Advice on a 330i Convertible please
Discussion
Hi guys and girls, this is my first foray into the BMW forum, so bear with me!
I've currently got a TVR Chimaera 4 litre, which is a great beast, but not too practical! We're expecting our first baby in September, so I need to change my car.
I'm thinking of getting a 330 convertible. I still want a drop top with a decent size engine, but need back seats. I've seen a few higher mileage cars available at the moment. One I looked at was a 2001 330 convertible with 100K on the clock in fairly good condition, FBMWSH, I wondered what peoples thoughts are on these cars? It was £9000.
Is the mileage too high? How practical are they? It seemed to be a 5 speed manual, did they also make a 6 speed? It had the 17" standard wheels, ideally I'd like to upgrade to the 18" M sport multi spoke alloys, is this easy? Would I need to change the suspension too?
Sorry for all the questions, but any advice anyone can offer will be greatly accepted!
Thanks in advance, Aubrey.
I've currently got a TVR Chimaera 4 litre, which is a great beast, but not too practical! We're expecting our first baby in September, so I need to change my car.
I'm thinking of getting a 330 convertible. I still want a drop top with a decent size engine, but need back seats. I've seen a few higher mileage cars available at the moment. One I looked at was a 2001 330 convertible with 100K on the clock in fairly good condition, FBMWSH, I wondered what peoples thoughts are on these cars? It was £9000.
Is the mileage too high? How practical are they? It seemed to be a 5 speed manual, did they also make a 6 speed? It had the 17" standard wheels, ideally I'd like to upgrade to the 18" M sport multi spoke alloys, is this easy? Would I need to change the suspension too?
Sorry for all the questions, but any advice anyone can offer will be greatly accepted!
Thanks in advance, Aubrey.
Hi,
I recently bought a 330 and did a fair amount of research beforehand.
Re mileage, well it seems that the 330 unit is unstressed and isn't scared of higher mileages, some say they use a bit of oil past 80k and some don't. So you shouldn't be scared of higher mile cars.
They are practical too, you can get a fair amount in the boot and on the back seats too. Adults won't go far in the back as they are small seats, but kids fine, though there are no isofix points so you will use the normal seatbelt fastening.
On the wheel front I would save yourself the hassle and look around. Some say the M-sport model has a harsh ride compared to the SE which is what I am guessing you have seen. On rough roads you really will get a rattling in it but you learn to put up with. To that end I would be tempted not to go for a SE and upgrade the alloys, as it makes the car look un-original, just see if you can find an M-sport.
If you do upgrade the alloys you won't need to do anything to the suspension. That said these cars are sensitive to knocks, so you may need to get the suspension bushes changed if there is knocking or evidence of irregular tyre wear. Make sure also the aircon works, as somebody said some parts on that can be shockingly pricey to change.
Finally somebody gave me some good advice the other day that I have not heard before. When you go to see it, just don't test the key things once. Test them 10 times, like the roof for example. Some cars have odd faults that won't be apparent, but get the engine running and check it out, and the windows too as they can be a pain if they don't work too. The vendor should be happy with this, even if they think you are a little odd, but it's your money.
Good luck.
I recently bought a 330 and did a fair amount of research beforehand.
Re mileage, well it seems that the 330 unit is unstressed and isn't scared of higher mileages, some say they use a bit of oil past 80k and some don't. So you shouldn't be scared of higher mile cars.
They are practical too, you can get a fair amount in the boot and on the back seats too. Adults won't go far in the back as they are small seats, but kids fine, though there are no isofix points so you will use the normal seatbelt fastening.
On the wheel front I would save yourself the hassle and look around. Some say the M-sport model has a harsh ride compared to the SE which is what I am guessing you have seen. On rough roads you really will get a rattling in it but you learn to put up with. To that end I would be tempted not to go for a SE and upgrade the alloys, as it makes the car look un-original, just see if you can find an M-sport.
If you do upgrade the alloys you won't need to do anything to the suspension. That said these cars are sensitive to knocks, so you may need to get the suspension bushes changed if there is knocking or evidence of irregular tyre wear. Make sure also the aircon works, as somebody said some parts on that can be shockingly pricey to change.
Finally somebody gave me some good advice the other day that I have not heard before. When you go to see it, just don't test the key things once. Test them 10 times, like the roof for example. Some cars have odd faults that won't be apparent, but get the engine running and check it out, and the windows too as they can be a pain if they don't work too. The vendor should be happy with this, even if they think you are a little odd, but it's your money.
Good luck.
Facelifted cars have the 6-speed; they can be identified by slightly different lights at the front, and LEDs at the rear, but that's about it.
Mine has done nearly 60k and seems fine. Squeeks can be cured by buying silicone spray from BMW which lubricates all the rubber joints in the cabin.
Take a good test drive and look for weaving - all E46s have problems with bushes wearing in the front suspension. It's not a massive job to fix, but it's a PITA when the car weaves around, and is something most people can't live with.
Fuel economy is good for most people - I have probably averaged 30mpg over 20k miles. Long journeys can return 34mpg easily.
It's nothing like as quick as your TVR, but they're not slow and make a fantastic noise.
Any questions feel free to PM me.
Mine has done nearly 60k and seems fine. Squeeks can be cured by buying silicone spray from BMW which lubricates all the rubber joints in the cabin.
Take a good test drive and look for weaving - all E46s have problems with bushes wearing in the front suspension. It's not a massive job to fix, but it's a PITA when the car weaves around, and is something most people can't live with.
Fuel economy is good for most people - I have probably averaged 30mpg over 20k miles. Long journeys can return 34mpg easily.
It's nothing like as quick as your TVR, but they're not slow and make a fantastic noise.
