E46 330ci coupe as a daily driver? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

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..

1cleanm3 · 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... Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,468 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.
	Tweet

02-23-2009, 04:45 PM	#3
1cleanm3 Brigadier General Drives: ///E92M3RR SportPrius Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: the 818 Posts: 3,507 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 __________________ HRE + CHALLENGE + KW V3 + GINTANI + ARKYM + YOKOHAMA AD08

02-23-2009, 04:59 PM	#4
NewSong Just another jerk in a hat... Drives: 2005 Ford Focus Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,468 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.

02-24-2009, 12:00 AM	#9
MrHarris yodog Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca Posts: 5,032 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [5.00]	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

02-24-2009, 01:33 AM	#11
freshwhite335 Colonel Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 904 FL Posts: 2,825 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 __________________ 2011 135i DCT Jet Black/Black/Grey Poplar ZMP, ZPP, ZCV, ZVP, ZCW, 609, Sirius LCI Blacklines, BMWP Grilles, Ziza Interior Lights

02-23-2009, 04:23 PM	#2
belkamc2 New Member Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe white Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Moscow Posts: 18 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..

02-23-2009, 06:25 PM	#6
TMNT Captain Drives: 330ci ZHP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: VA Posts: 869 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

02-24-2009, 01:06 AM	#10
rcracer_tx Banned Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 2,015 iTrader: (0)	I think the 330ci would make an excellent DD, good luck in your search...

02-25-2009, 02:00 PM	#12
Mu Mu First Lieutenant Drives: BMW 330i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 355 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!

02-25-2009, 03:57 PM	#13
Brandon26pdx Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,938 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.

02-27-2009, 12:33 PM	#16
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist Drives: E46 M3 Tiag/Imola Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' Posts: 28,965 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 [3.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [2.75]	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. __________________

02-27-2009, 12:41 PM	#17
MrHarris yodog Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca Posts: 5,032 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [5.00]	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

02-27-2009, 01:01 PM	#18
Andrew@ET Brigadier General Drives: n55 135I AW coral red ! Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 4,039 iTrader: (9)	my friend is selling an 05 WHite zhp coupe with brown interior 32k miles with extended warranty for 18 grand.

02-27-2009, 03:25 PM	#21
Andrew@ET Brigadier General Drives: n55 135I AW coral red ! Join Date: May 2007 Location: miami Posts: 4,039 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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