Still Pining for an e46

[xs2man]

Pre-facelift, no xenons, no heated seats, no Harmon Kardon, and no sunroof with an awful colour combination.

£3.5k...

Nah

Don't forget it has also broken the, mostly psychological, barrier of 100k miles.

If you have no intention of buying it anyway, why not test drive the facelift one from the same place?

http://www.ktlcars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series-3-0-330ci-sport-2dr-maldon-201608106677401

At least it has xenons, but that isn't really important if you're not buying.

I'd go for the facelift personally (not that one, but it's a facelift I'd be going for). I think it looks "happier" with the indicators "smiling" instead of "frowning".

I didn't mind my 330i. It was okay. But I did find it too thirsty for the amount of power it had. It didn't help that I also had the F11 530d at the same time, which was faster, more economical and better kitted out though. So I just didn't see the point in the 330i really. For me, at that time. There never really was a time where I'd take the 330i because it was "more fun" or anything, because I just didn't see it as such.

But I felt similar about the e90 330i, and really any NA 6 cylinder petrol I've ever had. I've determined such an engine is clearly not for me. I much prefer a turbo 4-pot personally.

But, if it's an itch needing scratched, I get it. I too like the look of the e46. But for me, if I was to get another, it'd be the 330d for sure. Unlike almost every other person on this site.

 

[Dogbreath]

The E46 330D is not great on fuel consumption so I really don't see the appeal. If you want a stinky diesel for cheapness get a 320D, otherwise go for the 330i.

 

[paradigm]

I think that's a little harsh to be honest, sure it's no 60mpg monster, but I averaged over 46mpg during the ownership of mine. The bigger problem is that they have far more to go wrong than the petrol, generally cost more to maintain and service, and don't have the charm of the straight 6 M54. They do actually make a decent noise (subjective obviously) and made a lot of sense in saloon and touring form (when younger). I never really saw the appeal of the coupe in diesel form though.

 

[Snookums]

Pre-facelift, no xenons, no heated seats, no Harmon Kardon, and no sunroof with an awful colour combination.

£3.5k...

Nah

I like both facelift and pre-facelift so that doesn't bother me really, heated seats I'd never use/feel kinda gross, I'd quite like the harmon Kardon system tbh and I don't care/like the look of a sunroof too much either.

But again its just to test drive.

Don't forget it has also broken the, mostly psychological, barrier of 100k miles.

If you have no intention of buying it anyway, why not test drive the facelift one from the same place?

http://www.ktlcars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-series-3-0-330ci-sport-2dr-maldon-201608106677401

At least it has xenons, but that isn't really important if you're not buying.

I'd go for the facelift personally (not that one, but it's a facelift I'd be going for). I think it looks "happier" with the indicators "smiling" instead of "frowning".

I didn't mind my 330i. It was okay. But I did find it too thirsty for the amount of power it had. It didn't help that I also had the F11 530d at the same time, which was faster, more economical and better kitted out though. So I just didn't see the point in the 330i really. For me, at that time. There never really was a time where I'd take the 330i because it was "more fun" or anything, because I just didn't see it as such.

But I felt similar about the e90 330i, and really any NA 6 cylinder petrol I've ever had. I've determined such an engine is clearly not for me. I much prefer a turbo 4-pot personally.

But, if it's an itch needing scratched, I get it. I too like the look of the e46. But for me, if I was to get another, it'd be the 330d for sure. Unlike almost every other person on this site.

The facelift model has already sold otherwise I would.

The straight 6 is very appealing tbh and economy isn't a massive factor so thats why diesels are out.

 

[inflames]

They are a good car to own and drive. I had my touring 320I for 3 years, i had most of the issues that have been listed above, coolant system is a common issue on these and so is the CCV valve what causes the engine to burn oil. If i was to buy one today it would have to have a very detailed history and be rust free. To find a car with both of these would be a hard challenge. Plus they have most likely been thrashed these days to.

 

[wedrum]

be prepared for lots of niggles, if you are handy with a spanner then you can tackle most jobs yourself.

 

[xs2man]

The E46 330D is not great on fuel consumption so I really don't see the appeal. If you want a stinky diesel for cheapness get a 320D, otherwise go for the 330i.

