Talk to me about E46 coupes

[dhutch]

The clubsport, while its own model and should be recorded as such on the V5 is just a high spec 330ci sport with the bulkhead soundproofing removed front splitters, cill plates, and the gt rear spoiler and split alloys, which were both optional and the latter of which had issues I am told. Obviously as intended, they are a simple way to filter for the high spec cars, and retain resale value as intended. However you can also pick up a car of high spec without the badges.

Or in the case of my car, with the badges. Somewhere along its life, despite not being a clubsport (didnt come in imola for a start) mine as the front splitters and cill plates, so I have a half sport half clubsport hybrid.

Daniel

[Mr Tidy]

I've only driven one E46 Coupe, a 328i that I didn't buy.

But then shortly afterwards I bought a pre-facelift 325ti and thought it drove so much better!

A 330Ci might look much better, but I suspect a facelift 325ti would drive every bit as good.

[g3org3y]

Did the Compact have a different steering rack compared to the coupe/saloon etc?

I have vague recollections of this...it was considered quite a bit better and then was rolled out to the entire E46 range.

(I may have made this up).

[JakeT]

The early E46 had a slow steering rack, bar the 325ti which always had the quick rack.

[LanceRS]

The Clubsport had to be optioned up like any BMW. The only things that mine has are the headlights and the tyre pressure monitor. It’s got the standard half leather unheated seats,the basic stereo and not even an arm rest.
I would say, that if you do a lot of motorway driving, the missing sound deadening does sometimes become noticeable.
All in all, these are great cars and absolute bargains.

[Touring442]

The purple tag rack was first fitted to the 2001 Compact 316ti/318Ti. It found its way onto the 330Ci Clubsport but not always the 320Ci/325Ci versions. By 2002 it was being fitted to four cylinder petrol saloons as well but it's unusual to find a 6 cylinder car or a diesel with one fitted.
They are a slight improvement over the standard rack but nowhere near as sharp as the Z3 version.

[Krikkit]

JakeT said:

The early E46 had a slow steering rack, bar the 325ti which always had the quick rack.

Ah that's interesting. I did notice on mine that it has the purple-tagged rack, I assumed it was a previous owner's fiddling.

[drophead]

Thanks for all of your responses.

Will keep my eye out for a decent one. I'm also cross-shopping between a Clubsport and a 3.0 Z4 to see what offers the most.

Subframe issues are still a concern for me.

I loved my 325ti but want to try the full fat M54.

[dhutch]

I was told by my tame BMW breaker and mechanical for whom the cars are also a hobby that in his opinion, while a very issue in some respects, the issue of the rear boot floor and subframe mounts cracking is grossly overrepresented on the internet and that he personally in all his time has only seen it once, on an early 328i.

For all I know my car has it, however I have also driven it and MOTed it for 4 years without any issues, and you cannot see and signes of it without taking the car to bits, if it is there as hairline cracking its certainly not there as visible cracks.


Daniel

[dr_gn]

I’ve had my ‘02 330i Sport for 8 years now. I’ve put about 80k miles on it (currently c.145k). It’s needed a fair bit of work - throttle body, breather, multiple front suspension bushes/arms, cooling system overhaul, window lift mechanisms, but it’s been reliable at least. The battery was replaced only last year - it was the original factory one with an 02 date stamp. I’ve done most of the work myself, so costs weren’t too bad. I always use BMW oil filters and the correct Castrol oil. Recently had the rear arch rust sorted and the alloys re-furbed. Interior is pretty much like new apart from the gear knob, where the leather has worn off:



It comfortably takes the four of us on our holidays to Pembrokeshire (300+ miles / 6 hours), and with v-power, returns nearly 40 mpg on a long motorway run like that.

Not sure what I’d expect to get if I sold it? IIRC I paid £3300 back in 2012. Any rough ideas?

[Kettmark]

With a prevailing wind you'd most likely get most of your original purchase price back. Will done!

[dr_gn]

Kettmark said:

With a prevailing wind you'd most likely get most of your original purchase price back. Will done!

Thanks. When I looked about 5 years ago, the values were much lower, did they bottom out and are now picking up or something?

[Kettmark]

Sensible mileage well looked after examples have increased yes. My starship mileage example less so but past caring.

[dr_gn]

Kettmark said:

Sensible mileage well looked after examples have increased yes. My starship mileage example less so but past caring.

I’m not too bothered, was just asking out of curiosity. It doesn’t owe me anything.

How long should the engine last (in miles)? Someone earlier in this thread gave a list of common faults with cooling, oil leaks and the vanos system.

Thanks.

[Kettmark]

With regular servicing the engine will run forever. My 330ci sport is on 245k. Sweet as a nut.

[dr_gn]

Good to know! The main issue that I was worried about was the rear subframe mounts cracking. I assumed mine would have gone by now, since pretty much everything I heard about E46’s included dire warnings of the suspension coming loose.

[Touring442]

E46 window regulators break because the felt vertical channels dry out. The windows then try to jam in the channels and the regulator breaks, normally where the cable fits into the bracket. It's a very good idea to fire some penetrating fluid and spray grease/silicon grease into the channels every couple of months.

[dr_gn]

I tried the zip tie trick but it only lasted a month. A complete new mechanism wasn’t much from Amazon though.

Is spray grease really a good idea near glass? I’d have thought once it migrates onto the pane, you’d be forever trying to remove it, plus it would increase stiction? I used silicone spray, but I assumed dry felt was used when new for a reason - ie low friction without needing lubrication. Once it gets clogged with crud though, it’s a different matter.

[dr_gn]

So on a slightly different topic - if I were to sell my E46 330i, and wanted to get a more modern equivalent, what could it be? Let’s stick with a BMW saloon, same or better performance, decent comfort and better economy. I tend to keep cars a long time, so preferably something robust that I can maintain myself, Say around £5-£6k? Thanks.

[g3org3y]

dr_gn said:

So on a slightly different topic - if I were to sell my E46 330i, and wanted to get a more modern equivalent, what could it be? Let’s stick with a BMW saloon, same or better performance, decent comfort and better economy. I tend to keep cars a long time, so preferably something robust that I can maintain myself, Say around £5-£6k? Thanks.

E9X 330i with the N52 engine. (I'd avoid diesels and turbos). N52 is also London ULEZ compliant.

N53 engine is also a possibility but potentially more problematic (coils, injectors etc), but if those issued have already been sorted by a previous owner, could be a good buy.