/M140i on a PCP will suit you perfectly....or are they "best off gone"?

Very much this.

[Argybargy]

You're either the type who likes something new and shiny on their drive which you change every couple of years or (like me), you just like the car and want to spend some money keeping it looking good.

Nice E46s are becoming increasingly rare and I think they do stand apart from most motors on the road - they have that classic purposeful, Teutonic look.

So, I give you my 13 year old, 150k+ mile 330Ci. Recent re-spray and alloys refurbished. Some other bits too.



Seats re-finished too.



New foglights helped to sharpen up the front end



New scuttle and wiper arms while I was at it.[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/N7JAk8rL[/url]

That'll do for now.

[iSore]

Mr Tidy said:

But are they really? What are you going to buy that is cheaper to run?

Had a 57 plate E87 123d until 2014 which needed a new starter motor (£600) and battery (best part of £300 by the time it was programmed by the OBC) and the car was still depreciating! In my experience stop/start is not a great idea!

Bought a Z4C (E86) and the electric water pump died - £500 + for an OEM replacement plus thermostat and fitting.

Then with N53 engined E9*s you get to deal with HPFPs and injector issues, and they are still depreciating............

My 325ti had to have a new radiator and cooling system refresh, and while it cost just over £400 for parts and labour I have zero depreciation!

But if you have to chuck £50 notes out of the window I'm sure an M135i/M140i on a PCP will suit you perfectly....or are they "best off gone"?

You misunderstand.

When a shagged E46 is rusting and gradually shiiting itself, the sensible thing to do is to bin it and buy a better one. They aren't expensive...........

[RanchoGrande]

iSore said:

You misunderstand.

When a shagged E46 is rusting and gradually shiiting itself, the sensible thing to do is to bin it and buy a better one. They aren't expensive...........

True, there is plenty about. Given mine is rusty and without leather it's not especially desirable.

[Mr Tidy]

iSore said:

You misunderstand.

When a shagged E46 is rusting and gradually shiiting itself, the sensible thing to do is to bin it and buy a better one. They aren't expensive...........

OK I see your point, but good ones seem to be getting a bit thin on the ground (not to mention expensive)!

I think I'll just hang on to my 325ti for now - at least Compacts don't seem to rust!

[iSore]

A good 325ti is pretty much a bag for life. Probably worth buying a 3.0 engine to stick in the corner of the garage for when (if) the 2.5 wears out. It's hard to think of a car that does stuff better really.

[smn159]

iSore said:

Probably worth buying a 3.0 engine to stick in the corner of the garage for when (if) the 2.5 wears out.

Or for when the expansion tank lets go and your wife decides to soldier on to the next junction

[Mr Roper]

Just returned from a 1200 mile round trip to the Ring in my 330ci convertible.

Effortless.

I do have a minor niggle though...The drivers window when using the one touch close will rise to it's closed position then lower back down. It only works when I press and hold.

Same when I put the roof up or down. The auto cycle will bring the drivers window down every time.

[Rsdop]

Well I decided to get the bodywork sorted. One new front wing, rear arches repaired and painted, a few dinks removed and the bonnet resprayed. Im happy with the results it's really freshened it up, but it's really let down by the wing mirrors. Is it best to replace these or can they be got back to a reasonable standard?

[smn159]

I took the mirrors off of mine, dismantled them and sprayed them myself - came out really well

[Rsdop]

smn159 said:

I took the mirrors off of mine, dismantled them and sprayed them myself - came out really well

Did you spray the whole assembly? The black cover isn't too bad it's the grey parts that's the issue. Not sure what colour they were originally! Im guessing it's the sun that has faded them over the years because they aren't painted.

[smn159]

No, just the back covers - the grey parts were OK on mine.

[LanceRS]

Use some Resin polish on the grey bits and they bumper care. They should come up like new.

[Fox-]

The 04 330Ci's had a 12 year corrosion warranty. It's probably a bit late now but there is a reason why you didn't explore this option?

[Rsdop]

LanceRS said:

Use some Resin polish on the grey bits and they bumper care. They should come up like new.

Cheers il give that a try

Mine is a 52 plate so no chance on the warranty.

[SPORTSTER]

LanceRS said:

Use some Resin polish on the grey bits and they bumper care. They should come up like new.

They will for 2 weeks and then will go grey again, the best way to do it its to take them off and get them properly sprayed

[Kettmark]

Kettmark said:

I run a 2002 e46 330ci sport which I've had since 2004. Turned over 198k yesterday. Had rust appear on drivers front arch 4 years ago so bought a painted pattern one off eBay. Really happy with fit and finish so can recommend.
Front passenger wing just showing signs of bubbling now so will replace next spring.
Can't bring myself to sell despite having bought a replacement..
I will run it until it dies..
Highest mileage one I've seen is 231000. Anyone beat that?

Car turned over 200k on Friday. Not & service this Friday. Will need some down spending on it including new screen & scuttle but worth it as it's one of the family

[Mr Tidy]

smn159 said:

iSore said:

Probably worth buying a 3.0 engine to stick in the corner of the garage for when (if) the 2.5 wears out.

Or for when the expansion tank lets go and your wife decides to soldier on to the next junction

Haha, not a problem as my wife lives at a different address! (Mind you it looks like I will miss the "excuse/reason" to put a 3 litre in it now)!