E46 330 convertible - talk to me

[Ry_B]

Hello all

Looking to buy something more suited to motorway cruising, with all the toys and more torque. I hate diesels, so after briefly considering one, I put that silly idea out the window.

So, a 330 convertible. Talk to me, what can you tell me? Common faults? What kind of MPG am I looking at on the motorway? Round town? Any other helpful hints you can give will be appreciated

Cheers

Ryan

[d18mjr]

Hello mate,
Got a 330 coupe and love it, reading about 26.7mpg round town since i got it in Feb, easily get 32ish mpg on the motorway. The most common problem is ball joints, just replaced my front lower wishbones which set me back £300 notes all in. replaced the front tyres when i got it which set me back £200 all in.
You wont regret getting one.

[Ry_B]

Manual, I wouldn't touch an auto at the moment!

[Scott330ci]

I have an auto vert.

Its a very good car but heavy. It feels heavy aswell.

I did 30mpg from Essex to Le Mans, 80% I was giving the car death. Brilliant car for Motorways or B road blasting especially with the roof down.

I did the ball joints myself £70 took about an hour and I can barely spanner.

Not many common faults. I have had mine for nearly two years.

Its been Serviced £190
Aligned and tracked £100ish

And tyres.

Touch wood no faults. Any questions just ask

[007singh]

Are you dismissing the 330d Covertible already?

I have one, its a great car. Ok, so the idle sound is not the best, but one on the move, it has a bassy almost v8 (g)rumble to it (i kid you not!)

I have a remap on mine, now pushes out around 250 bhp, and God only knows what torque. Great to drive, and a cracking 6 speed manual box. Economy wise, I did a 3000 mile European road trip this summer. Me, the wife, and 3 weeks of luggage. Only used 5.5 tanks, and I didnt exactly hang around. Never get less than around 38mpg, and this is always driving briskly - so is easily achievable/easy to beat.

Generally not had any issues with it in the 3 years that I have had it. I know there are a few issues with control arm bushes etc, but if it has been cared for, with history, not much goes wrong. The roof and electrics are the biggest risk - check thoroughly, however the 3.0 6 pot is a solid motor with few issues. Oil consumption can be down to a number of simple fixes - google is your friend there. Check out some specific e46 sites like e46zone.com or e46fanatics for great buying guides.

These also fall into the value line service offering from Stealers, so BMW service costs can be quite reasonable if you like to maintian a dealer history and dont like to get your hands dirty.

Oh, and also, I think the e46 soft top is one cracking looking motor, even today (though I took these photos of my car yesterday - LOL) still looks crisp and modern:

Edited by 007singh on Thursday 21st October 14:08

[Ry_B]

Thanks for the feedback

Manual because I want some driver involvement and I love to rev my cars.

Petrol as (without meaning to start off the age old debate) a) Diesels don't rev, sound crap and also having just checked are also out of my price range (£around £8k)

Having a convertible diesel is just a silly idea IMO.

Anyway back on topic, not meaning to side step!

Thanks for the input so far

[Ruskie]

I have a 330ci clubsport, can't really fault the engine to be honest. It is almost too smooth and hits high speeds without drama so it can be deceptive. I would like more noise and a bit more drama but that's what an M3 is for!

Had a split hose on the induction side that was £70 from an Indy. No problems apart from that.

[Ry_B]

Think I'll stick an induction on it so that I can hear the 6 cylinder roar and make it more entertaining. If only I could afford to insure the M3! Oh well, 330 is a good second best

[Ruskie]

It would have to be a gruppe m carbon fibre one but at £4-500 it's alot of money. I am resisting the urge to mod as it just pushes insurance up too high for me.

[Ry_B]

Yeh I'll have to look into that, want the car first

So no real problems apart from suspension from what I can gather.

[Ry_B]

BTT!

[Fox-]

Cant get my head around the idea of a diesel cabrio. Sunny day, drop the roof.... and it sounds like you on a canal boat holiday.

[Jobbo]

A lot of people like canal boat holidays

[Ry_B]

Ha, diesel is definitely not an idea now, definitely ruled that one out.

Can anyone give any more tips/hints/advice on what they are like to own etc etc

[Fox-]

Other than an appetite for rear springs and roof motors which obviously mine doesnt have the costs are virtually identical to running a 530i. You can find my costs over 4 years in my profile, though bear in mind mine was newer when I bought it.

[Ry_B]

Thanks Fox, useful info mate.

[Ruskie]

The shame. I got trolled.

[Romanymagic]

If you don't want/cannot afford an M3 then the 330ci M Sport is a fantastic alternative. I have had mine 2 years, they sound good, reasonably nippy (0-60 in around 6.5sec), look good and don't look dated.

Mine for what's it worth:

[Ruskie]

Romanymagic said:

If you don't want/cannot afford an M3 then the 330ci M Sport is a fantastic alternative. I have had mine 2 years, they sound good, reasonably nippy (0-60 in around 6.5sec), look good and don't look dated.

Mine for what's it worth:

OP is a troll, now been banned!

[Fox-]

Ruskie said:

OP is a troll, now been banned!

Eh? I dont see any trolling, he asked a reasonable question and has been a member for almost 4 years?