E46 330ci Sport 5 Speed manual
Discussion
So after my history of E39 ownership , a 528i SE and a 530i Sport I’ve been rolling around the last year in a 2004 Corsa. And whilst there is nothing really wrong with it, it almost made me fall out of love with driving.
The original plan was to keep the Corsa for my fiancée and I’ll get a bargain barge. But SWMBO was after something with more power too, and we couldn’t justify running two powerful cars. So a compromise was made in the form of this rather lovely E46 330ci Sport! It’s a 2002 pre facelift, I wasn’t fussed but I prefer the headlights on this. It’s got the 5 speed manual box which is lovely. I live in the Dorset countryside, so don’t miss a 6th gear.
It’s got black leather with what I think are the sports seats, electric memory ones at that and carbon trim. It has the basic tape deck and a 6 CD changer.
This is the third one I drove and by far the best. My criteria was as little rust as possible and not barried up. Rust is minimal. One arch has a tiny amount and there is a very thin strip on the front bumper near the grill. Neither will be hugely expensive to sort so will get that taken care of before the winter arrives this year. It’s also completely stock.
List of jobs to to include:
Replacing the thermostat. Picking up a genuine one from BMW this weekend and having a mechanic mate and E46 330ci SE owner replacing that for me on Sunday. The temperature will hover between one third and half way so it’s obviously in need of sorting.
Whilst doing this I’m going to get him to check the radiator, expansion tank and water pump.
The headlights are a bit cloudy and could do with polishing up.
No plans for any modifications, apart from maybe fitting the facelift LED rear lights. I’ll have to research if they’re plug and play. If they’re not I won’t bother.
Fix the rust. But I’m going to get the mechanicals up to scratch first, and this can wait to just before winter.
After selling the Corsa it stands me at £1700.
Haven’t got many pictures yet!
The original plan was to keep the Corsa for my fiancée and I’ll get a bargain barge. But SWMBO was after something with more power too, and we couldn’t justify running two powerful cars. So a compromise was made in the form of this rather lovely E46 330ci Sport! It’s a 2002 pre facelift, I wasn’t fussed but I prefer the headlights on this. It’s got the 5 speed manual box which is lovely. I live in the Dorset countryside, so don’t miss a 6th gear.
It’s got black leather with what I think are the sports seats, electric memory ones at that and carbon trim. It has the basic tape deck and a 6 CD changer.
This is the third one I drove and by far the best. My criteria was as little rust as possible and not barried up. Rust is minimal. One arch has a tiny amount and there is a very thin strip on the front bumper near the grill. Neither will be hugely expensive to sort so will get that taken care of before the winter arrives this year. It’s also completely stock.
List of jobs to to include:
Replacing the thermostat. Picking up a genuine one from BMW this weekend and having a mechanic mate and E46 330ci SE owner replacing that for me on Sunday. The temperature will hover between one third and half way so it’s obviously in need of sorting.
Whilst doing this I’m going to get him to check the radiator, expansion tank and water pump.
The headlights are a bit cloudy and could do with polishing up.
No plans for any modifications, apart from maybe fitting the facelift LED rear lights. I’ll have to research if they’re plug and play. If they’re not I won’t bother.
Fix the rust. But I’m going to get the mechanicals up to scratch first, and this can wait to just before winter.
After selling the Corsa it stands me at £1700.
Haven’t got many pictures yet!
Aerotwin wipers are much better than standard ones. As for the lights, I don't think they are plug and play from memory (it's been a while since I've been in the E46 loop) but I believe you can buy some aftermarket ones which should fit and have the facelift look.
If you're doing the waterpump, thermostat etc. Look at replacing the radiator hoses and the belts/tensioners. The initial outlay might be big but these engines go on forever if maintained.
If you're doing the waterpump, thermostat etc. Look at replacing the radiator hoses and the belts/tensioners. The initial outlay might be big but these engines go on forever if maintained.
Lovely car OP - I was sorely tempted to get one of these (ideally a facelift for the 6th gear) to replace my pre-facelift E46 325ti Sport. But ended up being sensible and getting an E91 325i. 
Well I do seem to keep buying sets of wheels for winter or summer tyres, and my mother has a walker and a wheelchair so a Touring seemed like an easier option!
When my 325ti had the usual banana shaped radiator start to leak at 82K miles, based on the recommendation of my BMW Indy I had a new radiator, cap, expansion tank, thermostat, auxiliary drive belt and coolant temp sensor (lower pipe).
I hope you enjoy it.
Well I do seem to keep buying sets of wheels for winter or summer tyres, and my mother has a walker and a wheelchair so a Touring seemed like an easier option!
When my 325ti had the usual banana shaped radiator start to leak at 82K miles, based on the recommendation of my BMW Indy I had a new radiator, cap, expansion tank, thermostat, auxiliary drive belt and coolant temp sensor (lower pipe).
I hope you enjoy it.
JakeT said:
Very nice. 
As an owner of 2 E46s you've done well. But I am biased.
Mind you I don't think the aerotwin wipers suit the E46. Normal ones look much better.
It's going back a while, but last time I bought some wipers from BMW for the E46 I had at the time, they looked just like the ones in the picture. No springy mechanism or anything, just a single strip. I told them what sort of car I had, so maybe they changed the design at some point? As an owner of 2 E46s you've done well. But I am biased.Mind you I don't think the aerotwin wipers suit the E46. Normal ones look much better.
Previous ones I'd bought had been the more traditional style, with various springy bits. I wasn't sure what to make of the change at first - I missed the spoiler thing that the older ones had! - but in use I think the single strip ones are better.
(While on the subject of wipers, in the end I started buying them from Costco, because they're, like, 1/3 the price, and not obviously worse. The BMW ones are actually quite good but not enough to justify the price.)
to3m said:
It's going back a while, but last time I bought some wipers from BMW for the E46 I had at the time, they looked just like the ones in the picture. No springy mechanism or anything, just a single strip. I told them what sort of car I had, so maybe they changed the design at some point?
Previous ones I'd bought had been the more traditional style, with various springy bits. I wasn't sure what to make of the change at first - I missed the spoiler thing that the older ones had! - but in use I think the single strip ones are better.
(While on the subject of wipers, in the end I started buying them from Costco, because they're, like, 1/3 the price, and not obviously worse. The BMW ones are actually quite good but not enough to justify the price.)
I don't like the ones with all the springy bits, aero ones look so much neater IMHO. Previous ones I'd bought had been the more traditional style, with various springy bits. I wasn't sure what to make of the change at first - I missed the spoiler thing that the older ones had! - but in use I think the single strip ones are better.
(While on the subject of wipers, in the end I started buying them from Costco, because they're, like, 1/3 the price, and not obviously worse. The BMW ones are actually quite good but not enough to justify the price.)
My 325ti had Tesco ones, my Z4C has Amazon ones.
Both work just fine!Patrick Bateman said:
Get the butterfly valve in the exhaust stuck open.
Mine was physically stuck but have a search for the 'golf tee mod'. Sounds grand.
I’ve heard of this. Bit confused as to if I’m looking in the boot or under the car? As I understand it I literally just unplug something?Mine was physically stuck but have a search for the 'golf tee mod'. Sounds grand.
Very nice work.
Once of the best cars I've owned in all honesty and as others have said service them regularly and the engines are great and can run and run.
I had a pre face lift 2001 back when I was a lot younger and loved it to death. Had a few other BMWs in my time (E36 M3, E90 330i, and various diesels) and this really is up there as the perfect balance in my opinion and the shape just keeps getting better and better - when I see one out and about I turn my head for sure. Sadly I had to sell since I ended up having to commute 4.5 hours a day and a petrol one of these was costing the earth and sold it at the time when they were pretty much worthless - hindsight and all that.
Currently have an E46 touring which is a 2003 but had an AC Schnitzer C30 conversion done when new - 330i supercharged, wheels and body kit - despite being a facelift it uses the 5 speed box since I'm led to believe its able to handle the power more easily - it really does want that 6th gear when on the motorway.
As other have said - depending on history its worth a good service - spark plugs, airfilter, oil change and so on - parts aren't expensive and if you keep on top of it with regular oil changes and alike they do seem to go on.
Enjoy and I look forward to updates.
Once of the best cars I've owned in all honesty and as others have said service them regularly and the engines are great and can run and run.
I had a pre face lift 2001 back when I was a lot younger and loved it to death. Had a few other BMWs in my time (E36 M3, E90 330i, and various diesels) and this really is up there as the perfect balance in my opinion and the shape just keeps getting better and better - when I see one out and about I turn my head for sure. Sadly I had to sell since I ended up having to commute 4.5 hours a day and a petrol one of these was costing the earth and sold it at the time when they were pretty much worthless - hindsight and all that.
Currently have an E46 touring which is a 2003 but had an AC Schnitzer C30 conversion done when new - 330i supercharged, wheels and body kit - despite being a facelift it uses the 5 speed box since I'm led to believe its able to handle the power more easily - it really does want that 6th gear when on the motorway.
As other have said - depending on history its worth a good service - spark plugs, airfilter, oil change and so on - parts aren't expensive and if you keep on top of it with regular oil changes and alike they do seem to go on.
Enjoy and I look forward to updates.
A nice find!
330is are quite a catch these days. Lovely is not the word I'd used to describe an Ex6 5 speed manual if they are the same as the 323i and E46 328i
.
Your plans sound spot on. I wouldn't waste your time on the lenses however, I'd change them. You can get new AL branded lenses as per the factory for £100 through the right networks or Chinese ones for much less. It will massively improve the look of the front end and take years off it. It will take you no more than an hour tops to change both lenses, maybe less if you have removed E46 lights previously.
The rear LED lights are plug and play but you need a conversion loom to go from a non-facelift to facelift loom.
My old lenses are genuine and not too bad at all; I only changed them as the AL items came up at the right price. I'm happy for you to have them for a drink. I can even polish them up which will be easier off the car as they are now boxed, but they're in great condition anyway.
I'd check your boot floor/RACP mounts however. It's not just an M3 issue, it affects all E46s. Fixing it early is much more cost efficient if it happens
.
Enjoy!
I'll agree on the Aero blades and the improvements they bring in more ways than one. They were crap on my W124 but that was down to the shape of the windscreen and the funky wiper sweeping patten. The Bosch Aerotwins are superb on my E46. They have lasted an absolute age (I bought the car with them) and they wipe the screen very effectively. I think for my sister's car I got them from ECP, CP4L or Halfords Trade. All are similarly priced.
330is are quite a catch these days. Lovely is not the word I'd used to describe an Ex6 5 speed manual if they are the same as the 323i and E46 328i
.Your plans sound spot on. I wouldn't waste your time on the lenses however, I'd change them. You can get new AL branded lenses as per the factory for £100 through the right networks or Chinese ones for much less. It will massively improve the look of the front end and take years off it. It will take you no more than an hour tops to change both lenses, maybe less if you have removed E46 lights previously.
The rear LED lights are plug and play but you need a conversion loom to go from a non-facelift to facelift loom.
My old lenses are genuine and not too bad at all; I only changed them as the AL items came up at the right price. I'm happy for you to have them for a drink. I can even polish them up which will be easier off the car as they are now boxed, but they're in great condition anyway.
I'd check your boot floor/RACP mounts however. It's not just an M3 issue, it affects all E46s. Fixing it early is much more cost efficient if it happens
.Enjoy!
Mr Tidy said:
.
My 325ti had Tesco ones, my Z4C has Amazon ones. Both work just fine!
You got luckier than me. The two times I tried Tesco blades (well, the old man bought a set for his car) they were crap. OK to start with but a smearfest after a month, despite Vinegar and AutoGlym glass polish treatments. Never had that with Bosch or Valeo ones. I've used screenwash in all too.My 325ti had Tesco ones, my Z4C has Amazon ones.
Both work just fine!I'll agree on the Aero blades and the improvements they bring in more ways than one. They were crap on my W124 but that was down to the shape of the windscreen and the funky wiper sweeping patten. The Bosch Aerotwins are superb on my E46. They have lasted an absolute age (I bought the car with them) and they wipe the screen very effectively. I think for my sister's car I got them from ECP, CP4L or Halfords Trade. All are similarly priced.
SebringMan said:
Your plans sound spot on. I wouldn't waste your time on the lenses however, I'd change them. You can get new AL branded lenses as per the factory for £100 through the right networks or Chinese ones for much less. It will massively improve the look of the front end and take years off it. It will take you no more than an hour tops to change both lenses, maybe less if you have removed E46 lights previously.
The rear LED lights are plug and play but you need a conversion loom to go from a non-facelift to facelift loom.
My old lenses are genuine and not too bad at all; I only changed them as the AL items came up at the right price. I'm happy for you to have them for a drink. I can even polish them up which will be easier off the car as they are now boxed, but they're in great condition anyway.
I'd check your boot floor/RACP mounts however. It's not just an M3 issue, it affects all E46s. Fixing it early is much more cost efficient if it happens.
Enjoy!
Thanks for that I may take you up on that soon! Getting married and will be away in Orlando in a couple of weeks so when I get back I’ll PM you. Cheers The rear LED lights are plug and play but you need a conversion loom to go from a non-facelift to facelift loom.
My old lenses are genuine and not too bad at all; I only changed them as the AL items came up at the right price. I'm happy for you to have them for a drink. I can even polish them up which will be easier off the car as they are now boxed, but they're in great condition anyway.
I'd check your boot floor/RACP mounts however. It's not just an M3 issue, it affects all E46s. Fixing it early is much more cost efficient if it happens
.Enjoy!
I’ll check the boot floor. I’ve heard it affects more the pre 2002 E46 models and very rarely the 330i, but I’ll check it out. Certainly hasn’t been mentioned in any MOT tests.
Thanks all for the kind comments! When I’ve got some more funds after the wedding I’ll set about putting my plans into action. I’ve got my stag do this weekend so driving is off the agenda, but hoping to get some decent photos soon.
sparks_E46 said:
Patrick Bateman said:
Honestly not sure, like I say I was fortunate enough that mine was stuck open anyway.
I’ll have to have a look, sounds good. It does make a nice burble I must admit. It does make a slight difference but wouldn’t say it sounds massively different.
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