E46 330ci coupe as a daily driver?

NewSong · 02-23-2009, 03:51 PM

I'm looking for another DD. The Ford Focus is actually nice to be honest. I fill up the tank with about $18, and I can park it anywhere because I don't care if anyone slams their door into mine. However, I've been looking for something with more muscle.

Has anyone owned an E46 330ci? I can get one in good condition for under $10,000, and from what I've read the performance is close to an E90 328i (if not better).

Anyone with any experience with these cars, chime in please.

belkamc2 · 02-23-2009, 04:23 PM

These are absolutely different cars and very big difference between them..

e46 330ci is a very powerful(i think 235bhp) and comfortable car..
Even don't compare with Focus..

But,if fuel expense is important for you,330ci spends much more of course..

1cleanm6 · 02-23-2009, 04:45 PM

Hey buddy ive owned two 330ci;s before...

Get a 330ci, a manual zhp...you will love it!!!

Its such a comfy car, and the design is classic! I use to get 30mpg driving on the freeway with it....

beautiful car to have as a DD

NewSong · 02-23-2009, 04:59 PM

Thanks boosted!

This one unfortunately is a tiptronic.

belkamc2 · 02-23-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSong

Thanks boosted!

This one unfortunately is a tiptronic.

If it is tiptronic,no problem don't worry..gearbox is very effective..
as for me get a 330ci and enjoy!

TMNT · 02-23-2009, 06:25 PM

I currently own an 04 330ci ZHP and I love it! Just a great car with lots of power....however I want MORE POWA...so a 335i coupe is next

NewSong · 02-23-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMNT

I currently own an 04 330ci ZHP and I love it! Just a great car with lots of power....however I want MORE POWA...so a 335i coupe is next

Does your car have angel eyes? did the 330ci come with them?

TMNT · 02-23-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSong

Does your car have angel eyes? did the 330ci come with them?

3 series didn't come with them stock. At least from what I've been able to tell. All the ones I've seen have been aftermarket. I think the 5 series had them stock though.

MrHarris · 02-24-2009, 12:00 AM

I had a 330i ZHP. Add a dension icelink and it's a great DD. 21-24mpg combined, and 30 on the highway

rcracer_tx · 02-24-2009, 01:06 AM

I think the 330ci would make an excellent DD, good luck in your search...

freshwhite335 · 02-24-2009, 01:33 AM

trying to convince my best friend to get an 04 330i ZHP with 29k on the clock as opposed to an 04 545 with 88k on the clock.

Some say the 330ci ZHP is the best handling BMW in a while

Mu Mu · 02-25-2009, 02:00 PM

I currently own one...well the 4 door variant, and I absolutely love the car. Its a blast to drive, pretty good on gas, esp on the highway cruises! Get one...you wont regret it!

GL!

Brandon26pdx · 02-25-2009, 03:57 PM

For under $10k it's probably old an old beat up one. The autos in E46's are known to die young, so the manual is the way to go. Otherwise a somewhat reliable powertrain, but repair bills will be absurd compared a focus, so a PPI would be a must on one out of warranty.

edl · 02-27-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshwhite335

trying to convince my best friend to get an 04 330i ZHP with 29k on the clock as opposed to an 04 545 with 88k on the clock.

Some say the 330ci ZHP is the best handling BMW in a while

The E90 is the best handling 3-series chassis. The E46, not so much.

spacedogg · 02-27-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edl

The E90 is the best handling 3-series chassis. The E46, not so much.

Wut? Are u serious?

Uhhhh....

dxb335d · 02-27-2009, 12:33 PM

330i is a great car mate, You will enjoy it very much. Gas mileage wont be so good if you use the loud pedal which the car does encorage you to do LOL.

MrHarris · 02-27-2009, 12:41 PM

My friends stock e90 330 handled better than my 330i zhp with uuc sways. The e90 was more comfy but there was something special and intimate about the zhp the e90 didn't have.

Andrew@ET · 02-27-2009, 01:01 PM

my friend is selling an 05 WHite zhp coupe with brown interior 32k miles with extended warranty for 18 grand.

spacedogg · 02-27-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

My friends stock e90 330 handled better than my 330i zhp with uuc sways. The e90 was more comfy but there was something special and intimate about the zhp the e90 didn't have.

Are you sure it wasn't because the E46 330i had old shocks? OEM shocks give out quite early...and make a car seem really feel floaty-boaty...even with sways, strut tower bars, and other suspension bits added on.