Any questions feel free to PM me.
Thanks for all your comments. I probably can't stretch to a facelift version at the moment, but the older style lights aren't too different. How much of a difference does the 6 speed box make? I had a sit in a friends '03 M sport 330 today and it's certainly very nice, the seats are lovely! The other question I had, is how noisy would the cabin be with the cabriolet versus the coupe? Also is the ride much harsher in the M Sport than the SE?
I know I can certainly afford the SE I've seen at about 9K. but the M sport might be too much of a stretch, what are the main differences between the two models? Thanks for your help.
I know I can certainly afford the SE I've seen at about 9K. but the M sport might be too much of a stretch, what are the main differences between the two models? Thanks for your help.
Personally I much prefer the SE to the sport, when I was buying mine (E46 325) I read what alot of people had to say about them and found the usual consensus to be that the SE is just a nicer place to be, hence I opted for it. The sport pack however does make the car look that bit better, my friend later bought the m sport. It is far less comfortable. The seats are uncomfortable, especially for long journeys - and the 18's over the 17's + suspension differences compound the comfort issues. He gets back ache from driving his whereas I can sit in mine all day...
So on the SE vs. sport issue, if you are worried about aesthetics opt for the sport, if you want a much nicer car to live as a driver go for the SE.... it really depends what you are looking for.
So on the SE vs. sport issue, if you are worried about aesthetics opt for the sport, if you want a much nicer car to live as a driver go for the SE.... it really depends what you are looking for.
Keep the TVR and spend a grand on a French runaround to ferry the sprog and its accoutrements about. Lifting the sprog in and out of the back of a 2 door car is something you'll quickly tire of. More so as the little git grows heavier.
Get some hard sprung sporty coupe or cabriolet with big wheels and sprog'll be much less likely to kip than it would in some nice soft old Peugeot or Citroen,
Get some hard sprung sporty coupe or cabriolet with big wheels and sprog'll be much less likely to kip than it would in some nice soft old Peugeot or Citroen,
The main differences have already been listed, sport has different bumpers, 18" wheels as opposed to 17" on the se and has much more supportive seats. I think all 330 sportd seats are electric memory, I've certainly not seen one without them. As said the stereo's are a big let down, I've got the Harman Kardon kit in mine and even that isn't very good.
On the practicality side of things, I Bought a 330 sport recently. My son is two so has no problem jumping in the back, but i'd say with a new baby, it would become a pain getting them in and out. Depends on your baby seat aswell - if you have one of those travel systems where the baby seat clips on to the buggy, you might have trouble getting it in and out as the space to get in isn't massive - If i ever need to take my sons seat out, I take the roof down, but its rare. Not ideal if your taking it in and out all the time.
Test your baby seat on your friends car...you'll have to move the front seat forward quite a bit too, so if you or the Mrs are tall, then it won't be the most comfortable of journeys.
Test your baby seat on your friends car...you'll have to move the front seat forward quite a bit too, so if you or the Mrs are tall, then it won't be the most comfortable of journeys.
Thanks for your comments, I've been to a BMW dealer today and they said that you just get a bit more for your money with the M sport than the SE, is that right? Are the steering wheels different? He also suggested I look at the 325 as an alternative?
I'm keen to stick with a manual rather than an auto, what is peoples preference? I know the only real way to know is go drive one, but I want to be armed with some info before I go test driving.
Is there a thread on the different model histories and specs of various models?
Oh and btw, I saw the new M3 convertible,
might have to sell the baby afterall 
I'm keen to stick with a manual rather than an auto, what is peoples preference? I know the only real way to know is go drive one, but I want to be armed with some info before I go test driving.
Is there a thread on the different model histories and specs of various models?
Oh and btw, I saw the new M3 convertible,
might have to sell the baby afterall Edited by Aubrey on Thursday 27th March 14:12
I've got a Chim 450 and a 330ci SE coupe. I have no serious withdrawal symptoms when driving the BMW and have had it for 5 years and 45k miles - the longest I have had a car so it must be OK).
It is an auto but for my day to day driving I prefer it and the manual shift is respectable.
Many PHers say stick with 17" wheels as the 18's tramline and make the ride harsh. I hated the sport - it just jiggled and lurched a low speed.
Thankfully I have no kids but would endorse the difficulty getting in an out of the back seats with the baby.
The suggestion of buying a cheapo 4 door is an option well worth considering.
Chims aren't exactly selling at premium prices for the moment so it may be worth just finding a few £k and getting a runaround.
ETA - my dealer tried to get me to have a 325 and it felt significantly down on power/performance in comparison with the 330.
It is an auto but for my day to day driving I prefer it and the manual shift is respectable.
Many PHers say stick with 17" wheels as the 18's tramline and make the ride harsh. I hated the sport - it just jiggled and lurched a low speed.
Thankfully I have no kids but would endorse the difficulty getting in an out of the back seats with the baby.
The suggestion of buying a cheapo 4 door is an option well worth considering.
Chims aren't exactly selling at premium prices for the moment so it may be worth just finding a few £k and getting a runaround.
ETA - my dealer tried to get me to have a 325 and it felt significantly down on power/performance in comparison with the 330.
Edited by DavidLScott on Thursday 27th March 15:06
IMHO - the sports seats are much more comfortable but the M suspension and 18's make the ride unusually firm and lumpy. Make sure you drive both before you make a decision.
And it's worth holding out for a 330, if you get a 325 you will regret it sooner or later (especially coming from a Chim).
Good luck!
And it's worth holding out for a 330, if you get a 325 you will regret it sooner or later (especially coming from a Chim).
Good luck!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff