E46 330 Ci vs 325 Ti?

[JakeT]

s m knows all and I agree with all of it. Owning both a coupe with sport suspension, and a compact, the compact is a much more fun car to drive.


One more thing to note is that the compact seems to be much less vulnerable to the subframe mounting issues that plague the other models.

The coupe makes a better long distance car though, with more cushioned arm rests on the door and electric seats as standard make it easier to get a good driving position. Frameless doors on the coupe are also really cool. First car I've owned with them!

The compact makes a much better B road car, and town car than the coupe, and comes with the sport suspension and seats as standard, so no need to go for a sport over SE unless you prefer the bumpers. My compact also has a better spec than my 328ci too, with Bi xenon headlights, sunroof and premium stereo.

There's a couple of well optioned cars for sale on AT at the moment. Even an IR Sport model!

[s m]

JakeT said:

s m knows all........

Sorry, didn't mean to come across like that. Was just sharing my experiences.

As I say, I bought my ti years back when they were much the same price as now and probably more unloved. I think as 330s have got older and nicer ones harder to find, people have looked for alternatives.

[Mr Tidy]

No, in my (limited) experience you are right.

The Compact is much more "chuckable" - I test drove a 328i E46 Coupe before I bought my 325ti and it was pretty loaded (even had the rear window blind) but it seemed to handle like a barge by comparison!

I much prefer my 325ti.

[Chris71]

JakeT said:

s m knows all and I agree with all of it.

I almost put something to the same effect (likewise, intended sincerely).

Hmm, tricky. Sounds like the Compact is a better B-road option and the Coupe is a better cruiser. I'm lucky enough to live surrounded by great B-roads, but most of my time in the car is actually spent driving past them on the motorway, so it sounds like win-win. The main thing I'm looking for is good condition and a mechanically-competent owner. The original aim was to find a motorway cruiser basically, but who knows, there might be a nice facelift 325 Ti with refreshed suspension and an aftermarket LSD for sale just down the road.

Are there any good BMW-specific sites or forums to keep an eye on? I signed up to Bimmerworld and some sort of E46 selling group on Facebook, but they don't seem to have much on. Keeping an eye on PH and Autotrader, but again there aren't many that leap out.

[Cheapstraitsix]

According to how many left they're are only 178 sport compacts on the road currently, I would bet less than half are 6 speed.
So can be a long waiting game if you're fussy.
Now and again some get offered up on the appreciation thread on here.
Or as said if you can live with a 5 speed the imola red sport one on AT looks decent for £1500

[Chris71]

This one?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Bit of a trek to see it speculatively and I'd want to get rid of those lights and the M-badge! Might be worth a call, though.

Also, can anyone glean anything from this rather brief ad? Spoke to the owner, it's a 2001 manual, allegedly rust-free with a recent brake overhaul. Sounds like it could be a contender. Forgot to ask what spec it is - can you tell from the wheels?

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

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 21st September 10:57

[Smuler]

Chris71 said:

This one?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Bit of a trek to see it speculatively and I'd want to get rid of those lights and the M-badge! Might be worth a call, though.

Also, can anyone glean anything from this rather brief ad? Spoke to the owner, it's a 2001 manual, allegedly rust-free with a recent brake overhaul. Sounds like it could be a contender. Forgot to ask what spec it is - can you tell from the wheels?

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

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 21st September 10:57

The wheels on the red compact are the pre-facelift wheels, I had a 2002 coupe.
The wheels on the blue, are familiar but are not the facelift wheels I had and see frequently, so just something he's added.
I've attached my old facelift.

It says ci on the rear, that's the sport so the spec you'd want.

[Cheapstraitsix]

All sport compacts had the same 17" wheels unless spec'd with 18".

All petrol coupes have CI on them?

Looks like a prefacelift SE to me.

[Chris71]

Does anyone know if the VIN lookup still works? I've seen this referenced in another thread, so I searched for how to get the VIN number from the numberplate. There were several links, but none seem to work anymore.

ETA Never managed to find the VIN, but I did manage to get the basic details back on the first stage of an RAC history check. The 330 is indeed an SE. So, various cosmetic differences, softer suspension and less fancy seats?

And the red Compact is sold, apparently.

Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 21st September 15:30

[Smuler]

I thought it was BMW Warranty site that restricted the provision of VIN from an entered registration that's been a recent change.
I'm sure if you have VIN the many sites work.
SE should have as you say softer seats , suspension.
But if he put ci badge on a SE , all seems a bit dodgy to me.

