Unhappy 330i owners

[VinceM]

I’m yet to hear of unhappy Oakes with a 330i,

Is it that good mgwaiting:

Initially thought it would be e46 owners,
Seems e90 owners have joined in the band wagon.

I can’t complain either with my 330Ci.....enough juice to cruise around with the roof down and a sweet straight 6 sound!
Definitely not a robot to robot car, I’m over 35, maybe have outgrown that!

Let’s hear from the owners!

 

[Teebag]

I’m yet to hear of unhappy Oakes with a 330i,

Is it that good mgwaiting:

Initially thought it would be e46 owners,
Seems e90 owners have joined in the band wagon.

I can’t complain either with my 330Ci.....enough juice to cruise around with the roof down and a sweet straight 6 sound!
Definitely not a robot to robot car, I’m over 35, maybe have outgrown that!

Let’s hear from the owners!

Best car I've ever owned!

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[NBN]

It wasn't called the poor man's M3 for no reason.... 90% of the performance at a fraction of the price( figuratively speaking)

 

[Tinuva]

Fine me one! :fencelook:

:biglol:

 

[Jeremy.d]

I haven't owned many cars to be able to compare, but I definitely have nothing to complain about.

 

[AdiS]

It wasn't called the poor man's M3 for no reason.... 90% of the performance at a fraction of the price( figuratively speaking)

I strongly disagree with this, and I’ve owned both at the same time for a few years.

The two cars have *fundamentally* different characters, and the performance difference
Is significant.

The 330i is the most wonderful daily driver. It’s comfortable, but handles well, torquey and smooth, but brisk enough not to be frustrating. It is however, not very exciting or involving to drive, especially when compared to the m3. It’s a really well balanced car for daily driving duties.

The m3 feels super connected and engaging to drive - it’s *much* more of an experience. But it’s a bit tiresome in town, and everything is just more effort than the 330i which becomes quite apparent if it’s used daily.

The thing I don’t like about my 330i is mostly the throttle response. It’s crap. And don’t tell me it’s because it’s electronic, the m3 shows that an electronic throttle can be brilliant. But the 330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying.

The only other criticism I have is that the car is generally quite sedate in character. This is a much more minor criticism, and to be honest it’s probably appropriate for the intended purpose of the car, but I do wish the engine had more sound higher up in the revs, and that the acceleration felt a little more urgent.

These are very minor things, and there are *very few* cars (new or used) that I would trade my 330i for as a daily. The design, the sound, the build quality add up to such a brilliant package.


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[VinceM]

It wasn't called the poor man's M3 for no reason.... 90% of the performance at a fraction of the price( figuratively speaking)

I strongly disagree with this, and I’ve owned both at the same time for a few years.

The two cars have *fundamentally* different characters, and the performance difference
Is significant.

The 330i is the most wonderful daily driver. It’s comfortable, but handles well, torquey and smooth, but brisk enough not to be frustrating. It is however, not very exciting or involving to drive, especially when compared to the m3. It’s a really well balanced car for daily driving duties.

The m3 feels super connected and engaging to drive - it’s *much* more of an experience. But it’s a bit tiresome in town, and everything is just more effort than the 330i which becomes quite apparent if it’s used daily.

The thing I don’t like about my 330i is mostly the throttle response. It’s crap. And don’t tell me it’s because it’s electronic, the m3 shows that an electronic throttle can be brilliant. But the 330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying.

The only other criticism I have is that the car is generally quite sedate in character. This is a much more minor criticism, and to be honest it’s probably appropriate for the intended purpose of the car, but I do wish the engine had more sound higher up in the revs, and that the acceleration felt a little more urgent.

These are very minor things, and there are *very few* cars (new or used) that I would trade my 330i for as a daily. The design, the sound, the build quality add up to such a brilliant package.


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And your view on E46 vs E90 LCI?

I’m very keen on a 330i Auto (I will sell my wife’s F30 as I don’t want to part ways with the E46’s, but I’m leaning towards the M-Sport LCI package in white / silver, which I can drive when you drives the cabrio.

 

[zippy320]

"330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying. "

Does this also apply to the 325ti engine and the 320I engine in the E46 ? both have M54 engines . I had noticed this on my aunts 325ti and friends 320i (the one im currently working on)

Both seem to have this lazy throttle response , Lots of power once its going but kind of like a lazy get up , very similar to the M104 engine in my W124 E320. Where as on my 318 (with the N42), it just feels so snappy . Not as much power but a lot more snappy and ready to go when pressing or even touching the pedal.

