FN2 Type R vs E46 330ci, or similar?
Discussion
Evening all
I am after a second car and want something fairly interesting. I've noticed the FN2 Type R market is very low at the moment, around £4-5k for a good one. They look fairly modern inside and out and have a decent level of spec. VTEC sounds fun.
I also like the E46 models, and the 330ci being the best engine.
Any thoughts on these? Any other suggestions?
Essentially I want a fun, interesting and somewhat practical car for sub £5k.
I am after a second car and want something fairly interesting. I've noticed the FN2 Type R market is very low at the moment, around £4-5k for a good one. They look fairly modern inside and out and have a decent level of spec. VTEC sounds fun.
I also like the E46 models, and the 330ci being the best engine.
Any thoughts on these? Any other suggestions?
Essentially I want a fun, interesting and somewhat practical car for sub £5k.
You almost could t get two more opposite cars lol. Fn2 has a very hard ride and needs to revved to go fast, and get fwd wheel spins on wet junctions which gets tedious as a daily car, but it’s good fun for a spirited drive, and it’s very spacious and practical and super reliable.
The e46 330 Can be expensive on upkeep as they’re getting old, it’s a bit heavy and wallowy when chucked about, but it sounds great (esp with decent induction kit) and it’s nice and comfy for daily driving, plus you get the nice rwd feeling pushing around corners, plus “ooo you got a posh Beemer mate?! you must be doing well.” Lol.
Focus ST is a kind of in between the two cars, not too buzzy, not too lazy. which is what I’d get a daily drive if I had the cash. I’m in process of going reliable boggo civic daily, cheap mr2 for weekends.
Good luck deciding.
The e46 330 Can be expensive on upkeep as they’re getting old, it’s a bit heavy and wallowy when chucked about, but it sounds great (esp with decent induction kit) and it’s nice and comfy for daily driving, plus you get the nice rwd feeling pushing around corners, plus “ooo you got a posh Beemer mate?! you must be doing well.” Lol.
Focus ST is a kind of in between the two cars, not too buzzy, not too lazy. which is what I’d get a daily drive if I had the cash. I’m in process of going reliable boggo civic daily, cheap mr2 for weekends.
Good luck deciding.
Edited by browna on Wednesday 17th July 19:40
Edited by browna on Thursday 18th July 08:30
Currently have the FN2 and had a 330ci before it, both very different cars. FN2 feels like an over engineered hot hatch thats a blast on the b roads but can be a chore on longer journeys, takes a while to know how to get the most out of the engine, when to change gear etc but when you do i would say its probably quicker car in every scenario unless your going flat out on an autobahn
330ci was much heavier (about 200kg) and far slower on the b roads and generally more sluggish overall but it sounded great and was much better on longer journeys. Feels much more like a normal car compared to the FN2 which feels like it was engineered to go round a track as quickly as possible. Probably puts its power down better with the wider rear tyres
Both like oil, and torque felt fairly similar due to the weight of the 330 and the close ratio gearbox and high revving engine in the FN2
330ci was much heavier (about 200kg) and far slower on the b roads and generally more sluggish overall but it sounded great and was much better on longer journeys. Feels much more like a normal car compared to the FN2 which feels like it was engineered to go round a track as quickly as possible. Probably puts its power down better with the wider rear tyres
Both like oil, and torque felt fairly similar due to the weight of the 330 and the close ratio gearbox and high revving engine in the FN2
I had an FN2 and I liked it but mine had a Hondata tuning box. It didn't add much power overall, but after I removed it (was worth £400 on ebay!) I realised just how much more exciting the car was with it on. It lowered the VTEC engagement point, and this gave the car a much more urgent response through the midrange and even improved the way it sounded. As an added bonus, it raised the rev limit a little bit too.
Once I took it off, I gotta be honest, it felt flat, the difference really was like night and day. With it, it felt like a dog straining at the leash. Without it, it kinda just felt like it was being held back. No wonder most people think they are dull. So I reckon they're a good car but you really do need that tuning box to make it a bit more exciting for me.
