e46 330 Sport Manual Touring vs f31 320 SE Manual Touring
Discussion
I've owned my 2004 e46 330 sport touring with the 6 speed manual box for 4 years or so, and I love it. It's *almost* the perfect daily with a decent amount of power, involving to drive, practical, looks great, fairly reliable, and not ostentatious. Unfortunately there are some issues - it's very much standard spec - no heated seats, xenons, or sunroof which are options that I like in a car. Also, cosmetically there is some lacquer peel, the rear arches need doing, and the alloys are a real state. With 180k miles on it it is getting to the stage where I need to consider spending proper money on it, but it's an old car now and it feels like pouring money away.
In general newer BMWs don't really interest me, but my dad has just offered me his 2013 F31 touring for mate's rates and I'm giving it some thought. It's low miles and really good nick, but a low spec 320 SE manual. On the plus side it seems it's 180bhp which I guess is brisk enough, especially with a manual box, and I like the idea of a newer car as a daily with no rust or reliability issues.
However, I'm wondering if it will be dull after my 330, and whether I'd miss the straight 6. leather, sports seats, etc...
In short,
positives: newer, more reliable, cheaoer in the long run, quieter/smoother on long hauls
negatives: slower, lower spec, not really the car I want.
I'm not sure if I would seek out an F31 touring, and what would be the chances of finding a 200+ bhp one with manual box and decent spec...? And at what price...
Anyway, I dunno. Advise me, PH.
In general newer BMWs don't really interest me, but my dad has just offered me his 2013 F31 touring for mate's rates and I'm giving it some thought. It's low miles and really good nick, but a low spec 320 SE manual. On the plus side it seems it's 180bhp which I guess is brisk enough, especially with a manual box, and I like the idea of a newer car as a daily with no rust or reliability issues.
However, I'm wondering if it will be dull after my 330, and whether I'd miss the straight 6. leather, sports seats, etc...
In short,
positives: newer, more reliable, cheaoer in the long run, quieter/smoother on long hauls
negatives: slower, lower spec, not really the car I want.
I'm not sure if I would seek out an F31 touring, and what would be the chances of finding a 200+ bhp one with manual box and decent spec...? And at what price...
Anyway, I dunno. Advise me, PH.
I have an E46 330ci and can’t see myself ever getting rid of it.
It is not my daily so perhaps different to you.
I am trying to get a touring and coupe to go with it but not getting much buy in from the other half!
I had an F11 535d Touring and it was fantastic but I always missed the E46.
You will definitely miss the straight 6 a lot if you go to a 4.
I have never got on with SE seats in BMWs but the sports seats are great.
It is not my daily so perhaps different to you.
I am trying to get a touring and coupe to go with it but not getting much buy in from the other half!
I had an F11 535d Touring and it was fantastic but I always missed the E46.
You will definitely miss the straight 6 a lot if you go to a 4.
I have never got on with SE seats in BMWs but the sports seats are great.
NiceCupOfTea said:
I've owned my 2004 e46 330 sport touring with the 6 speed manual box for 4 years or so, and I love it. It's *almost* the perfect daily with a decent amount of power, involving to drive, practical, looks great, fairly reliable, and not ostentatious. Unfortunately there are some issues - it's very much standard spec - no heated seats, xenons, or sunroof which are options that I like in a car. Also, cosmetically there is some lacquer peel, the rear arches need doing, and the alloys are a real state. With 180k miles on it it is getting to the stage where I need to consider spending proper money on it, but it's an old car now and it feels like pouring money away.
In general newer BMWs don't really interest me, but my dad has just offered me his 2013 F31 touring for mate's rates and I'm giving it some thought. It's low miles and really good nick, but a low spec 320 SE manual. On the plus side it seems it's 180bhp which I guess is brisk enough, especially with a manual box, and I like the idea of a newer car as a daily with no rust or reliability issues.
However, I'm wondering if it will be dull after my 330, and whether I'd miss the straight 6. leather, sports seats, etc...
In short,
positives: newer, more reliable, cheaoer in the long run, quieter/smoother on long hauls
negatives: slower, lower spec, not really the car I want.
I'm not sure if I would seek out an F31 touring, and what would be the chances of finding a 200+ bhp one with manual box and decent spec...? And at what price...
Anyway, I dunno. Advise me, PH.
Has the 330 been unreliable? In general newer BMWs don't really interest me, but my dad has just offered me his 2013 F31 touring for mate's rates and I'm giving it some thought. It's low miles and really good nick, but a low spec 320 SE manual. On the plus side it seems it's 180bhp which I guess is brisk enough, especially with a manual box, and I like the idea of a newer car as a daily with no rust or reliability issues.
However, I'm wondering if it will be dull after my 330, and whether I'd miss the straight 6. leather, sports seats, etc...
In short,
positives: newer, more reliable, cheaoer in the long run, quieter/smoother on long hauls
negatives: slower, lower spec, not really the car I want.
I'm not sure if I would seek out an F31 touring, and what would be the chances of finding a 200+ bhp one with manual box and decent spec...? And at what price...
Anyway, I dunno. Advise me, PH.
Unless the 320 was loaded with all the kit you wanted (which it's not), I don't think this is a good 'upgrade'. Also as you mention, bound to be/feel slower with less power in a (probably?) heavier car.
A 6 speed manual 330i Touring is fairly uncommon and a sought after car. I don't think you'd have any problem finding a buyer if/when you're planning to get rid.
It can be tempting if you're getting a bargain on paper, but if it's not what you want (and it doesn't sound like it is), it's a waste of money imo.
Thanks chaps. You're confirming what I'm already feeling.
I saw a chap selling a car the same as mine, except 105k miles, sunroof, heated seats and cosmetically much nicer. I did quite a lot of man maths working out if it would be worth me buying it and then selling mine...
Mine has been OK - had a few niggles (usual cooling system stuff - new expansion tank and got the water pump replaced as a preventative measure, oil leaks (rocker cover and oil filter housing gaskets), snapped front spring (leading to new shocks and springs at the front) but nothing you wouldn't really expect of an old BMW that's only had scheduled servicing. It's only the rust that's getting me down as I know I won't see much change from 2k to get the rear arches done properly...
I have long been lamenting the lack of replacement options. Really want something RWD, manual and fun in an estate form. Not much choice really, not too keen on more recent BMWs, for a 5 year newer e91 in manual form, well specced with decent miles will be pricey IF you can find one. Audis aren't really my thing if I went AWD, dunno if the Skoda vRS is a decent steer but I think they are FWD anyway... Spending a few grand on a nigh-on 200k car doesn't seem the smartest move
I saw a chap selling a car the same as mine, except 105k miles, sunroof, heated seats and cosmetically much nicer. I did quite a lot of man maths working out if it would be worth me buying it and then selling mine...
Mine has been OK - had a few niggles (usual cooling system stuff - new expansion tank and got the water pump replaced as a preventative measure, oil leaks (rocker cover and oil filter housing gaskets), snapped front spring (leading to new shocks and springs at the front) but nothing you wouldn't really expect of an old BMW that's only had scheduled servicing. It's only the rust that's getting me down as I know I won't see much change from 2k to get the rear arches done properly...
I have long been lamenting the lack of replacement options. Really want something RWD, manual and fun in an estate form. Not much choice really, not too keen on more recent BMWs, for a 5 year newer e91 in manual form, well specced with decent miles will be pricey IF you can find one. Audis aren't really my thing if I went AWD, dunno if the Skoda vRS is a decent steer but I think they are FWD anyway... Spending a few grand on a nigh-on 200k car doesn't seem the smartest move
I really don't think you'd enjoy a 4 cylinder BMW after your 330i.
My first two BMWs were turbo-diesels because of buiness use but since then I've only had manual N/A petrol 6 cylinder ones (on numbers 5 & 6 now) and I just know any 4 cylinder would be a disappointement.
Rust is probably the biggest issue with the E46s and is partly why I sold my 325ti a while ago, even though it drove brilliantly.
And I'd decided to try a Touring so went looking for an E91 330i with no success, other than at silly prices! So I bought a 325i which was fine, very refined but just seemed a bit sluggish after my 325ti.
So after a year I tried again and still couldn't find a manual E91 330i at a sensible price and talked myself into an E90 330i instead because it had the split/fold rear seats.
Anyway 2 years on I'm still really happy with it!
I can understand why you might be reluctant to chuck £2K at your car when it's probably worth less than that, and £2K would go a decent way towards an E91. Although a good one would require a bit more, but given how well their values are holding up it's likely they'll still retain decent prices for some years.
If nothing else it might be worth trying an E91 before you decide what to do, but if you do I'd recommend sticking to the early models with the N52 engine as the later N53 seems to have some issues!
My first two BMWs were turbo-diesels because of buiness use but since then I've only had manual N/A petrol 6 cylinder ones (on numbers 5 & 6 now) and I just know any 4 cylinder would be a disappointement.
Rust is probably the biggest issue with the E46s and is partly why I sold my 325ti a while ago, even though it drove brilliantly.
And I'd decided to try a Touring so went looking for an E91 330i with no success, other than at silly prices! So I bought a 325i which was fine, very refined but just seemed a bit sluggish after my 325ti.
So after a year I tried again and still couldn't find a manual E91 330i at a sensible price and talked myself into an E90 330i instead because it had the split/fold rear seats.
Anyway 2 years on I'm still really happy with it!
I can understand why you might be reluctant to chuck £2K at your car when it's probably worth less than that, and £2K would go a decent way towards an E91. Although a good one would require a bit more, but given how well their values are holding up it's likely they'll still retain decent prices for some years.
If nothing else it might be worth trying an E91 before you decide what to do, but if you do I'd recommend sticking to the early models with the N52 engine as the later N53 seems to have some issues!
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