It wasn't called the poor man's M3 for no reason.... 90% of the performance at a fraction of the price( figuratively speaking)

I strongly disagree with this, and I’ve owned both at the same time for a few years.

The two cars have *fundamentally* different characters, and the performance difference
Is significant.

The 330i is the most wonderful daily driver. It’s comfortable, but handles well, torquey and smooth, but brisk enough not to be frustrating. It is however, not very exciting or involving to drive, especially when compared to the m3. It’s a really well balanced car for daily driving duties.

The m3 feels super connected and engaging to drive - it’s *much* more of an experience. But it’s a bit tiresome in town, and everything is just more effort than the 330i which becomes quite apparent if it’s used daily.

The thing I don’t like about my 330i is mostly the throttle response. It’s crap. And don’t tell me it’s because it’s electronic, the m3 shows that an electronic throttle can be brilliant. But the 330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying.

The only other criticism I have is that the car is generally quite sedate in character. This is a much more minor criticism, and to be honest it’s probably appropriate for the intended purpose of the car, but I do wish the engine had more sound higher up in the revs, and that the acceleration felt a little more urgent.

These are very minor things, and there are *very few* cars (new or used) that I would trade my 330i for as a daily. The design, the sound, the build quality add up to such a brilliant package.


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[Teebag]

Steptronic is key! What lag! :cartel:

 

[AshvRod]

I’ve owned a few cars already and have driven plenty!

Hands down my E90 330i is honestly the best car I’ve ever owned. The perfect all rounder I what say. Doubt I’ll ever let this car go it’s just brilliant in every way. What really got to me was my F30 had so many rattles it was unbearable yet the E90 11 years later doesn’t have one. Build quality is just phenomenal.

 

[Tinuva]

It wasn't called the poor man's M3 for no reason.... 90% of the performance at a fraction of the price( figuratively speaking)

I strongly disagree with this, and I’ve owned both at the same time for a few years.

The two cars have *fundamentally* different characters, and the performance difference
Is significant.

The 330i is the most wonderful daily driver. It’s comfortable, but handles well, torquey and smooth, but brisk enough not to be frustrating. It is however, not very exciting or involving to drive, especially when compared to the m3. It’s a really well balanced car for daily driving duties.

The m3 feels super connected and engaging to drive - it’s *much* more of an experience. But it’s a bit tiresome in town, and everything is just more effort than the 330i which becomes quite apparent if it’s used daily.

The thing I don’t like about my 330i is mostly the throttle response. It’s crap. And don’t tell me it’s because it’s electronic, the m3 shows that an electronic throttle can be brilliant. But the 330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying.

The only other criticism I have is that the car is generally quite sedate in character. This is a much more minor criticism, and to be honest it’s probably appropriate for the intended purpose of the car, but I do wish the engine had more sound higher up in the revs, and that the acceleration felt a little more urgent.

These are very minor things, and there are *very few* cars (new or used) that I would trade my 330i for as a daily. The design, the sound, the build quality add up to such a brilliant package.


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I am to this day still trying to understand what you mean by the 330 is lazy. It do have a very linear acceleration all the way from 600 to 6000 rpm for me, which is something I love about this engine, but it never felt lazy to me. I do have 2x 330 cars, and I will admit the one on 210k mileage do feel a bit lazy compared to the one on 110k mileage, but I put this down to my wife being a lazy driver, and me being lazy to reset the throttle adaptions each time I drive the car. That said, even from stand still, this car very easily takes off, taking into account the heavy weight it needs to pull around.

I do admit, its strange that after 3000 and higher rpm the acceleration is not faster, its still linear exactly the same as in lower rpms. So very different from cars with turbos that kick in ect.

---

"330i was designed to have a lethargic throttle response and it’s annoying. "

Does this also apply to the 325ti engine and the 320I engine in the E46 ? both have M54 engines . I had noticed this on my aunts 325ti and friends 320i (the one im currently working on)

Both seem to have this lazy throttle response , Lots of power once its going but kind of like a lazy get up , very similar to the M104 engine in my W124 E320. Where as on my 318 (with the N42), it just feels so snappy . Not as much power but a lot more snappy and ready to go when pressing or even touching the pedal.

Now this is interesting, my 318 didn't feel snappy. In fact, it was super lazy to accelerate between 800-2000 rpm. Only after 2000 rpm the acceleration would go faster. That car may have needed something fixed to get that issue sorted out, but alas its sold now.

 

[Nobz330i]

For my first car, I’m extremely happy and with my 330i and it just gets me excited and I love the sound... few things that bore me is the outdated radio and stuff but all is well with it... and I really wana get my hands on the paddle shift steering wheel, I believe it will bring more excitement out of it.

