E46 engine questions

[Rev Limit]

Hi All

Ive just got a new job which means il be doing a bit more driving than I am at the moment (current commute is a 4 mile round trip!) which means il be wanting rid of my Celica which is naff on the motorway!

I wont be doing excessive mileage, 30 mile round trip for the commute with trips up to Haywards Heath once or twice a week (im based in Maidstone), so I dont necessarily need a diesel but I just wondered..

What sort of real life MPG do people get from the 6 cylinder petrols?
Is the 330 really the only 6cyl petrol to go for?
If I go for a diesel should I get a higher mileage 330d instead of the 320d?

Ive got around 6k to spend

Cheers

Alex

[stevesuk]

I've owned two E46 with the 6 cylinder petrol engine:

2003 320 Ci auto
2002 330 Ci manual

I regularly (well once every couple of weeks) do a 200 mile dual carriageway/motorway roundtrip from Dorset to London for work (so A31/M27/M3).

In the 320, I once managed to touch 40mpg as I left the motorway at the far end. The same journey in the 330 (despite being a manual) I'm seeing a maximum of 34.5mpg). In both cases, this will have been trundling along at 70-80.

So the 320 is a fair bit more economical on a long motorway run, but the difference was negligible on shorter journeys - probably because the 320 was an automatic.

[Rev Limit]

I think the grunt of the 330 would make up for the loss of 6mpg!!

What are the 330s like to live with?

I've had a few insurance quotes of around 1k (I'm 22!) which is ok..

[stevesuk]

The 330 certainly has a lot more poke than the 2.2L 320 Not to say the 320 isn't nice to drive (because it is), just not as quick.

Running costs (other than fuel, and the fact it has slightly bigger brakes I think) should be about the same, because its basically the same engine.

[BorkFactor]

I have a 1998 E46 328i, and I am amazed at the fuel consumption. On fast A roads and motorways I average between 40 - 44 mpg. Obviously as soon as you start booting it or take it near a town it goes down to 25 - 35 but considering the power on offer I am very impressed!

This is going by brimming the tank, I find the trip computer is about 1-3 mpg optimistic.

[mike325112]

My manual 330d sees around 45mpg in the summer around 40mpg in the winter. On that milege I'd be looking at a 330i. £6k should get you something really lovelly too!

[Rev Limit]

Is there anything particular to look out for on these cars? Other than the standard wear and tear?

I know I shouldnt be but I'm tempted by a convertible, someone talk me out of it please!!

Alex

[BorkFactor]

Just the usual wear and tear stuff really, keep a close eye on suspension components and make sure it has a good service history. Watch out for rust around the arches too!

Spotted this...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2004...

[Rev Limit]

love the colour, shame about the car being in Inverness!!

[mk2zetec]

i bought a 330 msport auto convertible for the wife - 27 to 28 mpg.
wish i had bought a 330d - better mpg, power delivery and residuals plus easily tunable

[Fox-]

mk2zetec said:

i bought a 330 msport auto convertible for the wife - 27 to 28 mpg.
wish i had bought a 330d - better mpg, power delivery and residuals plus easily tunable

And less reliable - plus the mpg difference isn't that great. And the power delivery on the 330 petrol is wonderful, it's a fantastic engine. Better residuals just mean you pay more for the car in the first place.

[alistair267]

I have a 2003 330i Sport Touring with the 6 speed manual - on the motorway going gently, as above I think 32-34 mpg is quite achievable. And I echo what else has been said above - it is a fantastic engine and as soon as you give it a bit of welly you don't really care how much petrol you're using - good amount of poke, very smooth and great noise.

330 all the way.

[Patrick Bateman]

Better power delivery? Depends what floats your boat.

The only reason you'd go for a 325 over a 330 is because your budget wouldn't stretch to buying a 330.

[Sticks.]

Indeed. Love the petrol, but preferred the diesel in the 330s (autos) I've had. Not so smooth but more punchy (predictably). Musch to like about both.

[Rev Limit]

My celica generally stays around the late 20's and that's a 1.8..

I think for me insurance will be the deciding factor!

I've seen quite a few high mileage 330s? Do they handle miles well or should I avoid them?

Alex

[steve_bmw]

Patrick Bateman said:

Better power delivery? Depends what floats your boat.

The only reason you'd go for a 325 over a 330 is because your budget wouldn't stretch to buying a 330.

the only reason you buy a 330 is beacuse you cant afford an M3.

[Fox-]

steve_bmw said:

the only reason you buy a 330 is beacuse you cant afford an M3.

Or because you don't want an M3? They are quite different cars. The M3 isn't a Touring or a Saloon for a start.

[Rev Limit]

Fox- said:

Or because you don't want an M3? They are quite different cars. The M3 isn't a Touring or a Saloon for a start.

I would love an M3, but for a daily? No

Also try getting insured on one as a 22 year old male, the price hike between a 330 and an m3 is crazy

900fc for a 330 coupe, 2k+ for an m3 and that's with 4 years ncb

[steve_bmw]

Fox- said:

Or because you don't want an M3? They are quite different cars. The M3 isn't a Touring or a Saloon for a start.

lol

[BorkFactor]

steve_bmw said:

the only reason you buy a 330 is beacuse you cant afford an M3.

They are completely different cars. Massive difference in cost too, it is not the same as comparing a 325i to a 330i.