330i auto or 530i auto saloons
Discussion
The transmission system is clearly common, so probably not much in it for reliability.
The key thing that did come to mind is that the E46 was revised in 2002, and the age you're looking at is slightly older. For me, that would encourage me to track down an E39. I did try both when I bought my E46 330i sport and slightly prefered the drive of the E46, but being fair, there wasn't a massive amount in it.
The key thing that did come to mind is that the E46 was revised in 2002, and the age you're looking at is slightly older. For me, that would encourage me to track down an E39. I did try both when I bought my E46 330i sport and slightly prefered the drive of the E46, but being fair, there wasn't a massive amount in it.
Edited by Mr_Sukebe on Thursday 20th August 23:05
) , but don't expect Honda reliability with either though 
I've owned a 51 plate E39 Tourer for allmost 6 years now. It's now done 120k. I've had a throttle pot sensor fail, but other than that, it's been faultless. With 16inch wheels and Michelin Primacy tyres it's very quiet and comfortable. The performance is more than adequate and it returns around 27mpg All things considered it's without doubt the best all rounder I've owned. I've no intention of swapping it, but if I did, it would probably be for another younger E39
titeadted said:
Both models can't be that popular seeing the amount of replys I'm getting, might have a look round at other 4 door saloons.
You have waited less than 24 hours for a reply before making this opinion.330 versus 530 - little sister versus big sister.
Depends on how much you need the extra space and the slightly
higher running costs.
Both are class leading cars in their respective sectors, so I'd
recommend a drive of both before thinking of running away.
Just got my wife a E46 330 ci cab 2001 with 41,000 on the clock it replaces a E30 325i both are autos and just as much fun to drive,the E46 is telling me that the MPG are 25.2 not bad for a heavy auto car.
have not got any pictures of the 330 yet.We had the E30 about 10 years but only used her in the summers went all over Europe in her with the kids in the back,hopeing to do the same in the later car but without the kids at over 6 foot my rugby playing son is to big to fit in the back and hes only 13 luckly my daughter (5.10 high and still to tall to fit in the back)is in to child care,but all he realy needs is feeding,10 times a day!So back to E46 330 fun to drive,good MPG,no leg room in the back and to many silver cabs and coupes about,all look the same from the front,I keep waveing at the wrong car.And my wife tells me the controls air con,CD player etc are very hard to get on with and I think she right as for the hand book no help what so ever when it's at home!
have not got any pictures of the 330 yet.We had the E30 about 10 years but only used her in the summers went all over Europe in her with the kids in the back,hopeing to do the same in the later car but without the kids at over 6 foot my rugby playing son is to big to fit in the back and hes only 13 luckly my daughter (5.10 high and still to tall to fit in the back)is in to child care,but all he realy needs is feeding,10 times a day!So back to E46 330 fun to drive,good MPG,no leg room in the back and to many silver cabs and coupes about,all look the same from the front,I keep waveing at the wrong car.And my wife tells me the controls air con,CD player etc are very hard to get on with and I think she right as for the hand book no help what so ever when it's at home!
I bought a 6 month old 6k miles 52 plate 330i coupe auto and ran it for 6 years and 50k miles and I absolutely loved it.
You have manual override so don't have to use auto all the time and I averaged 27mpg with very little dual carriageway/motorway use.
I only needed new discs and pads and 3services in thta time - it was probably the best car I have had out of 35 years of driving (except maybe the VW Corrado VR6).
I only sold it in May because I was bored with the auto and wanted to go back to a hatchback so I got a 55 plate 130i M sport.
I agree that the 5 series is a much better looking saloon to the 3 series.
You have manual override so don't have to use auto all the time and I averaged 27mpg with very little dual carriageway/motorway use.
I only needed new discs and pads and 3services in thta time - it was probably the best car I have had out of 35 years of driving (except maybe the VW Corrado VR6).
I only sold it in May because I was bored with the auto and wanted to go back to a hatchback so I got a 55 plate 130i M sport.
I agree that the 5 series is a much better looking saloon to the 3 series.
aarondrs said:
matt21 said:
also have a 530i worst car I have ever owned.
Not sure what gives here but the 530i is one of the best cars I've owned or driven for any length of time, as an ownership proposition it's hard to beat I would say
okgo said:
aarondrs said:
matt21 said:
also have a 530i worst car I have ever owned.
Not sure what gives here but the 530i is one of the best cars I've owned or driven for any length of time, as an ownership proposition it's hard to beat I would sayGassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff