BMW 330ci E46 Coupe Facelift Manual
Discussion
Just an open thread discussing the current perils of finding a 330ci coupe manual facelift.
Not too long ago it was quite straightforward to find a one for reasonable cash money (£3-4k?). Are these cars becoming more valuable or are people potentially holding onto them as maybe thought of as a hidden gem? General vibe I thought was they were a decent motor but hardly the holy grail!
Honestly, I've got one and occasionally look around to see how mine stacks up for a bit of fun but it's becoming very difficult!
Be interesting to see what the general concensus is.
Not too long ago it was quite straightforward to find a one for reasonable cash money (£3-4k?). Are these cars becoming more valuable or are people potentially holding onto them as maybe thought of as a hidden gem? General vibe I thought was they were a decent motor but hardly the holy grail!
Honestly, I've got one and occasionally look around to see how mine stacks up for a bit of fun but it's becoming very difficult!
Be interesting to see what the general concensus is.
The E46s do seem to have gone up in price of late, perhaps they are becoming more rare?
I sold a 330ci manual 4 years ago for £800, only had 75k on the clock too but I wanted rid for an incoming new car.
I do like an E46 but trying to find a decent one without rust is challenging. I just couldn’t spend £5k or more on a 15-20 year old car which is almost certainly going to rust and is likely going to need money spending on it. Mine needed a fair few quid spending on it. Pulleys squealed so had to change them, wishbone bushes were shot and several other things. Not mega money but a 15 year old car is going to need money put into it.
I sold a 330ci manual 4 years ago for £800, only had 75k on the clock too but I wanted rid for an incoming new car.
I do like an E46 but trying to find a decent one without rust is challenging. I just couldn’t spend £5k or more on a 15-20 year old car which is almost certainly going to rust and is likely going to need money spending on it. Mine needed a fair few quid spending on it. Pulleys squealed so had to change them, wishbone bushes were shot and several other things. Not mega money but a 15 year old car is going to need money put into it.
Bowlers said:
Other than covid-19 putting most vehicle prices up currently.
I believe the main reason values are up due to the E46 being a relatively small, front engined, rear wheel drive car with a manual gearbox. Has the market to its self in that respect for the price. Certain spec variations are much rarer than most think too.
That's essentially the list of requirements I was looking for when I got one in the first place, guess as the numbers get smaller the niche only gets bigger. I do feel like selling it on you'd be talking to the kind of person that's getting into it for the right reasons!I believe the main reason values are up due to the E46 being a relatively small, front engined, rear wheel drive car with a manual gearbox. Has the market to its self in that respect for the price. Certain spec variations are much rarer than most think too.
When I was looking to replace my manual E46 325ti Sport Compact with a Touring a few years ago I struggled to find any good straight 6 manual petrol E46s that weren't crusty!
So I ended up with a manual E91 325i, but it felt a bit lethargic so I replaced it after a year with a manual E90 330i.
No crusty wheel-arches, more power and more refined - although that does make it feel a bit less exciting.
A good E46 manual 330Ci facelift has to be worth keeping as they are getting rare.
So I ended up with a manual E91 325i, but it felt a bit lethargic so I replaced it after a year with a manual E90 330i.
No crusty wheel-arches, more power and more refined - although that does make it feel a bit less exciting.
A good E46 manual 330Ci facelift has to be worth keeping as they are getting rare.
Problem seems to be that the good ones are commanding strong money (and rightly so, the E46 was in my opinion a high point of BMW design thats aged extremely well) and the not-so-good ones have all been snapped up by yoofs wanting to weld the diffs and take them skidding especially the 3L ones.
I'd still love a facelift 330i Touring. Should have pulled the trigger a while back on a cheap pre-facelift that popped up near me that was immaculate. Black, 3L, auto and lemon interior. In my twisted mind, perfect
I'd still love a facelift 330i Touring. Should have pulled the trigger a while back on a cheap pre-facelift that popped up near me that was immaculate. Black, 3L, auto and lemon interior. In my twisted mind, perfect
I have an E46 330ci, in fact, I've had a few and so have my friends. They are cheap, rwd and a lot faster than an MX5. This is exactly the problem for the E46, but hot hatch Clio's went the same way. My first Clio 172 Cup was sub 1k, try and find one now for the same money, almost impossible.
I currently own an E46 330ci manual, it's stripped out and I use it for track days and Ring trips.
Personally, I can see the value creeping up on these cars, but people like myself have ruined a fair few over the years. Which I guess is a good thing for residuals
PB
I currently own an E46 330ci manual, it's stripped out and I use it for track days and Ring trips.
Personally, I can see the value creeping up on these cars, but people like myself have ruined a fair few over the years. Which I guess is a good thing for residuals
PB
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