E46 330CI worth it?

[Baked_bean]

Hi all,

I have been offered a 330ci msport for £2500 with low mileage (70k)....I hadn’t been considering one but am tempted, it has full history and has been owned for 7 years by someone I know.

Would you say it is worth a go? As always, I really don’t need it but always liked the E46 shape.

[Sim89]

Baked_bean said:

Hi all,

I have been offered a 330ci msport for £2500 with low mileage (70k)....I hadn’t been considering one but am tempted, it has full history and has been owned for 7 years by someone I know.

Would you say it is worth a go? As always, I really don’t need it but always liked the E46 shape.

Depends entirely on the details of the history and what work exactly has been done. If it is little, get ready to start writing a LONG list of things that WILL need replacing. Engine issues aside, bear in mind the E46 depending on year will be 13-18 years old and as such most parts (everything) will most likely be rusted to bits underneath making replacement extra hard.

I speak from many hours of experience as I've just spent a few weeks running new rear brake lines, handbrake backplates, wheel bearings, shocks. The brake lines even require a custom braided line setup due to all the union brackets rusting off.

They are old cars now and they demand a high level of maintenance to keep in roadworthy condition - otherwise they will be sheds in the near future.

[corozin]

Certainly make sure that you know :

a) What condition the bushes in the front suspension are in. They are almost consumables on an E46 and it's a expensive job if you need to replace them (all)
b) What condition the cooling system is in, as radiators warp and that's a bit of a wallet buster as well.

Otherwise usual checks and buy based on condition. I'm still running a 330ci convertible from 2004 and it's dependable, comfy, decent everyday transport that still seems to taking the miles well.

[Baked_bean]

Thanks for the responses this far...will be looking at receipts today, it has 4x Michelin tyres which is a good sign.

Had old BMW’s before (own an e36 already) so used to the pitfalls I guess...more a question of value as I might only have it for a few months to try it out.

[custardkid]

E36 & E46 are generally well made and the NA staight 6 is alovely engine

At 70k miles it should be in good shape, but in next 30-40 k if you spend £2k on dampers, bushes and discs and pads it should be mint for an other 40-50k
A half price M3 !

Just check the jacking points and rear arches

Lost of e46 threads on here

[Smuler]

I’d say go for it .
I sold a mint 325 I was using as a daily to keep M3 miles down for £4K last year with 75k miles.
so price seems good.

They’re no M3 , but still lovely cars.

[Vizsla]

corozin said:

Certainly make sure that you know :

a) What condition the bushes in the front suspension are in. They are almost consumables on an E46 and it's a expensive job if you need to replace them (all)
b) What condition the cooling system is in, as radiators warp and that's a bit of a wallet buster as well.

Otherwise usual checks and buy based on condition. I'm still running a 330ci convertible from 2004 and it's dependable, comfy, decent everyday transport that still seems to taking the miles well.

Agree that the cooling system will need attention by 100K miles, water pump, thermostat, header tank, hoses. Mine had a new rad at 13yr old and 118K, £220 fitted by my local indy. Now at 140K and still running sweetly, makes my much younger 4-pot 3 series sound like a diesel. No mechanical issues at all, still on original clutch, shocks, exhaust etc. Lovely car for little money.

[jas xjr]

Would rust be an issue on these?

[bludger]

Baked_bean said:

Hi all,

I have been offered a 330ci msport for £2500 with low mileage (70k)....I hadn’t been considering one but am tempted, it has full history and has been owned for 7 years by someone I know.

Would you say it is worth a go? As always, I really don’t need it but always liked the E46 shape.

I drive one of these. IME very reliable (mine has 103K) and the six cylinder is a beautiful, smooth engine that still has v quick acceleration. If you know the history and how it's been driven you have potentially a very good bargain.

[SebringMan]

If the car is sound I'd buy it.

I'd also check the rear RACP for cracks but there are reasonably cost effective solutions out there for this now . Redish do a video online of how to check it.

[downhillmalins]

I have a 2004 330ci manual, just ticked over 160k miles. Love the car, excellent engine and comfy cruiser and can have some fun with it in twistier stuff. As people have said, they do have some weak spots that will need attention, suspension, cooling and rust. If its in good condition £2.5k sounds like a bargain. Go get!

[Funk]

Baked_bean said:

Thanks for the responses this far...will be looking at receipts today, it has 4x Michelin tyres which is a good sign.

Had old BMW’s before (own an e36 already) so used to the pitfalls I guess...more a question of value as I might only have it for a few months to try it out.

I went from an E36 328i to an E46 330Ci and I never really liked it as much as I did the E36 - they're very different cars.

I bought mine from a dealer for £5,150 on 74k miles which had apparently had a lot of work done, the thinking being it would be more likely to be 'sorted' - it still managed to rinse me £1,700 in the 14 months I owned it:

https://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHis...

I've always loved the shape, it's a cracking design but I wouldn't have another one. The ONLY exception to that would be an M3 perhaps, and even then I'd have to think long and hard about it.

