e46 330ci sport or clubsport
Discussion
So im in the market for a car and was wondering how hard it would be to find a e46 330ci sport or clubsport with below 70k mileage, manual gearbox, NO CONVERTIBLES, unmolested and colour does't really care too much but cant be some crazy colour.
e46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
e46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
notverytechwithcars said:
So im in the market for a car and was wondering how hard it would be to find a e46 330ci sport or clubsport with below 70k mileage, manual gearbox, NO CONVERTIBLES, unmolested and colour does't really care too much but cant be some crazy colour.
e46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
That mileage is pretty low for a car that is coming up to at least 16 years old. Stick to that and it’ll be pretty tough to find one and/or it’ll be something crazy like £10k from a specialist dealer.e46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
I’ve looked several times to buy a manual, facelift 330ci and it always used to be that £5k would get you a sub-100k model. Now, prices are typically £6,500 up for cars with less than 100k miles that are in reasonable condition. Even the first one below at that price has rusty rear arches/bumpers.
Does it have to be a 330ci specifically? I always wanted one and never bought one, as they were either neglected, unjustifiably expensive or other BMWs made more sense for the money.
I initially had an E46 325ti Compact. These are cheaper to buy, generally don’t rust in the same way as the other E46s, have less power but shorter gearing, so are particularly good fun and still feel quick when revved. They may be rare, but good ones are comparatively cheap, so you should be able to afford the best for the price of a mediocre 330ci.
The other option is a 130i. I’ve had three of these rather than a 330ci, which I considered each time. You get 261bhp and 232lb ft with the 130i compared with 228bhp and 221lb ft with the 330ci and the 130i weighs 1,375kg compared with 1,430kg for the 330ci. The 1 Seires also has shorter gearing, so you can make more of the engine’s power more of the time.
Sub-70k 130is are hard to find, too, but £7k or so should get you a very good one, with many of them having a recent suspension refresh by this age/mileage. Mine is on 75k and I fitted new suspension all round last week. Would prefer it if it looked like an E46, but I’m confident it’s a better all-round car…
£6,500: 2004 330ci Sport (facelift) with 85k miles (rust starting to come through the rear arches/bumpers)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-e46-330ci-12-mon...
£7,495: 2004 330ci SE (facelift) with 60k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265451352613?hash=item3...
£8,795: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 91k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265441199348?hash=item3...
£9,380: 2004 330ci Clubsport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12488094
£9,495: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265416395278?hash=item3...
Depending on what you want to use the car for...
E85 Z4 is a better sports car. It’s also got a decent boot. M sport seats pretty essential though imo.
130i is a more focussed non-M BMW. Much cheaper, faster, more economical etc.
Both are better cars I’d say.
The only time the 330Ci wins out is possibly if you want back seats, or a saloon, or both those things with the M54B30 engine.
Also I will admit the E46 is a lovely interior and exterior looks, a real high point for BMW.
Also if a 330Ci is what you want, having had the Z4, I wouldn’t worry about the mileage as much as condition.
Mine was solid at 125k miles... it was the rusty arches and that sort of stuff that was the concern.
So buy on condition over mileage.
E85 Z4 is a better sports car. It’s also got a decent boot. M sport seats pretty essential though imo.
130i is a more focussed non-M BMW. Much cheaper, faster, more economical etc.
Both are better cars I’d say.
The only time the 330Ci wins out is possibly if you want back seats, or a saloon, or both those things with the M54B30 engine.
Also I will admit the E46 is a lovely interior and exterior looks, a real high point for BMW.
Also if a 330Ci is what you want, having had the Z4, I wouldn’t worry about the mileage as much as condition.
Mine was solid at 125k miles... it was the rusty arches and that sort of stuff that was the concern.
So buy on condition over mileage.
E9x 330 are rare though.
Plus it’s a bigger heavier car. If that’s what you want great...
But if you’re more after the other end of the spectrum, lighter, more focussed, 130i is the best bet.
Ooor, 125i Coupe, with remap (valve lift) makes it essentially a 130i Coupe. Just options are a nightmare, as usual with BMWs, some really daft stuff missing as standard on the top models, but the 125i wasn’t the top model so even more useful stuff missing.
Any way, all depends what you want.
Also, not sure on prices these days, but iirc Alpina did a 3.4S manual E46. Probably stupid prices for old battered rusty crap with subframes falling off.
Plus it’s a bigger heavier car. If that’s what you want great...
But if you’re more after the other end of the spectrum, lighter, more focussed, 130i is the best bet.
Ooor, 125i Coupe, with remap (valve lift) makes it essentially a 130i Coupe. Just options are a nightmare, as usual with BMWs, some really daft stuff missing as standard on the top models, but the 125i wasn’t the top model so even more useful stuff missing.
Any way, all depends what you want.
Also, not sure on prices these days, but iirc Alpina did a 3.4S manual E46. Probably stupid prices for old battered rusty crap with subframes falling off.
Mr Whippy said:
E9x 330 are rare though.
Also, not sure on prices these days, but iirc Alpina did a 3.4S manual E46. Probably stupid prices for old battered rusty crap with subframes falling off.
I would have loved an Alpina 3.4S manual E46. Think we only got the auto in the UK, though, very much watering down the appeal.Also, not sure on prices these days, but iirc Alpina did a 3.4S manual E46. Probably stupid prices for old battered rusty crap with subframes falling off.
E9xs are rare but can still be relatively cheap in low-mileage manual form:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294545402680?_trkparms=...
notverytechwithcars said:
So im in the market for a car and was wondering how hard it would be to find a e46 330ci sport or clubsport with below 70k mileage, manual gearbox, NO CONVERTIBLES, unmolested and colour does't really care too much but cant be some crazy colour.
e46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
E90/92 325ie46 has been one of my fav car since playing mostwanted and M3 is unattainable for me so yeah. Also how much should I be roughly paying?
if you guys could enlighten your wisdom on me that would be great.
thank you
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111280...
330i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...
If you want a smart taught RWD then also take a look at the 350Z:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
RoVoFob said:
That mileage is pretty low for a car that is coming up to at least 16 years old. Stick to that and it’ll be pretty tough to find one and/or it’ll be something crazy like £10k from a specialist dealer.
I’ve looked several times to buy a manual, facelift 330ci and it always used to be that £5k would get you a sub-100k model. Now, prices are typically £6,500 up for cars with less than 100k miles that are in reasonable condition. Even the first one below at that price has rusty rear arches/bumpers.
Does it have to be a 330ci specifically? I always wanted one and never bought one, as they were either neglected, unjustifiably expensive or other BMWs made more sense for the money.
I initially had an E46 325ti Compact. These are cheaper to buy, generally don’t rust in the same way as the other E46s, have less power but shorter gearing, so are particularly good fun and still feel quick when revved. They may be rare, but good ones are comparatively cheap, so you should be able to afford the best for the price of a mediocre 330ci.
The other option is a 130i. I’ve had three of these rather than a 330ci, which I considered each time. You get 261bhp and 232lb ft with the 130i compared with 228bhp and 221lb ft with the 330ci and the 130i weighs 1,375kg compared with 1,430kg for the 330ci. The 1 Seires also has shorter gearing, so you can make more of the engine’s power more of the time.
Sub-70k 130is are hard to find, too, but £7k or so should get you a very good one, with many of them having a recent suspension refresh by this age/mileage. Mine is on 75k and I fitted new suspension all round last week. Would prefer it if it looked like an E46, but I’m confident it’s a better all-round car…
£6,500: 2004 330ci Sport (facelift) with 85k miles (rust starting to come through the rear arches/bumpers)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-e46-330ci-12-mon...
£7,495: 2004 330ci SE (facelift) with 60k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265451352613?hash=item3...
£8,795: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 91k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265441199348?hash=item3...
£9,380: 2004 330ci Clubsport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12488094
£9,495: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265416395278?hash=item3...
yeah it has to be a 330ci mainly cus if i was rich id buy the e46 m3 but this is the closest thing attaining "the car" from my child hood. Yeah that seems to be the main things with these hopefully one will turn up.I’ve looked several times to buy a manual, facelift 330ci and it always used to be that £5k would get you a sub-100k model. Now, prices are typically £6,500 up for cars with less than 100k miles that are in reasonable condition. Even the first one below at that price has rusty rear arches/bumpers.
Does it have to be a 330ci specifically? I always wanted one and never bought one, as they were either neglected, unjustifiably expensive or other BMWs made more sense for the money.
I initially had an E46 325ti Compact. These are cheaper to buy, generally don’t rust in the same way as the other E46s, have less power but shorter gearing, so are particularly good fun and still feel quick when revved. They may be rare, but good ones are comparatively cheap, so you should be able to afford the best for the price of a mediocre 330ci.
The other option is a 130i. I’ve had three of these rather than a 330ci, which I considered each time. You get 261bhp and 232lb ft with the 130i compared with 228bhp and 221lb ft with the 330ci and the 130i weighs 1,375kg compared with 1,430kg for the 330ci. The 1 Seires also has shorter gearing, so you can make more of the engine’s power more of the time.
Sub-70k 130is are hard to find, too, but £7k or so should get you a very good one, with many of them having a recent suspension refresh by this age/mileage. Mine is on 75k and I fitted new suspension all round last week. Would prefer it if it looked like an E46, but I’m confident it’s a better all-round car…
£6,500: 2004 330ci Sport (facelift) with 85k miles (rust starting to come through the rear arches/bumpers)
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bmw/bmw-e46-330ci-12-mon...
£7,495: 2004 330ci SE (facelift) with 60k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265451352613?hash=item3...
£8,795: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 91k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265441199348?hash=item3...
£9,380: 2004 330ci Clubsport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/12488094
£9,495: 2003 330ci Sport (facelift) with 82k miles
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265416395278?hash=item3...
had a look at those but nothing really calls to me thank you for replying
Mr Tidy said:
I also had a 325ti Compact and loved it.
But the N52 engine is much more fun than the M54 as I discovered when I got an E86 Z4 Coupe, then another.
Loved it so much I also had an E91 325i that I replaced with my current E90 330i.
An E92 330i ought to be as cheap, without the rust!
hey thank you for replying but those models dont really appeal to me haha. I'm stuck in my ways but i might look into it if i lose hopeBut the N52 engine is much more fun than the M54 as I discovered when I got an E86 Z4 Coupe, then another.
Loved it so much I also had an E91 325i that I replaced with my current E90 330i.
An E92 330i ought to be as cheap, without the rust!
ZX10R NIN said:
E90/92 325i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111280...
330i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...
If you want a smart taught RWD then also take a look at the 350Z:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
hey thank you for the suggestion and reply but those don't really appeal to mehttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111280...
330i
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...
If you want a smart taught RWD then also take a look at the 350Z:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
notverytechwithcars said:
yeah it has to be a 330ci mainly cus if i was rich id buy the e46 m3 but this is the closest thing attaining "the car" from my child hood. Yeah that seems to be the main things with these hopefully one will turn up.
had a look at those but nothing really calls to me thank you for replying
If you don’t like any of those 330cis, what’s missing? had a look at those but nothing really calls to me thank you for replying
You said you’re not too concerned about colours and didn’t mention any must-have kit. They’re the lowest mileage, best condition models around now and unless you have significantly more than £10k to spend, I’m not sure it’s possible to find a much ‘better’ one…
notverytechwithcars said:
Mr Tidy said:
I also had a 325ti Compact and loved it.
But the N52 engine is much more fun than the M54 as I discovered when I got an E86 Z4 Coupe, then another.
Loved it so much I also had an E91 325i that I replaced with my current E90 330i.
An E92 330i ought to be as cheap, without the rust!
hey thank you for replying but those models dont really appeal to me haha. I'm stuck in my ways but i might look into it if i lose hopeBut the N52 engine is much more fun than the M54 as I discovered when I got an E86 Z4 Coupe, then another.
Loved it so much I also had an E91 325i that I replaced with my current E90 330i.
An E92 330i ought to be as cheap, without the rust!
When I was looking to replace my E46 325ti Compact in 2018 with a manual straight 6 Touring I struggled to find any E46s that fitted the bill, and most of them were crusty so I suspect finding a 330Ci Sport or Clubsport would be a similar sort of mission impossible! Which is why I bought an E91.
I loved my 3.0Si Z4 Coupes but when I managed to find an MC I could just about afford 2 years ago I bought it - the M may look similar but it's a totally different car to drive.
If you can find the budget you might as well buy an M3 and get another 100+bhp instead of wishing you had an M3!
Yeah an M54B30 was good in my E85 Z4... which was pretty light and streamlined, low and ‘sporty’ so felt fast too.
But in an E46 it’s probably a good chunk less exciting.
Honestly, the E46 M3 is good, but at the prices they’ve now reached they’re bad value... especially given all the faults they need fixing.
The 330Ci isn’t as good as an M3, but you’re paying similar stupid levels of money for a car that’s probably happily rusting away, subframe issues (a friend in ~ 2007 had a 330i and had subframe done), etc.
The only good bit is the engine, but in that car it is dulled a bit vs the one I had it in.
Then you look at the 130i (which I run now)... flip is it good value given what’s out there.
The prices have hardly moved in 3 years. So they’re a bargain.
They’re fast. A notch up from the 330Ci. Lively enough.
They’re a true BMW. Rwd, 6spd manual, super responsive NA engine.
Tons of tweakability and upgrades.
Seemingly a lot more rust resistant.
Engine a bit more delicate... but easily fixable, unlike subframes and rust on E46.
I’m not sure if you have, but go try some.
I once nearly bought a B3 3.3 Alpina... black with decals!!! but bought the Z4 instead.
I also really loved the E46 330Ci and M3 at the time too... but having sampled them in recent years, imo, my hairdresser Z4, and my current 130i, are both better experiences, and BMWs, for the money they are, especially now with M3 prices being daft, and 330Ci going the same way.
But in an E46 it’s probably a good chunk less exciting.
Honestly, the E46 M3 is good, but at the prices they’ve now reached they’re bad value... especially given all the faults they need fixing.
The 330Ci isn’t as good as an M3, but you’re paying similar stupid levels of money for a car that’s probably happily rusting away, subframe issues (a friend in ~ 2007 had a 330i and had subframe done), etc.