 

[telegamer]

I had a 325ci and M3 at the same time back then, two very different cars, can’t agree more, M cars are not daily drives for me, too tiring , the ci was perfect to use daily and to cruise, yes it had a lazy take off

 

[DoctorJ]

My e46 330i was one of the best cars I ever owned.

Damn Jeep driver!!!!!

 

[Tinuva]

For my first car, I’m extremely happy and with my 330i and it just gets me excited and I love the sound... few things that bore me is the outdated radio and stuff but all is well with it... and I really wana get my hands on the paddle shift steering wheel, I believe it will bring more excitement out of it.

If you can, get an android radio. Will completely change your audio life in the car. Many positives with it:
+ GPS with Google Maps
+ Handsfree bluetooth for phonecalls (didnt want this, but its actually quite handy)
+ Optional addon, reverse camera
+ I have a 32GB USB loaded with music, endless music options now without writing cds

With that 1 change, the car doesn't feel outdated at all anymore for me at least. The interior in the E46 is still one of my favorites of all time.

 

[AdiS]

I am to this day still trying to understand what you mean by the 330 is lazy. It do have a very linear acceleration all the way from 600 to 6000 rpm for me, which is something I love about this engine, but it never felt lazy to me. I do have 2x 330 cars, and I will admit the one on 210k mileage do feel a bit lazy compared to the one on 110k mileage, but I put this down to my wife being a lazy driver, and me being lazy to reset the throttle adaptions each time I drive the car. That said, even from stand still, this car very easily takes off, taking into account the heavy weight it needs to pull around.

I do admit, its strange that after 3000 and higher rpm the acceleration is not faster, its still linear exactly the same as in lower rpms. So very different from cars with turbos that kick in ect.

The "laziness" I am referring to is mostly the throttle response. It is quite imprecise, and I notice it a lot when doing heel and toe for down shifts.

But I have also commented on the "sedate" character of the car, and it does refer to that linearity of the acceleration that you mentioned, in a way it lacks urgency and a sense of occasion because it's so refined. That is not to say that the car is slow.

Having a nice flat torque curve is really nice on a daily, it just means that there isn't as much of a "sense of reward" for revving it out. Maybe your experiences are different to mine.

 

[bman]

This lazy throttle response can be overcome with tuning. It would be cool if one could retrofit the sport button from the m3 onto the 330i, best of both worlds I guess.

 

[AdiS]

This lazy throttle response can be overcome with tuning. It would be cool if one could retrofit the sport button from the m3 onto the 330i, best of both worlds I guess.

You actually can using a sprint booster. There are threads on ZHPmafia and E46fanatics.

What cannot he changed with tuning is the ‘adaptive’ nature of the throttle. That is hard coded and no one has found a way to disable it through software.


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[Kyle]

I am to this day still trying to understand what you mean by the 330 is lazy. It do have a very linear acceleration all the way from 600 to 6000 rpm for me, which is something I love about this engine, but it never felt lazy to me. I do have 2x 330 cars, and I will admit the one on 210k mileage do feel a bit lazy compared to the one on 110k mileage, but I put this down to my wife being a lazy driver, and me being lazy to reset the throttle adaptions each time I drive the car. That said, even from stand still, this car very easily takes off, taking into account the heavy weight it needs to pull around.

I do admit, its strange that after 3000 and higher rpm the acceleration is not faster, its still linear exactly the same as in lower rpms. So very different from cars with turbos that kick in ect.

The "laziness" I am referring to is mostly the throttle response. It is quite imprecise, and I notice it a lot when doing heel and toe for down shifts.

Agree with this.

 

[Steph745]

My steptronic 330Ci coupe (Japan import) is the car I've enjoyed the most! And from a worry perspective the only thing I'm really fearful of is the car overheating, so I'm hoping to redo the entire cooling system when funds allow. Other than that just start and go everyday.

On the downside I agree though on the lazy throttle response, but it only really annoys me when driving at ten tenths. Maybe something like a SprintBooster could help but ah just live with it. I'm running on H&R Sports/Koni Yellows, a huge improvement in high speed stability and cornering, you can annoy a lot of much more modern machinery in twisties. Just need to upgrade to the M3 front sway bar (27mm) and the 330Ci Convertible rear sway (I think 21mm) to round off the package. Just don't do any of these things if you prioritise comfort and wafting . Oh and this motor really does need 6 gears, steptronic gearing is far too long (110Kph in 2nd )