330i ClubSports

[Slurms]

Does anyone know if the ClubSports were upgraded in line with the facelift of the E46 or was their specification the same throughout the run of the special edition?

[kentmotorcompany]

No, Club Sports are only in the the pre facelift shape. This was a last edition, just before the facelift.

[Slurms]

So there is no such thing as a 6-speed clubsport.. They will all have the 5-speed gearbox..

[bihus]

Well, that may be true to the UK, and not even a 330i, but I have a 2004 330Cd Clubsport (6 speed).
I think you can convert any car to Clubsport specification.
Just remove the hood insulation (present in mine), change the door sills, and add splitters and rear ironing board (deleted).
Mine is Carbon Black, that you could only have with an M3 or through the Individual options, or in my case, on a Clubsport.

Edited by bihus on Thursday 12th July 03:19

[ccfj1]

They did do a clubsport in the facelift

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/201074.htm

[Lordsmut]

I was going to say, I thought I have seen a couple around. A bit tacky IMO and don't hold their value as well as the normal 330ci sport

[Lordsmut]

Thats me being bias though

[MitchT]

I thought cars branded 'club sport' were stripped-out, at least a bit, to reduce weight thus providing improved performance at the expense of comfort and quietness... But the only discernable difference between a 330Ci Sport and a 330Ci Club Sport, to my eyes at least, is that the Club Sport has a pseudo-racing car rear spoiler and different wheels.

[Slurms]

Yeah I was curious on Values... Because there seem to be a wide range of prices out there..

They seem to be more expensive than a 330Ci Sport of similar age..

I think the appeal for me is the colour and the alloys.. I can take or leave the rear spoiler..

[ccfj1]

The clubsport does have some of the sound deadning removed (from doors, boot, rear panels and bonnet etc), other than that its just another 330i sport.

It does not have (like some people think) M3 suspention, brakes or engine management, its a 330 sport with different wheels and a rear wing and a few bits removed, thats it.

It was a marketing ploy by BMW (GER), to "fill" the gap between the 330i and the M3 (sport is a UK only designation, so in germany having the clubsport had merit, but not in the UK where we already had the "sport&quot

I was thinking of getting one of them before I got my 330ci sport, but could'nt live with that rear spoiler (its very chav like IMO).

[Lordsmut]

You would be better off having an older M3 01/02 plate. A damn sight more bang for your buck and more subtle

[Slurms]

Yeah thats what I was originally planning but the cost to run an M3 is about twice what it costs to run a 330.. I know fuel consumption is about the same but servicing costs are roughly 2:1

[Lordsmut]

Thats cool. Anyway, you wont be dissapointed with a 330, they are great cars.

[Slurms]

Looked at a couple over the weekend..

1 nice
2 sheds..

But whats the verdict on ClubSports Vs Sports spec.

Given that the differences were cosmetic can a £1500 - £2000 premium really be charged for a clubsport car?

[ccfj1]

Slurms said:

But whats the verdict on ClubSports Vs Sports spec.

Rear wing, front spliters, and wheels are the ONLY real difference between the two any other difference in spec is what was ordered at purchase time.

Slurms said:

Given that the differences were cosmetic

Indeed.

Slurms said:

can a £1500 - £2000 premium really be charged for a clubsport car?

No, I don't think its worth it mate.

Get a loaded 330ci sport.

[Vesuvius 996]

Slurms said:

Looked at a couple over the weekend..

1 nice
2 sheds..

But whats the verdict on ClubSports Vs Sports spec.

Given that the differences were cosmetic can a £1500 - £2000 premium really be charged for a clubsport car?

I had an ex demo silver (rare!) 330 Clubsport Auto three years back. lovely car, a bit more noise (in a good way) than the non Clubby - lovely whoofly noise. (Wheels are definitely marmite jobs (love them or hate them...) - they are also a bit prone to corrosion.

I loved it, but it cost me a fortune in depreciation - cost more per mile than the 911 I run now... (see profile.)

On reflection, I should have bought the M3 I really wanted.

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 16th July 12:04

[Lordsmut]

Deffo bag a nice 330ci sport. The Clubsport would attract the wrong kind of attention IMO. Namely the Kevs in their Civics, Saxos etc.