Batty's E46 330ci Clubsport
Discussion
So the hunt was on to find the replacement to my WRX wagon which i had owned for 12 months 
Obviously i decided to sell it at winter
So i had a fairly strict idea of what i wanted:
5 doors
4wd
plenty of poke
refined
preferably an estate (for bikes)
heated leather.
After seeing a few B6 S4's, A Legacy 3.0R spec B and 330i/330d tourings this is what i ended up buying:
(apologies for the poor pics)
A 330ci 'clubsport' with and Eismann exhaust and forged BMW alloys.
It has 96k miles with a fsh and is utterly spotless. Obviously its also almost the exact opposite of what i set out to get!
The spec of this car is :
''The M Clubsport trim level is aesthetically similar to the United States Performance Package. The main difference is that the M Clubsport trim was not given the BMW performance camshafts that the ZHP obtained. Instead, it had 20 kilograms (44 lb) of sound deadening removed from the car. The M Clubsport trim shares the same suspension set up as the performance package (ZHP) in America, as well as the "cubed" interior trim and 18-inch style 135 wheels. However, changes from the ZHP include plastic front splitters on the M-Tech II bumper, a M-tech II styled rear spoiler (instead of the M3 trunk lip), and clubsport door sills. The M Clubsport also came with two "BMW Individual" colour options that were carried throughout the car, Estoril Blue, Velvet Blue and Carbon Black.''
it has had 4 new tyres, new discs and pads, new rad, thermostat, thermostat housing, all new suspension bushes and shocks, new brake lines, the exhaust, an aircon service, an inspection 2 service and various other items. all within the last 18 months!!!
The plan is to use it through the winter, and save for an E46 M3 in the summer.
Its beautifully creamy, if slightly lazy 230odd bhp motor is a gem and the exhaust lets of some subtle pops and bangs on overrun.
I absolutely adore it already, and more pics etc will follow.
Obviously i decided to sell it at winter
So i had a fairly strict idea of what i wanted:
5 doors
4wd
plenty of poke
refined
preferably an estate (for bikes)
heated leather.
After seeing a few B6 S4's, A Legacy 3.0R spec B and 330i/330d tourings this is what i ended up buying:
(apologies for the poor pics)
A 330ci 'clubsport' with and Eismann exhaust and forged BMW alloys.
It has 96k miles with a fsh and is utterly spotless. Obviously its also almost the exact opposite of what i set out to get!
The spec of this car is :
''The M Clubsport trim level is aesthetically similar to the United States Performance Package. The main difference is that the M Clubsport trim was not given the BMW performance camshafts that the ZHP obtained. Instead, it had 20 kilograms (44 lb) of sound deadening removed from the car. The M Clubsport trim shares the same suspension set up as the performance package (ZHP) in America, as well as the "cubed" interior trim and 18-inch style 135 wheels. However, changes from the ZHP include plastic front splitters on the M-Tech II bumper, a M-tech II styled rear spoiler (instead of the M3 trunk lip), and clubsport door sills. The M Clubsport also came with two "BMW Individual" colour options that were carried throughout the car, Estoril Blue, Velvet Blue and Carbon Black.''
it has had 4 new tyres, new discs and pads, new rad, thermostat, thermostat housing, all new suspension bushes and shocks, new brake lines, the exhaust, an aircon service, an inspection 2 service and various other items. all within the last 18 months!!!
The plan is to use it through the winter, and save for an E46 M3 in the summer.
Its beautifully creamy, if slightly lazy 230odd bhp motor is a gem and the exhaust lets of some subtle pops and bangs on overrun.
I absolutely adore it already, and more pics etc will follow.
NelsonR32 said:
Alfahorn said:
You sold a rare and interesting car to buy a car that is neither.
Sorry, I think that's a shame.
And WRX wagon rare and interesting. Really? Sorry, I think that's a shame.
Alfahorn said:
It clearly is. A boxer engined, estate car sold in low volumes with an outstanding Motorsport pedigree vs a mass market coupe bought by millions. I'm not denying the BMW is good, however it's just not rare or particularly interesting that's just my opinion.
One of the things that make it interesting is it's rarity, it's not just a 330 with a boot spoiler, there are not many of them.
Anyway, on the car, I love it and when the time comes to move it on, let me know. Just out of interest, did it come with the original wheels as well? Your's look better but I would imagine the originals will become hard to find.
Alfahorn said:
Sorry OP, nothing against you. I hope you're very happy with the car and it exceeds your expectations. What do I know, I drive a girls car! 
Absolutely no problem. Horses for courses etc 
For reference, the scooby felt quicker but the bmw is on another planet on terms of refinement.
LanceRS said:
One of the things that make it interesting is it's rarity, it's not just a 330 with a boot spoiler, there are not many of them.
Anyway, on the car, I love it and when the time comes to move it on, let me know. Just out of interest, did it come with the original wheels as well? Your's look better but I would imagine the originals will become hard to find.
Andy_sx said:
nice one mate, looks good!
Will keep my eyes peeled for it as we are home in a week and a bit!
Is the vx still treating you well??
Yes chap. Vx is behaving beautifully so we treated her to a full suspension rebuild. Will keep my eyes peeled for it as we are home in a week and a bit!
Is the vx still treating you well??
This is to keep the salt off her during the dark months (plus a nice heater is a bonus!!)
Drop me mail if you fancy a pint
Edited by _Batty_ on Monday 9th December 07:37
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