Thoughts on these 2 e46 coupes

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

Associate
Joined
5 Aug 2004
Posts
103
Ok need a new car, last 4 have been skoda VRs` of one shape or another so thinking about something a little different and these 2 caught my eye but dont know much about BMWs

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200951348497690/sort/priceasc/usedcars/make/bmw/model/3_series/price-to/5000/body-type/coupe/price-from/3000/page/1/radius/40/postcode/ng150ag?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fpostcode%2Fng150ag%2Fradius%2F40%2Fmake%2Fbmw%2Fmodel%2F3_series%2Fprice-to%2F5000%2Fbody-type%2Fcoupe%2Fprice-from%2F3000%2Fpage%2F1%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc&logcode=p


108k and 7 stamps is that right?

and

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200949347323505/sort/priceasc/usedcars/make/bmw/model/3_series/body-type/coupe/price-from/3000/price-to/5000/page/3/radius/40/postcode/ng150ag?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedcars%2Fpostcode%2Fng150ag%2Fradius%2F40%2Fmake%2Fbmw%2Fmodel%2F3_series%2Fbody-type%2Fcoupe%2Fprice-from%2F3000%2Fprice-to%2F5000%2Fpage%2F3%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc&logcode=p
 
Deuteronomy said:
108k and 7 stamps is that right?
Click to expand...

Yes its spot on.

First thing you need to know is both of those cars will cost the same to run - a 320Ci is no cheaper to service, repair or fuel than a 330Ci.

The 330Ci is quite cheap for what it is, I guess explained by the spec (Doesnt even have leather) and the fact it looks pretty shabb (Is that damage to the sill?).

320Ci is better spec though not a Sport and has nasty fake alloys on it.

I'd have the 330Ci out of those two. But I'd be going over it with a fine toothcombe first.

To be honest I'd suggest you find out a bit more about BMW's first if you dont know much. These have the potential to be quite expensive cars to keep on the road as you are fishing right at the bottom of the pond, so to speak.
 
Last edited:
I can understand that a 325i costs the same to fuel as a 330i, but surely the 320i would be more economic? I thought they were 4 pots, so surely loosing a litre in capacity and 2 cylinders makes a difference? Just curious really!
 
iaind said:
I can understand that a 325i costs the same to fuel as a 330i, but surely the 320i would be more economic? I thought they were 4 pots, so surely loosing a litre in capacity and 2 cylinders makes a difference? Just curious really!
Click to expand...

No, the E46 320i is a 2.2 6 cylinder in the UK. It is a 4 cylinder engine in the E90 though.
 
Gaygle said:
That 330 looks very "basic spec" to me. What's your budget?
Click to expand...

It is and it isn't - it hasn't got a single option so you have cloth seats but the standard specification of the 330 Coupe was pretty generous, ie electric memory seats as standard.
 
[TW]Fox;15569678 said:
It is and it isn't - it hasn't got a single option so you have cloth seats but the standard specification of the 330 Coupe was pretty generous, ie electric memory seats as standard.
Click to expand...

I'd just feel a bit short changed if my £5k didn't buy me leather interior or xenon's - considering this should just about be do-able in the form of an ST220.

OP - if your budget is a rigid 5k, perhaps try looking at an ST220. 330's at this price are usually owned by morons or have a rubbish spec, whereas you should be able to get a tidy ST220 quite easily for 5k.
 
Gaygle said:
I'd just feel a bit short changed if my £5k didn't buy me leather interior or xenon's - considering this should just about be do-able in the form of an ST220.
Click to expand...

It's a £5k 330, its never going to be a mint dripping in spec example. Low spec ones are your best chance of not getting something ruined at this money.
 
[TW]Fox;15569779 said:
It's a £5k 330, its never going to be a mint dripping in spec example.
Click to expand...

Exactly, whereas if you went for an ST220, your money would be going a lot further.
 
But at 5k you can get a non bottom-of-the-market example of an ST220, or a bottom priced 330...which do you think is more likely to be in better shape?

edit: damn, beaten :p
 
Budget of around 5k max

Are not ST220s much more expensive to run (petrol) and tax compared to a BMW? the 330s can do 40mpg whilst a st220 can only do 35 accoring to autotrader stats.

I have no problems buying an old or high mileage cars as long as they have the necessary servicing and from the outside look as though theyve been well cared for.

The silver coupe just looked like a bit of a bargain at 4k and should be reasonably fast with 170bhp, my octavia vrs had 180 and after remap was over 200 and I didnt want anything dramatically slower.

I struggled to find anything better than mk1 octavia vrs tbh thats why ive had 3 of them, it had the best combination of power/cheap to run/comfort/toys/reliability.
 
Last edited:
If you think the difference betwee 35mpg and 40mpg is a big deal a 330 especially at 5 grand is not the car for you. They certainly cost more to run than the Mondeo and you will only very rarely see 40mpg. Your average will be closer to 25 to 30mpg.

You realise this was once a 30k car and has running costs you would expect from one right? A set of tyres will be 500 quid, repairs are not cheap and with the age of these now you wont be going years between repair bills!

Doesnt sound lile the best choice of car. As soon as someone mentions the cost of tax it sets the alarm bells ringing for me.
 
Wow that coupe (the 330) is fantastic, i cannot believe things like this are getting so cheap. The spec sucks a bit, but still, wow.
 
I have a 320 CI, paid 5k for mine from a dealer. had 80k with full bmw service 8 stamps. Its a full spec one too, very lucky to get it to be honest it was in such good condition. Out of the two the 320 looks best deal.
 
Mattitude said:
I have a 320 CI, paid 5k for mine from a dealer. had 80k with full bmw service 8 stamps. Its a full spec one too, very lucky to get it to be honest it was in such good condition. Out of the two the 320 looks best deal.
Click to expand...

Doesn't to me, its not as good a car by a long shot.
 
Agreed, I'd have the 330. Its newer, lower mileage, better engine, better colour and only 1k more expensive
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom