E46 models to avoid

Fox, when you say 330 running costs for an inferior 320 car, does that include the fuel? Do you mean to say there's small difference, but economy between the 320 and the 330 are more or less the same?
 
Ricochet J said:
Fox, when you say 330 running costs for an inferior 320 car, does that include the fuel? Do you mean to say there's small difference, but economy between the 320 and the 330 are more or less the same?
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The mpg figures on parkers are the same for the 320i and the 330i
 
Ricochet J said:
Fox, when you say 330 running costs for an inferior 320 car, does that include the fuel? Do you mean to say there's small difference, but economy between the 320 and the 330 are more or less the same?
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I don't understand your question, I mean pretty much what I've said? :confused:

The economy on both is very similar.
 
What exactly is it that you don't understand?

Fox, when you say 330 running costs for an inferior 320 car, does that include the fuel?

or

Do you mean to say there's small difference, but economy between the 320 and the 330 are more or less the same?

Yet you answered the questions you didn't understand "The economy on both is very similar."

Anyhow I got the answer I was looking for :)

Edit: I should have read post 9 without skimming through the thread. :-/
 
Ricochet J said:
What exactly is it that you don't understand?

Fox, when you say 330 running costs for an inferior 320 car, does that include the fuel?

or

Do you mean to say there's small difference, but economy between the 320 and the 330 are more or less the same?)
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Both those answers say the same thing!
 
No, I read your first post. You mentioned running costs and went straight into quoting servicing costs. I thought for a second you were defining running costs as purely servicing. I didn't read post 9 which would have saved this confusion! :p
 
[TW]Fox;14652904 said:
Never, ever, ever, ever buy an ES specification BMW. It stands for 'Extra ****'. You get no multifunction wheel, no cruise, no climate control, etc etc. It's a BMW for people who were desperate to own a BMW but were not quite high enough on the company car list.
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"What Car? recommends for you" feature August 09 issue....
ES Trim gets all the must-haves.
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? :confused:

Basic ES versions come with a reasonable rather than generous level of kit. The SE adds more toys, but on balance the ES is better value.
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And that from the What Car? website review of the 3 Series (albeit the current model)
 
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It does get the basics but it doesn't get things like:

Cruise
Climate
PDC

Parkers will give you a full list of what is standard and what an option for each model.
 
monkey_boy said:
There seems to be a significant jump in insurance costs between the 318i and the 320i but then no real jump from the 320i to the 330i. That seems to be the only sensible reason to not have a 330i to me.
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\o/

Linky

Am I right in saying that bar the mk3 nav computer, there is no difference between that facelift 2001 model, and the last of the line 2006 model?

Is ISOfix a standard feature across the E46/E39?

Newer, but no nav...

Lower mileage, but wearing the MV1's of pain and injustice...
 
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Older E46s don't have ISOfix as standard, my 328ci didn't for example and this was one of the reasons I had to get rid of it with a baby on the way. I think they are standard on 2001 and later cars.

Check that the first 330i has OEM wheels, should be 8.5x18 on the rears with 245 tyres. It's had some new wheels (MV2s weren't out in 2001) and I'd be worried that they are replicas, normally if this is the case they are only 8x18 with 225 tyres.
 
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Wicksta said:
Older E46s don't have ISOfix as standard, my 328ci didn't for example.

Check that the first 330i has OEM wheels, should be 8.5x18 on the rears with 245 tyres. It's had some new wheels (MV2s weren't out in 2001) and I'd be worried that they are replicas, normally if this is the case they are only 8x18 with 225 tyres.
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Good shout, but it's 255 isn't it? My E46 Coupe was, as is my Z4...
 
R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
"What Car? recommends for you" feature August 09 issue....
? :confused:

And that from the What Car? website review of the 3 Series (albeit the current model)
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So what? Go and take your advice from What Car? if you prefer, I consider it to be wrong - the ES is a poor specification and has unacceptable omissions. If you want manual air conditioning and no cruise buy a Mondeo.

paradigm said:
Why are the 323 and 328 not in Fox's list. They suxor.
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The 328i doesn't - but good shout on the 323.
 
The M52 is an oddity IMO, I don't like its power delivery over the M50, and it doesn't have the added bonus of being fly by wire like the M54. Therefore, the 328i is crud, especially given the difference in running costs and purchase costs between a late 328 and early 330.

The 323 and 328 are less likely to want to consume vast quantities of black gold every 1000 miles though.
 
Duke said:
Yes so terrible!! Make sure you avoid them!!

:/
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Aww, have I hurt a 323/328i owner's feelings?

Sorry, but they do suck. They have previous generation engine technology in them, and it is widely known that very early e46's (which any M52 powered car would be) have lesser build quality on the inside.
 
Don't be an idiot, they hardly 'suck'. They are barely any different to any other bimmer that age. Very good car for the money. I would suggest the OP drove a couple of different models to see what he thinks rather than limiting himself to purely a 330i. I would much rather have a tidy 325 than not so tidy 330 (not sure if the OP is after facelift or not, but assuming he does), unless you want to drive the length of the country and spend a year finding the perfect car like Fox does.
 
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paradigm said:
Aww, have I hurt a 323/328i owner's feelings?

Sorry, but they do suck. They have previous generation engine technology in them, and it is widely known that very early e46's (which any M52 powered car would be) have lesser build quality on the inside.
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Actually I'd say my old 328ci was far more of a drivers car than later e46s I've had (and have now). Things like fly-by-wire throttle all seem to take some of the experience away from me, although they make it easier to drive on a daily basis. I enjoy both for different reasons.
 
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