Suffice to say the stock for stock...new parts for new parts...an E90 and E46 both handle quite well. I'm just not sure I would agree with an overgeneralization that the E46 doesn't handle very well...which is the impression you seem to give. *shrug*

Mu Mu · 02-27-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Suffice to say the stock for stock...new parts for new parts...an E90 and E46 both handle quite well. I'm just not sure I would agree with an overgeneralization that the E46 doesn't handle very well...which is the impression you seem to give. *shrug*

+1

Andrew@ET · 02-27-2009, 03:25 PM

i think zhp 04+ 330 handles better than my sports 328 it sits much lower and feels way more stiff.

edl · 02-28-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacedogg

Wut? Are u serious?

Uhhhh....

I said the E90 is the best handling 3-series chassis. To determine that, take the base model and flog it. You'll find that it handles much better than the corresponding E46 base model.

I'm sure the E46 330ZHP handles fine. If you noticed, I didn't say anything about that.

Look, we're not talking nose-heavy understeering Audis here

The E90 just handles better.

02-23-2009, 03:51 PM	#1
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... 121 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	E46 330ci coupe as a daily driver? I'm looking for another DD. The Ford Focus is actually nice to be honest. I fill up the tank with about $18, and I can park it anywhere because I don't care if anyone slams their door into mine. However, I've been looking for something with more muscle. Has anyone owned an E46 330ci? I can get one in good condition for under $10,000, and from what I've read the performance is close to an E90 328i (if not better). Anyone with any experience with these cars, chime in please. __________________ He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
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02-23-2009, 04:23 PM	#2
belkamc2 New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe white Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Moscow iTrader: (0)	These are absolutely different cars and very big difference between them.. e46 330ci is a very powerful(i think 235bhp) and comfortable car.. Even don't compare with Focus.. But,if fuel expense is important for you,330ci spends much more of course..
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02-23-2009, 04:45 PM	#3
1cleanm6 Brigadier General 470 Rep 3,666 Posts Drives: M5 comp/Range/i3S Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (7)	Hey buddy ive owned two 330ci;s before... Get a 330ci, a manual zhp...you will love it!!! Its such a comfy car, and the design is classic! I use to get 30mpg driving on the freeway with it.... beautiful car to have as a DD
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02-23-2009, 04:59 PM	#4
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... 121 Rep 1,462 Posts Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine iTrader: (0)	Thanks boosted! This one unfortunately is a tiptronic. __________________ He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth.
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02-23-2009, 06:25 PM	#6
TMNT Captain 180 Rep 872 Posts Drives: 330ci ZHP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I currently own an 04 330ci ZHP and I love it! Just a great car with lots of power....however I want MORE POWA...so a 335i coupe is next
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02-24-2009, 12:00 AM	#9
MrHarris yodog 202 Rep 5,021 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I had a 330i ZHP. Add a dension icelink and it's a great DD. 21-24mpg combined, and 30 on the highway __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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02-24-2009, 01:06 AM	#10
rcracer_tx Banned 56 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I think the 330ci would make an excellent DD, good luck in your search...
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02-24-2009, 01:33 AM	#11
freshwhite335 Colonel 155 Rep 2,882 Posts Drives: 991/RR Sport AB Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 904 FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [0.00]	trying to convince my best friend to get an 04 330i ZHP with 29k on the clock as opposed to an 04 545 with 88k on the clock. Some say the 330ci ZHP is the best handling BMW in a while __________________ 2014 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2012.5 991 C2S 1978 Corvette
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02-25-2009, 02:00 PM	#12
Mu Mu First Lieutenant 7 Rep 353 Posts Drives: BMW 330i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Johannesburg iTrader: (0)	I currently own one...well the 4 door variant, and I absolutely love the car. Its a blast to drive, pretty good on gas, esp on the highway cruises! Get one...you wont regret it! GL!
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02-25-2009, 03:57 PM	#13
Brandon26pdx Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,938 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (1)	For under $10k it's probably old an old beat up one. The autos in E46's are known to die young, so the manual is the way to go. Otherwise a somewhat reliable powertrain, but repair bills will be absurd compared a focus, so a PPI would be a must on one out of warranty.
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02-27-2009, 12:33 PM	#16
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1016 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	330i is a great car mate, You will enjoy it very much. Gas mileage wont be so good if you use the loud pedal which the car does encorage you to do LOL. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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02-27-2009, 12:41 PM	#17
MrHarris yodog 202 Rep 5,021 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	My friends stock e90 330 handled better than my 330i zhp with uuc sways. The e90 was more comfy but there was something special and intimate about the zhp the e90 didn't have. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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02-27-2009, 01:01 PM	#18
Andrew@ET Brigadier General 195 Rep 4,037 Posts Drives: Red thing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9)	my friend is selling an 05 WHite zhp coupe with brown interior 32k miles with extended warranty for 18 grand.
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02-27-2009, 03:25 PM	#21
Andrew@ET Brigadier General 195 Rep 4,037 Posts Drives: Red thing Join Date: May 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9)	i think zhp 04+ 330 handles better than my sports 328 it sits much lower and feels way more stiff.
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