E46 330cd Cab - 1 month of ownership - Meh,
Discussion
I've had the 330cd Cabriolet for a month now and frankly I don't like it.
It doesn't feel quick, doesn't engage me on a drive and, well, I could pick fault all day with the interior. I'm beginning to wish I kept the Audi A6.
Perhaps at 42, I really shouldn't be buying 3 series BMWs any more......
So I've got a few choices:
1 - Chip it.
2 - Find something more engaging that's as cheap to run for the same value as the 330cd. (E39 530d)
3 - Find something more engaging that's more expensive to run <£6K. (Audi S4? S6? E39 530i / 540i? Jag X-type 3.0l)
I'd be interested in your views on my options. I guess I want a bigger car but other than that, dunno.
It doesn't feel quick, doesn't engage me on a drive and, well, I could pick fault all day with the interior. I'm beginning to wish I kept the Audi A6.
Perhaps at 42, I really shouldn't be buying 3 series BMWs any more......So I've got a few choices:
1 - Chip it.
2 - Find something more engaging that's as cheap to run for the same value as the 330cd. (E39 530d)
3 - Find something more engaging that's more expensive to run <£6K. (Audi S4? S6? E39 530i / 540i? Jag X-type 3.0l)
I'd be interested in your views on my options. I guess I want a bigger car but other than that, dunno.
Ive had a 330ci for 1 month and have the same issue. You have to be doing 80+ before you feel like you are going fast. Its quickish (6.4sec) to 60 but doesnt feel it. It handles nicely but its not engaging even though you can kick the back out quite easily. Its a great car and I love the interior but its not doing it for me. Going to swap it for an elise I think as I already have another 3 series (320d)
4. Find something that's cheaper to run and buy and a lot more engaging to drive?
Pretty sure PH people can find at least 20 cars that are a lot more fun for a lot less money.
Option 5 could be to buy 2 cars instead, one that's proper fun like a Caterham/Elise and something practical/sensible for when that need is there.
Pretty sure PH people can find at least 20 cars that are a lot more fun for a lot less money.
Option 5 could be to buy 2 cars instead, one that's proper fun like a Caterham/Elise and something practical/sensible for when that need is there.
Seeker UK said:
It doesn't feel quick, doesn't engage me on a drive and, well, I could pick fault all day with the interior. I'm beginning to wish I kept the Audi A6.
What did you expect? It's a 1700kg diesel! No only is it going to be relatively slow but like most 4 seater cabrios, it's wobbly too. As for the interior, that shape 3 series came out in 1998 so its a 13 year old cabin design you're sitting in..Sounds to me like you had too high expectations because you were buying a BMW. Then again if you prefered the drive of an A6 then perhaps you're looking at the wrong sort of cars entirely.
I wouldn't chip it since its not just speed you're dissatisfied with, you're just going to end up with the exact same car only faster!
From what you have said, a S4 or S6 should fit the bill nicely
Even though I drive a diesel BMW. I would not be buying a convertible diesel - I'd only want a v8 petrol and that being LOUD.
E46 33d is the 204bhp (unless you have the very old 184bhp) if it's the old one well it was an 8second car whereas the 204bhp is a mid to high seven seconds car.
It could becot doesn't feel fast is that it's effortless to get to the speed little noise or drama when accelerating bs a high reving petrol.
Interior as already said it's a 1997/8 interior so old and as with all bmws it's minimalist if you want lots of buttons look elsewhere.
Petrol ... Well if your asking the question if 25mpg is acceptable then I guess like everyone spending money is a compromise so get a petrol and say cut down on summer hols or shop in Tesco over waitrose etc.
Only you can decide what is ok for you. But remember whatever you buy or keep at the end of the day 9@% of road cars be they the sport varient or tiny numbers sold they are still run of the mill a to b cars. Once you get over that its easy they are a means of getting you to places and carrying stuff in a comfortable safe fast cacoon that loses money and costs money to keep running and requires maintaining constantly.
E46 33d is the 204bhp (unless you have the very old 184bhp) if it's the old one well it was an 8second car whereas the 204bhp is a mid to high seven seconds car.
It could becot doesn't feel fast is that it's effortless to get to the speed little noise or drama when accelerating bs a high reving petrol.
Interior as already said it's a 1997/8 interior so old and as with all bmws it's minimalist if you want lots of buttons look elsewhere.
Petrol ... Well if your asking the question if 25mpg is acceptable then I guess like everyone spending money is a compromise so get a petrol and say cut down on summer hols or shop in Tesco over waitrose etc.
Only you can decide what is ok for you. But remember whatever you buy or keep at the end of the day 9@% of road cars be they the sport varient or tiny numbers sold they are still run of the mill a to b cars. Once you get over that its easy they are a means of getting you to places and carrying stuff in a comfortable safe fast cacoon that loses money and costs money to keep running and requires maintaining constantly.
Seeker UK said:
I am beginning to think that a petrol lump might be a good idea - all I have to do is convince myself 25mpg is OK!
How on earth will you get 25mpg average out of a 530i? You must drive around everywhere revving at 6.5k in first. My friends 530i gets very similar MPG than my 525 and I get closer to 40 average, 40+ on a fairly gentle run.Mr Dave said:
How on earth will you get 25mpg average out of a 530i? You must drive around everywhere revving at 6.5k in first. My friends 530i gets very similar MPG than my 525 and I get closer to 40 average, 40+ on a fairly gentle run.
Well, given that I run an average mpg roughly 20% under what Parkers reckons, regardless of car I have, I think 25mpg might be a bit optimistic for an E39 530i Auto.If you're getting 40, you must be doing an awful lot of motorway miles.
Kong said:
What did you expect? It's a 1700kg diesel! No only is it going to be relatively slow but like most 4 seater cabrios, it's wobbly too. As for the interior, that shape 3 series came out in 1998 so its a 13 year old cabin design you're sitting in..
Sounds to me like you had too high expectations because you were buying a BMW. Then again if you prefered the drive of an A6 then perhaps you're looking at the wrong sort of cars entirely.
I've had a succession of BMWs in the past and I thought I knew what to expect. The test drive was quite long and it felt OK but extended driving and a month of ownership has proven otherwise; this is the first one to really underwhelm me to the point of hatred. Perhaps the 330cd E46 is rubbish (I had a coupe version a few years ago) or perhaps my driving tastes have changed.Sounds to me like you had too high expectations because you were buying a BMW. Then again if you prefered the drive of an A6 then perhaps you're looking at the wrong sort of cars entirely.
Kong said:
I wouldn't chip it since its not just speed you're dissatisfied with, you're just going to end up with the exact same car only faster!
I don't like modifying cars TBH and chipping one is going to cost a fortune anyway (getting the job done and hike in insurance premium).Kong said:
From what you have said, a S4 or S6 should fit the bill nicely
Only if I can get a good one < £6K.Welshbeef said:
Petrol ... Well if your asking the question if 25mpg is acceptable then I guess like everyone spending money is a compromise so get a petrol and say cut down on summer hols or shop in Tesco over waitrose etc.
I'm lucky, my personal circumstances mean I could afford to run a *very* thirsty car if I wanted (or found one I liked ;-)) but the tight-wad in me will still wince every time I go to the filling station.Welshbeef said:
Only you can decide what is ok for you. But remember whatever you buy or keep at the end of the day 9@% of road cars be they the sport varient or tiny numbers sold they are still run of the mill a to b cars. Once you get over that its easy they are a means of getting you to places and carrying stuff in a comfortable safe fast cacoon that loses money and costs money to keep running and requires maintaining constantly.
All good points, I never buy a car w/out expecting it to cost me money one way or another.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff