BMW 330i Sport + Car History

[P1H]

Hi All,

I recently purchased an E92 330i M-Sport and it is great. I think it may be a ‘highline’ edition as it has the 19” wheels and a load of other lighting/spec extras, but I’m sure someone will correct me.

My car history is short and consists of a Honda Civic Type R EP3 which was my first car. I’ve put some pictures of both below.

I’m not holding myself to be an expert but I’ve started writing up an analysis of the two cars & my thoughts on the BMW so far. I think a 6 cylinder BMW is a natural choice for someone looking to move on from a hot hatch and I certainly haven’t been disappointed. Is this something that anyone would be interested in reading?

Honda Civic Type R EP3:







BMW E92 330i:











Cheers,

[blprice1]

Hello mate, I'm looking to change my car towards the end of this year with a 330i being one the contenders. The saloon will probably be the one I'll be looking at due to prices but that coupe looks fantastic! Did you test drive a 325i or 335i?

I've heard good things about the 3 litre, what's it like when your pressing on a bit compared to the VTEC in the civic?

Ben

[P1H]

blprice1 said:

Hello mate, I'm looking to change my car towards the end of this year with a 330i being one the contenders. The saloon will probably be the one I'll be looking at due to prices but that coupe looks fantastic! Did you test drive a 325i or 335i?

I've heard good things about the 3 litre, what's it like when your pressing on a bit compared to the VTEC in the civic?

Ben

Hi Ben, the engine is a very different prospect the K20A in the Type R. In summary the 330i sounds great across the whole rev range, is incredibly refined and the overtaking ability is far superior. Just as is the case with the Type R (but to a lesser extent) there are rewards for keeping higher (not as high) in the rev range but with the added benefit that the overtaking ability is good throughout the whole rev range which can be useful. This also means your not left in the bizarre situation of hovering at circa 5000rpm waiting for the opportune moment to overtake or needing to go from 6th to 4th in order to pull out on the motorway and match speed. However, there is certainly something to be said about the rawness of the Type R when you are pressing, this is down to a number of factors: 1. The noise whilst about 5750rpm 2. The throttle response 3. the complete lack of sound insulation.

The above is a bit jumbled, but I hope it helps.

If you were to ask me I'd say save up for the coupe, I think they look far better.

Edit: I missed the part about the 325 and 335. I didn't test drive either. The 325i seemed a little weak and the 335i suffers severe reliability issues from what I understand, I don't want a turbo and the running costs would probably be a bit extreme. I was originally going for a 130i but as I looked for the right one my budget kept increasing until it made sense to get what I really wanted - a 330i coupe.

Cheers,

Edited by P1H on Wednesday 20th November 22:42

[Court_S]

That's a nice looking car.

They do indeed make a lovely noise, especially at the redline. I love the engine, especially considering that it was mass produced but sadly there won't be many more like this from BMW as they chase reduced co2 and lower emissions. I'm yet to see a petrol F30.

My only gripe is that it is a little bit muted from inside and that they isolate you from speed quite a lot. You then look at the speedo and realise that you're going much faster than you thought.

Have you got any plans for it?

[magnum555]

Nice cars OP, thanks for sharing

[P1H]

Court_S said:

That's a nice looking car.

They do indeed make a lovely noise, especially at the redline. I love the engine, especially considering that it was mass produced but sadly there won't be many more like this from BMW as they chase reduced co2 and lower emissions. I'm yet to see a petrol F30.

My only gripe is that it is a little bit muted from inside and that they isolate you from speed quite a lot. You then look at the speedo and realise that you're going much faster than you thought.

Have you got any plans for it?

You are absolutely right, I safely overtook a few cars yesterday, looked down at the speedo, and was amazed and the pace I was going.

I don't have any plans to modify. The sound it makes when stationary, with the windows down, blipping the throttle (not good with an unloaded engine etc, but you have to do it with a new car) is absolutely incredible, if it made that sound on the move with the windows up but was just as silent and refined at low revs I'd be very pleased. What would be the solution? A filter? An exhaust?

Otherwise I want to do some minor cosmetic work:
1. The wheels aren't in bad shape at all, but I could consider a refurb in the future, ball park cost?
2. This is controversial, but I think it would look great with a shark fin on the top, though I think that might be a faux pas.
3. The rear number plate is wonky, can I rip it off? What would I use as adhesive?

Cheers

[Jonnas]

blprice1 said:

Hello mate, I'm looking to change my car towards the end of this year with a 330i being one the contenders. The saloon will probably be the one I'll be looking at due to prices but that coupe looks fantastic! Did you test drive a 325i or 335i?

I've heard good things about the 3 litre, what's it like when your pressing on a bit compared to the VTEC in the civic?

Ben

I've got a E90 330i MSport as the family car and I struggle to fault it to be honest. It's fast enough when it wants to be, swallows up the family fairly well and is reasonably econimical unless you are giving it the beans. Mine is an auto which I love and the best mod I have done to it is to get rid of the runflats which has totally transfored the handling of the thing. As already said, the 325i just isn't a 330i and when I was looking commanded a little bit more money that the 330i probably because of fuel economy (or maybe its in a lower tax band, I'm not sure). The 335 is a serious bit of kit but running costs are probably going to be significantly higher than the 330i. Whatever you get, the sound of a six cylinder motor at full chat is a wonderful thing......

[NateWM]

[redacted]

[P1H]

[redacted]

[lewisf182]

Gorgeous E92 mate. Can't beat the sound of that 6 cylinder! What milage and what price did you pay if you don't mind me asking? suffering from budget creep myself looking at 130i's, a good 130i is close to a good 330i E92 so it's very hard not to make the jump but seems like you gave in :P Enjoy mate!

[philmots]

Nice car mate.

Check them wheels for cracks as they're prone to it. Which is a right shame as they're easily the best looking wheel for that car.