Thoughts and common problems on the 330i.

[Eric Giles]

I have owned two E46's-a '00 323Ci and a '02 330i. The 323Ci had some of the early E46 issues that have been mentioned-electronics doing a couple of weird things but nothing major, popping window regulators, failed plastic thermostat, and a couple of very minor interior niggles. But, it was still an excellent car. The 330i was absolutely flawless in the almost two years and 23k miles that I owned it. Due to life/financial situations I had to let it go last fall, but I wish I hadn't. It was a pretty basic configuration-sport package, moonroof, bi-xenon's, black exterior/black leatherette and a 5 speed manual. It's chassis was very tight and solid, and was totally rattle and squeak free. Fit and finish was very good-light years ahead of the '97 E36 M3/4 that replaced it.

If i had to buy a new BMW today, I would order a 330i with performance package. I would like the M3, but price and utility I need with four doors kills that.

[M-technik-3]

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

Why, I thought you bought an M3?

AdamF 88iS wrote:
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.

The items you mentioned were Electronic? I would though buy a 330iPP in a heart beat if they weren't so stinking expensive. You can buy a base M3 for the price of a 330iPP, you just get the practicality of a 4 door whore. But you can get the SP package on the coupes and verts now which is nice.

[AdamF 88iS]

By electronics I was referring to computer systems that Kris mentioned, such as insturment clusters, OBCs and whatnot; which don't generally produce problems on E46s.

Trent is spot on about the cooling system too. The radiators aren't as bad as E36 ones, but they still have the coolant bottles that blow up, and the plastic thermostat stuff that goes out too.

[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

Why, I thought you bought an M3?

because the m3 is down for a few days, while i replace some maintinence parts...