E46 330 coupe or convertible?
Discussion
Hi Resse. I have the vert and would highly recommend one. There are a few points you might not have thought about. The vert will be higher insurance and is heavier therefor will cost more to run and is slightly slower than the coupes. Also the vert is a 4 seater not a five like the coupe. I very nearly bought a coupe and still love the look of them but everytime I drop the roof I know why I didn't buy one. Hope this helps a little.
Convertible for me always, especially with the optional hard-top. Unlike its successor, the E46 doesn't suffer from the tiny boot space compromise..4 usable seats, great engine and handling balance, enough space for weekly shop golfclubs or camping holiday
for me the perfect single car real world car..mind you the Coupes lovely too
for me the perfect single car real world car..mind you the Coupes lovely too
Agree with a lot of what has been said already, but as a 330 M Sport vert owner my slant would be:
Vert is only slightly slower than the coupe, I think 0.5 seconds difference 0-60mph, real world not noticeable (a good friend has a 330 coupe and we keep up with each other), besides its not really that type of car. If you go 330, then sure its got a lot of grunt, the engine puts out 231bhp so its not shy but a vert should be about cruising around rather than traffic light grand prix! In any event it will blow most motors off the road unless you go up against something obviously tasty. In gear the 330 has a sense of urgency, in that it accelerates with ease - if you misjudge a situation on the road such as pulling out on a roundabout with oncoming traffic to your right a blip of the throttle will rocket you out of trouble.
If I was buying a vert and it was also an auto/tiptronic then my advice would be to be sure about 1) roof and mechanism and 2) auto box, the roof mechanism is something like £2.5K to replace and the auto box approaching £4K (including labour charges). I have been maintaining full main dealer warranty on my 55 plate to cover these type of costs, if either the roof or the gear box need repairing then the costs could be rather prohibitive.
Couple of photos (two coats of wax and a sore arm later) :
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/5cvhhgh0[/url]
Vert is only slightly slower than the coupe, I think 0.5 seconds difference 0-60mph, real world not noticeable (a good friend has a 330 coupe and we keep up with each other), besides its not really that type of car. If you go 330, then sure its got a lot of grunt, the engine puts out 231bhp so its not shy but a vert should be about cruising around rather than traffic light grand prix! In any event it will blow most motors off the road unless you go up against something obviously tasty. In gear the 330 has a sense of urgency, in that it accelerates with ease - if you misjudge a situation on the road such as pulling out on a roundabout with oncoming traffic to your right a blip of the throttle will rocket you out of trouble.
If I was buying a vert and it was also an auto/tiptronic then my advice would be to be sure about 1) roof and mechanism and 2) auto box, the roof mechanism is something like £2.5K to replace and the auto box approaching £4K (including labour charges). I have been maintaining full main dealer warranty on my 55 plate to cover these type of costs, if either the roof or the gear box need repairing then the costs could be rather prohibitive.
Couple of photos (two coats of wax and a sore arm later) :
[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/5cvhhgh0[/url]Edited by Romanymagic on Monday 5th September 23:12
Lovely car!
I have found a 330 Ci Sport (manual) convertible within budget = Good News.
Better news is that it has covered 55,000 miles (2002 model) and it is a one owner, full main dealer service history car and 10 miles from the office.
Arranging a viewing tomorrow/Friday, and if OK I shall go for it.
Car will be perfect for me/us for a couple of years (we will put approx. 15,000 miles on it over the next 24 months).
I have found a 330 Ci Sport (manual) convertible within budget = Good News.
Better news is that it has covered 55,000 miles (2002 model) and it is a one owner, full main dealer service history car and 10 miles from the office.
Arranging a viewing tomorrow/Friday, and if OK I shall go for it.
Car will be perfect for me/us for a couple of years (we will put approx. 15,000 miles on it over the next 24 months).
Just to add, I have a coupe, step-auto. Love it, and think they are twitchy enough though without going for the convertible with extra body roll to contend with - or maybe I just haven't found the right tyre pressure balance? I do find this can make a drastic difference.
I faniced an auto as I'd never had one, but buying again would probably opt for the manual box.
Happy motoring, hope you get what you want.
I faniced an auto as I'd never had one, but buying again would probably opt for the manual box.
Happy motoring, hope you get what you want.
RESSE said:
Bought it!
Lovely car , beautifully built and does everything we want it to do.
Paintwork - unmarked.
Alloys - unmarked.
Interior - unmarked.
Very happy with my purchase.
PS Collect next week as waiting for V5/MOT and cherished number transfer docs from DVLA.
Well done, look forward to some pics.Lovely car , beautifully built and does everything we want it to do.
Paintwork - unmarked.
Alloys - unmarked.
Interior - unmarked.
Very happy with my purchase.
PS Collect next week as waiting for V5/MOT and cherished number transfer docs from DVLA.
Fox- said:
I would go for a Convertible if I wanted a convertible, but if I wanted a coupe, i'd buy the coupe.
Don't really see what else we can say, its personal preference, you either want a Cab or you dont?
Don't really see what else we can say, its personal preference, you either want a Cab or you dont?
I would get the coupe, stiffer, better handling and you wont' get called a hair dresser by your mates.
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