E46 330ci

[Skilid]

Hi all,

New car time next month. I was pretty much set on getting a Focus ST, but now I also quite like the idea of the e46 330ci. Now I don't know a great deal about these. Apart from the obvious full service history etc what is there to look for when getting one? Looking at the facelift.

- Average price of one? What should be looking to pay? 6k?
- Reliability?
- Manual box any good? (a lot seem to be autos)
- Average service cost?
- Tyre cost?

MPG isn't overly important as I only do short journeys so I'm expecting it to be about 20-25 mpg.

Any advice you guys can give would be awesome.

Cheers

 

[Six6siX]

Been a few threads on this so would be worth doing a search to see what's been covered before.

- Average price of one? What should be looking to pay? 6k?

Seems to be the going price for a nice middle/end run example - though I have seen the odd facelift at the lower end of the market, they seem to be particularly high mileage (not a big issue if maintained well), older or a bit dodgy. Admittedly I've not followed the market value that much since I bought mine a few years ago.

- Reliability?

Main issues are worn bushes/suspension/cooling system. Generally, they are reliable cars but are starting to need money spending on them to keep them in top shape as things start to need replacing with age/mileage. This is where the biggest costs come in for parts and labour (if not under a warranty). Other common-but-no-so-common failures include starter motors, alternators, power steering pumps...usual stuff on any car I guess but a bit more expensive to fix.

- Manual box any good? (a lot seem to be autos)

I prefer the manual. I think all facelift manuals are 6speed - at least, all the ones I've seen have been. It's a strong gearbox - be wary of clutch/overly rattly dmf issues as this can be expensive. Never looked into the auto models so don't really know much about any issues with them.

- Average service cost?

From memory,

Oil Service ~£100
Inspection I ~£190-200
Inspection II ~£280-300

at a decent specialist. It goes Oil/Inspection I/Oil/Inspection II every 15k miles (driving style dependent). Brake fluid every 2 years.

- Tyre cost?

For reference, I have Vredestein Sessantas 18" all round and they were around 120-130 a corner iirc. Rears are wider. Very decent performing tyre and seem to suit the E46 very well.

 

[danza]

These are on my radar, but my sole concern is that I'll end up with one that has the dreaded rear subframe tearing away from the boot floor problem.

 

[paradigm]

These are on my radar, but my sole concern is that I'll end up with one that has the dreaded rear subframe tearing away from the boot floor problem.

That will only be a problem if you are buying a <2001 model.

Get a later one.

 

[Six6siX]

These are on my radar, but my sole concern is that I'll end up with one that has the dreaded rear subframe tearing away from the boot floor problem.

Ah yes, forgot about the subframe thing. Reading through some owners clubs, I don't think this is as much of a problem with the facelifts. I certainly don't have any problems at 117k miles.

It can be repaired/reinforced though...

Top mounts tearing are another problem but both these issues are totally dependent on how the car has been driven/treated.

 

[Gaygle]

These are on my radar, but my sole concern is that I'll end up with one that has the dreaded rear subframe tearing away from the boot floor problem.

I believe this was only on the 328i and possibly very early 330ci's. If you get a 02-> plate i would not even worry about this one bit.

The biggest cost with these cars is keeping them running how they should. This is often not due to failure, but due to build up of crap over time.

Tyres are about £550-£650 for very decent set, £450-£500 for mediocre set and less for a crap set which you shouldn't even consider

Front bushes are about £170 fitted and may well need to be done. Rear trailing arm bushes are around £100 fitted. ARB's are easy DIY and cheap. Drop links are a tenner each.

Rear shocks are £40 each, and fitting is again an easy DIY, top mounts doing at the same time are another £15 a side for Lemforders.

Replacing the CCV (crankcase ventilation valve) can help stop/limit oil consumption and is about £150 fitted.

Servicing, as above.

Try and get a facelifted one if possible due to it looking much better and more modern. Or look for a 330i Saloon which got it's facelift much earlier than the coupe (late 2001/early 2002 for Saloon and late 03 early 04 for coupe IIRC)which means more of them are in budget.

If you can get a good one, and bring it back up to scratch, you'll be laughing. They are fantastic machines and even though i have a much more powerful and more modern 3 series now, if someone told me i had to downgrade to an E46 330i/ci, there wouldn't be much bitching or moaning. There is nothing for ~£5k i would even think about over a 330i

 

[s0ck]

That will only be a problem if you are buying a <2001 model.

Get a later one.

Might also get it covered by the 10 year bodywork/goodwill thing BMW are doing for the M3s?
More reason to buy 52+


A few people on 'ere used to say some of them drink oil in a big way too.

 

[Frenzy]

Just to reiterate, I bought a clubsport 330ci earlier this year in estoril blue. I love the car so much I know I'm going to keep it for a good few years.

Mine has 107k on the clock and I haven't had to do anything but stick new tyres on it.

It is a real head turner too, I never noticed it myself until my brother started telling me how everyone would stare...

Beautiful car.

Edit: Mine does seem to drink a bit of oil, I top it every month over the course of about 500 miles. Just budget for £32 worth of oil every 2 or so months.

 

[neverender]

Fantastic cars and, as Gaygle said, definitely where I'd go for a £5k car (though that said I actually went for a 325ti for convenience and £1k of change). A Clubsport would make a nice upgrade in 18 months or so.

Costs have been outlined already above, but the one thing I'd caution over when entering E46 ownership is to hunt about for one with OEM Nav and Xenons - these are the two items missing from my car and the two things I'd now most like to retrofit - at fairly weighty costs! Much cheaper to pick up a car with them already specced!

Also worth having the alignment checked after purchasing, as M-Sport suspension is fairly firm and over time can start giving some uneven tyre-wear (well on mine it did anyway!). Again, cheaper to maintain the car than pay out £500+ for tyres before time.

Let us know when you find one!

 

[[TW]Fox]

If you are buying a facelift Coupe Xenons are less important as the facelift Coupe has projector headlights so its an easy and inexpensive retrofit. There are numerous OEM nav alternatives now so I wouldn't hold out for one with a 10+ year old nav system either. If you buy a Saloon, Xenons become essential as the standard fit headlights are crappy reflectors which not only look totally rubbish, also prevent easy Xenon retrofits. Don't buy a car with no projectors.

Oil consumption is totally random - of the three M54B30's in the family now oil consumption varies from between 1500 miles to about 4000 miles between topups. There are numerous 'cures' but frankly I'm not sure any of them really work. It's just an engine which, for whatever reason, can use a lot of oil.

The biggest problem with this is you need to be careful before making jibes at RX8 owners

 

[Frenzy]

Meh, I don't think the OEM nav is amazing, granted I have an old disc in mine (2001).

Personally I would try the aftermarket android stuff.. or at least that is my intention at some point in the near future.

 

[Skilid]

Wow, thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I'm gonna have to have a hunt for a good example. Preferably from some sort of a dealer in case it has any hidden demons.

It will be a coupe facelift so projector lenses shouldn't be an issue. Really not fussed about the sat nav either because as Fox said, it will be an ancient system and I'll probably tinker with the stereo anyway.

Suspension parts don't sound too expensive either, so might be nice to give it all a refresh if needed. Tyres aren't too much more than mine at the moment.

Overall sounds like it might be worth a punt. Have to go and give one a drive to see what I think. It will no doubt be a world apart from my Grande Punto Sporting at the moment.

Only thing I'm worried about is the oil consumption. All the cars I've had so far have never used any. Are there any tell tail signs of high oil consumption?

Anything on the interior that can break easily that I should check for?

Cheers again guys.

 

[Tesla]

Wow, thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I'm gonna have to have a hunt for a good example. Preferably from some sort of a dealer in case it has any hidden demons.

I'd try to find an enthusiast-owned private sale example. With lots of history. It's what I did with my 530i. It has still thrown up a few bills in the last 10k but I have so much history for the car and know that almost all of the common problems previously fixed and worn components have been replaced.

 

[neverender]

Meh, I don't think the OEM nav is amazing, granted I have an old disc in mine (2001).

Personally I would try the aftermarket android stuff.. or at least that is my intention at some point in the near future.

Absolutely true, but be aware that its a much simpler job swapping OEM Nav for a new double din unit than it is to swap out a Business CD for Nav. Plus you could probably sell the original Nav for the cost of the upgrade.

 

[Hedge]

This is one of the best looking ones Ive seen on ebay recently

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-...6656725?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item20cc4e99d5

 

[Six6siX]

It will be a coupe facelift so projector lenses shouldn't be an issue. Really not fussed about the sat nav either because as Fox said, it will be an ancient system and I'll probably tinker with the stereo anyway.

The facelift coupe has sealed headlamp units which are a bit of a pain in the backside to get apart and out (they have a number of clips, screws and there's a glue that gets everywhere that needs to be heated and pulled apart). If you need to get the units apart to retro fit HID bits, I'd be inclined to just find one with Xenons as an option already fitted. If you don't, then as you were..

Oh, you also wouldn't have the headlight washer jets unless you went for a proper OEM retrofit.

Only thing I'm worried about is the oil consumption. All the cars I've had so far have never used any. Are there any tell tail signs of high oil consumption?

Perhaps an unusually rattly engine on idle (though that could be a VANOS thing). But I'd just check the oil level, check for obvious leaks, make sure the warning light isn't on (but works) and ask the owner outright tbh. If they're an enthusiast, they'll hopefully know the oil consumption isn't an issue and is normal for these engines and be able to tell you more about that particular car.

Anything on the interior that can break easily that I should check for?

Interior wise...

The final stage resistor for the heater fan unit sometimes dies and doesn't regulate the fan speed properly. Cheap part...not so nice a job to replace!

The passenger side seat occupancy sensor sometimes develops a fault which will throw up a light.

Door handle trim can wear very easily if owners wear rings and isn't careful, slight wear on the drivers seat bolster is very common from getting in and out of the car. Shouldn't be too bad if you know how to get in and out of sport seats though.

As far as rattles go, the parcel shelf rattles as the rubber hardens over time - kind of annoying but can be easy enough to fix. That's the only major thing I think - the interior is generally quite well put together tbh.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The facelift coupe has sealed headlamp units which are a bit of a pain in the backside to get apart and out (they have a number of clips, screws and there's a glue that gets everywhere that needs to be heated and pulled apart). If you need to get the units apart to retro fit HID bits

You don't. You just remove the old bulb holders and slide the new ones in. No disassembly required.

Oh, you also wouldn't have the headlight washer jets unless you went for a proper OEM retrofit.

Doesn't the 330Ci have those as standard irrespective of whether it has Xenons or not?

Perhaps an unusually rattly engine on idle (though that could be a VANOS thing). But I'd just check the oil level, check for obvious leaks, make sure the warning light isn't on (but works) and ask the owner outright tbh. If they're an enthusiast, they'll hopefully know the oil consumption isn't an issue and is normal for these engines and be able to tell you more about that particular car.

You can't spot how much oil it uses from anything like that unless it's somehow totally ****** or something - there is nothing actually wrong with the cars that use oil so it wont make itself known by funny noises or leaks. Only way to know is to ask the owner but to be honest it's not really a reason to avoid a particular example so it doesn't really matter. Just get used to buying Castrol Edge...

 

[mjt]

Nm

 

[[TW]Fox]

They never mated a 6 speed 'box to the M54.

Yes they did.

 

[rare]

Am I the only one who always preferred the pre-facelift coupes? Especially the wheels. The later MV2's never looked as good to me.