Which car? Quite a few to choose from.....

I think that's the engine code mate. IIRC, my E30 was a M40. :)

EDIT: Just correcting myself here, but the M40 looks to be the 4pot - mine was a 6. :)
 
Last edited:
Tyres should last you 15k no problems, unless you go everywhere sideways.

My advice to you would be to go and drive as many different 330ci's as possible, even ones outside your budget. You'll soon get an idea as to what's a good and what's a bad car.
 
Check out www.itr-dc5.com

The DC5 would be great car with 220PS standard and with GruppeM induction, KPro Remap, decat, Uprated manifold and exhaust its possible to push out close to 260BHP not bad for 2.0 NA engine
 
Sorry to jump on your thread, just wondering how economical the 320i / 330i / 330ci BMW's are? Thinking I might jump onto the petrol engines now as I'm really struggling to find a decent diesel in my price range..
 
The 330 is plenty quick enough, but its a smooth ride so speed is deceptive only when you look at the speedo spinning round do you get a perspective of the acceleration.

Get one with Xenons if you can, its supprising how much nicer the front end looks with them.

I was in you situation back in Jan and funny enough was considering a few of the cars you previously mentioned S3, Cupra R. I test drove both, but then got introduced to BM E46 which fell in my budget. Unfortunatly my short few months delved up issues with mine going in and out of the dealers until the service revealed a dodgy past. Just ensure you get a potential one checked out properly :) but the engine is bullet proof going by reviews and owners comments on BMWLand etc.

Oh and get a Manual, I had auto which was a bit uninvolving.
 
320i and 330i - you're looking at averaging about ~33mpg from what I hear.
A 320d will average 50mpg all day long, and a 330d about 45mpg I suppose.

I average 44mpg in my 530d, and I think fox averages around 30-32mpg in his 530i, so the 3 series figures are a little higher than this.
 
media


2001 Y Reg BMW 330 Ci Sport
2 Doors, Manual, Coupe, Petrol, 87,000 miles, Silver, 2 Owners. Titanium Silver with Black Leather, 18" MV Spoke Alloy Wheels, Full M Tech Bodykit, Climate Control, Electric Memory Sports Seats, Multi Function Sports Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, Xenon Headlights, Front Arm Rest, Radio Cassette with 6CD Changer, this vehicle comes complete with a FULL Service History (4 main dealer stamps & 3 Specialist) and is a lovely example, Full Dealer Facilities, Finance Arranged, Part Exchange Welcome, FOR A CHOICE OF BMW, MERCEDES & OTHER QUALITY MARQUES PLEASE CLICK ON THE DEALER WEBSITE BUTTON BELOW £9,495.
 
You mention the S3. I have got a 2007 model and it is excellent in every way. Rapid is not the word. It is not the same power output as the Seat as you are looking at over 260bhp. A number of people have found that the stock engine is approx 270 bhp. Remaps that are starting to be available up the output to approx 310 bhp. One bloke has got one uppped to 360 bhp!!
Build quality very good and I have had no issues with the handling.
MPG pretty good, 30 + mpg is easily achieveable on X country thrashes unless you really hammer it all of the time.
Cheers PeterT
 
Where did you all go for test drives? local main dealers? I have never had any test drives before. I haven't really driven many quick cars. Really only my Pug306 gti6 which is 0-60 in 7.2 and my brothers 300ZX twin turbo (when it actually worked) though I only had a quick go in this and didn't like it much, the car that is.

It's interesting you ended up with the 330ci thepharcyde. What made you choose this over the others in the end? I take it you would have been looking for a car of similar performance to me and one that handles well too.

An Integra DC5 has come up for sale local to me with 50k on the clock and £9995 so I might go and take a look at that tomorrow. It doesn'r have the original wheels on it though which is annoying, but hopefully they might let me take it for a spin.
 
I went to any dealers for test drives. Smaller multi-brand dealers were less pushy and let me take the car out by myself, or let me push the car when out with them. The main dealers also tried the harder sell, insisting that I talk to finance people etc.
 
I always use dealers for test drives. I was just given the keys to the 330 and returned it 2 hours later. I chose the 330 because I had got the hot hatch out of my system going from a ST170 to a Cooper S.

What sold it for me was the straight 6 engine note with the electric rear pop out windows and 6k revs, awesome. I will never go back to a 4 pot again unless it is a boxer engine possibly.

Also I take my car abroad a lot to france at least 4 times a year, and coming from a Cooper S, the boot space in the 330 was a mega luxury.

Oh and my bird prefered it to the other cars I drove.
 
260hp S3?? The ones I am looking at have 225hp standard and I thought used the same engine as the Cupra. Ah just read Fox's comment and didn't realise there was a new S3 out.

Liking that silver 330ci. Would prefer black myself though with that M-tech body kit it does look nice. If only I could just sell my bike instantly.
 
dont give up the SP2 mate, couldnt imagine life without my SP1 Silver Anniversary

If you need more joy from biking, maybe go back to an inline 4.

Cant tell me a GSXR1000 wouldnt thrill you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom