E46 3 SERIES 330I

SithUK · 15 Sep 2010 at 20:54

Any thoughts on my other questions?

Wicksta · 15 Sep 2010 at 20:56

I'm confused, why are we talking about e9x cars when he's looking at a 2005 330ci? These are an e46 and as far as I know all came with central armrests. Hell, even my missus old 318ci SE came with one as standard.

mrk · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:02

Not all, quite a few don't.

I viewed some 330cis in the past that didn't come with centre armrests.

Fr0dders · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:03

so are arm rests an optional extra on e46 but not on e9x then ?

Wicksta · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:04

Khaaan! said:
Not all, quite a few don't.

I viewed some 330cis in the past that didn't come with centre armrests.

I'm surprised, can you find any post 2001 models on Autotrader without them?

Wicksta · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:06

MrLOL said:
so are arm rests an optional extra on e46 but not on e9x then ?

Personally I've never seen a UK e46 coupe without a centre armrest, including my other halfs old poverty spec 318ci (it wasn't listed on the options printout either).

Nice ninja edit btw.

Fr0dders · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:11

Wicksta said:
Nice ninja edit btw.

thanks

SithUK · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:30

I'm going to shamelessly attempt to re-direct the chat away from arm-rests:

1. The garage mentioned that xenons can be retro-fitted and the alloys can be refurbished. How much is that likely to cost?

2. I think the motor has the basic stereo package. Is it worth holding out for one with an upgraded stereo and speakers? (I've already read to avoid the Harman Kardon option).

3. How much is a fair price for the motor? It has 60k, 1 previous owner and a FBMWSH.

Thanks

mjt · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:45

If you want to retrofit Xenons then you'd want to do it properly, which includes the ballasts and washer jets. I doubt it's worth the faff tbh, but have do a search, it's been covered a few times.

£250 for an amazing wheel refurb

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18132072&highlight=wheel+refurb

Wicksta · 15 Sep 2010 at 21:53

SithUK said:
I'm going to shamelessly attempt to re-direct the chat away from arm-rests:

1. The garage mentioned that xenons can be retro-fitted and the alloys can be refurbished. How much is that likely to cost?

2. I think the motor has the basic stereo package. Is it worth holding out for one with an upgraded stereo and speakers? (I've already read to avoid the Harman Kardon option).

3. How much is a fair price for the motor? It has 60k, 1 previous owner and a FBMWSH.

Thanks

1. As it's a 2005 model it will have projectors so a decent aftermarket HID kit would probably be ok.

2. It will be pretty hard to find one with the non HK 'hifi' option, certainly not a deal breaker if it's standard audio or Harmon Kardon. You can always upgrade the speakers and amplifier.

naefeart · 16 Sep 2010 at 00:07

Anything can be retro fitted, if you have enough money and time. If you are serious about xenons I would find a car that already has them.

Go look at Rimfurbish for prices on alloy refurbishment, they offer a good deal.

Tbh on my old 2002 330ci, the only optional extra I felt was a deal breaker was the arm rest. Maybe the sunroof. I could live without the latter thou, but no arm rest would be horrible.

I never used my heated seats, even in winter and I felt the standard non-hk audio system was fine. Apparently its easier to upgrade the non HK system if thats something you are interested in.

Oh before I forget, PDC is a great option - makes parking miles easier. Took me ages to get used to mynext car that didn't have it.

[TW]Fox · 16 Sep 2010 at 03:27

Safe, decent Xenon retrofits are easy and inexpensive on a car with projector lights, which this one has.

PDC isn't an option on this car, it is standard.

Saytan · 16 Sep 2010 at 08:13

armrest on E46s is horrible* but it is an easy easy retrofit if you have one without.

Heated seats fill women with joy, especially the "uninsulated" ones you want in your passenger seat

*i dont have one on mine, but i was quite happy after driving a few that did that i dont have it. it makes the handbrake a royal pain in the arse

NVP · 16 Sep 2010 at 08:45

Saytan said:
armrest on E46s is horrible... SNIP ...it makes the handbrake a royal pain in the arse

Really?

Handbrake is perfectly accessible in mine, and the way the interior is set out I find it a real comfort and even a necessity.

paradigm · 16 Sep 2010 at 08:50

Saytan said:
*i dont have one on mine, but i was quite happy after driving a few that did that i dont have it. it makes the handbrake a royal pain in the arse

Does it balls, I can use my handbrake just fine. I certainly wouldn't forgo the armrest, I use it pretty much constantly.

antijoke · 16 Sep 2010 at 09:12

This may have been cleared up but, I thought all E46 330i's had a centre arm rest.

Saytan · 16 Sep 2010 at 09:19

paradigm said:
Does it balls, I can use my handbrake just fine. I certainly wouldn't forgo the armrest, I use it pretty much constantly.

it's entirely possible then that my leg/body ratio, overall height and seat positioning preference puts me in a spot where the armrest is intensely irritating, and for everyone else in the world it is ace.

mrk · 16 Sep 2010 at 09:23

Maybe you're a freak of nature?!

Everyone who has sat in my driving seat from 5ft tall women to 6ft 2" men have never complained about the armrest or position of any part of the seating/comfort!

Saytan · 16 Sep 2010 at 09:25

i drove 4 armrest cars, and 2 without before i bought mine. each time i drove an armrest car i ended up folding it out of the way. it's a hateful device.

i'm of extremely average height and build, it must just be down to taste

mrk · 16 Sep 2010 at 09:27

But how do you rest your arms! And how can you drive pretentiously without one?!