[helix402]

All the Coupes are Ci, Sport or SE. Doesn’t make much difference at the age they are now.

[Mr Tidy]

Cheapstraitsix said:

According to how many left they're are only 178 sport compacts on the road currently, I would bet less than half are 6 speed.
So can be a long waiting game if you're fussy.
Now and again some get offered up on the appreciation thread on here.
Or as said if you can live with a 5 speed the imola red sport one on AT looks decent for £1500

Wow, they seem to be pretty rare then!

If you go to the BMW General header there is a 325ti appreciation thread with over 70 pages - that must be about half of the remaining Sports taken care of!

Mine is now run-in properly:-


And despite being a 5 speed the economy isn't too terrible:-



Plus it is Imola Red with black full leather, electric folding mirrors and a 6 CD-changer, but pre-facelift.

Just now I'd be happy to take around the amount the trader wants for his IR one with 120K miles.....!

[s m]

helix402 said:

All the Coupes are Ci, Sport or SE. Doesn’t make much difference at the age they are now.

If you do get one, do the suspension ( unless there's very recent receipts ) - makes a BIG difference imo

[iSore]

s m said:

If you do get one, do the suspension ( unless there's very recent receipts ) - makes a BIG difference imo

My mate's silver 330Ci Sport had four new genuine dampers and top mounts last year. By 90k they were getting a bit baggy.

[Richair]

iSore said:

s m said:

If you do get one, do the suspension ( unless there's very recent receipts ) - makes a BIG difference imo

My mate's silver 330Ci Sport had four new genuine dampers and top mounts last year. By 90k they were getting a bit baggy.

Rear trailing arm bushes too; they make a significant difference to the 'feel' and stability of the rear. My 162k 330ci CS has Bilstein B4's, Eibach sportline springs, new top mounts and poly bushes in the right places and the handling is excellent, if not a touch harsh and under-damped at times. But it does a very good job of aping something far more sports car like and very confidence inspiring, even is sodden conditions. If you want one to drive as it should, as S M say's a suspension refresh is a must once you get past 80-100k.

[s m]

Richair said:

iSore said:

s m said:

If you do get one, do the suspension ( unless there's very recent receipts ) - makes a BIG difference imo

My mate's silver 330Ci Sport had four new genuine dampers and top mounts last year. By 90k they were getting a bit baggy.

Rear trailing arm bushes too; they make a significant difference to the 'feel' and stability of the rear. My 162k 330ci CS has Bilstein B4's, Eibach sportline springs, new top mounts and poly bushes in the right places and the handling is excellent, if not a touch harsh and under-damped at times. But it does a very good job of aping something far more sports car like and very confidence inspiring, even is sodden conditions. If you want one to drive as it should, as S M say's a suspension refresh is a must once you get past 80-100k.

RTAB are a definite too - dodgy ones will not only affect the back end but also the steering/tramlining feel as they introduce an unwanted element of rear-steer

[helix402]

You can fit M3 rtab bushes if want more stiffness without poly bushes.

[4rephill]

Smuler said:

.....SE should have as you say softer seats , suspension.
But if he put ci badge on a SE , all seems a bit dodgy to me.

As already mentioned: Where bootlid badges are fitted, all coupe's and convertibles carry the Ci badge, so there's nothing dodgy there.

Also, sport seats were a cost option on the SE - They don't automatically have the "softer seats".

(My 2001 330 SE has electric - memory sports seats that were ordered from the factory - As confirmed by My local BMW dealership when I asked them to track down the original order information for the car. Oh, and the original Ci badge sits happily on the bootlid too! )

As for the coupe Vs the compact: Never liked the compact, in either E36 or E46 form - They just look too dumpy to Me, and lack the elegance of the coupe.

[Mr Tidy]

4rephill said:

As for the coupe Vs the compact: Never liked the compact, in either E36 or E46 form - They just look too dumpy to Me, and lack the elegance of the coupe.

I'd be the first to admit the E46 Coupe looks great, but I bought my Compact as a vaguely practical car that still drives well!

For looks I have a Z4 Coupe, but my Compact came into it's own earlier collecting a set of wheels for my Z4.

[Spitfires]

OP - I split my time between North Devon and Chippenham area, if any use to you you're welcome to take my Clubsport out for a spin. The suspension could do with a refresh and it suffers from the 5th gear detent, but otherwise it's a good one and would give you an idea.

PM me if needed.