330 Ci Sport advice and running costs

[Stringer]

I am pondering the purchase of a 51 plate E46 330 Ci Sport with an Auto Box. I was after any pointers on running costs, specifically fuel costs, with most of my driving in it likely to be motorway based. Also looking for a good specialist in the North-West if anyone has any inside info on that. All thought, pointers, opinions welcome.

[richterswil]

Heard good things about these specialists - no personal experience though:

http://www.baymow.co.uk/Site/Welcome.html

http://www.bmtec.co.uk/

I'd have thought 25 MPG would be about where you'll be.

E46 is a great car - go for it.

[Stringer]

Cheers for that, those specialists are both convenient for me so that's good info.

[LC23]

I had a manual 51 plate 330Ci Sport and that returned an indicated 28 mpg or so with around 80% to 90% of my driving at the time being motorway and a 2 mile crawl at each end 5 days a week to get through town. So 25mpg for an auto seems on the money to me as well.

[Remagel2507]

Cam and crank sensors tend to go on these quite often but they are not that expensive to replace - make a lot of difference though to fuel econ , smoothness and performance

[Stan 24v]

I own a 2001 330Ci Sport and its a great car. I get 300-350 to a tank when going 12 miles each way to work on normal roads but can easily get over 400 on a long run.

Sensors, as above, can go and there are also issues with front wishbone bushes wearing, rear springs breaking and the rear subframe can crack too - but dnt be put off as theyre all fixable, and not too expensive either.

The best places to find out more are www.e46zone.com and www.e46fanatics.com the zone is UK and fanatics USA.

Good luck

Stan

[LC23]

Stan 24v said:

I own a 2001 330Ci Sport and its a great car. I get 300-350 to a tank when going 12 miles each way to work on normal roads but can easily get over 400 on a long run.

Sensors, as above, can go and there are also issues with front wishbone bushes wearing, rear springs breaking and the rear subframe can crack too - but dnt be put off as theyre all fixable, and not too expensive either.

The best places to find out more are www.e46zone.com and www.e46fanatics.com the zone is UK and fanatics USA.

Good luck

Stan

The rear subframe was mainly an issue on the pre 330ci era E46s I believe. But if it does happen, it is not a cheap fix. My brothers 328Ci went and was luckily covered by BMW. I think it was a £2,800 bill.

[Stringer]

How much more thirsty is the auto box than the manual? I'm not adverse to an auto (getting old!) but I'm wary about extra fuel costs and I guess it's also something else to go wrong...

[bazking69]

Drive as many as you can. Mileage or history is of little matter given that some drive tight and as they should, and others don't drive tight or right.

If it doesn't feel 100% right or tight to drive, walk away. Plenty in the sea.

[Super Veloce]

Bought mine 01/01/10

As well as the above, check the parking sensors cheap to replace and if you goto BMW land they have Cotswold BMW on friendly terms for parts

My Alternator went a week after purchase, really easy to change cost £120

I get mid circa 25mpg round town mostly at the moment.

Check the inner edges of the tyres and see when the tracking/alignment was last done.

Great car if well looked after will last along time.

Dave

[dooosuk]

Have used BMTec since purchasing my 2002 330Ci. Can't fault them so far. They replaced the front wishbone bushes for me and 5.5mths later one had gone again. They replaced it free of charge no questions asked.

[Vee]

IMO service history is as important as checking it drives stright.
Based on my old one, above 60k I'd expect to change the bushes and possibly wishbones, waterpump & thermostat.
If these have been done recently then you'll save some money on imminent maintenance.
Sport wishbones are much more expensive than SE ones and it's not uncommon for people to fit SE ones. Check the bills.
Tyres can cost a bomb due to the sizes - ensure there is plenty of life in them. Rears are wider (255/35) than the fronts (225/40).
Nappa leather is much nicer than the standard Montana stuff.
Make sure it is a genuine sport.

Other than that, look for an original one. Many owners spend money on cheap mods rather than proper maintenance.

ETA : MPG wise my manual used to do 32mpg on a long motorway run (not hanging around) and about 23mpg around town.

Edited by Vee on Thursday 8th April 18:03

[Stringer]

Cheers for all the info chaps. This is the car I'm thinking of getting. I sent my Dad to check it out today and it sounds fine apart from a few minor issues. Sounds like it will need a service pretty much straight away.

http://www.carchoiceteesside.co.uk/122426/used-car...

[Vee]

Stringer said:

Cheers for all the info chaps. This is the car I'm thinking of getting. I sent my Dad to check it out today and it sounds fine apart from a few minor issues. Sounds like it will need a service pretty much straight away.

http://www.carchoiceteesside.co.uk/122426/used-car...

The Topaz Blue one ?
Looks very cheap for the mileage, equally those seats look like they've got more than 56k miles of wear.

[Stringer]

Yep that one. The seats look okay to me. My Dad has seen the car and says it looks very smart and is relatively unmarked, although he did mention a tiny rust spot on the bonnet. I need to go and see it.