E46 3 Series, talk to me!

Had an e46 query:

How does the SSG gearbox version compre to a manual in terms of reliability, performance and fuel consumption?

Edit: had a brief scan of e46zone forums, and a thread seems to indicate ssg is ok/better than manual except when in auto mode.

Other opinions still welcome. :)
 
Last edited:
SSG is great if it doesn't break, but it's a rebadged alfa selespeed box so despite SHREDDER1UK getting no hiccups from him it's not the norm, and when it does break you're looking at thousands. I nearly bought one but decided against it for this reason.
 
rG-tom said:
a rebadged alfa selespeed box
Click to expand...

Crumbs! are they all like that?

We used to have a rep come to see us from one of the insurers and she had an Alfa and that had selespeed and of the dozen times she came to see us I think she was in the Alfa less than half :)

This diesel vs petrol argument. My MK3 golf is a 1.8 driver, my wifes Leon is a 1.9TDi. If we do similar miles in a month she has more fuel left over. The difference between petrol and diesel a 2/3p a litre. How can a diesel be more expensive than a petrol car?

Decent answers rather than sacasm because I can't see it would be preferable :)


I've flirted with thinking of buying an E46 before and could never decide on engine choice. 320D because its probably the most economical of 330i because I assume its the most involving.
 
EddScott said:
This diesel vs petrol argument. My MK3 golf is a 1.8 driver, my wifes Leon is a 1.9TDi. If we do similar miles in a month she has more fuel left over. The difference between petrol and diesel a 2/3p a litre. How can a diesel be more expensive than a petrol car?

Decent answers rather than sacasm because I can't see it would be preferable :)
Click to expand...

Typically the "unforseen" costs of running a diesel are the reason that it ends up more costly. Most people don't see this as they don't take servicing and repairs into the cost of "daily" motoring. They just see OMG pump price/MPG and assume that the usually noticably higher MPG = lower cost.

Modern commonrail diesels are highly complex things that have very high repair costs, and quite common problems attached to them. Things like injector failures, particulate filters, high-pressure fuel pumps, turbos, etc all lead to incredibly large repair bills if they go wrong.
 
iaind said:
You pay more for the coupe - obviously and you're getting less in terms of practicality. So are the looks worth the extra money? That's your call!
Click to expand...

Actually I'd say the coupe is more practical with it's through loading (fold down seats). This is standard on the coupe but an extremely rare option on the saloon and restricts greatly how much stuff you can put in the back.
 
The only impractical thing I've ever seen in my coupe is that passengers sometimes bang their head while getting into the back due to it being so low...

Other than that though I've hauled Ikea furniture and many other things without issue :D
 
EddScott said:
This diesel vs petrol argument. My MK3 golf is a 1.8 driver, my wifes Leon is a 1.9TDi. If we do similar miles in a month she has more fuel left over. The difference between petrol and diesel a 2/3p a litre. How can a diesel be more expensive than a petrol car?
Click to expand...

If you sold your Golf, how much would it be worth?

If you sold the Leon, how much would it be worth?

That is pretty much your answer right there with the older diesels, with the newer ones they are a mechanically complex nightmare which adds to costs.

The petrol equivilents have less demand on the used market and therefore cost less. Sure, you get some of this back at resale time but as the car gets older the amount you get back in difference diminishes.
 
DB_SamX said:
Had an e46 query:

How does the SSG gearbox version compre to a manual in terms of reliability, performance and fuel consumption?

Edit: had a brief scan of e46zone forums, and a thread seems to indicate ssg is ok/better than manual except when in auto mode.

Other opinions still welcome. :)
Click to expand...

I've got the SSG in my 330i and I love it. No problems so far **TOUCH WOOD**. The gear shift is great, whether caning it in sport mode (insanely quick gear change), or just pootling around town (nice smooth gear change).

Auto mode isn't great, but then it is not an auto car. If you want an auto, buy a normal auto. Saying that, my wife drives in auto mode a lot and it is fine.
 
Personally I think SSG is an incredibly poor system which is almost entirely without merit, before you even begin to consider the massive risk you take in with regards to failure.

It has all the disadvantages of a manual without the benefits, and all the disadantages of an auto without the benefits. It is a joke of a system which is why it is so very rare.
 
MadMossy said:
I suppose in that case it would certainly be a way to drag the price down significantly, because chances are he didnt use BMW approved parts. Probably just changed the oil and called it a service!
Click to expand...

The guy is located in Portsmouth, I'm tempted to drive to him one day next week on an evening from work but he is viewing by appointment only. Car looks nice though.

I'm more interested in a 330Ci though!
 
Last edited:
[TW]Fox;16733882 said:
Personally I think SSG is an incredibly poor system which is almost entirely without merit, before you even begin to consider the massive risk you take in with regards to failure.

It has all the disadvantages of a manual without the benefits, and all the disadantages of an auto without the benefits. It is a joke of a system which is why it is so very rare.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but you are talking utter tripe!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom