F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion > E46 330ci coupe as a daily driver?
GetBMWParts
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      02-23-2009, 02:51 PM   #1
NewSong
Just another jerk in a hat...
NewSong's Avatar
United_States
117
Rep
1,462
Posts

Drives: 2005 Ford Focus
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Irvine

iTrader: (0)

Question 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.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 03:23 PM   #2
belkamc2
New Member
belkamc2's Avatar
Russian Federation
8
Rep
18
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..
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 03:45 PM   #3
1cleanm6
Brigadier General
1cleanm6's Avatar
No_Country
437
Rep
3,668
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
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 03:59 PM   #4
NewSong
Just another jerk in a hat...
NewSong's Avatar
United_States
117
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 05:15 PM   #5
belkamc2
New Member
belkamc2's Avatar
Russian Federation
8
Rep
18
Posts

Drives: 2009 M3 Coupe white
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Moscow

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NewSong View Post
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!
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 05:25 PM   #6
TMNT
Captain
176
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
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 05:27 PM   #7
NewSong
Just another jerk in a hat...
NewSong's Avatar
United_States
117
Rep
1,462
Posts

Drives: 2005 Ford Focus
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Irvine

iTrader: (0)

Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by TMNT View Post
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?
__________________
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 05:43 PM   #8
TMNT
Captain
176
Rep
872
Posts

Drives: 330ci ZHP
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by NewSong View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-23-2009, 11:00 PM   #9
MrHarris
yodog
MrHarris's Avatar
United_States
196
Rep
5,026
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
Appreciate 0
      02-24-2009, 12:06 AM   #10
rcracer_tx
Banned
United_States
54
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...
Appreciate 0
      02-24-2009, 12:33 AM   #11
freshwhite335
Colonel
freshwhite335's Avatar
United_States
146
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
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2009, 01:00 PM   #12
Mu Mu
First Lieutenant
Mu Mu's Avatar
South Africa
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!
Appreciate 0
      02-25-2009, 02:57 PM   #13
Brandon26pdx
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
28
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 09:40 AM   #14
edl
In the slow lane
edl's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
62
Posts

Drives: 01 996TT, 01 M5, 11 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by freshwhite335 View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 10:27 AM   #15
spacedogg
Colonel
spacedogg's Avatar
Canada
194
Rep
2,816
Posts

Drives: Debadged
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by edl View Post
The E90 is the best handling 3-series chassis. The E46, not so much.
Wut? Are u serious?

Uhhhh....
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 11:33 AM   #16
dxb335d
The Tarmac Terrorist
dxb335d's Avatar
England
940
Rep
29,345
Posts

Drives: 997.2 GT3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: ''Fandango Towers''

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
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
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 11:41 AM   #17
MrHarris
yodog
MrHarris's Avatar
United_States
196
Rep
5,026
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
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 12:01 PM   #18
Andrew@ET
Brigadier General
181
Rep
4,038
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 01:26 PM   #19
spacedogg
Colonel
spacedogg's Avatar
Canada
194
Rep
2,816
Posts

Drives: Debadged
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MrHarris View Post
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*
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 02:19 PM   #20
Mu Mu
First Lieutenant
Mu Mu's Avatar
South Africa
7
Rep
353
Posts

Drives: BMW 330i
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Johannesburg

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spacedogg View Post

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
Appreciate 0
      02-27-2009, 02:25 PM   #21
Andrew@ET
Brigadier General
181
Rep
4,038
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.
Appreciate 0
      02-28-2009, 05:36 PM   #22
edl
In the slow lane
edl's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
62
Posts

Drives: 01 996TT, 01 M5, 11 335i
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spacedogg View Post
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.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:15 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST