Difference in E46 03 shape?

[Jboo]

Hi,

I've been looking at quite a few 2003 330ci convertibles lately, but just noticed something that I hadn't before. One car I'm looking at has the side indicators what looks like about 10 inches or so back from the front wheel and about mid-way down the door vertically (when you look at the car side-on). Another car I'm looking at (2003 also) has the side indicators higher up vertically and nearer the front wheel. In fact they're level with the door handles horizontally and almost inline with the back of the front wheels as you look at the car side-on.

Basically, could anyone tell me whether there was a new design in the 2003 year to explain this, and if there was what other differences are there between the two models.

I hope I've explained it clear enough!

[thehos]

yep there was a facelift in 2003, indicators, grills, boot handle, m3 stayed the same though, except for the boot handle

[AB]

http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/E46Facelift.p...

[Jboo]

Ah that explains it then! Thanks for the replies, and for the link to the pdf. Good to see what all the changes were before I go ahead and buy.

[john_p]

That document also omits the fact that the air conditioning panel changed slightly during the 2003 revamp

[Jboo]

I'll keep a look out for that john

Edited by Jboo on Wednesday 14th April 14:27

[Matthew_Eames]

Interesting, I'm looking for a coupe at present and probably prefer the pre-facelift car (looks better to my eyes as it resembles the E39 and M3 rather than the newer stuff)

does the 6 speed gearbox make much difference overall, is it just a cruising gear or is the whole box more closely spaced?

I'm also interested in how the air con panels are different...new functions or just a new facia, pictures are always good.

Also bar Xenons (a must IMO) what other options are worth looking for, and which to avoid?

Cheers

[nw28840]

The must have options in my opinion :

Xenons
Heated Seats - a very nice option
19" Wheels - check tyres also - PS2's are good
Sat Nav is a nice option to have Dash definitely looks nicer in my opinion)
SMG - well i loved it

Mine was a 53 plate post uplift, owned it 4 years - fantastic car !

Good luck with your hunt......

[AB]

Matthew, final drive ratio on 5 and 6 speed cars is pretty similar so it wont make much difference.

[AB]

nw28840 said:

The must have options in my opinion :

Xenons
Heated Seats - a very nice option
19" Wheels - check tyres also - PS2's are good
Sat Nav is a nice option to have Dash definitely looks nicer in my opinion)
SMG - well i loved it

Mine was a 53 plate post uplift, owned it 4 years - fantastic car !

Good luck with your hunt......

Xenons, heated seats are good.

Nav makes the dash look much better as mentioned although it's never up to the standard of a TomTom for example. TV is nice though!

SMG, well my advice is to test drive, I prefer the manual.

[Vee]

nw28840 said:

The must have options in my opinion :
19" Wheels - check tyres also - PS2's are good
SMG - well i loved it

19s won't go well on a 330 sport.
While SMG is fine on an M3, the version for lesser models is SSG and it ****. Problematic and difficult to diagnose. Much better off with the normal steptronic.

[Matt UK]

Vee said:

nw28840 said:

The must have options in my opinion :
19" Wheels - check tyres also - PS2's are good
SMG - well i loved it

19s won't go well on a 330 sport.
While SMG is fine on an M3, the version for lesser models is SSG and it ****. Problematic and difficult to diagnose. Much better off with the normal steptronic.

Not sure that 19s were an option on the e46 were they?

[a_bread]

AB said:

Matthew, final drive ratio on 5 and 6 speed cars is pretty similar so it wont make much difference.

It's exactly the same, 2.93

Basically the 6th is just an extra gear, the other 5 have not been made closer.

[Matthew_Eames]

a_bread said:

AB said:

Matthew, final drive ratio on 5 and 6 speed cars is pretty similar so it wont make much difference.

It's exactly the same, 2.93

Basically the 6th is just an extra gear, the other 5 have not been made closer.

Top Anoraking

Any more useful info you have?

[AB]

Matthew_Eames said:

a_bread said:

AB said:

Matthew, final drive ratio on 5 and 6 speed cars is pretty similar so it wont make much difference.

It's exactly the same, 2.93

Basically the 6th is just an extra gear, the other 5 have not been made closer.

Top Anoraking

Any more useful info you have?

Most definitely, thought they were but wasnt willing to change 'similar' to 'the same'