E46 330 Ci vs 325 Ti?

[JakeT]

s m said:

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.

It was more of an admiring beard scratch... Not to sound arsey.

[Mr Tidy]

4rephill said:

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! )

BMW did some strange standard specs with the E46 though!

As you say all Coupes and Convertibles had the Ci badge and the electric memory seats, but only "Sport" models got the Sport seats, stiffer Sport suspension with lower ride height and bigger wheels.

Every E46 got folding rear seats except the saloon!

But then every 325ti Compact got Sport seats and suspension whether an SE or a Sport. Although only "Sport" models got bigger wheels!

Then in 2003 there was a facelift to confuse things a bit more!

All 320ds, 330ds and 330is got a 6-speed gearbox, but so did the 325i Compact even though no other 325is did.

If you get the last 7 characters of the VIN (2 letters, 5 digits) and go to a site like "bmwvin.com" you can get the original spec. - but given their age now there are probably quite a few with parts that have been changed.

Plus I'm sure I read on here that the Compact has the stiffest front ARB of any E46 (barring the M3), so while it may not be as pretty as a Coupe it probably drives better! (Mind you the Coupes do look great).

[Chris71]

Mr Tidy said:

Every E46 got folding rear seats except the saloon!

Were folding seats an option on the saloon? Any idea if you can get a bike in the back without folding seats (in the saloon)?

This one looks quite nice: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[JakeT]

They were an option, but no chance of getting a bike in the back without them. I have a roof rack for mine, and it is so much better. No Muddy bikes in the car! Nor needing to take a wheel off.

[Chris71]

JakeT said:

No chance of getting a bike in the back without them.

Even with the wheels off?

[Smuler]

Chris71 said:

Even with the wheels off?

I'd agree no way, without folding seats.

Only bike experience I had was when a girl I was on a date with had a flat tyre so we folded the seats and stuck the bike in. Obviously with no turning of handlebar it was sticking out, but I'm confident with a turn of a handlebar it was doable. even more surety with wheel removed.

I have the E46 coupe, shout up if you want any photos of boot with seats folded / unfolded.

[4rephill]

Mr Tidy said:

BMW did some strange standard specs with the E46 though!

As you say all Coupes and Convertibles had the Ci badge and the electric memory seats, but only "Sport" models got the Sport seats, stiffer Sport suspension with lower ride height and bigger wheels.......

Here is My car, a 2001 330 Ci SE, and it is exactly as it left the factory (as verified by My local BMW dealership):





The seats are electric memory sports seats, ordered as a cost option: S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory & S481A Sports seat.

The suspension is the standard SE suspension (SE models could be ordered with Sports suspension from the factory as a cost option though).

The wheels are 18" MV1's wearing 225/40/18's on the front, and 255/35/18's on the rear. The only factory standard E46 with bigger wheels/tyres was the E46 M3 series when ordered with 19" wheels.

So whilst "Sports" are the only model that got the Sport seats, stiffer Sport suspension with lower ride height and bigger wheels as standard, the SE models could be ordered with all of those options if the customer was prepared to pay extra for them.

[Mr Tidy]

4rephill said:

Here is My car, a 2001 330 Ci SE, and it is exactly as it left the factory (as verified by My local BMW dealership):



So whilst "Sports" are the only model that got the Sport seats, stiffer Sport suspension with lower ride height and bigger wheels as standard, the SE models could be ordered with all of those options if the customer was prepared to pay extra for them.

Stunning car OP.

But yours sums up the problem nicely!

Potential buyers need to be aware of what was standard fitment and what wasn't - then decide what is a "must have" and what would be a "nice to have".

[Smuler]

Mr Tidy said:

Stunning car OP.

But yours sums up the problem nicely!

Potential buyers need to be aware of what was standard fitment and what wasn't - then decide what is a "must have" and what would be a "nice to have".

It's the wheels that I love, pre facelift wheels are so much nicer

[JakeT]

4rephill, your car came with the electric seats as standard. My 328ci had standard electric seats, and they were upgraded to sport seats. Sport suspension, too!

The thing I like most from a sport over an SE with the sport bits added is the black headliner. Feels much better.

[dhutch]

I must say, I like the prefacelift bodywork and front, but maybe I am baised.

Really love black headlining, friend had it in his JCW mini, very happy to find some of my own.

Daniel

[Chris71]

Had a look at an E46 saloon last night. This confirmed two things:

1) No, you're not going to get a bike in there. Not in the boot, at least.
2) I really want a coupe and I think I'm leaning towards a manual.

If anyone is in the market for a saloon this one is well worth checking out. It's as nice as the ad implies: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...