Talk to me about E46 coupes

[Chris71]

Smuler said:

Why does he consider part ex if he's traveling is that weird
if close enough, always worth taking a look

That is a good point, although I guess he might be open to downsizing to a basic runaround plus some cash towards the trip...

It's not local enough for a speculative look, but I might be heading down that way soon.

[Smuler]

Chris71 said:

That is a good point, although I guess he might be open to downsizing to a basic runaround plus some cash towards the trip...

It's not local enough for a speculative look, but I might be heading down that way soon.

I thought that, but then thought that he doesn't seem to do the mileage. to justify the hassle.
He's claiming 100k on ad, not sure how old this ad is. One was July.
And it was 100,681 @ MOT 3.5 months ago.
You see "going traveling" a lot on ads, as reason for sale so I take it with a pinch of salt.
I'd get him to do a video and send before going too far, plus a basic HPI check, couple of quid.

[Chris71]

If I did head down there's this one nearby to check out too.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bmw...

I presume that front end means it's the SE? (Sports have the lip extensions on the front bumper, I believe?)

[Funk]

Chris71 said:

If I did head down there's this one nearby to check out too.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bmw...

I presume that front end means it's the SE? (Sports have the lip extensions on the front bumper, I believe?)

Yep, looks like SE bumpers to me.

Always worth running the reg to get the VIN and then check the VIN for the full spec!

CF02 BWV:

Type 330CI (EUR)
Series E46 (3 Series)
Body Type COUPE
Steering RL
Engine M54
Displacement 3.00
Power 170kw / 231hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)
Upholstery STOFF FLACHGEWEBE LEINENANTHRAZIT (E4AT)

Options

S205A Automatic Transmission
S210A Dynamic Stability Control
S249A Multifunction F Steering Wheel
S302A Alarm System
S428A Warning Triangle And First Aid Kit
S431A Interior Mirror With Automatic dip
S441A Smoker Package
S459A Seat Adjuster Electric With Memory
S474A Deleted Front Armrest
S481A Sports Seat
S502A Headlight Cleaning System
S508A Park Distance Control PDC
S521A Rain Sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S534A Automatic Air Conditioning
S650A CD Player
S661A Radio BMW Business C43
S674A HiFi System Harman Kardon
S692A Preparation BMW 6CD Changer Ibus
S785A White Direction Indicator Lights
L812A National Version England Ireland
S850A DummySALAPA
S863A Retailer Directory Europe
S877A Delete Crosspattern Operation
S880A Onboard Vehicle Literature English

Standard Equipment

S255A Sports Leather Steering Wheel
S351A BMW LA Wheel Star Spoke 89
S520A Fog Lights
S550A Onboard Computer
S832A Battery In Luggage Compartment
S853A Language Version English

Edited by Funk on Monday 2nd October 12:57

[Smuler]

Funk said:

Yep, looks like SE bumpers to me.

Always worth running the reg to get the VIN and then check the VIN for the full spec!

CF02 BWV:

Type 330CI (EUR)
Series E46 (3 Series)
Body Type COUPE
Steering RL
Engine M54
Displacement 3.00
Power 170kw / 231hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)
Upholstery STOFF FLACHGEWEBE LEINENANTHRAZIT (E4AT)

Options

S205A Automatic Transmission
S210A Dynamic Stability Control
S249A Multifunction F Steering Wheel
S302A Alarm System
S428A Warning Triangle And First Aid Kit
S431A Interior Mirror With Automatic dip
S441A Smoker Package
S459A Seat Adjuster Electric With Memory
S474A Deleted Front Armrest
S481A Sports Seat
S502A Headlight Cleaning System
S508A Park Distance Control PDC
S521A Rain Sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S534A Automatic Air Conditioning
S650A CD Player
S661A Radio BMW Business C43
S674A HiFi System Harman Kardon
S692A Preparation BMW 6CD Changer Ibus
S785A White Direction Indicator Lights
L812A National Version England Ireland
S850A DummySALAPA
S863A Retailer Directory Europe
S877A Delete Crosspattern Operation
S880A Onboard Vehicle Literature English

Standard Equipment

S255A Sports Leather Steering Wheel
S351A BMW LA Wheel Star Spoke 89
S520A Fog Lights
S550A Onboard Computer
S832A Battery In Luggage Compartment
S853A Language Version English

Edited by Funk on Monday 2nd October 12:57

It's got sport seats
And Xenons
And better mileage


@Funk, how did you run reg,to get VIN, I used to do it on BMW warranty site but i read here they stopped that

[Chris71]

Smuler said:

@Funk, how did you run reg,to get VIN, I used to do it on BMW warranty site but i read here they stopped that

I was wondering that! Tried that repeatedly with another car I was looking at and I could find sites that would do it from the VIN, but couldn't find anywhere that would give you the VIN from the registration? Even the trick where you search through the source code seemed to have been blocked.

[Funk]

I'm reticent to post it publicly lest it gets hammered and they pull it... Took me ages to find it!

[Chris71]

Funk said:

I'm reticent to post it publicly lest it gets hammered and they pull it... Took me ages to find it!

Fair dos. I might drop you a PM if any others pop up.

On a random note, how easy is it to get an auxilary input into the standard hifi?