In terms of steering, it was better than the EP3, but it was a bit of a tubby car for a Type-R.
I never had an E46 330 but did have the E36 328 and E46 328 Coupes, and overall the car was more pleasant to live with on a day to day basis, but ultimately I felt they're a little bit dull, that being said, no brainer if you want RWD thrills, and the engine does sound better more of the time, the Type-R really only sounded good when you gave it the beans.
Once I took it off, I gotta be honest, it felt flat, the difference really was like night and day. With it, it felt like a dog straining at the leash. Without it, it kinda just felt like it was being held back. No wonder most people think they are dull. So I reckon they're a good car but you really do need that tuning box to make it a bit more exciting for me.
In terms of steering, it was better than the EP3, but it was a bit of a tubby car for a Type-R.
I never had an E46 330 but did have the E36 328 and E46 328 Coupes, and overall the car was more pleasant to live with on a day to day basis, but ultimately I felt they're a little bit dull, that being said, no brainer if you want RWD thrills, and the engine does sound better more of the time, the Type-R really only sounded good when you gave it the beans.
I have a supercharged FN2 that will be up for sale soon. 365bhp and LSD. I have also had two e46 330's. Very nice cars, much more usable performance than a standard FN2, although they do also like revs. Horrible manual gearboxes and clutch though. The Honda's i have owned have always had amazing gearboxes.
I went from a 330i to an EP3 Type R the Type R is the better choice.
Quicker
More economical
More reliable
Cheaper to run with it’s skinny tyres compared to a 330i’s 255 section rears
You do lose out on some comfort but the Civic makes up for it in other ways.
I drive to work during rush hour and drive home where there’s no traffic. When I had the EP3, I always used to vow to sell the car and get something comfier during my drive to work. The drive home would be empty roads and I’d drive past my house to drive it more as it was SO a fun! I’d walk in my house vowing to never sell it.
Avoid anything VAG and avoid the Focus ST. VAG will cost you money and you’ll always have some sort of engine light on and you’ll worry about the turbo going. The ST is the logical choice but the only thing it has going for it is the engine and that’s it. It’s a very poor drive compared to the Civic.
I think you should try the EP3!
Quicker
More economical
More reliable
Cheaper to run with it’s skinny tyres compared to a 330i’s 255 section rears
You do lose out on some comfort but the Civic makes up for it in other ways.
I drive to work during rush hour and drive home where there’s no traffic. When I had the EP3, I always used to vow to sell the car and get something comfier during my drive to work. The drive home would be empty roads and I’d drive past my house to drive it more as it was SO a fun! I’d walk in my house vowing to never sell it.
Avoid anything VAG and avoid the Focus ST. VAG will cost you money and you’ll always have some sort of engine light on and you’ll worry about the turbo going. The ST is the logical choice but the only thing it has going for it is the engine and that’s it. It’s a very poor drive compared to the Civic.
I think you should try the EP3!
ArchEnemy said:
I'm going to go and try out another FN2 Type R 
The one I drove was a pretty poor example to be honest.
Quite awkward on a test drive but if at all possible see if you can really stretch it out in 2nd gear to get an idea if the performance is enough for you The one I drove was a pretty poor example to be honest.I firmly believe my FN2 is quicker than my 330ci was but extracting all the power can be tricky, peak power is at 7500rpm which allows the next gear to fall well into the VTEC range and keep the bhp near to 200. You should get a red light come on from 5000+rpm by the digital speedo, but you also get 6 shift lights that come on as your getting to the maximum power range which are quite handy
kurt535 said:
I walked from them due to FWD. Couldn't connect with the car....am staying with RWD for fun.
The FN2 is the worst car to ever have a type R badge. No LSD and solid beam rear axle. They are quick, but not going to handle like the older DC2/EK generation cars. They were FWD perfection and quite snappy at the rear if you weren't clued in. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff