E46 BMW 330ci - What do I need to know?
Discussion
I've been looking to top up the stable with a new addition in the form of a reasonably refined work horse. My office has just been relocated so now I'm lumped with a 45 mile a day commute and if I'm honest the Fiat is feeling it's age and needs a complete suspension refresh. I want to take it off the road and restore it.
My commute is all A-road but they're quite rough in Warwickshire/Worcestershire so I'm looking for a well built car with decent ride quality that has plenty of go about it. It needs to put a smile on my face. The Coupe does a brilliant job of dispatching slower traffic and it can be fun but day-to-day the harsh ride and ropey build quality can be tiresome.
I've looked at all sorts and I'd settled on a B5 S4 until Thursday until I started thinking about the E46.
I've got ~3k to spend which is just above bottom market for a 330ci M-Sport, almost all with 100k+ on the clock. My budget does seem to stretch to a facelift car but ~130-160k under it's belt. Is the facelift worth the small premium? I've been told by a colleague who's owned both the pre-facelift and facelift models that the latter is the one to go for with an extra gear, more grunt and a faster steering rack. Is this the case?
Maybe I need to completely write off the Auto idea too. 
The car will do ~15k a year and I will rinse it when the conditions allow so I'm hoping they're reliable too. The 20vt has been a great car for me really.
So that's it really. Do your worst PH.
My commute is all A-road but they're quite rough in Warwickshire/Worcestershire so I'm looking for a well built car with decent ride quality that has plenty of go about it. It needs to put a smile on my face. The Coupe does a brilliant job of dispatching slower traffic and it can be fun but day-to-day the harsh ride and ropey build quality can be tiresome.
I've looked at all sorts and I'd settled on a B5 S4 until Thursday until I started thinking about the E46.
I've got ~3k to spend which is just above bottom market for a 330ci M-Sport, almost all with 100k+ on the clock. My budget does seem to stretch to a facelift car but ~130-160k under it's belt. Is the facelift worth the small premium? I've been told by a colleague who's owned both the pre-facelift and facelift models that the latter is the one to go for with an extra gear, more grunt and a faster steering rack. Is this the case?
- Is there anything in particular that I need to look out for on these?
- Are they actually *fun? *Do they go sideways?
- Are they actually that quick? - The numbers suggest so but the 3.0 litre does lack torque compared to my 20vt.
- How adjustable are they and how accessible is the performance in the real world? Is the faster steering rack worth it? - I've read they're a balanced chassis with plenty of grip.
- How tired are they with around 120k on the clock? - I really want to avoid replacing suspension bushes and the rest for as long as possible. Wishbones are almost considered a service part on my 20vt.
- Manual or Auto? - I've only ever driven cars with three pedals but I wont be adverse to an auto if it's a good one.
- How well built are they? - I'm hoping they don't rattle.
- Are there any specific options I should hold out for? - I'd like heated seats and the Harman Kardon sound if possible.
- Are they cam chain or belt?
Maybe I need to completely write off the Auto idea too. The car will do ~15k a year and I will rinse it when the conditions allow so I'm hoping they're reliable too. The 20vt has been a great car for me really.
So that's it really. Do your worst PH.
Facelift only has 6 speeds on the manual. Auto is still a 5 speed.
They go well, quicker than most traffic but obviously they need revving to pull away from your modern tdi..
Auto suits the cars personality well, manual mode works well if you fancy a play or two car play etc..
Don't get hung up on options on a 10 year old cheap car at all. I'd simply buy what's in the best condition mechanically, got the best service history/most bills etc.
They go well, quicker than most traffic but obviously they need revving to pull away from your modern tdi..
Auto suits the cars personality well, manual mode works well if you fancy a play or two car play etc..
Don't get hung up on options on a 10 year old cheap car at all. I'd simply buy what's in the best condition mechanically, got the best service history/most bills etc.
I've had two this year - an 01 SE, black with black leather and 19 inch MV2 replicas and 130K miles, and currently an 01 Sport, silver with black leather and on MV1's and 95K miles, both with FSH.
Rust on the front wheel arches is particularly prevalent. Best to replace the wings moreso than perform a repair, therefore budget accordingly.
I'd thoroughly recommend them.
Rust on the front wheel arches is particularly prevalent. Best to replace the wings moreso than perform a repair, therefore budget accordingly.
I'd thoroughly recommend them.
E46 is a beautiful chassis, nice to drive in all guises.
Electrically check the fan control works all the time, they can go. Also false warnings of bulbs out on the dash (usually tail or number plate ones).
Radio reception is worth checking believe the antenna is built into the rear window.
Last but not least bonnet catches can rust causing access issues, check that out too.
Electrically check the fan control works all the time, they can go. Also false warnings of bulbs out on the dash (usually tail or number plate ones).
Radio reception is worth checking believe the antenna is built into the rear window.
Last but not least bonnet catches can rust causing access issues, check that out too.
philmots said:
The facelift car has no more grunt either, same power outputs.. I'm pretty sure the steering racks are the same.
It's chain driven.
You'll need to replace bushes at those miles too. RTAB's go and front lower wishbones.
Just for info - round about April 2001 is when the 330s ( and rest of the E46s ) got the E46 Compact rack - nothing to do with the faceliftIt's chain driven.
You'll need to replace bushes at those miles too. RTAB's go and front lower wishbones.
Basically the Compact always got the slightly quicker rack and more 'feel', the rest of the range followed once the Compact was launched
ImDesigner said:
LCR265 said:
Worth googling rear sub frame issues iirc.
How common is this issue? I've read about it for the M3 but not so much for the car I'm looking at. Depending on age/mileage/service history, BMW might fix it for you or you can have it resin injected by places like MProve in Warrington if you want to try and forestall it. Assuming you buy a car without the problem....
Many people wouldn't spot the early signs anyway
Bought my wife a green 4 door M sport back in 2002 when they were new and absolutely she and I loved it to bits, one of the cars I regret getting rid of the most; we tried the new shape one in same engine form and just wasn't the same at all, brilliant little cars, good luck and happy motoring!
I had a 320 msport (and a 318 but we dont talk about that- lovely car just slooooow) and should have bought a 330 tbh. I loved that car, really regretted selling it. Bought the 320 as the right car came up at the right time.
Nothing to add to the above issues, I've done a similar commute on what sounds like the same roads. The 320 rode well, certainly better than my current Audi and it's sline suspension!
Nothing to add to the above issues, I've done a similar commute on what sounds like the same roads. The 320 rode well, certainly better than my current Audi and it's sline suspension!
I bought the wife a 330CI M Sport, absolutely fantastic car! Very smooth, good power & torque, only had it about 8 months now and have had no faults.
Likes to drink a bit of oil, but I think (hope) that's normal for the 330, I check all my cars weekly anyway so it's no hassle to keep on top of.
Power delivery will always be different to your 20v, my weekend car's an Evo 8 running 400/400 and it's chalk and cheese experice to the BMW. I tested the 320 but found it lacked the urge of the 330 plus the sound of the 330 on song Is excellent! If I need to put in a long journey it's definitely the keys I'll grab.
Likes to drink a bit of oil, but I think (hope) that's normal for the 330, I check all my cars weekly anyway so it's no hassle to keep on top of.
Power delivery will always be different to your 20v, my weekend car's an Evo 8 running 400/400 and it's chalk and cheese experice to the BMW. I tested the 320 but found it lacked the urge of the 330 plus the sound of the 330 on song Is excellent! If I need to put in a long journey it's definitely the keys I'll grab.
Edited by Session8 on Sunday 22 July 22:12
Edited by Session8 on Sunday 22 July 22:13
Edited by Session8 on Sunday 22 July 22:13
window door trim falls off on the coupes... horrible and really annoying.
they tramline and are very sensitive to any camber in the road.
manual gear boxes need a bit of love to move into gear especially 1st and 2nd... after that you can throw them in as hard as you like.
great looking car but, i would look at one with 17's (helps tramlining and handling), an auto as you can just put your foot down and hold on.
they tramline and are very sensitive to any camber in the road.
manual gear boxes need a bit of love to move into gear especially 1st and 2nd... after that you can throw them in as hard as you like.
great looking car but, i would look at one with 17's (helps tramlining and handling), an auto as you can just put your foot down and hold on.
Tramlining really depends on which tyres you have on. I had Pirellis, tramlined like buggery. Changed to Michelins, no tramlining at all.
I had a water pump go on mine which is common.
One of the real pain in the arses though is the traction control - you press and hold the button to turn it off (then you get the yellow warning light in the dash). All well you think. Except it doesn't always turn it off. Sometime you would get a nice satisfying rear wheel spin, other times you would sit there looking like a daft s
t with the engine bouncing off the limiter
I had a water pump go on mine which is common.
One of the real pain in the arses though is the traction control - you press and hold the button to turn it off (then you get the yellow warning light in the dash). All well you think. Except it doesn't always turn it off. Sometime you would get a nice satisfying rear wheel spin, other times you would sit there looking like a daft s
t with the engine bouncing off the limiter I had a 52 plate 330 Ci , the straight six engine is a beauty , creamy smooth and pulls like a train and has a proper deep exhaust note .
I had an auto which mates perfectly to the 3.0 litre motor. Nice driving position too . It was a bit rear wheel drive skittish on greasy roads and sadly hopeless in the snow. Looked good tho in dark grey met and I bought some 18 inch MV2 alloys.
I actually think the M sport looks better than the CI with the big front bumper and alloys. So if I went for another that's what I'd go for.
No problems of note with mine , had a light on for a faulty steering angle sensor which is common apparently. Also it liked rear tyres !
I had an auto which mates perfectly to the 3.0 litre motor. Nice driving position too . It was a bit rear wheel drive skittish on greasy roads and sadly hopeless in the snow. Looked good tho in dark grey met and I bought some 18 inch MV2 alloys.
I actually think the M sport looks better than the CI with the big front bumper and alloys. So if I went for another that's what I'd go for.
No problems of note with mine , had a light on for a faulty steering angle sensor which is common apparently. Also it liked rear tyres !
Had one of these (02, manual, 105k miles) for about 2 years now.
Pros: Great engine, good driving position, good handling (when you get some decent rubber on it), great noise, great power delivery, 30mpg when you want it. Nothing has gone wrong since I've owned it.
Cons: Passenger side window has a rattle. Car likes to drink oil. st stereo, even if you have the HK option (i do).
Pros: Great engine, good driving position, good handling (when you get some decent rubber on it), great noise, great power delivery, 30mpg when you want it. Nothing has gone wrong since I've owned it.
Cons: Passenger side window has a rattle. Car likes to drink oil. s
t stereo, even if you have the HK option (i do).Edited by georgejoshington on Monday 23 July 01:01
Had a manual and an auto. As mentioned, that are sensitive to tyre choice. The M sports look better than the SE models, but the suspension on the Sport is overly stiff and can get crashy (especially on the roads you are describing OP, you sound fairly local to me).
They will return 26mpg in manual guise and 22mpg in auto guise around town. Personally, I didn't like the auto, the gearbox could never make it's mind up which gear to be in around town, and it wasn't much better on a run, and I thought it was overly thirsty for the performance on offer, and the sport/tiptronic mode lost its appeal after literally one day (but maybe that's a personal thing).
The manual, on the other hand pleasantly surprised me with it's economy and was more spritely of course. Running costs are pretty reasonable considering the 3 litre slugger up front. There is a service indicator on the binnacle, but depending on how they are driven, servicing is every two years or every 15k miles, give or take.
I took one of mine into a reputable Indy (Autokraft in Earlswood), and the bill came to £430 iirc for an inspection2 (the biggie), which wasn't too bad at all. This is going back about 5yrs though.
It's worth adding that it went like stink after that service too.
They will return 26mpg in manual guise and 22mpg in auto guise around town. Personally, I didn't like the auto, the gearbox could never make it's mind up which gear to be in around town, and it wasn't much better on a run, and I thought it was overly thirsty for the performance on offer, and the sport/tiptronic mode lost its appeal after literally one day (but maybe that's a personal thing).
The manual, on the other hand pleasantly surprised me with it's economy and was more spritely of course. Running costs are pretty reasonable considering the 3 litre slugger up front. There is a service indicator on the binnacle, but depending on how they are driven, servicing is every two years or every 15k miles, give or take.
I took one of mine into a reputable Indy (Autokraft in Earlswood), and the bill came to £430 iirc for an inspection2 (the biggie), which wasn't too bad at all. This is going back about 5yrs though.
It's worth adding that it went like stink after that service too
.Edited by Baz Tench on Monday 23 July 03:26
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