Thoughts and common problems on the 330i.

[lukasbmw]

Well you guys can probably tell by my lack of helpful posts and participation in the last year that I have lot interest in E30 tuning. Truth be told I just want a nice stock car that runs. When you consider that decent 330i's are going for $21,000 at auctions and on ebay, I'm tempted to buy one.

Before insurance and repair costs kept me from buying an E39 540i, however from what I have seen 330i's are rock solid reliable and insurance isn't too bad.

What are your thoughts on the 330i? Anyone own an E46? What are some common E46 problems?

If I do get an E46 the only mod will be clears, some nice rims, and a sound system. I'm done with crazy shit.

[bimmerphile]

the most common E46 problem you're going to run into is going to be faulty electronics. DME's, OBC's, Lighting control units, gauges, etc. That, and the sponge-soft clutch they put on the 330's.

Sport package all the way as well. They're not worth the time of day without it.

[randomtask37]

Re: Thoughts and common problems on the 330i.

I'm done with crazy shit.

thats what u think ;)

[surebimmer]

Cam Sensor's fail at about 30k, cheap to replace. I have seen dual Vanos units fail around 100k, that is a costly repair. Window regulator are very poor prone to fail, or make clicking sounds every 30-40k (plastic parts in the regulator). P/S hoses leak but that's pretty normal, Belt tensiors get noisy around 20-30k. I would agree that they are
pretty well built.

Kyle Sanchez

[Rob]

ethrottle is fucking gay

[Fred]

Rear window regulators fail frequently. They're almost identical to the ones used on W210 E-class Benzes and seem to break based on time, not amount of use.

[M-technik-3]

On this note Eric, M5's have come down in price big time look at this one. http://uk.mobile.de/SIDlVBeXfI.-k2B5...654475&top=96&

25.5k damn that's so cheap.

[SickE30]

The 330i and a Cooper S are the ONLY new cars I would buy. Eh and the TSX. But anyway I hear ya Eric mods are cool man but too much of a pain in the ass. My 325ic is such a joy to drive as opposed to the 3.0 You dont have to constantly watch your gauges or wonder if the car is going to start. Go with something smooth man. Hang on to the E30 for fun and having a tricked E30 when you're 40. The 330i Motor Sport wheels are pimp man, drop it tint the windows and put a nice sound system in it. Great car. PM me your # Eric I got a new cell phone I'll give you a shout in a few days. Take it easy bro.
Bryan

[Z3Jonathan]

My dad has an '03 E46 325i (Jet black/black leather, step, prem pkg, and cold weather pkg). So far its been bullet proof, but he only has about 13k miles on it. Car rides nice and smooth over the pavement, and just feels solid as a rock.

My thoughts:
-The e-throttle is frustrating atleast on my dad's steptronic. Gas..... delay..... vrooom. Maybe Dinan or Jim C's software addresses this.
-Get the sports pkg, its a must. Seats alone are worth it, and the ride penalty is hardly noticeable.
-I've heard coil packs can be a problem, but my dad hasn't experienced that.
-The BMW leather doesn't tend to wear so well... My dad and I looked at used/CPOed E46's at the dealer to get an idea on color combos. Some cars still had good leather, some where worn/neglected, and some where obviously over conditioned. On the other hand, Leatherette wears well, and looks identical to BMW leather.
-Shocks will probably be blown at 30-40k miles... so might as well replace those with some Billy Sports or Koni Yellows, and heck, throw on some H+R sports too.

Jonathan

[MattM20]

i learned to drive on a 2000 e46 323i 5speed and have clocked alot miles in a 2002 330Ci step. the e-throttle and steptronic = frustrating, however the kick down switch works like a charm. i honestly felt that my M20 has more low-end tq than the M52, such as accelerating from 40mph in 4th gear type of thing, but in the top end these new engines are beautiful. the window regulator problem everyone has been mentioning was solved around mid-year 2001, the window regs on the 323 went out about 8 times but we havent had any problems on the 02 330. one weak link of the e46's is that the control arms and ca-bushings will probably go out around 30kmiles. the only electrical problem my family encountered was a faulty AC fan in the 323, the 330's electronics have been flawless

[AndreNY]

Re: Thoughts and common problems on the 330i.

Well you guys can probably tell by my lack of helpful posts and participation in the last year that I have lot interest in E30 tuning. Truth be told I just want a nice stock car that runs. When you consider that decent 330i's are going for $21,000 at auctions and on ebay, I'm tempted to buy one.

Before insurance and repair costs kept me from buying an E39 540i, however from what I have seen 330i's are rock solid reliable and insurance isn't too bad.

What are your thoughts on the 330i? Anyone own an E46? What are some common E46 problems?

If I do get an E46 the only mod will be clears, some nice rims, and a sound system. I'm done with crazy shit.

Wow not for nothing but that is exactly what i would have said. Im looking into either buying a 330CI or an S4, just drop it and a nice system and that's it. Im tired of all this car tunning, it's really hurting the wallet and im loosing my patiance. Like you i just want something that will be reliable yet nice. A 330 is def the way to go, and as problems are concerned it really donest have any, unless you consider the Air Mass or Cam Sensors failure a threat.

[AdamF 88iS]

Electronic problems? I dont think so.

When I worked at the dealer I managed a fleet of 50 E46 loaner cars, so I can tell you that cam sensors, window regulators, and the interior panel of the sunroof is what we were always fixing. Electronic stuff is pretty good on them actually. Once in a while you get a interior fan resistor that goes out, but thats mostly on early E46s; other than that electronics on them are pretty solid. If you get a coupe you'll have to worry about door seals, but thats been updated already as well. Control arm bushings and shocks don't last as long as E30 stuff, but if you're nice to it they are ok for a while.

Great cars though, I'd get one.

[Jon325i]

Maybe these can help answer some questions....

http://www.e46faq.com

http://www.e46fanatics.com

HTH

Jon

[trent]

Electronic problems? I dont think so.

When I worked at the dealer I managed a fleet of 50 E46 loaner cars, so I can tell you that cam sensors, window regulators, and the interior panel of the sunroof is what we were always fixing. Electronic stuff is pretty good on them actually. Once in a while you get a interior fan resistor that goes out, but thats mostly on early E46s; other than that electronics on them are pretty solid. If you get a coupe you'll have to worry about door seals, but thats been updated already as well. Control arm bushings and shocks don't last as long as E30 stuff, but if you're nice to it they are ok for a while.

Great cars though, I'd get one.

I think a lot of problems are these cars is going to start popping up at 80k+ and as time starts to age them. Everything coolant related on these cars is made out of fucking plastic. Just like the upper radiator necks that were braking very commonly on E36, E39, etc. I have started to see problems with the plastics degrading and having to be changed.

HTH,

[graphik]

i am currently driving my dads 330i performance package, while i fix a few things on my e30 m3. i really like the 330i, has plenty of power at pretty much any rpm, but really screams up top. my dad hasnt had any problems at all with the car. its a great cruiser and handles well too. only things i would change is the ethrottle and the soft clutch, but other than that its a top notch car.

alex