BMW 330i.....whatcha think/what should I look for?

[Craig 930 RS]

Well, this isn't a BMW forum, but I'm looking for a synopsis of the 330i 4 door BMW, including these aspects:

Auto trans - decent?
Sport & Lux packages
Year range of the just ended body style? - any yr better than others?

I drove one 2 yrs ago and loved it -

Any information and opinions appreciated.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The ZHP performance package is nice, you get an extra 20 HP or so, special suspension and wheels as well. Offered I think from '02 or '03 on. I have heard from several that the sport package on the E46 330 can be harsh on bad pavement, so you should test drive both before you decide.

[RANDY P]

look forward to blown control arm bushings and ball joints on a regular basis. Manifests itself as kickback through the steering wheel when it's due. About 60K on the average.

Window regulators blow out about the same time as the tires wear out, there's also some who claim rear subframe mounts will tear out of the floorpan. $$$ to fix..

Radiator will spring a leak sometime before 80K, but it's cheap to replace.


Sport package will get you springs from the coupe about 40MM lower, and auto trans is a 5 speed model (?) just make sure that the fluid is changed between 60-80K - @ $400 a fill.

Sport on 18" is the only way to go!

If the car has had 15K oil changes (free factory service) check the inside of the valve cover for sludge. Cases are popping up where sludge is an issue even before the factory warranty is up - simply are running too long between oil changes.

Oh,and the later ones have the LED taillights and xenon, so saves money on burned bulbs! Also, ZHP is available after 2003(??)

[matthew-s]

Finally, a place for me to post & contribute to this board!

I don't own a P-car . . . yet. I am hoping I will contract one by browsing this board every day

I have an '01 330i w/ manual tranmission, sport package, premium package, heated seats, zenon headlights.

I did not option this car, I purchased it in 2003 as a CPO car. My requirements were manual transmission, sport package and cold weather package. I got most of that (cold weather has the ski-pass through and headlight washer, both of them I have managed without).

I personally don't find the sport package too harsh at all, although I do try to drive around potholes, etc. My guess is that if you own a P-car - you are doing that anyway. As another point of reference, I drove some pre-owned Volvo wagons when shopping for the family truckster. I found those cars to ride more harshly than my sport-package 330i.

I can't talk to the automatics. Sorry.

My favorite "luxuries": rain sensing wipers and stability control. The RWD "i", with snow tires and stability control is simply amazing in the snow - very confidence inspiring.

I have been very happy, and have had few problems that were not related to being rear-ended

The only common problem I know of on this car are the front lower control arms - which are replaceable under warranty, and I am told the replacements are stronger - we'll see . . .

I am a big fan of the 330 over the 325 - two different cars in my opinion

The previous body style was the "e46" and was produced from 1999 - 2003. I think 2001 was the first year for the 330 / 325. Prior to that, they had the 328 / 323.

You should know that spring / early summer (June?) of 2001 the steering feel was changed on these cars. e46's prior to this build date have very "light-feeling" steering. BMW was retro-fitting the earlier cars on thier buck - I am not sure if they still are. (mine was built in July - hurray!).

I believe in the summer of 2003 they switched over from the 5 speed gearbox to the 6 speed. Shortly thereafter (fall?), the ZHP "onewhippedpuppy" referrs to was introduced. I think the ZHP may only be available on manual cars though.

The only other consideration that comes to mind is that if you are dying to have things like BMW satellite radio, bluetooth, or BMW iPod integration, I think you need to start looking towards at least 2002 or 2003 model years.

Well - that is some info I suppse. If you have other specific questions, I'll try to answer.

Good luck,

Matt

[Eric Coffey]

Yep, I would look for a nice CPO 330i with the ZHP package (believe 2003 was the first official model year). They are easy to spot as they have the M3 front bumper/aero package. Some/most came with a cool two-tone leather/alcantara interior package too. The other significant feature is that all the manual ZHP cars came with a 6-speed vs. the standard 5-speed (the auto trans was available with the zhp package as well). I currently have a 330ci coupe with the sport package, and the ride is not harsh at all IMO (on the factory 17" sport wheels). FWIW my next driver will probably be an '05 zhp 330i.

[Craig 930 RS]

The ideal 330i:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4600298363

Silver with black.....

P.S. - Thanks for the answers so far - !

[Eric Coffey]

A couple more:

Auto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4602127181

Auto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4601048184

Auto - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4601383328

6-spd - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4601292843

6-spd - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4602164306

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nice choice. The ZHP is awesome, I've seen it called the 4 door M3. Not quite as fast, but getting close. Like somebody else said, 6 speed only. But what do you want an auto for?

[Craig 930 RS]

What year did BMW figure out the control arm issue; what yr were they ok from the factory?

[kjb]

Originally posted by RANDY P
Window regulators blow out about the same time as the tires wear out

One of my coworkers has replaced three of them under warranty on a 2001 330i, well before changing his rear tires for the first time.

/ J

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by Craig911
What year did BMW figure out the control arm issue; what yr were they ok from the factory?

They didn't. It's always been an issue, even as far back as the E24's.

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by kjb
One of my coworkers has replaced three of them under warranty on a 2001 330i, well before changing his rear tires for the first time.

/ J

Mine was 2x before 50K, it was a coop!

[Big Ed]

I had an '01 Ci (coupe), that car rocked. Sport package and 5 speed, I loved but had to sell when I abandoned my career for self employment. I only had it for 18K miles, only in shop for scheduled maintenance in that short time...

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Craig911
Well, this isn't a BMW forum, but I'm looking for a synopsis of the 330i 4 door BMW, including these aspects:

Auto trans - decent?
Sport & Lux packages
Year range of the just ended body style? - any yr better than others?

I drove one 2 yrs ago and loved it -

Any information and opinions appreciated.

A friend of mine had an e46 325i with auto tranny, had to sell if after the 3rd transmission had been installed. His wife drove the car, he drove a 535is most of the time, or a pickup. I don't remember the year, but I think it was a 2001 model. I'd stay away from auto trannies unless you can verify that it has a warranty of some kind or you can purchase one.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by Craig911
What year did BMW figure out the control arm issue; what yr were they ok from the factory?

Never, just plan on it like scheduled maintenance. If it makes you feel any better, Audi has the same problems, as well as some Porsches.

[Craig 930 RS]

10-4. You'd think BMW would not want the warranty issues, and fix the problem.

Eric - How did you perform the EBay search for the Performance Pacakge 330i?

Thanks all for the help - these are terrific cars. Sure would like to have the PP on my car. Currently the choice is between:

Truck (which would be a 4 door daily driver) & trailer for the 930
or
Fun to drive BMW 330i

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by Craig911

Eric - How did you perform the EBay search for the Performance Pacakge 330i?

As I am only interested in the zhp coupes, I have it saved as one of my searches as the following (as entered into eBay's search field):

bmw 330i +(zhp,performance) -(convertible,conv,cabriolet)

or you can also try:

bmw 330i -(convertible,conv,cabriolet)

and then browse all the listings for the telltale front bumper and zhp wheels, as some do not put the "performance" or "zhp" verbiage in their listing titles.

Also, I have it set to only search listings between $10k-$40k to exclude any parts/accessories/wheels/etc. listings.

[Craig 930 RS]

Eric - Thanks for the tips!
Anyone drive a 330 with the ZHP package?