stampers Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Ok, so it's been a while since I last poked my head up on here. A while back I sold my E46 325Ci SE for an extremely tidy E36 328i M-Tec Convertible as it was a bargain so couldn't resist (and I do love a nice E36). For some bizarre reason I decided to move that on and buy a Mini Cooper S. Not a bad car by all means, and very quick for something that looks so... girly. Anyway, I've got a chap coming to look at it/buy it this weekend and I've been hankering to get back into an E46, but this time a 330Ci M-Sport. I've just got a couple of questions that I'd like to hear some comments on from the guys in the know... Auto or Manual? (or even SMG?) - I've only ever driven Manual cars, and like the idea of being in control of the gearbox, but how does an auto fare compared with the manual variety? Are SMG's worth avoiding? There seems to be plenty of auto boxed cars about and less of the manuals. Mileage or FSH? - I'm happy to look at anything with up to 115,000 miles on the clock (as my previous 325Ci had this mileage and seemed perfectly fine). Would you guys be happy to buy a high-miler with documented service history, or would some risk lower mileage against less paperwork? Mechanical issues? - Do the 330Ci's suffer from any different mechanical issues compared to that of the lower 6-pot models? Are there any tell-tale signs with these that are worth looking out for? That's pretty much the brunt of my questions to be honest. I like both facelift and pre-facelift and I've got up to about £4k to spend on one, and have seen both going for good money under that budget. Ideally I'd be after a tidy manual M-Sport 330Ci, with FSH and under 110,000 miles, but its difficult to find them hence looking around at the automatics. Any general advice on the above points is much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Auto or Manual? Manual all day long because auto's are for lazy people and sap power. Mileage or FSH? For your budget if you wait for the right one, you should be able to get both. Mechanical issues? Same as any other 6 pot really. Wear and tear items such as steering, suspension, DISA, CCV are all common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim27 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 As already said, manual and a good example even with 100k+ should be ok with a FSH and evidence of proper TLC. If manual and 100k+ just be absolutely sure that it's had a DMF and clutch otherwise factor that into the purchase price (£8-900). Other usual things - cooling system will be getting to it's end of life so check for evidence of new rad, expansion tank, thermostat, pipes, etc. Long and tall of it is that for £4k private purchase you should be able to find a very tidy 330 M-Sport with a touch over 100k that's been properly maintained and had the requisite work done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wash Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Also the SMGs are pretty terrible, drive one back to back with a VAG car equipped with a DSG box and you'll realise why. They're not quite as reliable as manuals either, and the SSG boxes (which is mostly what you find in non-M E46s) is even worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim27 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Didn't think the DSG was actually a true auto box though - I've always understood it to be a manual box with auto engagement...? I know they have some reliability issues on earlier DSG ones and people fit newer plates etc. to try to fix them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Didn't think the DSG was actually a true auto box though - I've always understood it to be a manual box with auto engagement...? I know they have some reliability issues on earlier DSG ones and people fit newer plates etc. to try to fix them. That's what it is, computer controlled clutch that's all. Same as alfas selespeed systems. The Alfa was such a slow lazy box unless you were belting it about, if driven hard enough they auto blip going down box which was nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bargain Bucket Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 I find driving my 330Cic using the autobox in manual mode surprisingly rewarding. Downshifts are pretty quick (unlike my E53 3.0d which shifts very lazily when using manual gear selection). Best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salim Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I may be selling my 330ci Sport SSG. As Wash said they can be problematic but I only bought this because it had a new gearbox fitted by BMW last year so hopefully it should be good for at least another 10 years. It's nothing like the DSG box though, totally disagree with that. I hate autos and have only ever been interested in manuals but this SSG box has kept me entertained for a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) I've had my SSG for 6 years now so I'll disagree with them being problematic. In all that time I've had a steel braided hose replaced and that's it. As above, a DCT/DSG is a manual gearbox fundamentally. Also a double clutch system is nothing like an Alfa system. Edited January 5, 2014 by Daz 330 Cs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salim Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 Im sure yours had just been replaced too before you bought it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 Im sure yours had just been replaced too before you bought it Your memory serves you well, the reason is unknown though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I've had my SSG for 6 years now so I'll disagree with them being problematic. In all that time I've had a steel braided hose replaced and that's it. As above, a DCT/DSG is a manual gearbox fundamentally. Also a double clutch system is nothing like an Alfa system. Does the manual/auto box on standard 3 series have a double clutch system? Not sure it does, if its a single clutch system it's VERY similar then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keano Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 What mini have you got as I'm lookin to go in the other direction to you! Lol I've got a 2004 330ci manual FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz 330 Cs Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I've had my SSG for 6 years now so I'll disagree with them being problematic. In all that time I've had a steel braided hose replaced and that's it. As above, a DCT/DSG is a manual gearbox fundamentally. Also a double clutch system is nothing like an Alfa system. Does the manual/auto box on standard 3 series have a double clutch system? Not sure it does, if its a single clutch system it's VERY similar then I don't see the connection you made with Alfa systems and DSG ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryW Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I've had my SSG for 6 years now so I'll disagree with them being problematic. In all that time I've had a steel braided hose replaced and that's it. As above, a DCT/DSG is a manual gearbox fundamentally. Also a double clutch system is nothing like an Alfa system. Does the manual/auto box on standard 3 series have a double clutch system? Not sure it does, if its a single clutch system it's VERY similar then I don't see the connection you made with Alfa systems and DSG ? Wasn't meant to be one. Some reason I quoted from above after reading about him thinking if were an manual box. Some reason between original question and the post above mine I flick read that he was talking about the ssg system on the 3 series. Anyway, bm system is as I said, similar to the Alfa systems. You read horror stories on both manufactures, our Alfa was nothing BUT perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stampers Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Well it appears to be that a manual is probably the best option for me. As you've all mentioned, it can be hit or miss with the SSG gearboxes (some people have had major problems, and some people have never had an issue) so for my peace of mind, I'll stick with what I know. And to be honest, there's nothing like ripping through the gears on a manual box. I think its one of those things: Someone has a bad story to tell about the SSG, and it gets labelled as the worst option. Kinda like the RX8 being a money-pit. Plus I tend to find the shifting on an E46 is pretty damn smooth in a manual, surprisingly more so than some other cars I've driven. What mini have you got as I'm lookin to go in the other direction to you! Lol I've got a 2004 330ci manual FYI. I've got an R53 Cooper S pre-facelift in British Racing Green with Aspen white roof and mirrors. Full black leather, with OEM Sat-Nav and Xenons. It's a lovely little car, and after having 1320Mini upgrading the pulley to a 15% reduced Kavs Motorsport version, it shifts like crazy! Super tidy and unmodified (other than the pulley, but it needed a new belt anyway) and in great condition, but just feel the want for a 330Ci Sport nowadays. Well, either that or a TT 225 Coupe... Don't worry, I can get my own coat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keano Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 What mini have you got as I'm lookin to go in the other direction to you! Lol I've got a 2004 330ci manual FYI. I've got an R53 Cooper S pre-facelift in British Racing Green with Aspen white roof and mirrors. Full black leather, with OEM Sat-Nav and Xenons. It's a lovely little car, and after having 1320Mini upgrading the pulley to a 15% reduced Kavs Motorsport version, it shifts like crazy! Super tidy and unmodified (other than the pulley, but it needed a new belt anyway) and in great condition, but just feel the want for a 330Ci Sport nowadays. Well, either that or a TT 225 Coupe... Don't worry, I can get my own coat... Shame its a prefacelift although I Love brg though so pm me if you want to discus some sort of swap deal... 1320 used to look after my old mini so I know them well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keano Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Just found the car. Shame its a 52 plate - looks a nice example but not what I am after for the money you want. Glwts though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stampers Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 What mini have you got as I'm lookin to go in the other direction to you! Lol I've got a 2004 330ci manual FYI. I've got an R53 Cooper S pre-facelift in British Racing Green with Aspen white roof and mirrors. Full black leather, with OEM Sat-Nav and Xenons. It's a lovely little car, and after having 1320Mini upgrading the pulley to a 15% reduced Kavs Motorsport version, it shifts like crazy! Super tidy and unmodified (other than the pulley, but it needed a new belt anyway) and in great condition, but just feel the want for a 330Ci Sport nowadays. Well, either that or a TT 225 Coupe... Don't worry, I can get my own coat... Shame its a prefacelift although I Love brg though so pm me if you want to discus some sort of swap deal... 1320 used to look after my old mini so I know them well Just found the car. Shame its a 52 plate - looks a nice example but not what I am after for the money you want. Glwts though. Don't know why people get put off by the earlier ones, as from what I've experienced if they're looked after and maintained correctly, you shouldn't have any problems with them. But each to their own. Yeah, strong money I've been told. Having said that, it's fully stamped by dealers and specialists, MOT'd and Taxed. Can't say that for a lot of 12 year old cars! I think I'll end up part-ex'ing it anyway. No worries mate, your car does look lovely, but the beige/blue combo isn't really my thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjn Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I've had my SSG for 6 years now so I'll disagree with them being problematic. In all that time I've had a steel braided hose replaced and that's it. As above, a DCT/DSG is a manual gearbox fundamentally. Also a double clutch system is nothing like an Alfa system. Does the manual/auto box on standard 3 series have a double clutch system? Not sure it does, if its a single clutch system it's VERY similar then No, but the new M3 has a dual clutch auto box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keano Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 What mini have you got as I'm lookin to go in the other direction to you! Lol I've got a 2004 330ci manual FYI. I've got an R53 Cooper S pre-facelift in British Racing Green with Aspen white roof and mirrors. Full black leather, with OEM Sat-Nav and Xenons. It's a lovely little car, and after having 1320Mini upgrading the pulley to a 15% reduced Kavs Motorsport version, it shifts like crazy! Super tidy and unmodified (other than the pulley, but it needed a new belt anyway) and in great condition, but just feel the want for a 330Ci Sport nowadays. Well, either that or a TT 225 Coupe... Don't worry, I can get my own coat... Shame its a prefacelift although I Love brg though so pm me if you want to discus some sort of swap deal... 1320 used to look after my old mini so I know them well Just found the car. Shame its a 52 plate - looks a nice example but not what I am after for the money you want. Glwts though. Don't know why people get put off by the earlier ones, as from what I've experienced if they're looked after and maintained correctly, you shouldn't have any problems with them. But each to their own. Yeah, strong money I've been told. Having said that, it's fully stamped by dealers and specialists, MOT'd and Taxed. Can't say that for a lot of 12 year old cars! I think I'll end up part-ex'ing it anyway. No worries mate, your car does look lovely, but the beige/blue combo isn't really my thing. The facelift has a lot of the little weaknesses ironed out - worth paying extra ime. That being said I've had a prefacelift so wanted a facelift this time round, that's all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake87 Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 A bit of a plug and its a little out of your price range but if you find yourself upping your budget like I kept doing when shopping for an e46, mine could be suitable. I'm not too far from Cambridge neither Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
