Help replacing an e46 330
Discussion
I've decided that now is the right time to part with my e46 330 Ci M Sport. I've loved having this car and will sorely miss it.
My criteria for the next car is that it needs to be slightly more practical than the 330, have similar power and be a notable upgrade. The budget is £10k (but would prefer to spend no more than £9k).
When I had my RX8 and now this e46, it was exciting to walk over to them and to drive. I need the next car to have this type of excitement.
A car I've always wanted is the BMW 650, which would tick off the "owned a V8" on my bucket list. Man maths here- the 330 returns about 29 mpg, and I'd imagine the 650 would return about 23-24 mpg. Fuel economy isn't a mega issue here, but I can't justify spending loads more each week on fuel. The 650, with the additional tax, insurance and fuel would set me back between £65-75 per month on top of what I currently spend on the 330.
An alternative is the Jaguar XF. I know the XF and the 650 are like chalk and cheese, but the XF would still be a special car to own (in my opinion) as a very luxurious place to sit. The 3 litre diesel would be the one to go for, which still has a nice amount of pull but it isn't the same type of car as any I've previously owned. Running costs for these would be lower than my 330 and the 650, though I have my doubts about their reliability.
My budget allows a 2007 plate 650, or a 2010 plate XF. On the practical note, I have two young children so this car would need to accommodate them. The 330 manages this fine, but the boot can be a bit restrictive. The 650 has a larger boot, whereas the Jaguar has 4 doors and a good sized boot too.
Can anyone help me make a decision please! Are there any alternatives I could consider?
To add- the BMW 630 seems to be a compromise option, but lacks the V8. Does anyone have any experience of the 630 vs 650?
My criteria for the next car is that it needs to be slightly more practical than the 330, have similar power and be a notable upgrade. The budget is £10k (but would prefer to spend no more than £9k).
When I had my RX8 and now this e46, it was exciting to walk over to them and to drive. I need the next car to have this type of excitement.
A car I've always wanted is the BMW 650, which would tick off the "owned a V8" on my bucket list. Man maths here- the 330 returns about 29 mpg, and I'd imagine the 650 would return about 23-24 mpg. Fuel economy isn't a mega issue here, but I can't justify spending loads more each week on fuel. The 650, with the additional tax, insurance and fuel would set me back between £65-75 per month on top of what I currently spend on the 330.
An alternative is the Jaguar XF. I know the XF and the 650 are like chalk and cheese, but the XF would still be a special car to own (in my opinion) as a very luxurious place to sit. The 3 litre diesel would be the one to go for, which still has a nice amount of pull but it isn't the same type of car as any I've previously owned. Running costs for these would be lower than my 330 and the 650, though I have my doubts about their reliability.
My budget allows a 2007 plate 650, or a 2010 plate XF. On the practical note, I have two young children so this car would need to accommodate them. The 330 manages this fine, but the boot can be a bit restrictive. The 650 has a larger boot, whereas the Jaguar has 4 doors and a good sized boot too.
Can anyone help me make a decision please! Are there any alternatives I could consider?
To add- the BMW 630 seems to be a compromise option, but lacks the V8. Does anyone have any experience of the 630 vs 650?
Edited by StuTheGrouch on Monday 10th April 14:13
650 I reckon - still miss my E46 330! We had a brand new 59 plate XF and it was fine for the first year apart from a recall on the electric windows and appetite for headlight bulbs but from that point onwards it became more and more unreliable (all electrical related issues) to the point we handed it back with 6 months still to run on the lease and replaced it with a 640d. Depending on your driving, you might be surprised how economical a V8 6er can be. Do check out rear space though as even though our youngster was 5 when we got ours, 2.5 years later the front seat position became a compromise although he is very tall for his age. The ride of the XF was very good (18s) but amongst the numerous loan cars when ours was off the road we had one with 20" wheels and the ride was horrendous - so jittery on the motorway I felt car sick after about 10 minutes. We had the 240bhp 3.0D and it managed 35-37 mpg, whereas the 640 that replaced it managed 40-42 mpg.
I can't see the V8 6er to be that economical. I run a 7er with the earlier 4.4 V8 as one of my cars and tbh the cost of fuel vs my other 2.8 BMWs is hideous. 14 round town. 25 on a run when trying to be frugal. Stick your foot in and the fuel just vanishes. At the same time despite being sonorous I prefer the smoothness and power deliveries of the straight 6 lumps.
Thanks both. It is the widely reported electrical faults that put me off the Jaguar.
