E46 328?

[_Al_]

There seem to be a lot of threads singing the praises of the 330ci but there's not much on the 328. Google'd it but didn't find much.

Getting tempted by a local 2000 328ci with 87,000 miles at 4.7k (private sale)

Would I be better waiting for a 330? I don't do many miles so mpg isn't much of a concern. I want something fun that can handle long journeys when need be. Ideally it could hold it's own on the odd occasion that I do a track day.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance

[ADM06]

It's a good engine and in an E36 makes for a pretty quick car.
In an E46 with the extra 100kg+ weight I'd want the extra 40bhp of the 330ci though.

[forsure]

I'd go for the later car, and not just for the extra power.

The '01 facelift cars have much improved steering & suspension.

[_Al_]

I thought the facelift was 2003 (LED lights, smiley face and 6-speed)?

Post facelift cars are a little out of my reach, my options seem to be 70-90k 328s or 100k+ 330s up to 2001.

I like the sound of improved suspension/steering - do you mean improved dynamically or just tougher? My research shows suspension bushes to be something of a weak point on the 3-series.

Must admit, I didn't realise the difference was quite as large as 40BHP. I've read various numbers (including 40) but most seemed to be less. Some were quoting as little as 5bhp between them.

Edited by _Al_ on Monday 14th December 09:13

[john_p]

They changed the steering but that was when the 330 came out - then changed it again mid-2001 when everyone complained. Then there was a facelift in mid-2003 when they added LED lights, 6-speed box etc.

I drive a 328, it doesn't feel underpowered even with the auto box - but it isn't the most economical either. If you can stretch to it, then a 2001-on 330 (Sport) would be my choice.

Running costs will be identical between the 328 and 330, the main factor will be age of car (120k or so and you might have some upcoming bills if the steering isn't right) - although if you get a 330 Sport it has 18" tyres which will cost a bit more than the equivalent 17"s on the 328.

Other thing to remember with the 328 is the rear subframe tears (google e46 rear subframe) and this must be checked for.

Edited by john_p on Monday 14th December 09:27

[forsure]

_Al_ said:

I like the sound of improved suspension/steering - do you mean improved dynamically or just tougher? My research shows suspension bushes to be something of a weak point on the 3-series.

Edited by _Al_ on Monday 14th December 09:13

Dynamically. Quicker rack, smaller steering wheel, spring/damper tweaks.

This was mid-'01, along with 'smiley face' (except coupe & convertible), 'glittery' rear lights (not LED), and new alloy wheel designs.

LEDs came later, as did 'smiley' grilles for all except M3.

[_Al_]

Having read up on the subframe issue for most of the morning I'm suddenly a lot less sure that I want one!

I have no intention to modify the car, but I do rather a lot of spirited driving and the thought that the car could be breaking up in the process is unappealing to say the least.

I fully expect defects with a 10 yr old car, and being a BMW I expected to pay premium prices for them, but some of the quotes I've seen were quite terrifying.

In summary from the past week of research, if I buy a 100,000mile 330ci and keep it 5yrs I can expect to replace most of the cooling system, the diff mounts and possibly the subframe mounts?

[stone-islandV8]

_Al_ said:

Having read up on the subframe issue for most of the morning I'm suddenly a lot less sure that I want one!

I have no intention to modify the car, but I do rather a lot of spirited driving and the thought that the car could be breaking up in the process is unappealing to say the least.

I fully expect defects with a 10 yr old car, and being a BMW I expected to pay premium prices for them, but some of the quotes I've seen were quite terrifying.

In summary from the past week of research, if I buy a 100,000mile 330ci and keep it 5yrs I can expect to replace most of the cooling system, the diff mounts and possibly the subframe mounts?

Had a 328 coupe MY99 for approx 3 years and only got rid of it cos we needed more room...it was remapped and driven spirirtedly on occasion and never had anything go wrong with it.

[Mave]

£4.7K seems a bit pricy to me. I bought a 2000 touring from a non-franchised dealer, 6 month warranty, 2 previous owners, full BMW history, for £4200 earlier in the year.

[_Al_]

Ok, thanks for the info. The 328 near me is a nice looking machine but I did wonder about the price, there are 3 x 330ci cars nearby for less. Having read a bit more two things stand out;

1) BMW expect 1% of 'pre-fix' cars and 0.1% of 'post-fix' cars to have this failure
2) All 330s had the fix

So ideally I'm looking for a late 2001 onwards 330 with low miles and a very particular service history..


It has to be noted that the 5-series sport models (whatever they are, I've done no research) are a nice looking beast and are apparently both cheaper to insure and free of this fault. Any thoughts on 330ci Vs 5xx?

Sadly I can't push to an 'M' of either spec...

Edited by _Al_ on Tuesday 15th December 00:06

[thehos]

i had a t reg e46 328i, lovely car no problems at all, silver saloon with red leather.

oh and would leave a e36 328i and would stay with a 535m

[boobles]

I have a "fully loaded" e46 328ci coupe for sale in the new year. Great cars & mine has a much better spec than my bosses 2004 330. Just had rear suspension bushes replaced & the car is in perfect condition.

Edited by boobles on Tuesday 15th December 16:51

[phelix]

Don't rule out an E46 328i because of potential subframe issues. Mine is 10.5 years old, 145K miles, perhaps 8K miles towing a 1200kg trailer and a BMW driving school at the Ring and there are no subframe issues. Just get the car checked by someone who knows what to look for.

[stone-islandV8]

_Al_ said:

So ideally I'm looking for a late 2001 onwards 330 with low miles and a very particular service history..


It has to be noted that the 5-series sport models (whatever they are, I've done no research) are a nice looking beast and are apparently both cheaper to insure and free of this fault. Any thoughts on 330ci Vs 5xx?

Sadly I can't push to an 'M' of either spec...

Edited by _Al_ on Tuesday 15th December 00:06

I went from the 328 coup to a 540 touring....different handling but then again 286bhp with enough room for loads of luggage,tent,wife,kids and dogs. The 5 series whether v8 or not are bigger heavier cars so I'd suggest trying both and seeing which you prefer.

Nobody going to mention the like some M54 engines for their oil???

[ADM06]

stone-islandV8 said:

Nobody going to mention the like some M54 engines for their oil???

This is a breather pipe problem IIRC and easily fixed?

[Nickbmwcoupe]

ADM06 said:

It's a good engine and in an E36 makes for a pretty quick car.
In an E46 with the extra 100kg+ weight I'd want the extra 40bhp of the 330ci though.

agreed pretty slow to be honest left one for dead in my 325 e36

[boobles]

I don't think that anyone is suggesting that the e46 328 is a quick car.
If i had wanted a quick car, i would have kept my Z3M Roadster.

[stone-islandV8]

ADM06 said:

stone-islandV8 said:

Nobody going to mention the like some M54 engines for their oil???

This is a breather pipe problem IIRC and easily fixed?

While the breather/cyclone valves suck up oil when they go and it can be common on E39s, the M54 engines can suffer from high oil consumption depending on how they were 'run in'. Not all do it and those that do differ in quantities and changing oil grade has helped but its worth noting.

[_Al_]

How do we define 'high' consumption? Weekly check or monthly? Been running round in a ford fiesta recently and it hasn't used a drop so I've fallen out of the habbit of checking.

Are we talking about all M54s or just certain ages? I take it a running in problem is basically unfixable? More googling needed I guess!

Haven't had chance to research the 5-series yet but the more I think about it the more a 3-series wins. I don't have a family or dogs (or even a tent) at this stage. Plenty of time for that later. Going to look at a couple of 330s this weekend. Will take a look at a 5 series if time allows (i.e. Christmas shopping!)

thanks for the info so far guys, keep it coming please, I like to know what I'm letting myself in for!

Edited by _Al_ on Wednesday 16th December 21:59

[stone-islandV8]

IIRC BMWs torlerance level is 1L per 600 miles or so.....some use, some don't,some use more thsn others....my old mans 320 uses about 1L every 2k.