BMW 330 E46?

Mr Gimp · 25 Mar 2009 at 10:11

After umming and ahhing and fannying about for far too long trying to find an Audi A4 that has everything I want, I finally gave in, took off the Audi blindfold and started looking at 330s and cannot believe quite how much car you can get for the money! :eek:

I'm liking the look of the facelift M Sport models but anything is considered at this stage, but what are the main things to look out for on these beasties? Obviously most of the ones I have seen have 100k plus but I'm under the assumption that that sort of mileage is just about worn in on a straight 6?

Any advice is appreciated

Mr Gimp · 25 Mar 2009 at 11:01

I'm not too fussed about mileage (my running a 155k petrol 306 with no prblems is testament to that!) as long as the car has been looked after. I had heard that it's not uncommon for BMW straight sixes to do ridiculously large mileage without problem though?

GSXRmovistar: I'm looking at petrol models, running costs between the 2.5 and 3 litre models seem pretty much identical having had a mooch about so I'll probably go for the full fat mansize 330i. I hadn't read Foxes guide, I'll have a look now though, thanks

(what colour is the one you're trying to get rid of btw?)

rG-Tom:

I spotted that a few days ago and your car looks to be pretty much exactly what I'm after and your running costs for your mileage covered actually quite surprised me

I've got my eye on a few cars at the minute but they're all quite some distance away, so I though I'd see if I could get some pointers before hand.

Fox: I'm after something that confortable and with an interior that doesn't look as if it has been cobbled together by someone without any idea of aesthetics (Ford Focus interiors make baby jesus cry) and more importantly I want something properly solid. Having had a 306 for 3 years you can imagine how sick I am of rattles, squeaks and vibrations. I'm not a badge snob by any means but I do want something that fits the bill on all fronts, especially if I'm putting a fair bit of money down for it.

Mr Gimp · 25 Mar 2009 at 11:09

GSXRMovistar said:
It's an Imola Red 330ci, fingers crossed it may go tomorrow, got a couple of people coming to see it.

You got any pics? I haven't really seen any in red while looking about.

Fox: Are the Coupes simply saloons without rear doors on the E46 or are they a different chassis like the E92? I'd probably go for a saloon if they're essentially the same model.

Mr Gimp · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:26

Dragging up a dead thread here as I really haven't had time to look into anything over the past month as I've been so busy.

Are there any massively noticeable differences between the older and facelifted saloons? Being slightly tight I'm trying to gague whether spending out extra for a newer model is a waste of time if I can get most of what I want from an older model. Things like Nav I'll probably sort out myself with an aftermarket HU if necessary.

Mr Gimp · 26 Apr 2009 at 11:17

I'm definitely going for the 330i, and was looking at post 2000 models as I'd heard they had the newer engine?

Style wise I prefer the facelift models but if there is really nothing other than aesthetics involved then I think I might consider a pre facelift.