I lost about £3.5k on it in total with depreciation and repairs between Nov '16 and Jan '18 and a lot of what needed doing on mine wasn't apparent at the point of purchase - choose very wisely if you do decide to take the plunge.

Edited by Funk on Friday 9th March 22:32

[Baked_bean]

UPDATE: I think I am going ahead, obviously a few mixed experiences but the car seems solid and honest.

Paperwork shows work such as waterpump, front bushes etc all being done in the past 10k so should be ok!

Thanks, any further experience is welcome....I will update when I collect.

[Longnose]

Terrific cars. I've had my 2001 convertible for 8+ years and the only repairs have been the radiator and header tank. Everything else just regular servicing and consumables. It's coming up to 100K now. Two years ago I bought another ultra-low mileage 2003 convertible as a spare in case the 2001 expired, but it shows no sign of it. The 2003 car waits in the barn...

[jamoor]

For the money and mileage worth a punt.

[DJMC]

I had my 2003 330ci Sport Cab for nine years from 2005-2014. By 125k miles it had had both front suspension arms replaced but no rust at all (garaged). Gear lever lost its ability to self centre so that was a £1000 gearbox out job for a simple part to be replaced.

Never used any oil, always BMW serviced, but other jobs done by local garage.

Lovely car, great to drive.

All down to the history, owners, accidents, condition. Check carefully.

[Mr Tidy]

jas xjr said:

Would rust be an issue on these?

Without a doubt, sadly.

But I believe you can buy front wings pre-painted.

Although a good one is well worth having, and a low mileage 330Ci is definitely a good starting point!

[SebringMan]

Funk said:

I went from an E36 328i to an E46 330Ci and I never really liked it as much as I did the E36 - they're very different cars.

I bought mine from a dealer for £5,150 on 74k miles which had apparently had a lot of work done, the thinking being it would be more likely to be 'sorted' - it still managed to rinse me £1,700 in the 14 months I owned it:

https://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHis...

I've always loved the shape, it's a cracking design but I wouldn't have another one. The ONLY exception to that would be an M3 perhaps, and even then I'd have to think long and hard about it.

I lost about £3.5k on it in total with depreciation and repairs between Nov '16 and Jan '18 and a lot of what needed doing on mine wasn't apparent at the point of purchase - choose very wisely if you do decide to take the plunge.

Edited by Funk on Friday 9th March 22:32

And this is why I am never swayed by low mileage cars unlike many members praising them here; at this age it's all about the owners. We used to see this kind of story alot in the Porsche owners club; the long-term owners had big numbers on the cars but they kept them tip top. The 'invester' people well, didn't. To me low mileage cars can get you a better interior and investment material if you never drive it, which is something I personally cannot do; 4k of my E46's miles were abroad last year!

It's shame it cost you a bit. I prefer the E46 from the E36s I have driven but I can see why your purchase didn't go so well .

If you want to feel better about it check this out. Yes I really did spend £800 of my cash just on tyres; If my labour was involved you can add on £1.5k onto the above bill. Seeing the bills are scary!

https://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?ca...

[verbarthe]

I sold my Facelift 330 CI M Sport Convertible in December. I owned the car for 10 years and just loved it. It never let me down and all it ever needed apart from routine servicing was consumables like Brake Pads /Tyres etc , it was still on the original exhaust and battery as well . One of the best cars I ve ever owned and I enjoyed it for the whole of my ownership.

[Funk]

SebringMan said:

Funk said:

I went from an E36 328i to an E46 330Ci and I never really liked it as much as I did the E36 - they're very different cars.

I bought mine from a dealer for £5,150 on 74k miles which had apparently had a lot of work done, the thinking being it would be more likely to be 'sorted' - it still managed to rinse me £1,700 in the 14 months I owned it:

https://www.pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHis...

I've always loved the shape, it's a cracking design but I wouldn't have another one. The ONLY exception to that would be an M3 perhaps, and even then I'd have to think long and hard about it.

I lost about £3.5k on it in total with depreciation and repairs between Nov '16 and Jan '18 and a lot of what needed doing on mine wasn't apparent at the point of purchase - choose very wisely if you do decide to take the plunge.

Edited by Funk on Friday 9th March 22:32

And this is why I am never swayed by low mileage cars unlike many members praising them here; at this age it's all about the owners. We used to see this kind of story alot in the Porsche owners club; the long-term owners had big numbers on the cars but they kept them tip top. The 'invester' people well, didn't. To me low mileage cars can get you a better interior and investment material if you never drive it, which is something I personally cannot do; 4k of my E46's miles were abroad last year!

It's shame it cost you a bit. I prefer the E46 from the E36s I have driven but I can see why your purchase didn't go so well .

If you want to feel better about it check this out. Yes I really did spend £800 of my cash just on tyres; If my labour was involved you can add on £1.5k onto the above bill. Seeing the bills are scary!

https://www.pistonheads.com/members/showcar.asp?ca...

I just got fed up with playing the "what's going to need fixing next" game. My E36 was a dream, cost me bobbins to run in comparison. I decided to swing completely the other way from bangernomics into something brand new for a couple of years.