just bought a 330ci - DESIGN FAULTS...
Discussion
RobM77 said:
This all sounds familiar! If you look elsewhere on this forum you will see my woes with regard to the 330! I bought a 2000 model 330ci in May and I'm so annoyed with it I've asked for my money back. You're right, the electric seats don't go anywhere near low enough, and I'm only little (5'10" . It surprised me as the E30 and E36 both went low enough for most people - a definate step backwards.
The steering wheel is a bit off centre, yes, but it doesn't annoy me too much.
Does your car have a delay on the throttle? I'm selling mine because of it - I find the car undriveable. If your car doesn't, then I may be interested in buying it if you're selling it...
I have a 330 sport (2001) auto is awful, huge delay when you floor it, so just put into sport mode all the time, makes response quicker.
I noticed indicator cracked/paint work not done properly after I took delivery 3+ months ago, still waiting for bmw to come back to me!
seriously regret selling the boxster - currently saving up for either m3/boxster or 350z
I've also had other problems with BMW preparation. The car's been back twice already, and it is going back again in two weeks time.
First time, they missed a broken insert in the front bumper, a broken indicator unit and a few other things.
Now it is going back because everytime it rains the windscreen mists instantly - it just goes totally white. Something's also come loose under the car and is rattling like mad.
I miss by 1993 325i - that was faultless!!!
Would you believe that BMW's used car inspection doesn't cover new tyres and a tracking check? Unbelieveable!!! Those are the first things that I would do with any used car.
First time, they missed a broken insert in the front bumper, a broken indicator unit and a few other things.
Now it is going back because everytime it rains the windscreen mists instantly - it just goes totally white. Something's also come loose under the car and is rattling like mad.
I miss by 1993 325i - that was faultless!!!
Would you believe that BMW's used car inspection doesn't cover new tyres and a tracking check? Unbelieveable!!! Those are the first things that I would do with any used car.
I have a 330ci auto se. Before buying mine i test drove quite a few and the reason i bought mine was it was definately the best one. The other 330's i drove either felt tired or where ratly and some of em my old E30 325i would of given a run for their money. Same with any car, drive a few before you decide, it can be as different as chalk and cheese. As with offset peddles most of my bmw's have had em and too close together to boot, its a nightmare if you have big feet like me, not so bad if you have an auto, but i still have to change into trainers before i drive it!
Never noticed it on my, now gone, E46 M3, but just had a BMW courtesy car (New shape 325i Coupe Auto 
) and there was a noticable offset in this.
So much so that my left shin was pushed firmly against the transmission tunnel and made long journeys somewhat uncomfortable
) and there was a noticable offset in this.So much so that my left shin was pushed firmly against the transmission tunnel and made long journeys somewhat uncomfortable
Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Thursday 5th July 19:15
I love my 330Ci Sport and have found no problems with seating whatsoever, personally though offset pedals / steering wheels don't bother me in the slightest and i don't get what people are always moaning about them for!
I do tend to adjust myself to the car rather than the car adjusting to me though and in some of the cars i've driven you need to.
Enjoy your car.....e46 330's are great
I do tend to adjust myself to the car rather than the car adjusting to me though and in some of the cars i've driven you need to.
Enjoy your car.....e46 330's are great
this thread started back in 2005... Update: I kept it for 6 months (until summer) then got my current car - 330ci sport convertible... same issue with the seat being a little over to the right, but I live with it, the rest makes up for it and its a minor gripe.I have the 330ci sport and have found that the seat hight (for me, 6 ft) is not a problem, however it is at its lowest setting, manual seats don't have the same problem becase they don't have the electric motors under the seats (thats why the lecy ones sit higher).
Have you adjusted it to its lowest setting? its the biggest button on the seat panel, push straight down in the middle of the button, and the seat should go down.
The pedals and wheel have always been offset (since the e30) as the cars were developed for LHD, just twist your lower body to the left (ever so slightly), and its not a problem.
Also the throttle is Fly by wire and is adaptive (self learning) and adjusts to the driver, so any lag is due to the way you drive the car.
The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
Have you adjusted it to its lowest setting? its the biggest button on the seat panel, push straight down in the middle of the button, and the seat should go down.
