E46 330ci Prices on the Up?

[Bluevanman]

The E36 328 always felt much faster than the 325 even though they had similar power

[Olivergt]

pmorg4

Thanks for the review, I never knew that about the LSD, very interesting.

Cable throttles generally do feel a bit better and I'm sure the E36 is much more raw feeling that the E46.

I definitely need to have a drive of one, would probably be quite impressed, I do like to feel what's going on.

[The Conflated Outlier]

Bluevanman said:

The E36 328 always felt much faster than the 325 even though they had similar power

See, I think otherwise. The 325i was very lively and because it had shorter gearing would hit the rev limiter in 5th, about 140 mph. The 328i was possibly faster but was more torque biased and a bit lazier. I prefer them to the E46 in some ways - they look more 'classic' these days because there are so few left and I think they are a bit more involving to drive - they were a major step forward over the E30.

E46's were certainly a better car when new but I often found them to be an absolute pain in the arse in later years - I only had one with the infamous boot floor crack (actually very easy to repair) but it was the niggling stuff- window regulators, window switches, the GM5 body control module, the alloy front wishbones where you could not replace the outer balljoints, the heater blower resistor, the way they seemed to develop driveline shunt when the CV joints wore out, the stty CCV system, proneness oil leaks and that bloody radiator and header tank set up. They were designed to be built quickly using pre assembled sub assemblies and that made them much harder or time consuming to repair than the E36. I do like a nice E46 Coupe but you have to buy a good one and be prepared to keep on top of it. I can see why they are appreciating in value.

[g3org3y]

Olivergt said:

g3org3y said:

As I said, unpopular opinion.

Probably biased as I've had 3 E36s (325i saloon, 328i saloon and 328i touring) and only one E46 (330Ci).

I know it's only your opinion, but could you explain why you prefer the E36? Would be interesting to understand.

I know Auto Alex also prefers the E36 when he was looking at M3s and his reasoning was the looks, but by most other measures he admitted the E46 was the better car?

I found the steering in the E36 a bit better. In my E46 seemed a bit too light/lacking feedback. (I'm probably being unfair to the E46 as it wasn't exactly a factory fresh car, but iirc (may be mistaken), I think BMW upgraded the steering of the E46 range after the release of the Compact).

Gearbox felt about the same (both 5sp manuals).

Interior wise, I preferred the E36 styling. I didn't find the E46 a particular step up in quality as claimed (I know early E36s are criticised for sketchy quality interiors). Just personal opinion on that. E46 had cruise tbf which was nice.

Engine wise - I liked both the M52 in my 328i and the M54 in the 330i. M52 more character, M54 more progressive. (The M50 in my 325i still sounded the best though).

Both about the same to work on in terms of access etc.

I just have a soft spot for the E36 having owned a few.

[pmorg4]

The Conflated Outlier said:

Bluevanman said:

The E36 328 always felt much faster than the 325 even though they had similar power

See, I think otherwise. The 325i was very lively and because it had shorter gearing would hit the rev limiter in 5th, about 140 mph. The 328i was possibly faster but was more torque biased and a bit lazier.

That was because of the inlet manifold on the 328i - it had more torque than the 325i but produced similar power as the manifold couldn't flow enough air at the top end which made them feel a bit flat above 5000 RPM. Fit the 325i manifold to a 328i and you instantly free up the top end making it more powerful, but more importantly it feels much more lively and willing to rev to the red line. The M3 LSD worked really well with the manifold change as it lowered the gearing slightly and made it a much nicer car to drive hard.

[Mark-insert old BMW]

Much as I loved the look of my E46 M3 I found the 325ti Compact way more rewarding to drive. Until recently I only owned a couple of E36's (a compact and a saloon I think?) and walked away from a lovely Dakar yellow M3 that had a few choice mods. £4.5K seemed a bit much back then. Oh for the days of sub £5k M3's!

I always wanted a white, non sunroof, 318is, saloon E36 in the hope of putting an s14/2.3 in there and building a BTCC homáge but I never found one. Then I spotted this grey 318is and confirmed my bid with 4 seconds to go.

It's a shame it has a sunroof, although I haven't dared to open it yet in case it won't shut, but it's only done 45k miles. The bigger surprise for me, was how much it felt like a well sorted E30 on the road. Especially with the 4 pot twin cam fitted. It just feel lightweight and nimble in a way that the E46 never did. The shape has grown on me too.

