Beemer 330ci

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

Man of Honour
Joined
20 Sep 2006
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What are the running costs on these? Clutch, brakes, servicing etc? What to look out for on second hand models as well please?

DC5 is becoming a bit too "hardcore" now and I fancy something a bit more comfortable but still quick and nice to drive.
 
£10500 it's yours...

I want a BMW so I can enjoy the massive smug feeling. Must be amazing when people look at you and they think you're a to$$er because of what you drive!
 
Meh, if only this car was for sale in January, I would be tempted...!

BMW grants unlimited and dominant access to the far right lane of the motorway, so that's a bonus.
 
MilanoChris said:
So does my DC5 mate, it's funny the amount of people that move out of the way.

Just spotted the following one, must be a lemon or a scam of some form.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/433119.htm

Might go have a look at it...
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That looks a superb bargain... just check for it being ringer, but other then that if it's HPI clear, I don't think it'll be for sale long..
 
Yeah I'm trying to call the seller to get the reg plate for one but it keeps diverting to answerphone, I presume he's in work. There are some proper cheap 2000/2001 models about, very tempting. Hmm, wonder what a M3 will weigh in at...
 
Although I'm in danger of being against the grain in this thread full of people in Fiestas sneering at BMW's, I thought it might be prudent to actually answer the OP's question.

Running costs are high but probably not much more than you currently pay for your DC5.

Servicing: Is roughly every 15k and varies between £150 oil services, £250 Inspection 1's and £350 Inspection II's. You also need a brake fluid change every 2 years and coolant every 4 years.

Tyres: Are between £400-£600 a set and last 15k on the back

Reliability: Fundamentally good but you will find yourself spending £100 here £100 there on minor things like sensors etc. Cooling system is weak - budget for a new radiator at some point on 6+ year old car with ancilleries @ £400ish all in. Only other main issue with these is suspension bushes as per any car, looking at about £150 a side for front upper/lower control arms.

Performance: Excellent - 230bhp, under 1500kg with a driver only means 0-60 in a shade over 6 seconds and an electronically limit top speed of 155mph. Obviously boring compared to whatever exotic the wise guys in this thread have, but still not bad going.

Often owned by: Arrogant morons who drive like idiots and think they are better than everyone else. Image problems aside this means there are a lot of cheap, ragged ones on the market that have been driven hard with little mechanical sympathy. Try and find a 1 owner car and don't buy from the bottom end of the market.

The models to get: The 330Ci Sport is the best model - M3 'inspired' bodykit (Unlike the 5 Series the bodykit is not identical to that of the M car), sports seats, M-tech suspension etc. These came in 2001 on a Y plate - before this there was only one model, the straight 330Ci.

How much to spend: About £10kish. Cheaper ones are shonky or low on kit unless you are happy with the 2000 models which are not Sport models.
 
[TW]Fox;11554709 said:
Although I'm in danger of being against the grain in this thread full of people in Fiestas sneering at BMW's, I thought it might be prudent to actually answer the OP's question.

Running costs are high but probably not much more than you currently pay for your DC5.

Servicing: Is roughly every 15k and varies between £150 oil services, £250 Inspection 1's and £350 Inspection II's. You also need a brake fluid change every 2 years and coolant every 4 years.

Tyres: Are between £400-£600 a set and last 15k on the back

Reliability: Fundamentally good but you will find yourself spending £100 here £100 there on minor things like sensors etc. Cooling system is weak - budget for a new radiator at some point on 6+ year old car with ancilleries @ £400ish all in. Only other main issue with these is suspension bushes as per any car, looking at about £150 a side for front upper/lower control arms.

Performance: Excellent - 230bhp, under 1500kg with a driver only means 0-60 in a shade over 6 seconds and an electronically limit top speed of 155mph. Obviously boring compared to whatever exotic the wise guys in this thread have, but still not bad going.

Often owned by: Arrogant morons who drive like idiots and think they are better than everyone else. Image problems aside this means there are a lot of cheap, ragged ones on the market that have been driven hard with little mechanical sympathy. Try and find a 1 owner car and don't buy from the bottom end of the market.

The models to get: The 330Ci Sport is the best model - M3 'inspired' bodykit (Unlike the 5 Series the bodykit is not identical to that of the M car), sports seats, M-tech suspension etc. These came in 2001 on a Y plate - before this there was only one model, the straight 330Ci.

How much to spend: About £10kish. Cheaper ones are shonky or low on kit unless you are happy with the 2000 models which are not Sport models.
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Thanks a lot mate.

Ouch on the tyres, I completely forgot that they are far wider rims than what I've got at the moment.

As for the other comments in the thread, I don't own a car based on what people think of me or my car, I own and drive one because of how I feel about the car, no other reason. I have a surf board on the back of my DC5 but it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

If I got a 330ci and people gave me sneering looks and waved their hands at me it'd make me laugh.

BTW here's a link to my car for Booner.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17792368
 
You will get people giving you funny looks, dirty looks and often abuse when they otherwise wouldn't as well as people hating your car without knowing anything about it simply becuase of the badge. Unfortunately it goes with the territory of owning a BMW and is due to the fact that the majority of owners are indeed badge obsessed morons.

I just ignore it.
 
[TW]Fox;11555101 said:
You will get people giving you funny looks, dirty looks and often abuse when they otherwise wouldn't as well as people hating your car without knowing anything about it simply becuase of the badge. Unfortunately it goes with the territory of owning a BMW and is due to the fact that the majority of owners are indeed badge obsessed morons.
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I'll admit I've never driven a BMW but that sounds a little paranoid :p
 
lordrobs said:
I'll admit I've never driven a BMW but that sounds a little paranoid :p
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It's not paranoia (I dont actually care) but one trip I make every so often is Plymouth to Southampton. Much of it is single carriageway A roads and requires overtaking. I never once, in 2.5 years, got flashed when I overtook somebody in the Mondeo yet in the 5 Series over the same route at the same sorts of times roughly 50% of overtakes result in the guy behind flashing his lights or waving his hands at me for no real reason whatsoever.
 
Try and find a 330ci with Harmon/Kardon audio if you can. The stock system is absolutely terrible. What Fox said up there is all spot on.

Rear tyres won't last 15k if you drive reasonably hard - my last set of F1's only lasted 10k on the rear, but the GSD3's I had before that lasted over twice as long.
 
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