It's not necessarily for the cheapness why I'd personally go for the 330d.

As I alluded to earlier, the 330i is not a particularly quick car. Nor is it particularly "fun" to drive, or a well specced car. The e46 in general, M3 excluded, is none of these things.

What it is though, is competent, and relatively comfortable. I had no issues driving my latest one back from Scunthorpe to NE Scotland. It was a fine drive, for sure.

So, if that's it's greatest attraction, I don't see any reason to take the hit in fuel. I wouldn't want one without a 6 cylinder engine, the 330d hardly sounds terrible, drives nice enough, and a remap wont have it too much slower than the petrol 6.

I like both facelift and pre-facelift so that doesn't bother me really, heated seats I'd never use/feel kinda gross, I'd quite like the harmon Kardon system tbh and I don't care/like the look of a sunroof too much either.

But again its just to test drive.



The facelift model has already sold otherwise I would.

The straight 6 is very appealing tbh and economy isn't a massive factor so thats why diesels are out.

Economy not being a massive factor doesn't really detract much for my reasons for preferring the diesel to be honest. I just personally feel that the petrol isn't fast enough for the fuel it uses. And so the diesel does everything else just as well as the petrol. While that does sound, essentially, like a fuel economy argument, it is actually more a "the car isn't really fast enough" argument.

But then, I do prefer a car with a turbo.

 

[inflames]

Economy not being a massive factor doesn't really detract much for my reasons for preferring the diesel to be honest. I just personally feel that the petrol isn't fast enough for the fuel it uses. And so the diesel does everything else just as well as the petrol. While that does sound, essentially, like a fuel economy argument, it is actually more a "the car isn't really fast enough" argument.

But then, I do prefer a car with a turbo.

I get what your saying, iv gone from a 2.0L diesel Passat, back to a petrol 2.0L straight 6 as a stop gap and the petrol does feel so slow compared to the diesel. Plus the amount i spending on fuel again. But that is really down to the low end torque you get from a diesel, all the power is low-mid rev range. With a petrol you have a rev the and most of the power band is in the mid-high rev range. I would easily have another diesel!

 

[xs2man]

Whilst that is also a consideration, it is much more than that too.

The 330i isn't necessarily a "fun" car to drive. Not in the same way a S2000 or MX5 could be considered a fun car to drive. It's not a fast car. Not in the same way an M3 or RS4 might be considered a "fast" car. It is a comfortable car, but not as comfortable as perhaps a 5 series or A6 / A8.

Basically, it is a compromised car to start with. So I don't personally see the point in paying the fuel costs for the compromised car. You could argue the sound of that engine is worth it. But it isn't. You lose maybe 3-5 mpg, on an average tank, for going for a bigger V8 (S4 / M3 etc...) Then it's worth it. You're looking at 100+ BHP more, for a small amount of extra fuel. So, then you're left with the 3.0 Diesel choice, which nets around 10 mpg more, for what? Around 30-40 BHP less? That'll likely have similar low down grunt. That a quick remap will get you to similar max power levels.

If the e46 330i specifically is the itch that needs scratched, as it was for me when I bought mine, then great. You have to scratch that itch. But if it's the e46 in general. Then the 330i isn't the way I'd go personally.

 

[Howard]

But if it's the e46 in general. Then the 330i isn't the way I'd go personally.

Nowadays an E46 is bought for 'heart over head' reasons, usually by someone enthusiastic about the car. You'd be silly to buy one to do big miles in for high MPG and low running costs, for example. With that in mind, why not get the one with the best engine (if you can't / don't want to afford an M3)?

 

[xs2man]

But you're making the assumption that the 330i has the "best" engine there.

I agree, heart over head here for buying an e46. And if the 330i is the box that needs ticked, then fair game. But overall, I wouldn't personally consider the 330i the "best" below the M3. And I fully don't expect many to agree with me on that, since this forum is generally "petrol at all costs".

Now, in the e9x series, I would consider the 335i in that spot, most likely, but even then, it'd be close to the 335d.

 

[inflames]

Basically, it is a compromised car to start with. So I don't personally see the point in paying the fuel costs for the compromised car. You could argue the sound of that engine is worth it. But it isn't. You lose maybe 3-5 mpg, on an average tank, for going for a bigger V8 (S4 / M3 etc...) Then it's worth it. You're looking at 100+ BHP more, for a small amount of extra fuel. So, then you're left with the 3.0 Diesel choice, which nets around 10 mpg more, for what? Around 30-40 BHP less? That'll likely have similar low down grunt. That a quick remap will get you to similar max power levels.

I completely agree here, if i had the choice was between 330I and 330D i think i would choose the diesel. Have a professional remap done and you have a quick car that is good on MPG. But it does depend on how many miles you drive too, i wouldn't buy a diesel if i was doing under 10K miles a year.

 

[ADT]

I have had my 330ci cab for nearly 2 years now. So far I have had to change/sort:

fan clutch (made weird noise).
front bushes (back were done by previous owner).
2 new front tyres thanks to the bushes ruining them.
One of my electric folding mirrors died so cost £250 just for the motor!!


Bought the car with 82k on the clock, now on 100k. Last year I used to use it for commuting and it returned an average of 31mpg. It's quite thirsty in the city, 20-23mpg.

About 3 months ago it has become my weekend car, as I now have access to my wife's micra which.

I have spent some money on it but mainly to improve things such as the headunit, speakers, reversing camera, fresh badges all round etc.

The engine noise is beautiful. Subtle until you put your foot down, specially with the roof down. Mine drinks a bit of oil, about 2 litres per 10k miles.

Next things that I need to sort are the rocker cover gasket leak (tiny), and some bubbling on my front driver's side arch.

Mine is auto, it's quite lazy when in normal mode and can take a second to "wake up" when you need it to, but when in sport mode I find it's quite responsive.

Would I recommend one? Yes. Just for the engine note alone imo. I have driven the e92 and e90 330i auto and manual and I would pick the e46 any day.

 

[sneakysnail]

another 330ci owner here and and love it compared to my past A3 and sabb 93. only had it 6 months so far but not really had any problems, changed a camshaft sensor for £100 and that''s basically it. bought it for £2,700 at 81k miles. is an automatic though, as people have said it can be a bit sleepy and basically feels like it's set in cruise mode. It tends to keep the engine at 1-2k revs and the engine doesn't really come alive until 3,000 so you either need to manualy knock it down a gear or expect a couple seconds of mild acceleration until it really kicks in, a bit like a turbo diesel basically. the m3 is a lot more car for the money but also a good 2-3 times more expensive and more likely to have been mistreated.

i'd go with petrol over diesel tbh. I've owned awful sounding diesels and just love the sound of petrol straight 6. plus there's less of the diesels kicking around so you're going to have less choice and pay more (over £1,000) for a car that really isn't any faster unless you map it

 

[almoststew1990]

One of my electric folding mirrors died so cost £250 just for the motor!!

Oh no I won't bother replacing mine then! After reversing my passenger mirror will return to any old random position like looking at the sky :/ I've disabled it now and just got alpha at parking

I wish mine drank 2l of oil every 10k miles.

 

[ADT]

Oh no I won't bother replacing mine then! After reversing my passenger mirror will return to any old random position like looking at the sky :/ I've disabled it now and just got alpha at parking

I wish mine drank 2l of oil every 10k miles.

Well if you have the ribbon type electric folding mirror then you're in trouble. Otherwise the rest are considerably cheaper.

 

[unKle]

I too pined for an E46 (M3) for years, finally got one earlier this year. Spent a lot of time looking for the right spec.

I have to agree with what everyone is saying, prepare yourself for a labour of love. They're old, you can end up 'chasing' faults. Certainly since I've owned mine something has gone wrong every other month. Thankfully with a wealth of knowledge on the internet, there is nothing you can't do yourself, if you're fairly handy with spanners it helps. I still get mine serviced at a BMW specialist though. Part of me wants to get rid, part of me wants to keep it. I guess I'm getting too old for faffing about with cars and want to drive, not fix them every month. (Near on 29 years in the trade does that I guess)

It's behaved itself since September when it passed the MOT. I'll probably let it go in Spring next year.