Buying a 330ci
Discussion
Recently sold my 330Ci sport. Brilliant car and I only sold it as I am getting an M3. I got around 27-28mpg out of mine but did a fair amount of motorway driving. I personally preferred the manual. The car gave me no problems whatsoever and the prices these days do seem to be a "bargain".
As above chain driven.
Get a manual - autos are 5mpg more thirsy! Sport are more desirable but have a harsher ride, so bear that in mind.
Easily get 27mpg when absolutely hooning it and 32mpg when sensible. Can easily average 30mpg combined.
Don't think there's anything on the market as cheap that will come close to these!
Get a manual - autos are 5mpg more thirsy! Sport are more desirable but have a harsher ride, so bear that in mind.
Easily get 27mpg when absolutely hooning it and 32mpg when sensible. Can easily average 30mpg combined.
Don't think there's anything on the market as cheap that will come close to these!
AlfaSpider said:
thanks for all the feedback, from all the positive comments its obviously something well worth buying, all i've got to do is find the right one!
Definately a cracking car - depending on how much you are looking at spending, i would personally get a post facelift sport model.Tax will obv be more than a pre march 01 car, but you will get the 6 speed box, and updated styling, it just looks more recent IMO. The sport model also has some nice styling bits and pieces and a firmer ride (this obv depends what you are looking for).
I would go for the manual personally.
Edited by soprano on Sunday 6th April 22:23
FWIW, if you have a lot of potholed or badly surfaced roads (the whole of Britain??) the Sport will be awful. Although my SE does 'wallow' in comparison to my TVR and Mini, I hated the various Sports that I tried. There is also a lot of preference on PH for 17" wheels rather than 18" which can tramline.
Mine is also an auto and can be used in manual with reasonably effective results and sport is generally fine. Living and driving in the south east, there are far more queues than open roads and even after 5 years, I don't hanker after a manual. Just try a jouirney on the M25 and an auto makes it almost bearable.
Over the five years and 45k miles I have averaged 28mpg, with very little motorway driving (probably no more than 5 or 6k of those miles). I tend to drive in sport on anything other than major roads and even then, I would accept that in normal auto mode it is sluggish.
Mine is also an auto and can be used in manual with reasonably effective results and sport is generally fine. Living and driving in the south east, there are far more queues than open roads and even after 5 years, I don't hanker after a manual. Just try a jouirney on the M25 and an auto makes it almost bearable.
Over the five years and 45k miles I have averaged 28mpg, with very little motorway driving (probably no more than 5 or 6k of those miles). I tend to drive in sport on anything other than major roads and even then, I would accept that in normal auto mode it is sluggish.
Good car with either a manual or auto box. As already mentioned by others, some people can find the sports suspension a bit harsh.
I had a manual sport a few years ago and averaged about 28 mpg with mixed driving.
One of the best all round cars that I have owned and whichever option you choose it will perform and handle far better than most everyday cars.
I had a manual sport a few years ago and averaged about 28 mpg with mixed driving.
One of the best all round cars that I have owned and whichever option you choose it will perform and handle far better than most everyday cars.
The OP should drive both an auto and manual to see what suits him best.
Personally I prefer manual but many people cannot get on with the clutch delay valve - some have even sold the car because of it.
Either way, one thing I think everyone will agree on is NOT to be tempted by a cheap SSG gearbox car.
It is NOT SMG as fitted to the M3s - as many sellers try and make out.
It IS problematic and likely to cost ££££ to repair when it goes wrong.
Personally I prefer manual but many people cannot get on with the clutch delay valve - some have even sold the car because of it.
Either way, one thing I think everyone will agree on is NOT to be tempted by a cheap SSG gearbox car.
It is NOT SMG as fitted to the M3s - as many sellers try and make out.
It IS problematic and likely to cost ££££ to repair when it goes wrong.
I've had my 330 sport convertible 6sp Manual for about 4 years now - I love it!
I live in London so for town driving I get around 22MPG, but on motorway runs I can easily get 30-33. Its a slightly heavier car than the coupe so maybe they are better on fuel? I personally don't mind the Sport suspension and the 18 inch wheels - on motorway runs it's a very comfortable car. Get one !
I live in London so for town driving I get around 22MPG, but on motorway runs I can easily get 30-33. Its a slightly heavier car than the coupe so maybe they are better on fuel? I personally don't mind the Sport suspension and the 18 inch wheels - on motorway runs it's a very comfortable car. Get one !
As above, get one! I've had mine for 6 months now and absolutely love it. I've got a facelifted 330ci Sport Coupe manual which I think is the one to go for.
Coming from several jap hot-hatches before I don't find the suspension too harsh on the 330 but I guess it depends what you've driven previously. The suspension does seem to be the major gripe people have with these cars however.
In my opinion it's worth looking for one that's post the '03 facelift with the LED rear lights etc if they're within budget. These manuals have the 6spd gearbox which I have and returns 26 - 27mpg on average but most of my driving is in traffic so that's not too bad. I had a Civic Type-R previously and that would average 24mpg in the same coniditions so for a 3.0 litre the BM does well.
The best thing you can do is drive both a manual and auto back to back which I did at a BMW main-stealers. For me the I just felt too detached from the auto so opted for the manual but it's personal preference at the end of the day.
The common problems seem to be wear on the front suspension wishbones & bushings. On the sport models the bolsters on the leather seats are prone to wear too, especially on cars with nappa leather. I'm not aware of any moajor issues being experienced with the 330 engine / drivetrain etc. They do seem to use a little oil but from my eperience nothing serious. I've put half a litre in mine in 5,000 miles...
Coming from several jap hot-hatches before I don't find the suspension too harsh on the 330 but I guess it depends what you've driven previously. The suspension does seem to be the major gripe people have with these cars however.
In my opinion it's worth looking for one that's post the '03 facelift with the LED rear lights etc if they're within budget. These manuals have the 6spd gearbox which I have and returns 26 - 27mpg on average but most of my driving is in traffic so that's not too bad. I had a Civic Type-R previously and that would average 24mpg in the same coniditions so for a 3.0 litre the BM does well.
The best thing you can do is drive both a manual and auto back to back which I did at a BMW main-stealers. For me the I just felt too detached from the auto so opted for the manual but it's personal preference at the end of the day.
The common problems seem to be wear on the front suspension wishbones & bushings. On the sport models the bolsters on the leather seats are prone to wear too, especially on cars with nappa leather. I'm not aware of any moajor issues being experienced with the 330 engine / drivetrain etc. They do seem to use a little oil but from my eperience nothing serious. I've put half a litre in mine in 5,000 miles...
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