The only good bit is the engine, but in that car it is dulled a bit vs the one I had it in.
Then you look at the 130i (which I run now)... flip is it good value given what’s out there.
The prices have hardly moved in 3 years. So they’re a bargain.
They’re fast. A notch up from the 330Ci. Lively enough.
They’re a true BMW. Rwd, 6spd manual, super responsive NA engine.
Tons of tweakability and upgrades.
Seemingly a lot more rust resistant.
Engine a bit more delicate... but easily fixable, unlike subframes and rust on E46.
I’m not sure if you have, but go try some.
I once nearly bought a B3 3.3 Alpina... black with decals!!! but bought the Z4 instead.
I also really loved the E46 330Ci and M3 at the time too... but having sampled them in recent years, imo, my hairdresser Z4, and my current 130i, are both better experiences, and BMWs, for the money they are, especially now with M3 prices being daft, and 330Ci going the same way.
My advice is to save your money and buy a higher mileage e46 m3.
One recently sold on m3cutters that had a lot of work done to it for 12500.
Granted it had done 110k but from a previous owner of an e46 M3, you are much better off buying the car you want instead of settling for second best.
A 330 is the same to tax and will give you similar running costs to the m3 bar servicing. Maintenance will be the same as they're both of that age. But the reward for driving will only come from one of those cars and its notvthe 330.
Also when that s54 is above 6k there's not much that can compete with that very unique noise.
Don't let mileage lead your way when buying old cars like the e46. Condition in every way should lead your pocket to the right car. Theres some utter dogs out there that have just sat in garages on trickle charges which might have immaculate paint but very little Maintenance to go with the value they command.
One recently sold on m3cutters that had a lot of work done to it for 12500.
Granted it had done 110k but from a previous owner of an e46 M3, you are much better off buying the car you want instead of settling for second best.
A 330 is the same to tax and will give you similar running costs to the m3 bar servicing. Maintenance will be the same as they're both of that age. But the reward for driving will only come from one of those cars and its notvthe 330.
Also when that s54 is above 6k there's not much that can compete with that very unique noise.
Don't let mileage lead your way when buying old cars like the e46. Condition in every way should lead your pocket to the right car. Theres some utter dogs out there that have just sat in garages on trickle charges which might have immaculate paint but very little Maintenance to go with the value they command.
I have an 02 330 m-sport coupe with 83,000 genuine miles on the clock but was looking a bit tatty
I've been thinking of changing it but I can't find anything I like that has similar performance,looks and practicality for around the £7k that I'd want to spend.
Maybe a 1 series coupe, definitely not a 1 series hatch, horrible looking things.
Looked at 350z but totally impractical.
As a result I've spent some money and given my car a bit of a refurb,full respray, treated the leather, wheel refurb,new coils all round etc
I'll probably keep it now it's looking so good again
I've been thinking of changing it but I can't find anything I like that has similar performance,looks and practicality for around the £7k that I'd want to spend.
Maybe a 1 series coupe, definitely not a 1 series hatch, horrible looking things.
Looked at 350z but totally impractical.
As a result I've spent some money and given my car a bit of a refurb,full respray, treated the leather, wheel refurb,new coils all round etc
I'll probably keep it now it's looking so good again
Having owned a manual 5 Speed 330ci Sport and driven an Automatic 330ci Sport, I'd not go back to the manual. It's not a particularly nice box. Can't comment on the later 6 speed manual.
Need to be spending £5-6k as an entry point to decent stuff nowadays. And they rust anywhere you could think of.
Need to be spending £5-6k as an entry point to decent stuff nowadays. And they rust anywhere you could think of.
I've got one, in Imola red, on 170k. Had it five years from 130ish and it's got better with age not worse as I've slowly ticked off replacing worn/failing etc. Springs, dampers, cooling, rusty arches etc.
Only but that is slightly worse it the 'leather' on the base of the driver's seat. As said, otherwise condition and millage doesn't have to correlate.
Daniel.
Only but that is slightly worse it the 'leather' on the base of the driver's seat. As said, otherwise condition and millage doesn't have to correlate.
Daniel.
dhutch said:
I've got one, in Imola red, on 170k. Had it five years from 130ish and it's got better with age not worse as I've slowly ticked off replacing worn/failing etc. Springs, dampers, cooling, rusty arches etc.
Only but that is slightly worse it the 'leather' on the base of the driver's seat. As said, otherwise condition and millage doesn't have to correlate.
Daniel.
Likewise i have one too,currently at 220K all maintenance finished,so i am tidying up the paint.Its never broke and in better condition than when i bought it 6 years ago Only but that is slightly worse it the 'leather' on the base of the driver's seat. As said, otherwise condition and millage doesn't have to correlate.
Daniel.
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