2004 e46 BMW 330i Sport Touring 6 speed
Discussion
NiceCupOfTea said:
Also, in terms of audio, what is the best way forward. I don't have the HK system (is it actually worth having?). Considering one of the double DIN units, but is it worth having a separate amp and replacing speakers?
Your limited on what you can fit, there isn't the space for a proper double DIN so your options are basically the Chinese Android devices, the Parrot Asteroid or Alpine ILX-700 (could be others now but that was it last year when I was looking).I went with the Alpine and even though the I haven't got round to changing the speakers yet it was a big improvement in sound quality. It bypasses the amp in the boot which are known to become crap over time. Standard speakers are garbage though so if you like your audio they will need swapping out too.
Podie said:
Heated seats - didn't mwstewart fit these to his M3? Might be worth a look.
Xenons could be more hard work if you do it properly with self levelling and washers (assuming it doesn't have them already)
The summer will be here soon and you won't need either, spend your money in getting it in tip top condition instead.Xenons could be more hard work if you do it properly with self levelling and washers (assuming it doesn't have them already)
As far as preventative maintenance, see if you can borrow a ramp, get it up in the air and check the suspension bushes, arms, steering rack and bushes. They're a heavy car and they take their toll on suspension components, the car will start to feel loose and will tramline. Coil packs also fail and it's better to replace all six in one go.
The suspension is also usually neglected, A complete replacement kit with springs, shocks and polyurethane bushes makes a huge difference, costs about a grand but well worth it if you're keeping the car.
Rsdop said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Also, in terms of audio, what is the best way forward. I don't have the HK system (is it actually worth having?). Considering one of the double DIN units, but is it worth having a separate amp and replacing speakers?
Your limited on what you can fit, there isn't the space for a proper double DIN so your options are basically the Chinese Android devices, the Parrot Asteroid or Alpine ILX-700 (could be others now but that was it last year when I was looking).I went with the Alpine and even though the I haven't got round to changing the speakers yet it was a big improvement in sound quality. It bypasses the amp in the boot which are known to become crap over time. Standard speakers are garbage though so if you like your audio they will need swapping out too.
One other thing I've noticed and I wonder if other 330 Touring owners can confirm, it is quite boomy on the motorway, if you're at a constant throttle at 70 or 80. Wondering if I have a blow from the exhaust or if they are all like that. Truth be told, it's quite annoying on a run...
Gunk said:
philmots said:
Still love the e46, specially in 330i guise. But they suit the auto so much better imo.
Back in 2002 I had one of each (the convertible was a manual) the auto was much nicer to drive.
LanceRS said:
Gunk said:
philmots said:
Still love the e46, specially in 330i guise. But they suit the auto so much better imo.
Back in 2002 I had one of each (the convertible was a manual) the auto was much nicer to drive.The engine is light on torque so the auto only highlights that, plus with max power at 6600rpm you have to really thrash the engine which doesn't really suit the auto either.
I presume the E46 330i engine is a little more laid back in its power delivery and that's why it suits the auto more, appreciate that BMW's manual gearboxes are poor so that's another reason to prefer the auto.
cerb4.5lee said:
What makes the auto suit the E46 330i so much? I have a E90 330i auto and for me that gearbox doesn't suit the engine at all.
The engine is light on torque so the auto only highlights that, plus with max power at 6600rpm you have to really thrash the engine which doesn't really suit the auto either.
I presume the E46 330i engine is a little more laid back in its power delivery and that's why it suits the auto more, appreciate that BMW's manual gearboxes are poor so that's another reason to prefer the auto.
The poor manual box drives it home to me, but the engine is happy to cruise below 1000RPM around town or over 6. Not to mention being torque light an autobox will be more likely to kickdown, or unlock the converter, so there's less time spent at low engine speeds.The engine is light on torque so the auto only highlights that, plus with max power at 6600rpm you have to really thrash the engine which doesn't really suit the auto either.
