e46 - Saloon v coupe (& 325i v 330i)
Discussion
Hi guys
Yes....me again, with more questions! I'm hopefully just a few weeks away from actively shopping (as opposed to window shopping!) for my next BMW.
I'm pretty settled on it be an e46 (rather than another e39) and my ideal car will be a 2001-2003 330i Sport auto saloon, around 100k miles and looking to pay under £4k.
However, scanning the classifieds, the availability of coupes seems to be far greater than the saloons.
Now, the back seats won't be used much, just occasionally by my 2 children (7 and 3) at weekends......so my main question is, is the legroom in the rear of the coupe significantly less than in the saloon? What about boot space? Again, unlikely to be a deal breaker, but ideally we'll be using the car for our annual holiday.....usually a trip down to Cornwall......as I can't stand my wife's Galaxy for long journeys!!
Finally (I think), are there any pitfalls with the 325 engine over the 330? OK, power is 297bhp v 231bhp, but is one more reliable than the other? Is there much of a saving in fuel consumption between the two?
All feedback greatfully received.
Cheers
Paul
Yes....me again, with more questions! I'm hopefully just a few weeks away from actively shopping (as opposed to window shopping!) for my next BMW.
I'm pretty settled on it be an e46 (rather than another e39) and my ideal car will be a 2001-2003 330i Sport auto saloon, around 100k miles and looking to pay under £4k.
However, scanning the classifieds, the availability of coupes seems to be far greater than the saloons.
Now, the back seats won't be used much, just occasionally by my 2 children (7 and 3) at weekends......so my main question is, is the legroom in the rear of the coupe significantly less than in the saloon? What about boot space? Again, unlikely to be a deal breaker, but ideally we'll be using the car for our annual holiday.....usually a trip down to Cornwall......as I can't stand my wife's Galaxy for long journeys!!
Finally (I think), are there any pitfalls with the 325 engine over the 330? OK, power is 297bhp v 231bhp, but is one more reliable than the other? Is there much of a saving in fuel consumption between the two?
All feedback greatfully received.
Cheers
Paul
Thanks all......and apologies for the BHP typo! (at least I got one right!!)
It'll be an auto, for sure (I have a toy with a manual 'box for the weekends) but it's good to know I'm probably no worse off with the 330 over the 325.
I think I need to try and find a coupe at a dealer and try it out for size (I don't want to mess around a private seller if I can help it). I do prefer the coupe's looks, but it's not as if the saloon is a munter! Just need to load the kids in the back and ensure I don't need to compromise the driving position too much (I'm 6ft and don't like salads).
Thanks again
It'll be an auto, for sure (I have a toy with a manual 'box for the weekends) but it's good to know I'm probably no worse off with the 330 over the 325.
I think I need to try and find a coupe at a dealer and try it out for size (I don't want to mess around a private seller if I can help it). I do prefer the coupe's looks, but it's not as if the saloon is a munter! Just need to load the kids in the back and ensure I don't need to compromise the driving position too much (I'm 6ft and don't like salads).
Thanks again
The majority of my driving is on the motorway, so I'm hoping for high 20s from the 330i......which is what my overweight/underpowered 520i auto manages (28mpg)
I would go diesel, but higher mileage diesels scare me a little (already replaced turbo and intercooler on my wife's Galaxy). Plus, the petrols are cheaper to buy and with diesel around 9p/litre more expensive, there's probably not a massive difference in overall running costs.
Besides, the 330i sounds sublime
I would go diesel, but higher mileage diesels scare me a little (already replaced turbo and intercooler on my wife's Galaxy). Plus, the petrols are cheaper to buy and with diesel around 9p/litre more expensive, there's probably not a massive difference in overall running costs.
Besides, the 330i sounds sublime
saleen836 said:
TT, Mrs Saleen has a 330 coupe (man) and travels approx 50miles a day for work, this is mostly A road with a few villages in between, she doesn't drive like Miss Daisy and gets between 350-400miles per tank of Morrisons unleaded, as mentioned if your doing mostly motorway at normal speeds you should see the same or a little more from the auto.
Hello matey, fancy seeing you in here 
Thanks for the info (and thanks to everyone else, too). Still seems bonkers to me that a 330i will be as, if not more, economical than my glacially slow 520i, but I think that's more a reflection of what a poor performer my current car is.
Getting quite excited now.....just need to get my sticky fingers on my bonus at the end of the month
OK, this one has got me a little excited
Would prefer a 330, but the 325 is still almost 50bhp more than my 520.....and it'll be lighter. Also, not usually a fan of cream interiors, but it seems to work with the black paint. 100k and 3200 seems a good price.
Soooooo, anything I should be wary of?
Would prefer a 330, but the 325 is still almost 50bhp more than my 520.....and it'll be lighter. Also, not usually a fan of cream interiors, but it seems to work with the black paint. 100k and 3200 seems a good price.
Soooooo, anything I should be wary of?
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