which e46??

[cooky0709]

I'm looking at getting myself an e46 coupe. Iv'e had a e36 318is for a few years and now can't really think of moving away from a bmw. Just wondering what your opinions are on the best models to go for. iv'e been looking at 318ci, 320ci, 323ci, and 325ci and just want to know what you think are the best considering insurance differences and fuel consumption. I'm not overly bothered by speed so not automatically looking for the fastest but i here the bigger engines arn't much different in fuel consumption compared with a 318 for example so just looking for the best combination of performance and costs. Any ideas appreciated, cheers.

[thehos]

if it was me i would go for a six pot 325 or 328, I've heard 330i's are a bit thirsty

[Neil_Sc]

thehos said:

if it was me i would go for a six pot 325 or 328, I've heard 330i's are a bit thirsty

In reality, no more thirsty than the 325.

330 all the way.

[Heathwood]

thehos said:

if it was me i would go for a six pot 325 or 328, I've heard 330i's are a bit thirsty

Don't believe everything you hear. All the six pots return very similar mpg. In fact, as you'd need to work a smaller engine (particularly 320i) quite hard, I reckon you may actually get better returns from a 330i.

[cooky0709]

thanks for the advice chaps, just been messing around with insurance to get an idea, first thought a 330 would be a no go but its only a little bit higher than a 318 funnily enough so thats the 318/320 idea out the window!

[carsarecool]

330i definitely!

Had one for 18 months and 60000 miles, averaged 31 mpg (incl a lot of motorway miles).

Great engine, smooth, powerful, great sounding!

Go for it!

[thehos]

funny that, my mate had a 330ci, and that was about the same mpg as my m3, according to the computer that is.

perhaps i drive like miss daisy!!

[dave144]

Ive had a 318ci, 320i Auto and a 330i manual. The 318ci averaged about 32-34 mpg but felt underpowered and only had 4 cylinders!! the 320i auto was shocking, averaged around 25mpg and the auto gearboxs can be troublesome. The 330i averages 27mpg mostly driving around town and feels great when pushing along. I just wish i'd gone for the 330i to start off with. As for insurance it only cost me £350 to insure my 330i msport tourer fully comp.

Hope this is of some help

[rharris21]

Another vote for the 330ci.

Mine averages around 29 - 30 mpg and at the moment I'm doing very short boring journeys.. not much full throttle.

On a run with cruise control - get around 36 - 38mpg.

I looked at a 320 but then researched and tbh the return on fuel is very similar between all the str8 6's.

Road tax is the same, mpg virtually the same.. only diff was insurance was slightly more than a 325 (not worth worrying about!) hence I went for the 330ci.

[cooky0709]

Thanks guys, yeh iv'e heard from most people that the fuel economy is pretty much the same in all models, I would say even my 318is at the moment doesn't do much better than your suggested figures. Definately looking out for the right 330 to come up now. thanks for the help, much appreciated.

[AFA]

Hi, if you do buy the 330 then go for the 330ci msport better interior, as evryone else said fuel consumption is between 30 and 34 if you drive it carefully. But you have to give it some to hear that 3 litre beast roar sounds fantastic, cant wipe smile off my face. If you need any advice on researching to make sure you get a good one then just ask, regards.

[LC23]

thehos said:

funny that, my mate had a 330ci, and that was about the same mpg as my m3, according to the computer that is.

perhaps i drive like miss daisy!!

There is no way my M3 ever got close to the MPG I get out of the 330Ci.

[master L]

the 318 is the most underpower car i have ever sat in, it was shocking!