E46 330i info needed

[Arbee]

Bud, the auto's are heavy on the gas... My 5 series (ok, a heavier car) but it was a 525i steptronic, no matter how decently i drove the car i would average between 13-15l/100k. Now, with the 330i, since i got it ive been driving it hard and i get 13l/100km. On the highway with the 5, ave is about 8l/100km whereas with the 330, cruising in 6th gear at 180km i got 5.2l/100km...

From the previous posts, you said you where a youngster, i would go for the manual, besides it being lighter on gas, you will have more fun in it!!!

 

[1lum1nat1]

139k is pretty reasonable already, but tell them you can give them 135k, I'm pretty sure they would bite.

If you look at the bigger pic here, you are spending a little more than you would have before, but you are getting a newer car with a lot less kms and it will be easier to resell come the time.

Most definitely. The car is in a way better condition than the 2002 model I was interested in.

 

[Arbee]

The only reason why I have doubts is because of the price, this is alot of money for a car for someone my age, not because of the car. The car is truly in a showroom condition. I'm not really worried about the fuel consumption, because the distance I'll be travelling will barely make a difference between the fuel consumption whether it's a manual or auto.

I got the full service history of the vehicle form BMW Sovereign yesterday. The waterpump & left control arm bushings were replaced 14k ago. It had all it's services.

I'll call BMW again this morning for some general info.

What would you guys say is a good price for this 2004 330i with 106k on the clock? The interior looks sublime, no scuff marks on the leather seats, dash etc. The car really is in a good condition. They wanted R149900, but since I'm paying cash it's down to R139900. You guys think I should try get that down some more? The car was taken back by bank from the previous owners, so I guess they paid very little for it.

Is it an individual or sportpack? What extras does it have (harmon kardon, sunroof, pdcs's, navigation/tv)?

I paid R140 000 for mine a week ago, its a 2004 330i Individual with Sunroof and cream nappa leather. Oh, 85 000km on the clock and its a 6 speed manual. When i insured the car, the value was R171 000. Not 100% of the book values, i assume somewhere around R132 000.

 

[1lum1nat1]

@Mr_Arbee, Yeah I'm 22, but really I'm not a racer. I very rarely speed, so I did'nt buy this with "speed" in mind, but i'ts a nice bonus. The car got a sunroof & as far as I know Harmon Kardon is standard on the 330i, right? My noobness will show again - not sure what you call it if there's nothing like a sportpackage or something, but it does'nt have the sportpackage.

I've just came back from my test drive & I was in awe. The car is amazing, lovely growl & I'm very very impressed. I already paid for the car. They have to repair one of the mags, a slight "crack" (for lack of a better word - the paint on the back bumper got some small cracks in it) & have a look @ the brakes. The car brakes good, but I feel it could be better. Not that I would know how it's supposed to be, but compared to our bigger heavier XJ8 it's not as sharp.

I also bought a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty for R4200 - just for some extra piece of mind, in case something decides to go.


When is the shocks supposed to be replaced? (I read something about Koni's?) What are a good brand to replace them with? I know buggerall about cars, but would like some info regarding some upgrades to the suspension. I see on alot of car forums they suggest a drop with some Eibach springs (is that the correct term?) to increase the road holding ability, this true?

 

[Hellas]

Congrats on the new car! Brakes are relatively cheap: New fluid and pads. Have the paintwork check out fully and fixed if needed. You dont want it peeling in two years. Shocks: Unless you really feel the need to drop the car, or the roadholding is really crap, then dont bother with that now. A decent set can go from R4k to 25k...

 

[Arbee]

Congrats man... I will agree, the 330i does have nice growl.

 

[Jandre]

I look at this thread and I think to myself................................



















:ttiuwp:

Hurry up and make it snappy dude. We want to see some piccies.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with my buy. It'll be a few days till I can get her, probably Monday or Tuesday.

In my dumbstruck moments I did'nt take alot of pics & I did'nt take pics of the mag or bumper that needs fixing, but you'll be bale to get a general idea of the car with the few pics here. When I get her, she'll be clean inside & out & then I'll take some 360 degree pics inside & out.

Not sure if there's any local hosting sites, but if you can link me & want me to upload them I'll do it with pleasure.

 

[Jandre]

Ah yes, silver 330i facelift in exclusive trim. Lovely, just lovely. Congrats.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Ah yes, silver 330i facelift in exclusive trim. Lovely, just lovely. Congrats.

Thanks m8, appreciate it.

 

[Muney]

:clap: Congrats bud...welcome to the TIAG family! Trust me, you will find yourself stomping that pedal more and more!

 

[SpeedTec]

Congrats! It is a great car to own.

 

[Gandalf038]

congrats on a wikid ride! :thumbsup:

 

[///Marksman]

nice! congrats man, take her on a nice long run-in...
personally i wouldnt swop out springs on the stock shocks, a spring upgrade is mostly an aesthetic mod, however if you want performance... then perhaps look into a set of coilovers, this will feel & perform much better than the stock suspension. This way you could adjust the suspension to suit your needs, your car would deliver the goods in the twisties as well as look great:thumbsup:

 

[1lum1nat1]

Forgive my noobness, coilovers? What do they go for? (I'm guessing you get different brands aswell?)

 

[freerider]

Dude, the car looks stunning! I wish you many years of driving pleasure 2 years after buying my 6pot, and I still put the window down every morning when I drive into the underground parking at work

nice! congrats man, take her on a nice long run-in...
personally i wouldnt swop out springs on the stock shocks, a spring upgrade is mostly an aesthetic mod, however if you want performance... then perhaps look into a set of coilovers, this will feel & perform much better than the stock suspension. This way you could adjust the suspension to suit your needs, your car would deliver the goods in the twisties as well as look great:thumbsup:

not true I got a set of sportpack springs in my exclusive with the standard shocks.

The difference was apparent immediately after driving away from Hi-Q where I had the springs put in. The cornering is WAY better with the sportpack springs, and the ride is a lot firmer now.

 

[msm]

Bud, the auto's are heavy on the gas... My 5 series (ok, a heavier car) but it was a 525i steptronic, no matter how decently i drove the car i would average between 13-15l/100k. Now, with the 330i, since i got it ive been driving it hard and i get 13l/100km. On the highway with the 5, ave is about 8l/100km whereas with the 330, cruising in 6th gear at 180km i got 5.2l/100km...

I don't think the difference is due to auto gearbox. I had a E39 525i Auto and E46 330i Auto. Drove them on the same routes to work and back, etc and the 525i was at least 30% heavier on juice than the 330i.

 

[///M_POW]

I don't think the difference is due to auto gearbox. I had a E39 525i Auto and E46 330i Auto. Drove them on the same routes to work and back, etc and the 525i was at least 30% heavier on juice than the 330i.

Maybe the power to weight ratio on the 5 and 3 series made the diff?

U should of told me when u where selling the 330i ...

 

[msm]

Maybe the power to weight ratio on the 5 and 3 series made the diff?

Also, the lack of low down torque in the 2.5 motor made quite a difference, as you had to work it a bit more to get the car moving, whereas the 330i is just so much more relaxing and enjoyable.

 

[1lum1nat1]

Bud, the auto's are heavy on the gas... My 5 series (ok, a heavier car) but it was a 525i steptronic, no matter how decently i drove the car i would average between 13-15l/100k. Now, with the 330i, since i got it ive been driving it hard and i get 13l/100km. On the highway with the 5, ave is about 8l/100km whereas with the 330, cruising in 6th gear at 180km i got 5.2l/100km...

I don't think the difference is due to auto gearbox. I had a E39 525i Auto and E46 330i Auto. Drove them on the same routes to work and back, etc and the 525i was at least 30% heavier on juice than the 330i.

Thanks for the info m8, appreciate it.


Now I've got a few questions on how to keep my E46 in tip top shape.

I won't be spending hundreds of rands on shampoo's & all other crap, but I'd like to know what cheapish products will be able to keep my paint shining like a star aswell as the interior (leather car/maintenace & the dash etc) of my car?

Whats the service intervals & what should I change during this? Someone said something like every 7500km's I should do an oil change? What oil should I use? Is it worth it to spend the little extra & get a good quality oil? (liqui moly?)

Any advice, replies, suggestions welcome.