The 4.8 litre V8 is newer and slightly more economical than the 4.4 V8 it replaced, so I'm confident that as long as it returns 23 mpg I'll be happy with that. I used to run an RX8 where I never saw better than 17 mpg, so fuel economy has never been a major concern to me (smiles per gallon, and all that).
Doing a bit more research, I've noticed the upgrades which came in 2007 as the facelift, so I'll be looking for a facelifted 6 series. I can't see the 630 being justified, as they tend to be more expensive than the V8s.
I think I'm sold on the 6 series now. I start with them, then look elsewhere, then come back to them. They are a car I've always wanted, so I'll go with that.
The 4.8 litre V8 is newer and slightly more economical than the 4.4 V8 it replaced, so I'm confident that as long as it returns 23 mpg I'll be happy with that. I used to run an RX8 where I never saw better than 17 mpg, so fuel economy has never been a major concern to me (smiles per gallon, and all that).
Doing a bit more research, I've noticed the upgrades which came in 2007 as the facelift, so I'll be looking for a facelifted 6 series. I can't see the 630 being justified, as they tend to be more expensive than the V8s.
I think I'm sold on the 6 series now. I start with them, then look elsewhere, then come back to them. They are a car I've always wanted, so I'll go with that.
cslwannabe said:
Depending on your driving, you might be surprised how economical a V8 6er can be. Do check out rear space though as even though our youngster was 5 when we got ours, 2.5 years later the front seat position became a compromise although he is very tall for his age. .
My daily commute is either 1 (long) junction of the M1 or the back roads. Even my 330 can manage almost 40 mpg at a steady 60-70 mph.My eldest is 5. Both are girls and are small for their ages. Hopefully I'll get more than a couple of years out of this.
Interesting topic for me; I bought an E46 330Ci MSport in November to replace my E36 328i convertible and I hate to admit it but I'm just not quite getting that same buzz. A large part of that may because I went for an auto. My commute is crap and after years of clutch work I thought it might be time to get a car which did all that legwork for me. It's definitely a far more pleasant commute but it makes the whole driving process very different and I'm not sure whether it's for me.
Oddly enough I looked at several 6ers before deciding to be 'sensible' and go for the 330Ci. I'll admit that reading up on the 645i and 650i I was concerned at how easily and quickly they can throw some hefty bills around. Part of me wishes I had taken the plunge though. I still keep an eye on them in the classifieds and suspect I'll probably be in one by the end of the year. Whether I stick with auto will be the bigger question...!
I'll be interested to see what you end up doing.
Oddly enough I looked at several 6ers before deciding to be 'sensible' and go for the 330Ci. I'll admit that reading up on the 645i and 650i I was concerned at how easily and quickly they can throw some hefty bills around. Part of me wishes I had taken the plunge though. I still keep an eye on them in the classifieds and suspect I'll probably be in one by the end of the year. Whether I stick with auto will be the bigger question...!
I'll be interested to see what you end up doing.
I'll keep you updated Funk. I've maintained my 330 myself, and will do the same for the 6 series too. So aside from mega issues, the costs will be in parts alone. The valve stem seals worry me a bit though....
My 330 is manual, and if buying another e46 I would only seek manual cars. It remains to be seen how I enjoy the auto of the 6 series; I know manuals exist, but they are very rare.
My 330 is manual, and if buying another e46 I would only seek manual cars. It remains to be seen how I enjoy the auto of the 6 series; I know manuals exist, but they are very rare.
Funk said:
Interesting topic for me; I bought an E46 330Ci MSport in November to replace my E36 328i convertible and I hate to admit it but I'm just not quite getting that same buzz. A large part of that may because I went for an auto. My commute is crap and after years of clutch work I thought it might be time to get a car which did all that legwork for me. It's definitely a far more pleasant commute but it makes the whole driving process very different and I'm not sure whether it's for me.
I just think it's the classic 36 vs 46 dilemma. I've owned a few of both. Assuming fresh suspension, bushes etc then hands down E36 are nicer cars to drive - and I've had a couple of autotragic 36s including the Touring I still drive so it's not just a gear thing. Although I've heard rumours that someone is working on a hack to make the E36 box work as a 'steptronic' like in the E46 which I am actually really excited about. The E36 still has the centre console canted towards the driver, which I miss in the 46. But, the E46 has more comfort and seems better put together - at least, until you have to start taking it apart to mend stuff then you spot the relative flimsiness of some of the construction. 
