Are e46 330i tourings with manual gearboxes rare?
Discussion
Looking for a car as above and can only find 4 on auto trader. There are none on here or ebay. Am I just unlucky to be looking today or are there always very few available?
Any other sources i should be investigating?
I hate to comprimise but is there a huge difference between the 192bhp of the 325i and the 230bhp from the 330i? How about exhaust note (which is the main reason for the change from the uninspiring 2.0T vag engine in my current car)?
Any other sources i should be investigating?
I hate to comprimise but is there a huge difference between the 192bhp of the 325i and the 230bhp from the 330i? How about exhaust note (which is the main reason for the change from the uninspiring 2.0T vag engine in my current car)?
As others have said they are quite a 'rare' car especially in manual with Sport trim and more importantly in decent condition with sensible miles and a solid history. I wouldn't rule out a decent 5 speed car at all.
I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.
It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!
I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.
It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!
I may have to consider a 325i then as there are several more available. Thing is, if I do that there'll always be a small voice in the back of my mind saying "its not the 330".
Perhaps I comprimise and get a 4 door, but the blue one above does look lovely.
When you say the i and d are different cars, in what way?
Perhaps I comprimise and get a 4 door, but the blue one above does look lovely.
When you say the i and d are different cars, in what way?
The blue car (330d) was an Individual LeMans Blue, they were doing a special price at the end of the E46 production as LeMans was a stock E60 colour.
The day to day performance of the two was remarkably similar, just the way the power was delivered is totally different. The i being very happy to rev right to the red line, the d more happy to pull in the middle of the rev range. Obviously the d was more economical than the i, but maybe not as much as you might think unless you drove like a granny, then the d was significantly better. I managed over 60mpg in the 330d over a 240 mile journey, but normally it was in the mid 30's. The 330i was in the high 20s to low 30s with a maximum of about 45mpg.
The day to day performance of the two was remarkably similar, just the way the power was delivered is totally different. The i being very happy to rev right to the red line, the d more happy to pull in the middle of the rev range. Obviously the d was more economical than the i, but maybe not as much as you might think unless you drove like a granny, then the d was significantly better. I managed over 60mpg in the 330d over a 240 mile journey, but normally it was in the mid 30's. The 330i was in the high 20s to low 30s with a maximum of about 45mpg.
RichardM5 said:
I had a manual 330i touring followed by a manual 330d touring, both very good, if different, cars. I sold the 330i privately so had both for about a week
When selling both, the buyers commented how few manual versions were about.
Nice mine was Oxford Green but with natural brown leather interior, quite 'rare' and different to the usual black/grey/cream. Most people seem to dislike the green, but personally I love it.When selling both, the buyers commented how few manual versions were about.
CB 987 said:
As others have said they are quite a 'rare' car especially in manual with Sport trim and more importantly in decent condition with sensible miles and a solid history. I wouldn't rule out a decent 5 speed car at all.
I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.
It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!
Recognised this tale, I bought your 330i a few months ago!I was searching for one approx 3 years ago and it was difficult then, I nearly got my fingers burnt with two clocked examples, I gave up after several months of searching and bought an E39. After 18 months I still hankered after one, I continued to keep an eye out and one popped up locally, which I bought and then sold the E39.
It was diagnosed with a failing head-gasket two weeks later, I was gutted, ending up fixing it and selling it as I was just fed up! I still fancy one now, but as time goes on good examples are now even harder to find!
Hope the 135i is treating you well.
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