I presume the E46 330i engine is a little more laid back in its power delivery and that's why it suits the auto more, appreciate that BMW's manual gearboxes are poor so that's another reason to prefer the auto.
For a 330i touring I'd say an auto would be best for me, but the manual is definitely much more engaging. Something like a 325ti would be wrong with an auto.
JakeT said:
For a 330i touring I'd say an auto would be best for me, but the manual is definitely much more engaging. Something like a 325ti would be wrong with an auto.
Yes that is a fair point, I like the auto in terms of its laid back nature at everyday speeds but get frustrated at how it makes the engine feel a little gutless if you only push the pedal lightly. Yet if you stamp on the pedal the gearbox can feel at odds to me at high revs as well, I think maybe that's because I've been used to an auto mated to a diesel though and that highlights to me how the petrol doesn't seem to suit the auto.
I think I would enjoy a 330i far more with a manual so I can be in charge of the revs and what the engine is doing, it's a shame the manual is so lacklustre though and I wasn't keen on the manual in my Z4M/E92 M3 either.
It's a tough call I reckon.
cerb4.5lee said:
What makes the auto suit the E46 330i so much? I have a E90 330i auto and for me that gearbox doesn't suit the engine at all.
The engine is ludicrously smooth at both ends of the rev range, and hugely tractable. I personally don't think that 220lbft available at ~3kprm is a poor amount of torque at all.Mine (an auto) will happily potter around London at very low revs, with the autobox doing a minimum of juggling (second-gear pulloffs are common). Then Manual mode lets me exploit the fact that it absolutely loves to be revved hard.
Probably the best of both worlds, if I'm being honest.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Thanks for this - I thought I mentioned it in another post but can't see it now, but I was looking at Eonon / Dynavin / BMW Power & Audio options rather than the cheap Chinese head units.
One other thing I've noticed and I wonder if other 330 Touring owners can confirm, it is quite boomy on the motorway, if you're at a constant throttle at 70 or 80. Wondering if I have a blow from the exhaust or if they are all like that. Truth be told, it's quite annoying on a run...
Dynavin/Eonon are cheap Chinese unfortunately, well not so cheap for the Dynavin I suppose! The reviews were very mixed when I looked, some perfect some with issues. They do look good fitted though.One other thing I've noticed and I wonder if other 330 Touring owners can confirm, it is quite boomy on the motorway, if you're at a constant throttle at 70 or 80. Wondering if I have a blow from the exhaust or if they are all like that. Truth be told, it's quite annoying on a run...
Mines started booming recently, similar miles to yours too. I actually like the noise but don't do long motorway journeys so going to leave it for now.
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
What makes the auto suit the E46 330i so much? I have a E90 330i auto and for me that gearbox doesn't suit the engine at all.
The engine is ludicrously smooth at both ends of the rev range, and hugely tractable. I personally don't think that 220lbft available at ~3kprm is a poor amount of torque at all.Mine (an auto) will happily potter around London at very low revs, with the autobox doing a minimum of juggling (second-gear pulloffs are common). Then Manual mode lets me exploit the fact that it absolutely loves to be revved hard.
Probably the best of both worlds, if I'm being honest.
In terms of shove for me the 330i never really feels like it's a 3 litre engine, and the torque of the 330d helped hide it's kerb weight whereas to me the 330i really feels it's weight.
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
What makes the auto suit the E46 330i so much? I have a E90 330i auto and for me that gearbox doesn't suit the engine at all.
The engine is ludicrously smooth at both ends of the rev range, and hugely tractable. I personally don't think that 220lbft available at ~3kprm is a poor amount of torque at all.Mine (an auto) will happily potter around London at very low revs, with the autobox doing a minimum of juggling (second-gear pulloffs are common). Then Manual mode lets me exploit the fact that it absolutely loves to be revved hard.
Probably the best of both worlds, if I'm being honest.
In terms of shove for me the 330i never really feels like it's a 3 litre engine, and the torque of the 330d helped hide it's kerb weight whereas to me the 330i really feels it's weight.
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
C70R said:
cerb4.5lee said:
What makes the auto suit the E46 330i so much? I have a E90 330i auto and for me that gearbox doesn't suit the engine at all.
The engine is ludicrously smooth at both ends of the rev range, and hugely tractable. I personally don't think that 220lbft available at ~3kprm is a poor amount of torque at all.Mine (an auto) will happily potter around London at very low revs, with the autobox doing a minimum of juggling (second-gear pulloffs are common). Then Manual mode lets me exploit the fact that it absolutely loves to be revved hard.
Probably the best of both worlds, if I'm being honest.
In terms of shove for me the 330i never really feels like it's a 3 litre engine, and the torque of the 330d helped hide it's kerb weight whereas to me the 330i really feels it's weight.
cerb4.5lee said:
I think what spoilt me was I had a E90 330d auto for 6 years with 369ibft, so the 330i feels incredibly flat to me and just doesn't suit the auto box in comparison at all.
In terms of shove for me the 330i never really feels like it's a 3 litre engine, and the torque of the 330d helped hide it's kerb weight whereas to me the 330i really feels it's weight.
Exactly. A good way of putting it imho.In terms of shove for me the 330i never really feels like it's a 3 litre engine, and the torque of the 330d helped hide it's kerb weight whereas to me the 330i really feels it's weight.
I can see that an auto box would suit the character of the car well - however, most of my fun driving tends to be "on the way" to somewhere else, and in the past I have been frustrated to be in the wrong car. We'll see how it goes. It feels very well insulated (apart from said boominess) and the linear power delivery hides the power well. It picks up speed quickly but doesn't feel overly dramatic, so not exciting exactly, but hopefully will deliver thrills as required (as much as the family car can!).
Anyway, gave it a thorough clean today so some pics are due. Gave the underneath a good wash/wax with a chassic cleaner, and snow foamed/washed. Some welded on bird lime that I had to take a razor blade to in the end
Clay bar (paintwork felt like sandpaper), and a thorough polish. No time for wax unfortunately. Also cleaned and fed the seats (improvement but not perfect), and shampooed the mats. Carpets themselves good do with a clean, and I am going to get some rubber mats to preserve them.
Anyway, pics.
The state of the clay bar when I had finished!
The paintwork came up pretty well - a few scratches and dings, but nothing major. Bottom front of N/S rear arch has a rust blister, as does the tail end of the O/S rear arch. Some lacquer peel on O/S front wing, and stone chips on the bonnet and the front bumper. I will probably get the rust seen to, and perhaps get the wing sprayed at some stage. Wheels are a mess, corrosion and flaking paint. OK from a few feet away though. Tempted to see if I can find some decent looking 17" wheels with fewer spokes that will be easier to look after.
Anyway, gave it a thorough clean today so some pics are due. Gave the underneath a good wash/wax with a chassic cleaner, and snow foamed/washed. Some welded on bird lime that I had to take a razor blade to in the end
Clay bar (paintwork felt like sandpaper), and a thorough polish. No time for wax unfortunately. Also cleaned and fed the seats (improvement but not perfect), and shampooed the mats. Carpets themselves good do with a clean, and I am going to get some rubber mats to preserve them.Anyway, pics.
The state of the clay bar when I had finished!
The paintwork came up pretty well - a few scratches and dings, but nothing major. Bottom front of N/S rear arch has a rust blister, as does the tail end of the O/S rear arch. Some lacquer peel on O/S front wing, and stone chips on the bonnet and the front bumper. I will probably get the rust seen to, and perhaps get the wing sprayed at some stage. Wheels are a mess, corrosion and flaking paint. OK from a few feet away though. Tempted to see if I can find some decent looking 17" wheels with fewer spokes that will be easier to look after.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Saturday 18th February 23:40
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