E46 330i Sport- Any advice?

[Luigi_S]

Been looking around for a part time / weekend runabout and have been through a few options. With the E46 M3's being so pricey and the maintenance scaring me a lot, the latest brings me to the E46 330i, the next best thing.

The one I am looking at is a one owner from new, full history 2001 F/L with 340k kms of daily long distance mileage. Think a car like this with this type of mileage would be far better than the same age car with a third of the mileage driven short trips in town.

Anything I should be looking for / listening for?

At that age, what do I need to looking at having done? Apparently all the pulleys (assume Vanos) has been replaced, etc.

On another point, anyone have any SA road tests on this car, please can I have a copy? Thank you.

 

[Yuben]

Mail me at [email protected]

What a car the M54B30 israise:

 

[Tinuva]

2001 is probably not F/L, they started in 2002 somewhere.

Can't go wrong with the M54B30, just make sure engine is still in good condition.

Oh, the E46 330i really is the next best thing after the M3. Absolutely love mine!

 

[Ga-3M]

2001 is probably not F/L, they started in 2002 somewhere.

Can't go wrong with the M54B30, just make sure engine is still in good condition.

Oh, the E46 330i really is the next best thing after the M3. Absolutely love mine!

Facelift came out towards the end of 2001.

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I'd say as long as routine maintenance has been done, cooling system done in the last 50-75k km, you should be good to go!

 

[Luigi_S]

After losing out on a pearl of a 330i and then finding it with the mileage clocked back to less than half, I have been struggling to find a good clean 330i for a decent price so have started looking at the 330d. Fuel consumption is not important for me as it will be an occasional / weekend car.

I am assuming that at the reef, the 330d will be almost as quick as the 330i. Any comments on the 330d vs the 330i?