The pedals and wheel have always been offset (since the e30) as the cars were developed for LHD, just twist your lower body to the left (ever so slightly), and its not a problem.
Also the throttle is Fly by wire and is adaptive (self learning) and adjusts to the driver, so any lag is due to the way you drive the car.
The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
ccfj1 said:
...
The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
Would this apply to a 330cd M sport?The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
wingchundave said:
outnumbered said:
Offset wheel and pedals on RHD have been a 3 series trait since at least the E36, probably earlier.
I've read a lot of complaints about the offset pedals. Everytime Auto Express rates a BMW they complain about the pedals - I suppose there isn't that much else to complain about
I've never noticed this myself, or I've never found it to be a problem. Does anyone else have a complaint about offset pedals?
gizard said:
ccfj1 said:
...
The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
Would this apply to a 330cd M sport?The adaptive throttle mapping can be reset, I do mine every few months, so I don't get the lag.
To reset the adaptive throttle mapping,
1: Turn your car off for ten seconds (if started).
2: Then turn the key to the on position for ten seconds, but DO NOT start.
3: Then turn the car off for ten seconds.
4: Then start the car.
This will reset the adaptive throttle mapping to factory default, and it will feel a lot more crisp and responsive.
I owned a brand new 330Ci Sport for about a year back in 2002. I'm 6'1" and had no problems with the seating position or steering wheel offset. What I did have a problem with was the harsh ride, which caused all manner of really annoying rattles and squeaks, particularly from the door bins. The poor ride quality never bothered me for the first few weeks, probably due to the "honeymoon" period and superb engine. But after 6 months or so it just became tedious to live with. I sold it after a year at around 15K miles. Never bought anything with 18" wheels and a "sports" suspension since!
I've got an e90 330i, and the thing that really annoys me is the clutch delay valve. Makes it much harder to rev match as you have to anticipate how the valve will release the clutch. It is entirely possible to do, but harder than it would be without it. Apparently it can be removed, but not really interested due to the effort it would take.
I've also got the sports suspension and run flats on mine and have no complaints about the ride. Having said that its the most comfortable car I've owned for years so I probably have different expectations to most.
I had an E46 328i SE Auto saloon fitted with factory sports suspension and manual sports seats. It ran on the standard fitment 16" wheels.
These gave a fantastic handling/ride quality compromise.
I then "upgraded" to a 330ci. Electric seats ? Impossible to get comfortable in (too high as noted by several others)
The car came with 18" MVs (which made it tramline and nervous on anything other than smooth roads)
Its fuel consumption around town was awful.
Within two months I part chopped it for a 6 month old, 9,000 mile, 52 plate, 330D Sport Auto Saloon.
I had the MV wheels removed and replaced with 17" wheels instead. The steering with the 17s on his weightier and the ride was transformed (still firm, but still a vast improvement both in ride and stability on bumpy roads)
The seats are the same manual items I had in my 328SE. I've done 100,000 miles in them and find them sooooooo comfortable compared with the electric items in the Ci.
I keep thinking I'd like a new E90 330 or 335D (I test drove a 335D a few weeks back, and it didn't feel like three times the car my E46 is !!)
Sounds crazy, but the 330D has been the best car I've ever owned.
These gave a fantastic handling/ride quality compromise.
I then "upgraded" to a 330ci. Electric seats ? Impossible to get comfortable in (too high as noted by several others)
The car came with 18" MVs (which made it tramline and nervous on anything other than smooth roads)
Its fuel consumption around town was awful.
Within two months I part chopped it for a 6 month old, 9,000 mile, 52 plate, 330D Sport Auto Saloon.
I had the MV wheels removed and replaced with 17" wheels instead. The steering with the 17s on his weightier and the ride was transformed (still firm, but still a vast improvement both in ride and stability on bumpy roads)
The seats are the same manual items I had in my 328SE. I've done 100,000 miles in them and find them sooooooo comfortable compared with the electric items in the Ci.
I keep thinking I'd like a new E90 330 or 335D (I test drove a 335D a few weeks back, and it didn't feel like three times the car my E46 is !!)
Sounds crazy, but the 330D has been the best car I've ever owned.
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