2003 Facelift 330Ci - Just made an offer - Opinions?

[HannsG]

Hi Guys,

Looking to purchase a 330Ci Convertible very soon. Made an offer on the car. No Satnav or bluetooth but I think the price reflects that..

Anything I need to watch out for on these apart from rust? The car has had a new roof, new tyres all round etc. Seems to be in decent nick

I had the same engine in the 3.0i Z4 my wife owned. Cracking Engine and I really miss the inline Six...

Edited by HannsG on Monday 29th April 17:22

[anonymous-user]

Yes, google E46 boot floor cracking and make sure you get it checked out to confirm this car doesn't suffer from it.

[HannsG]

charltjr said:

Yes, google E46 boot floor cracking and make sure you get it checked out to confirm this car doesn't suffer from it.

bks.

I just thought that was the E46 M3. How would i check this apart from using a ramp? Lift the rear carpets?

[KTF]

A new roof? Assuming it isnt a convertible is this normal for the coupe?

[HannsG]

KTF said:

A new roof? Assuming it isnt a convertible is this normal for the coupe?

its the convertible I am looking at. I will amend the first post!

[Baz Tench]

HannsG said:

charltjr said:

Yes, google E46 boot floor cracking and make sure you get it checked out to confirm this car doesn't suffer from it.

bks.

I just thought that was the E46 M3. How would i check this apart from using a ramp? Lift the rear carpets?

I think It's only really visible from underneath.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry..... ignore me..... Doesn't appear to affect the convertable as it's already got a strengthened floor. I saw convertable but read coupe - long day!

[HannsG]

charltjr said:

Sorry..... ignore me..... Doesn't appear to affect the convertable as it's already got a strengthened floor. I saw convertable but read coupe - long day!

No worries

[fatboy b]

HannsG said:

charltjr said:

Yes, google E46 boot floor cracking and make sure you get it checked out to confirm this car doesn't suffer from it.

bks.

I just thought that was the E46 M3. How would i check this apart from using a ramp? Lift the rear carpets?

Didn't effect the 330Ci, coupe or conv. It was a big problem on the 328Ci, incl the one I had. In fact, mine was one of the first failures I believe, as the local dealer had never seen it previously. That was on a 1999 car in 2002.

[Session8]

The front bushes can wear but not an expensive fix, hand brake & brake lines can corrode and need replacing again not super expensive.

Check the wear on the inside of the rears, they can wear out pretty quick if tracking not looked after, it be worth getting a quick 4 wheel align for piece of mind.

Check the BMw forums for more.

Otherwise a brilliant car, the wife has one and I pinch the keys whenever possible.

Good luck

[fatboy b]

Another thing to watch on these are that they are a tad sensitive to new tyres at one end with part-worns at the other. The DSC kicks in around corners if it doesn't like them.

[HannsG]

No heated seats......Think thats a dealbreaker!

[GreatGranny]

Mate has an 05 auto and its a lovely car.

His has done nearly 90k miles with just the usual consumables but nothing major.

Auto or manual?

[funkyrobot]

I thought the subframe tear was only a pre-facelift car problem?

May be wrong though.

[HannsG]

GreatGranny said:

Mate has an 05 auto and its a lovely car.

His has done nearly 90k miles with just the usual consumables but nothing major.

Auto or manual?

I'm looking at a manual, m-sport spec. Not many extras

Had heated seats on Z4 - They were brilliant

[sc0tt]

I had a 2001 330ci Convertible

The fuel pump went.
The amp module suffered from dry joints and broke (common problem on the BM something)

That was about it I think.

I replaced the front bushes myself - cost £64 for the parts.

Check for rusty front arches.

Superb car. Stunning in everyway. One of my favourite.

[fatboy b]

sc0tt said:

Superb car. Stunning in everyway. One of my favourite.

Shame they've taken a major nose-dive on styling since.

[HannsG]

fatboy b said:

Shame they've taken a major nose-dive on styling since.

Very true. I much much prefer the styling of the E46 and E39's.

[kambites]

Personally I'd go for an SE rather than an M-Sport. I hated the suspension on the E46 M-Sports that I've driven.

[HannsG]

kambites said:

Personally I'd go for an SE rather than an M-Sport. I hated the suspension on the E46 M-Sports that I've driven.

I had a Z4 lowered on Eibachs and it was very very hard. I have a 9-3 Sportwagon on the drive for the long comfy journeys...

Hoping to keep this as a weekend car