330i Saloon (E46 number 4!)

[LJColeman]

Good afternoon all,

I just thought i would check in as im hopefully collecting another E46 this weekend.

 

After my Bargain Estoril blue E46 saloon, i regrettably sold that on & i have had a few cars in between!

- Clio sport 197

- BMW E39 5 Series 525i

- Clio sport 172

- Megane Sport DCI 175 (Current car)

 

I have come across a lovely looking black 330i Auto saloon & it looks fantastic, 2003 model on a 52 plate, Black leather which is in immaculate condition. 

Full service history

Long list of repairs carried out (Inc thermostat, Water pump, Expansion etc) various bushes recently replaced.

 

I will report back if all goes smoothly with the collection on the weekend!

[CoupEdin]

Good luck. 

What’s the mileage and er, what’s she costing?

[LJColeman]

Thank you,

122,000 miles, £3,000.

 

Here is the description from the ad & the pictures:

 

Reluctantly I am selling my beautiful top spec 2003 BMW 330i Sport Auto finished in black colour with black sports leather interior.

This BMW looks and drives superb.

It has covered only 122,000 miles, and after a few minutes behind the wheel you can really feel how well this 3 Series has been looked after.

Comes with FULL SERVICE HISTORY, V5, full set of keys (2 remotes, 1 spare and 1 valet key) and is HPI CLEAR(report included).

Last service has been carried out @ 118,250 miles including oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter and new tyres.

Within the last few years it had new brake discs, pads, calipers, spark plugs, anti roll bar links, bushes, diff gasket, alternator and so on. Next MOT due February 2019 (no advisories).

Recently changed expansion tank wiht new pipe, termostat, water pump and it has new genuine coolant.

Under the bonnet we find that legendary 3.0 M54 straight 6 cylinder petrol engine. Famous for its bullet proof reliability, performance and efficiency.

A proper BMW engine from the times engineers rule the factory, not accountants and marketeers..

The M54 topped Ward's 10 best Engines list in 2002 and 2003.

As you would expect from a well looked after BMW, everything works perfect. Engine is quiet, no oil leaks, gearbox goes through all the gears nice and smooth, solid suspension. Clean interior.

Climate control with ice cold air con. Really good bodywork. Free of any rust, scratches etc. Obviously there are few very minor age related marks (e.g. tiny stone chips on the front), but nothing that would spoil the look. Exceptional condition.

Generously equipped with M sports leather seats, automatic transmission, air conditioning, climate control, electric windows front and rear, electric door mirrors, 6 disc CD-changer, multifunction M sport leather steering wheel, sport suspension, on-board computer, cruise control, parking sensors, automatic headlights, auto dimming rear view mirror, 18" alloy wheels, central locking, alarm, ABS, ESP, DSC and so on..

This E46 3 Series is already a modern classic, not many of them left around in such a condition, and it will only go up in value over the years.

[momo]

That's not top spec, not even close!

But sure does look clean!

[LJColeman]

2 minutes ago, momo said:

That's not top spec, not even close!

But sure does look clean!

I agree, not close to top spec but looks like a clean looked after car. 

My plans are as follows:

- new set of genuine floor mats

- xenon headlight retrofit

- Angel eye retrofit 

- eibach Pro lowering kit

- 15mm spacers all round

- android head unit 

 

 

[kirkynut]

Looks like a good buy. All the usual jobs done too!

Perhaps figure in new shocks with the Eibachs, given the mileage. Otherwise it sounds like a plan!

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures with all this done!

Kirkynut 

[LJColeman]

Thanks guys, 

First mod will be the Head unit, I can't live without Spotify, decision is which of the below do I go for? 

 

Oem looking 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F253855742174

 

Or more modern looking with a bigger screen? 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283105091414

 

[CoupEdin]

16 hours ago, LJColeman said:

Or more modern looking with a bigger screen? 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283105091414

 

I do like the look of these - if you don't mind departing from OEM

[LJColeman]

5 hours ago, CoupEdin said:

I do like the look of these - if you don't mind departing from OEM

I can't decide, I love the look of the 9" screen & the glass look to it looks better than the other. I'm just worried it won't fit into the dash very well. 

[momo]

If you want it to look OEM then don't get the 9"..

There's loads of pics on Google so have a look and decide for yourself.

Personally - with newer cars all having what looks like a thwacking great big tablet glued to the dash - I don't see it as a problem. lol

[LJColeman]

On 08/12/2018 at 06:58, momo said:

If you want it to look OEM then don't get the 9"..

There's loads of pics on Google so have a look and decide for yourself.

Personally - with newer cars all having what looks like a thwacking great big tablet glued to the dash - I don't see it as a problem. lol

I agree, I'm also thinking that the 9" glass screen may not suffer as much with glare. 

[LJColeman]

So, went to view the car yesterday & fair play to the owner, it really was as tidy as he made out. 

When I arrived to view the car was immaculately clean and he even had it under a gazebo as it was raining. 

 

The car immaculate and a big history file to go with it. It was safe to say I have him the cash and took it home. 

 

Being the first 3.0 I've owned (I've had 3x 325s and 1x 525) I couldn't belive how much more power it feels the 3.0 has. The car drives amazingly for the age and didn't miss a beat on the journey home. I did however notice on the motorway the steering felt very vaughe and like there was a lot of free play before the wheels actually moved (any ideas?) I also noticed it seems to tramline really bad but I can't remember if that's normal for these. 

 

Iver all I'm extremely pleased and I can't wait to start making it even better. 

[momo]

'grats on the purchase then! lol.

Sounds like the front control arm bushes are shot.. Give the alloy a wobble while it's parked, see if there's any movement.

[LJColeman]

'grats on the purchase then! lol.

Sounds like the front control arm bushes are shot.. Give the alloy a wobble while it's parked, see if there's any movement.

Thank you,

Had a feel today and couldn't feel any movement. I'll have a better look on a ramp this week.

A few bits ordered today:

- android head unit running 8.1
- LED number plate bulbs
- LED interior bulb kit
- Rubber boot mat


Also looking to order some Eibach springs but can't decide between the Prokit & sport line.

I had the pro kit on my coupe with MV2's and 15mm spacers and it looked awesome. Not sure how It will look on a saloon with MV1's

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[momo]

It's a petrol so I think it's sport lines (red springs I think?) which are lower - 100% the lower ones.

The rears aren't lowered much in either IIRC. But the front will be a nice height with the lower ones.

I've got pro kit springs on mine, but they're the lowest you can get on 330d's because of the weight.

[LJColeman]

2 hours ago, momo said:

It's a petrol so I think it's sport lines (red springs I think?) which are lower - 100% the lower ones.

The rears aren't lowered much in either IIRC. But the front will be a nice height with the lower ones.

I've got pro kit springs on mine, but they're the lowest you can get on 330d's because of the weight.

Mine certainly is a petrol yes.

I think i might go with the sportline springs, I just didn't want to get any rubbing on the rear with passengers. Im also thinking of switching to Style 68 wheel. What do people think?

[momo]

It wont rub on standard wheels on sport lines.. With 15mm spacers though you may be close to rubbage.

Not a fan of that wheel tbh.

Edited December 11, 2018 by momo

[LJColeman]

First mod done today -

Android head unit fitted, was dark when I finished so not had time to use it yet.

Saturdays jobs:
Fit angel eye lights
Fit new floor mats
Fit boot linner
Good clean & wax



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[02Anders]

Looks very clean!!  
Sometimes I actually think I might prefer the saloon over the coupé.  Especially when as tidy as this one looks...

[LJColeman]

Thank you, I'm really loving it.

Managed to get the angel eyes fitted tonight, just need to wire in the remote on/off tomorrow and then spend some time giving her a clean.

Also better get the old car up for sale too.



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[LJColeman]

Typical, 1 day off and it pours with rain all day!

Still managed to get angel eyes fitted



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[momo]

That MPerformance badge on the passenger trim.. 

[LJColeman]

I know [emoji23] previous owner not me! It will be going however its superglued on so will need a new trim.

That MPerformance badge on the passenger trim.. 

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[LJColeman]

Timeless



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[kirkynut]

Looking good. How are you finding that head unit?

I have a black 320i saloon, so not as quick and I have an SE with the Mtec 1 bumpers. I'm a fan of the saloons over coupes too. They can't be made to look quite as sporty as rear spoilers don't suit a saloon etc, but there's something about them I prefer.

Mine tramlines on 18's but I believe I need new lower wishbone bushes too. Meyle Heavy Duty ones are best this side of poly bushes apparently. They're cheaper on eBay than Lemforder from Eurocarparts. I'm led to believe that Lemforder are the OE manufacturer and they've done well on my Mrs' 325i, albeit hers are knackered again now thought. 

Kirkynut