BMW 330 E46?

It doesn't matter what they retrofitted it still isn't a genuine Sport in the same way that a 530i SE retrofitted with all the Sport bits is still a 530i SE :p
 
[TW]Fox;13750685 said:
The Satnav in the E39 and the E46 is terrible. It doesn't have a touch screen, it has a crude annoying button controlled interface, the graphics are dated, the map graphics are dated, the functionality is limited and it's ridiculously expensive to retrofit. The huge advantage, however, is that it makes the dash look far better. But as a satnav system it's only advantage over a portable system is the fact its nice to have it integrated. In every other respect its like using a Celeron 933 to play games on.
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No touch screen... so? Even the nav in an E60 doesn't :p

The interface is fine, it's just as quick to enter addresses in to it as it is into a Tomtom, and the maps look the same as Tomtom maps in perspective view? :p
 
It's rubbish and you know it's rubbish. It's clunky and old. That doesnt mean I wouldnt want it - I do - but its not great. Infact its not even average.
 
[TW]Fox;13750760 said:
It doesn't matter what they retrofitted it still isn't a genuine Sport in the same way that a 530i SE retrofitted with all the Sport bits is still a 530i SE :p
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You don't need to tell me. :p I'm always reminding him it's a fail.
 
I have a 2001 330i SE, owned it since November. Lovely car to drive, MPG on a long run is surprsingly better than I thought, used £40 quid of petrol getting to Chester Zoo and back and still had some left, town driving is worse but more than acceptable. Equipment level is good for the age of the car (only thing I would like (want to get) is MP3 connectivity/CD player).

Would really recommend it, and as has been said, you can tell if it's not right on the test drive, I looked at one and it was not as responsive as the other one I drove and went on to buy, and there were also a whole host of things wrong with it upon further inspection.
 
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[TW]Fox;13750598 said:
If you think £6k for a 7-8 year old car is 'great value' then I guess we have different opinions of value. Don't get me wrong, I think they are great and I'd not buy any other sort of car, I just dont think they are good value and they are not cars you buy if value is on your mind. You can get a Ford thats a third of its age for the same money.
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And a third of a Car tbh.

New BMW's hardly represent value, used however are the opposite imo.

Your own 530i Fox was hardly poor value for money when you bought it, was it?

Assuming you paid say £7k for it, what for similar money would have got close?
 
Can I just add that I am dying to get a 2001 330i lol, but Im being very selective. It has to have a sunroof and electric seats, Im holding out until the right one comes along for me (and hopefully can afford it when it does)

not looking over £7k mind
 
Oxlde said:
Can I just add that I am dying to get a 2001 330i lol, but Im being very selective. It has to have a sunroof and electric seats, Im holding out until the right one comes along for me (and hopefully can afford it when it does)

not looking over £7k mind
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I find BMW's national second-hand car search useful for searching the country for cars with particular features.
 
[TW]Fox;13750673 said:
The downside is that a set of tyres is £550,
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How many sets of tyres have you gone through since 06 ? I only ask as the above figure doesn't divide into 900 so well. Although as a figure it is in itself bang on approx value for a premium set.

[TW]Fox;13682512 said:
BMW 530i Sport E39 since September 2006

Tyres: £900
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Fido McNasty said:
How many sets of tyres have you gone through since 06 ? I only ask as the above figure doesn't divide into 900 so well. Although as a figure it is in itself bang on approx value for a premium set.
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its near on 6 tyres. looks like 4 at one point then 2 at another.
given it is over a 3 year period, its not surprising that all 6 didnt cost the same...
 
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.
 
Good question. I'd be interested in the answer myself from the boys on here with BMW experience

Although everytime I see a facelift model go past, I have to say it is very sexy compared to the pre facelift model (besides the m3)
 
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Well if we bring it right down to the nitty gritty. No, not really, the face lift is a better car in everyway, but it was really a face lift, not a complete revolution. The main difference is the engines really. If you are fine with a well specified 328i then I think you will find it quite a good companion. It is a bit slower and a bit less efficient than the 330i, yet costs about the same to run.

The cosmetic differences, particularly on the saloon, do make a difference in my opinion, if you aren't too bothered, then a 328i would certainly save you money. Personally, I would get the 330i, I’d push the boat out that little bit further and get it, I think you will be glad you did, but then you aren’t me so who knows, other than you :) ...put it this way, I can't imagine you ever regretting a good 330i, I can't imagine you regretting a good 328i either, but the fact that the 330i is a better car, and you could have bought one, will always be there, at the back of your mind, I'm sure.

I suggest you have a good look at some examples of both and drive both.

I would buy a good, well cared for and clean 328i over a manky, tatty abused 330i anyday though.
 
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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. :)
 
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