I think the 630 will feel a bit underpowered as it's not exactly a featherweight. I do think the I6 is a magnificent engine but like you I feel I really must own a V8 at some point. I knew someone who use to regularly drive from Southampton to the North East and he replaced his TT convertible with a 645 convertible and reckoned the mpg wasn't much different for that journey 
- no idea how true however.
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/bmw/6-series-...
Don't forget to bin the runflats if you get one!
- no idea how true however.https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/bmw/6-series-...
Don't forget to bin the runflats if you get one!
I used to have a 330 and I loved it. I've also had a 650 - see my other thread about rejecting it.
A 650 of that era will almost certainly need the valve stem seals doing. (£3k). A lot of them have already been done though at some point between 60-100k miles.
I could quite easily get 30mpg on a run, as someone has said the 4.8 is quite frugal compared to the older 4.4. To add, I could get just over 40mpg in the e46 on a run.
Rear seats are tiny in the 650 - should be ok if your kids are under 10 years old. I'm 6' and had to move my seat forward to accommodate my 12 year old.
Is the 330 for sale? I quite fancy another as a second car
A 650 of that era will almost certainly need the valve stem seals doing. (£3k). A lot of them have already been done though at some point between 60-100k miles.
I could quite easily get 30mpg on a run, as someone has said the 4.8 is quite frugal compared to the older 4.4. To add, I could get just over 40mpg in the e46 on a run.
Rear seats are tiny in the 650 - should be ok if your kids are under 10 years old. I'm 6' and had to move my seat forward to accommodate my 12 year old.
Is the 330 for sale? I quite fancy another as a second car
The 330 is for sale. It's on Ebay at the moment (2003, 144k miles, currently at £1600 with a buy it now of £2500).
I remember your thread. Ultimately I think you were unlucky and encountered a s
t garage. Hopefully I won't pick up your old one! The stem seals do worry me a bit. I'll do some reading to find out what to look for and whether it's a job I might tackle myself.
Right, I'm off to view a 6 series!
I remember your thread. Ultimately I think you were unlucky and encountered a s
t garage. Hopefully I won't pick up your old one! The stem seals do worry me a bit. I'll do some reading to find out what to look for and whether it's a job I might tackle myself.Right, I'm off to view a 6 series!
A mate of mine has the 630i convertible and it seems to be quick enough.
It's his 4th Beemer (E39 523i, 2 x E46 330i convertibles) and he prefers the 6 cylinder engines.
Quick enough, not too thirsty and hasn't any major issues with any of them.
I've been in the back and it is cramped but managed it for a 30 min. journey.
I'm 5-10 and the passenger of similar height had to put his seat forward so his knees touched the dash.
It's his 4th Beemer (E39 523i, 2 x E46 330i convertibles) and he prefers the 6 cylinder engines.
Quick enough, not too thirsty and hasn't any major issues with any of them.
I've been in the back and it is cramped but managed it for a 30 min. journey.
I'm 5-10 and the passenger of similar height had to put his seat forward so his knees touched the dash.
A few useful bits of info in here, in a similar position myself.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
JBUK said:
A few useful bits of info in here, in a similar position myself.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I hadn't considered a CLS but might put it on the list...https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
vsonix said:
Funk said:
Interesting topic for me; I bought an E46 330Ci MSport in November to replace my E36 328i convertible and I hate to admit it but I'm just not quite getting that same buzz. A large part of that may because I went for an auto. My commute is crap and after years of clutch work I thought it might be time to get a car which did all that legwork for me. It's definitely a far more pleasant commute but it makes the whole driving process very different and I'm not sure whether it's for me.
I just think it's the classic 36 vs 46 dilemma. I've owned a few of both. Assuming fresh suspension, bushes etc then hands down E36 are nicer cars to drive - and I've had a couple of autotragic 36s including the Touring I still drive so it's not just a gear thing. Although I've heard rumours that someone is working on a hack to make the E36 box work as a 'steptronic' like in the E46 which I am actually really excited about. The E36 still has the centre console canted towards the driver, which I miss in the 46. But, the E46 has more comfort and seems better put together - at least, until you have to start taking it apart to mend stuff then you spot the relative flimsiness of some of the construction. To update a thread with the big anti-climax.... I've taken my car advert down, and I'm keeping it. I went and had a look at cars today, and simply can't bring myself to get rid of a reliable car which owes me nothing AND spend £9k on the replacement.
Ironically it was the a and b road blasts to and from viewing a car this evening which reminded me why I've kept this car for so long.
Ironically it was the a and b road blasts to and from viewing a car this evening which reminded me why I've kept this car for so long.
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