E46 Convertible any good?
Discussion
The 3.0 litre is a fantastic engine. The facelift E46 still seems to be in high demand too-I've been looking to upgrade mine back to a 330ci sport with the facelift, with manual transmission, but good ones go very quickly.
The post '03 models are also very sorted cars-no engine issues, and they are quite frugal. 400+ miles possible from their 55 litre tank.
Test drive one, you'll love it. I prefer the manual but the automatic's lazy nature goes well with the torquey 3.0. The 2.5 is also a great engine but needs that extra push to get going.
The post '03 models are also very sorted cars-no engine issues, and they are quite frugal. 400+ miles possible from their 55 litre tank.
Test drive one, you'll love it. I prefer the manual but the automatic's lazy nature goes well with the torquey 3.0. The 2.5 is also a great engine but needs that extra push to get going.
Wouldn't pay 10 for any E46 without an M3 badge on though, its 2 generations old now, and I've just done a 250 mile motorway journey in my 330ci, which is lighter and more aerodynamic that a vert and it used 3/4' s of a tank, 400 miles I would seriously question my trip computer, and before anyone says anything the car did 75 most of the way, traveling in convoy and it has no issues.
Edited by rumple on Tuesday 5th June 09:27
They are good cars, but for 10k I would rather have something else.
Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
I had a facelift E46 convertible. Topaz blue with blue roof, black leather. Amazing car, well balanced but not as quick as the saloon (on paper they are close but in reality very different in my opinion).
I thought the Sat Nav was abit pants because the sun would reflect off it so went for a non-nav car but the heated seats are a must. All cars came with HK audio as standard (unlike the saloon and coupe, the vert's have this as standard and therefore don't have a switch on the dash. Check for the sub in the middle of the back seats).
Mind you, in the end mine did end up rubbing shoulders with a lorry and the lorry won.
I thought the Sat Nav was abit pants because the sun would reflect off it so went for a non-nav car but the heated seats are a must. All cars came with HK audio as standard (unlike the saloon and coupe, the vert's have this as standard and therefore don't have a switch on the dash. Check for the sub in the middle of the back seats).
Mind you, in the end mine did end up rubbing shoulders with a lorry and the lorry won.
NateWM said:
They are good cars, but for 10k I would rather have something else.
Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
I doubt you'd see anymore mpg from an S2K and a Boxster is a better choice if you want a convertible 2 seater. Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
padhinbed said:
I had a facelift E46 convertible. Topaz blue with blue roof, black leather. Amazing car, well balanced but not as quick as the saloon (on paper they are close but in reality very different in my opinion).
I thought the Sat Nav was abit pants because the sun would reflect off it so went for a non-nav car but the heated seats are a must. All cars came with HK audio as standard (unlike the saloon and coupe, the vert's have this as standard and therefore don't have a switch on the dash. Check for the sub in the middle of the back seats).
Mind you, in the end mine did end up rubbing shoulders with a lorry and the lorry won.
My father had a 2003 330i convertible with HK and had the button to turn the sub on or off?I thought the Sat Nav was abit pants because the sun would reflect off it so went for a non-nav car but the heated seats are a must. All cars came with HK audio as standard (unlike the saloon and coupe, the vert's have this as standard and therefore don't have a switch on the dash. Check for the sub in the middle of the back seats).
Mind you, in the end mine did end up rubbing shoulders with a lorry and the lorry won.
For £10k, I'd get the M3.
yonex said:
NateWM said:
They are good cars, but for 10k I would rather have something else.
Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
I doubt you'd see anymore mpg from an S2K and a Boxster is a better choice if you want a convertible 2 seater. Considering how much fuel the 330's eat for such bland performance, I think that something like an E46 M3 Convertible, Honda S2000 or even a TVR Chim or Mercedes SLK would be more preferable to most people.
Depends on what your looking for OP. 330's are good cars, but pretty boring. You could buy a much better car for 10k imo.
So back to boxsters, you'd be silly not to splash a little extra on 987 - then being a PH'er youd start looking at boxster s's!
I decided on a 2005 S2000 (being the facelift it still looks fresh), it offers 90% the performance of the 987 boxster s and is much cheaper in every way to run. Also IMO the s2000 is more fun to drive.
russy01 said:
Depends how you look at it, I had a similar decision to make. 986 boxster is in the same boat as the BMW (2 gens out now and looking very dated and will have running costs more similar to an m3 not a 330i.)
So back to boxsters, you'd be silly not to splash a little extra on 987 - then being a PH'er youd start looking at boxster s's!
I decided on a 2005 S2000 (being the facelift it still looks fresh), it offers 90% the performance of the 987 boxster s and is much cheaper in every way to run. Also IMO the s2000 is more fun to drive.
Good old PH, we move from an E46 to an S2000. Good shout though!So back to boxsters, you'd be silly not to splash a little extra on 987 - then being a PH'er youd start looking at boxster s's!
I decided on a 2005 S2000 (being the facelift it still looks fresh), it offers 90% the performance of the 987 boxster s and is much cheaper in every way to run. Also IMO the s2000 is more fun to drive.
Leicesterdave said:
Is the M3 much heavier on fuel than a 330? I guess parts are pricier.
The reason i didnt buy an m3 was service/parts cost, insurence there wasnt much in it and mpg, not alot in it, my local indy stopped me looking at m3's when he explained the cost of servicing, although at the time the m3 was considerably dearer, in you position id have the m3.The 330 is an awsome car, no doubt about it, but it does feel dull, realy because its so competent, and they aint thirsty either, not for the performance, buy the jap eqiuvilant then your talking thirsty, utterly brilliant car and id recommend one in a heartbeat, just expect more of a brilliant cruiser not a street racer.
Leicesterdave said:
russy01 said:
Depends how you look at it, I had a similar decision to make. 986 boxster is in the same boat as the BMW (2 gens out now and looking very dated and will have running costs more similar to an m3 not a 330i.)
So back to boxsters, you'd be silly not to splash a little extra on 987 - then being a PH'er youd start looking at boxster s's!
I decided on a 2005 S2000 (being the facelift it still looks fresh), it offers 90% the performance of the 987 boxster s and is much cheaper in every way to run. Also IMO the s2000 is more fun to drive.
Good old PH, we move from an E46 to an S2000. Good shout though!So back to boxsters, you'd be silly not to splash a little extra on 987 - then being a PH'er youd start looking at boxster s's!
I decided on a 2005 S2000 (being the facelift it still looks fresh), it offers 90% the performance of the 987 boxster s and is much cheaper in every way to run. Also IMO the s2000 is more fun to drive.
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