328i Buying Advice

[RobM77]

To complement what I've found by searching the archives of this forum, does anyone have any advice on buying a 328i?

I currently own an Elise and a racing Caterham, both of which I love. I'm interested in buying a long distance load carrier for towing the 7, driving long distances on motorways and carrying my cello around. I can't stand front wheel drive on the road, have had a good experience with an E36 325i that I used to own, and the E46 330 coupe that I had was the worst car I've ever driven, which leads me to a late model four door E36 328i.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of cars to look at or some buying advice for the 328i? From experience a good BMW can last for ages, but I don't want to land myself with a dog.

Based on my initial searches in the classifieds, I have two questions:

1) Do the E46 328is made between 1998 and 2001 have drive by wire throttle? If they do, I'm not going near them!!

2) Is it true that the four door 328i was only made with an automatic gearbox for a period of time? Autotrader doesn't list a manual 328i before 1998. Surely this is a mistake?

thanks

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 21st November 15:35

[Speed addicted]

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

[RobM77]

Speed addicted said:

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

I had my 330ci modified at great expense by a company that said they could remove the delay, and they took a bit off, but the delay remained. I nearly took them to the small claims court to get my money back, but my mate who filmed the car before and after lost the tape... I've seen those boxes - not sure if they work or not. If you get one I'd be very interested to see some film of it working or even see it first hand?

I think I'll play it safe and buy one of the last of the cable throttle cars. They're a lot cheaper too, which helps.

Should I also be looking at Mercedes?

[Gad-Westy]

Speed addicted said:

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

Don't think the 328 had DBW, I beleive that started with the 325 and 330 so you should be ok. E36's are good but are getting a little old these days so rust etc... can be a problem. E46's are less sharp or at least an E46 330d felt a lot heavier and less chuckable than my (now departed) E36 328 Sport. Having said that if its for motorway work/long distances the E46 would be my choice.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a manual 328. Are you specifically after a 4 door?

[RobM77]

Gad-Westy said:

Speed addicted said:

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

Don't think the 328 had DBW, I beleive that started with the 325 and 330 so you should be ok. E36's are good but are getting a little old these days so rust etc... can be a problem. E46's are less sharp or at least an E46 330d felt a lot heavier and less chuckable than my (now departed) E36 328 Sport. Having said that if its for motorway work/long distances the E46 would be my choice.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a manual 328. Are you specifically after a 4 door?

I thought a four door would be more practical for getting things in and out, but I'm not totally put off a coupe. Coupes tend to fetch more money as well, so I figured my money would go further with a base spec four door in an unpopular colour

[Speed addicted]

how about a 5 series?
if it's mainly for zooming up and down motorways I'd be tempted to go big!

[Gad-Westy]

RobM77 said:

Gad-Westy said:

Speed addicted said:

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

Don't think the 328 had DBW, I beleive that started with the 325 and 330 so you should be ok. E36's are good but are getting a little old these days so rust etc... can be a problem. E46's are less sharp or at least an E46 330d felt a lot heavier and less chuckable than my (now departed) E36 328 Sport. Having said that if its for motorway work/long distances the E46 would be my choice.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a manual 328. Are you specifically after a 4 door?

I thought a four door would be more practical for getting things in and out, but I'm not totally put off a coupe. Coupes tend to fetch more money as well, so I figured my money would go further with a base spec four door in an unpopular colour

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a touring. The E36 Coupe has really good folding rear seats by the way. Would imagine the E46 is the same.

[RobM77]

Gad-Westy said:

RobM77 said:

Gad-Westy said:

Speed addicted said:

I'd expect them to have the drive by wire (same as the rest of the E46 range), I think the delay on the throttle can be removed just using a plug in box/chip.
I meant to look into getting this done to my 330ci but forgot when I came back offshore.

Don't know about the auto, but I'd be surprised if it was. They could just be rarer due to the type of car.

Don't think the 328 had DBW, I beleive that started with the 325 and 330 so you should be ok. E36's are good but are getting a little old these days so rust etc... can be a problem. E46's are less sharp or at least an E46 330d felt a lot heavier and less chuckable than my (now departed) E36 328 Sport. Having said that if its for motorway work/long distances the E46 would be my choice.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a manual 328. Are you specifically after a 4 door?

I thought a four door would be more practical for getting things in and out, but I'm not totally put off a coupe. Coupes tend to fetch more money as well, so I figured my money would go further with a base spec four door in an unpopular colour

Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a touring. The E36 Coupe has really good folding rear seats by the way. Would imagine the E46 is the same.

That's a good thought. I'd wondered if the touring would be a bit too unsightly on the driveway and bigger than I really need. I only do a few races a year, so most of the car's use would be up and down the motorway. Worth a look though, especially if they're cheaper. Less likely to have been thrashed as well.

[soprano]

I have an E46 328ci, built in October 1999 which has the old cable throttle rather than DBW so they were definately still putting them in upto that date.

HTH

ETA: be careful on the early E46's with the broken subframe issue, mine had it - thankfully BMW paid for it all to be fixed, they were very good about it, but it took a month and was still a PITA swapping courtesy cars/insurance etc.

My understanding is they will pay for the work to be done, depending on mileage/fsh etc. Mine was at 69000 with fBMWsh.

Edited by soprano on Thursday 22 November 17:11

[RobM77]

Soprano - could you confirm that your car definitely has a cable throttle?

I've just found this:

The E30 325i has an M20 2.5-liter sohc engine, with 8.8:1 compression, 168 bhp at 5800 rpm, and 164 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm.

The E36 325i (1993-on with VANOS) has an M50 2.5-liter dohc engine with 10.5:1 compression, 189 bhp at 5900 rpm, and 181 lb-ft torque at 4200 rpm.

The E36 328i has an M52 2.8-liter dohc engine with 10.2:1 compression, 190 bhp at 5300 rpm, and 206 lb-ft torque at 3950 rpm.

The E46 325i has an M54 2.5-liter dohc engine with 10.5:1 compression, 184 bhp at 6000 rpm, and 175 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

The E46 328i has an M54 2.8-liter dohc engine with 10.2:1 compression, 193 bhp at 5500 rpm, and 206 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

My situation is that the cost of the car doesn't bother me too much, but I absolutely don't want a car with a DBW throttle. That M54 engine seems to have a DBW throttle from what I can find out.

[soprano]

RobM77 said:

Soprano - could you confirm that your car definitely has a cable throttle?

I've just found this:

The E30 325i has an M20 2.5-liter sohc engine, with 8.8:1 compression, 168 bhp at 5800 rpm, and 164 lb-ft torque at 4300 rpm.

The E36 325i (1993-on with VANOS) has an M50 2.5-liter dohc engine with 10.5:1 compression, 189 bhp at 5900 rpm, and 181 lb-ft torque at 4200 rpm.

The E36 328i has an M52 2.8-liter dohc engine with 10.2:1 compression, 190 bhp at 5300 rpm, and 206 lb-ft torque at 3950 rpm.

The E46 325i has an M54 2.5-liter dohc engine with 10.5:1 compression, 184 bhp at 6000 rpm, and 175 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

The E46 328i has an M54 2.8-liter dohc engine with 10.2:1 compression, 193 bhp at 5500 rpm, and 206 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm.

My situation is that the cost of the car doesn't bother me too much, but I absolutely don't want a car with a DBW throttle. That M54 engine seems to have a DBW throttle from what I can find out.

Rob, i'm 99% certain mine had a cable throttle - the reason I say this is that when I bought the car the cable was sticking a little bit, the chap greased it and its been fine since - this obviously wouldn't happen with a DBW as its all electronic. My brother has a 2001 330ci sport which ive driven, and the throttle is completely different, no delay whatsoever on mine whereas the 330 has some delay.

Edited:because i cant spell

Edited by soprano on Thursday 22 November 18:03

[Shropshiremike]

RobM77 said:

To complement what I've found by searching the archives of this forum, does anyone have any advice on buying a 328i?

which leads me to a late model four door E36 328i.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of cars to look at or some buying advice for the 328i? From experience a good BMW can last for ages, but I don't want to land myself with a dog.

I've got a 98 E36 4-dr 328iSE - imo, budget for a full suspension refresh ( unless it's recently had one ) in the cost if you want to really enjoy driving it as the difference really is night and day on these cars. Felt a lot more tired than the similar mileage Primera GTs I tried....and tbh I bought the "freshest feeling" of the BMs I tried. If you pick a car after April 98 > you should avoid the Nicasil problem too ( although if it's been done by BMW in the past AND they used the later block you'll be OK.)
Cooling system is, imo, delicate and I'd do a pre-emptive thermostat/housing/VC/waterpump change asap after purchase unless you have evidence they've been done recently

[phelix]

The E46 328i has a cable throttle but there's also a servo motor at the throttle pot that is controlled by the ECU, presumably to close the throttle more slower than if it were cable actuated for emissions purposes. So you open it with your foot and the ECU closes it for you at the optimal rate.

This feature allows you to retrofit a sports steering wheel and cruise control very cheaply. Wheel and airbag from fleabay for £200 and a £15 wiring harness from BMW and you're away. Nice to have on long drives.

I have a 99 E46 328i saloon that I've had since day 1 and it doesn't suffer from any throttle lag. I can also confirm that it tows a Minno with a Caterham very well.

[RobM77]

phelix said:

The E46 328i has a cable throttle but there's also a servo motor at the throttle pot that is controlled by the ECU, presumably to close the throttle more slower than if it were cable actuated for emissions purposes. So you open it with your foot and the ECU closes it for you at the optimal rate.

This feature allows you to retrofit a sports steering wheel and cruise control very cheaply. Wheel and airbag from fleabay for £200 and a £15 wiring harness from BMW and you're away. Nice to have on long drives.

I have a 99 E46 328i saloon that I've had since day 1 and it doesn't suffer from any throttle lag. I can also confirm that it tows a Minno with a Caterham very well.

Thanks very much. Sounds a little strange. I remember my E46 BMW 330 used to continue accelerating for a fraction of a second after you backed off. This was obviously unnerving, and particularly dangerous in the snow or if you pulled away from a junction a bit fast in the wet. I'll pay particular attention to this on the test drive, and make sure I check out the throttle under the bonnet.

[rallycross]

I use my 323 coupe to tow my racing car its one of the best tow cars I've had (although think an estate would be more practical) but it only gets occassional use as a tow car so will stick with it, a 328 would be even better and I currently have 2 x 328 sport coupes for sale, both R reg one blue one black if interested.

[RobM77]

rallycross said:

I use my 323 coupe to tow my racing car its one of the best tow cars I've had (although think an estate would be more practical) but it only gets occassional use as a tow car so will stick with it, a 328 would be even better and I currently have 2 x 328 sport coupes for sale, both R reg one blue one black if interested.

Is selling cars a sideline for you? On your profile is says you're a marketing director? Do you have a link to the adverts?