E46 330ci a few questions...

[istoo]

i am currently hunting for a 2001-2002 330 coupe after test driving a 330 coupe on an X plate last week i utterly loved it. It was a sport and had a short throw gear box, individual colur (velvet blue) and felt pretty flat cornering. however that specific one had a few issues so obviously to the national search for the right car...

-se, sport & clubsport, what is the physical difference ie how do i tell? tried searching the forums and the web for details of what is or isnt part of the spec but cant come up with anything. Does the sport have a better suspension setup?

-also read on a site (cant remember which) the recommendation was to go for the facelifted models, is this valid, ie when was the facelift and what did it include.

[dumbfunk]

from memory a Sport has better seats, lowered and stiffened suspension, dark headlining, big alloys, shadowline glass, sports seats, silver headlight surrounds and M aero kit. For me it was absolutely worth the extra just for the way it handled. The revised facelift version is easy to spot as the creases in the bonnet start at 2/3 of the way from the centre rather than from the top corners of the panel - do some google image searching and you'll quickly see...


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[istoo]

agreed, never driven anything else other than a 330ci sport, loved that so that is what i must find. let the search begin...

are there any mechancial/ suspension differences with the facelift or is it purely cosmetic? i must say i do like the lines of this coupe...

[FesterNath]

Facelifted model has different front lights, LED rear lights, and - crucially - a 6 speed box, which far from being a gimmick makes a real difference to the driving experience.

[Lordsmut]

Facelifted ones are deffo still looking fresh. Here is a nice one:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/219113.htm

[daveco]

FesterNath said:

Facelifted model has different front lights, LED rear lights, and - crucially - a 6 speed box, which far from being a gimmick makes a real difference to the driving experience.

Thought the facelifted diesels only got the 6-speed box?

[istoo]

ah is the whole box revised or is it just adding a taller gear?
ie are the ratios a bit tigher?

edit:
my top whack budget is about £12k. I know the face-lifted models are generally about that mark. The black one is nice. I am keen on the individual range ones, with the nappa or unusal colours. a nice imola red on on the HP classifieds as well. I love shopping for cars...

Edited by istoo on Friday 19th October 11:05

[FesterNath]

daveco said:

FesterNath said:

Facelifted model has different front lights, LED rear lights, and - crucially - a 6 speed box, which far from being a gimmick makes a real difference to the driving experience.

Thought the facelifted diesels only got the 6-speed box?

No the petrols got it too (I have one) but I'm not sure how the ratios are different. All I can say is that the box seems to have been really nicely judged, with 6th being a usable gear for A roads and motorways.

[DavidLScott]

I have a 52 plate SE auto (sorry about that).

If you have less than good road surfaces where you are, try the Sport and the SE as the Sport was awful on Sussex's gnarled old rubbish and just stuttered and thumped its way around.

I was told you either like them or loath them.

However my wife says it rolls like a boat and my Chimaera jumps and jiggles abyway but I expect that to happen.

I would defintiely try both and go for personal preference.

[Vesuvius 996]

I had a gorgeous silver Clubsport auto.

CS has less sound deadening and nicer alloys, along with some black cube interior trim. Which is nice.

[Chessers]

Same here but in Estoril blue.

You don't see too many of them about on the road so was something a bit different, split rims looked quite nice as well.

[istoo]

fair point David, i dont mind the harsher ride to be honest, I live in the north east of scotland and do about 15k a year including lucky for me some of the best scottish twisty hill roads a good few times a month. I think form memory the 330 i drove 5th was about 2700rpm at 70. Can someone let me know where hte rev counter sits in 5th 6th on the 330 at 60 and 70? Fussy i know but that is where most cars sit, i suspect given the top end speed that fifth will be quite tall. And it sounds as the stats for top speed havent changed that the 6 speed box is a little short ratio with a taller top gear. helps lots for long drives.

The CS i read was missing 20kgs of sound insulation to open up the noise. but they seem to be even thinner on the ground and i suspect outwith my budget.

The other options i think are personal choice but i would only go for a manual and i like contrasting interior to the exterior, seen a nice 2001 in dark green with the black and tan nappa interior.

[Wombat Rick]

istoo said:

The CS i read was missing 20kgs of sound insulation to open up the noise. but they seem to be even thinner on the ground and i suspect outwith my budget.

I've put my Dad's ClubSport in the classifieds and it's in your budget if you are interested...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/279256.htm

[uktrailmonster]

I had a 2002 330Ci Sport for a year. Loved it to start with, but the harsh ride got on my tits in the end. Lots of very annoying rattles from the interior trim too, especially the door bins. I'd had enough after 15K miles. Still a very nice car, but not a good compromise for UK roads.

[istoo]

thanks rick, its nice but i am after a full leather interior, and i am with your old man on the boot spolier. Topaz and black is one of my choices, ideally i am after one with an indid=vidual spec interior. black and tan i really like. However, otherwise its a nice one and he WILL sell that, trust me i have looked at HEAPS. but i am being fussy!

as far as ride goes, i dont mind, at the end of the day its a compromise i am willing to go for. but i can understand where you are coming from. I would prefer the stiffer ride for the handling advantage. I am a person who avoids potholes as well, i have various lines round the two or three that decorate my route home...