[Mr Tidy]

Chris71 said:

On a random note, how easy is it to get an auxilary input into the standard hifi?

From what I have read on another BMW forum I believe fruitycables make a cable that uses the CD-changer connection on the standard BMW head unit to a 3.5mm auxiliary input - you can contact them direct (rather than via Amazon) to discuss your requirements.

[Cledus Snow]

dhutch said:

Chris71 said:

Random question ... well, questions.

Do all 330i SE's have cruise control? I've got the VIN print out for one I'm interested in and there's no mention of it. Similarly, is the 'Business' hifi any good? Is there any point holding out for an H&K system when I might just put a more recent head unit in it?

As far as I know they all have CC, mine does, obviously most photos will show if the buttons are present or not.

I can't comment on the Business hifi, but while hmthe H&K system gets a lot of mention it's hardly mind blowing and at 16yo the speakers in mine are well past it.
Don't know how easy a headunit swap is, I think like a lot of more modern cars it's reasonable intergrated into the dash.

Daniel

Fitting a single DIN headunit is fairly simple. I have an Alpine unit in mine running the H&K system and steering wheel controls using autoleads adapters. You shouldn't need to modify the HVAC stuff, There is loads of space behind the glovebox, you just need to drop it out of the way and pull/push the excess wiring through.

[Chris71]

Still not having much luck here. Maybe I should just go E36?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Smuler]

Well, it's got a manual
I think these have LSDs?
But oil leak would concern me, one was the "death" of my E46

[Chris71]

Smuler said:

I think these have LSDs?

I believe that's just the early cars before they introduced traction control.

It was only a half-serious suggestion.

Wondering if I should give up on the coupe and consider an offer on the saloon I looked at the other week...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[JakeT]

A 328i sport needs a spoiler!

[4rephill]

JakeT said:

A 328i sport needs a spoiler!

Totally agree - The 328i Sport just looks incomplete without a rear spoiler.

I also had to laugh at the: "Optional M3 front bumper" in the advert!

The E36 328i Sport and the E36 M3 coupes both use the exact same bumper - The only difference is that the Sport's had two horizontal bars in the lower intake, and the M3's had a plastic mesh fitted, and I'm pretty certain that the M3 mesh was not a factory option on the 328i Sport "back in the day".

As the bumper is the same for both cars though, it's a simple job to replace the two horizontal bars with the M3 mesh.

[Chris71]

Interesting-looking black 330 CI just appeared in the PH classifieds. Wouldn't be my first choice of colour, but looks well cared for.

[Smuler]

Chris71 said:

Interesting-looking black 330 CI just appeared in the PH classifieds. Wouldn't be my first choice of colour, but looks well cared for.

Rims look scuffed around the edges, as he says.
Pics are poor, seem a little distant for a sale, plus not much effort to clean interior.
Missing service history, although they're every 15k on average so what does he think's missing 60-80k?
3250£ seems a lot.
Currently SORN, why?

[Chris71]

Smuler said:

Chris71 said:

Interesting-looking black 330 CI just appeared in the PH classifieds. Wouldn't be my first choice of colour, but looks well cared for.

Rims look scuffed around the edges, as he says.
Pics are poor, seem a little distant for a sale, plus not much effort to clean interior.
Missing service history, although they're every 15k on average so what does he think's missing 60-80k?
3250£ seems a lot.
Currently SORN, why?

True. Past oil leaks on the MOT history and the current one expires in December. Also, it's a pre-facelift five-speed with a fairly typical options list for a Sport, so no obvious reason to command a premium. That said, it's the first time in ages I've seen an ad for an E46 where someone actually takes the time to list what's been done and explain the background of the car, plus it's on an enthusiast's site, so it sounds like the owner has some knowledge of what makes these cars tick. Most of the usual Autotrader ads seem to be written by people who have no concept of preventative maintenance.

[Smuler]

The question is whether the rocker gasket has been done AFTER the oil leak , as that rocker was the cause and downfall of my old E46.

You do make a good point about the inference of knowledge by seller listing some issues and yet there is the confusion over service history, intervals.

Pre facelifts look better , but I think to be happy you have got to refurb wheels.

Is the 5 speed that much of a disadvantage ? I can't see it having a massive impact on mpg on these. And I still think a 5 speed manual does better than the auto.

[Chris71]

Smuler said:

Is the 5 speed that much of a disadvantage ? I can't see it having a massive impact on mpg on these. And I still think a 5 speed manual does better than the auto.

Dunno. On a practical level, I do a lot of motorway driving, so I can see the appeal of having all the normal ratios to blat around with plus an overdrive top for relaxed cruising. I meant more in reference to the price, though. Rightly or wrongly, people do seem to attach a premium to facelift models and those with the six-speed 'box, so for upwards of £3k I'd prefer to see those. And xenons, although maybe I'm just getting greedy now.

Paying serious consideration to getting back in touch with the owner of the saloon I viewed a while back. That's not my ideal spec either - too many doors, for a start - but it's barely two thirds of the price.

ETA Random question. Were 'angel eye' headlights offered by the factory? Always thought of them as a rather boy racer addition.

Edited by Chris71 on Sunday 8th October 10:07