I'm not suprised E46 prices have increased as there's no such thing as a cheap E36 any more. Especially as E30's are ridiculous money now.

[culpz]

Probably go a similar way as E36 328i's. Rust is killing more and more of these off, so one that has been kept on the road with good rust prevention and maintenance (generally well maintained too) will become desirable. E46 was probably deemed one of the best shapes of 3-Series that has aged well. Sure I've already started seeing some holding good value. Whether they're actually selling for that price is another matter.

E92 N52 330i's are getting pretty rare also. Especially manuals and good spec ones. I wanted an auto though so settled for a 325i. Not a great spec but I'm probably just gonna run it into the ground and not too fussed on making money on it.

[PurpleTurtle]

I'm a huge fan of the E46 - have had a 330Ci Convertible from new and currently run an E46 M3 which I've had for 17 years.

It's a fantastic design and I think hits the sweet spot between analogue and tech. The 330 lump is ultra smooth and gives enough real world performance to use on the road without getting into silly territory.

Good ones are nailed on future classics in my view.

A colleague has just bought an uber low miles 320Ci Coupe from the ubiquitous retired elderly chartered accountant. This thing looks like new, no expense spared on it, the only problem (for me) is that it's in SE spec, in gold, with beige trim and wood.

[Court_S]

Mr Tidy said:

Prices for 330is seem to be climbing too the last year or so. While my E90 330i is worth very little - maybe in another 5 years!

E46 325ti Compacts have also doubled in price since I sold mine in 2018.

The compacts are probably quite rare now having been popular as cheap track cars - there can't be that many on the roads. I've not seen a 325ti for ages now.

[Court_S]

Bluevanman said:

Loads of 330 coupes/convertibles have sold on ebay for less than £2k recently......they all have 1 thing in common,high mileage

At the age these are now, mileage should be largely irrelevant and condition / history should take priority. Most the E46's I see have some very obvious signs of rust. God knows what they're like where you can't easily see.

[Court_S]

g3org3y said:

I found the steering in the E36 a bit better. In my E46 seemed a bit too light/lacking feedback. (I'm probably being unfair to the E46 as it wasn't exactly a factory fresh car, but iirc (may be mistaken), I think BMW upgraded the steering of the E46 range after the release of the Compact).

They did indeed - the Compact came with a slightly faster rack that then found it's way into the other body shapes.

[Court_S]

The Conflated Outlier said:

E46's were certainly a better car when new but I often found them to be an absolute pain in the arse in later years - I only had one with the infamous boot floor crack (actually very easy to repair) but it was the niggling stuff- window regulators, window switches, the GM5 body control module, the alloy front wishbones where you could not replace the outer balljoints, the heater blower resistor, the way they seemed to develop driveline shunt when the CV joints wore out, the stty CCV system, proneness oil leaks and that bloody radiator and header tank set up. They were designed to be built quickly using pre assembled sub assemblies and that made them much harder or time consuming to repair than the E36. I do like a nice E46 Coupe but you have to buy a good one and be prepared to keep on top of it. I can see why they are appreciating in value.

I'd agree re the E46 being a pain as they age. I owned an E46 325ti and E90 330i, both at 7 years old and circa 70,000 miles on the clock. The former very much kept me on my toes (and my bank account empty). I suffered from most of the usual E46 foibles (rad, water pump, expansion tank, snapped rear springs, appetite for suspension bushes). The E90 needed new VANOS solenoids and consumables.

[Mark-insert old BMW]

Just saw an elderly lady park her pristine E46 wagon. A 320i auto but in absolutely beautiful condition. She's owned it since new and doesn't plan on selling. Obviously I did the decent thing and gave her my number just incase she changes her mind.

[dhutch]

4rephill said:

He also said that the 325 ci was the model to buy (Nope! - 330 ci all day long) and claimed that the 330ci made 330hp ([i]I commented on that one, letting him know that it actually makes 228hp and not 330hp

Well yes, but he was in a loaned 325, so he can hardly say 'dont get the 325 because the 330 is better and just as good mpg' can he!

[dhutch]

Olivergt said:

Thanks for the review, I never knew that about the LSD, very interesting.

Its true, and the e46 is also a minefield for different diff fittings I am told, quaife sub out the sales to a distrubter.

That said, its now largely irrelevant information I expect as you can image many E36 M3 diffs come up for sale!

[dhutch]

Mark-insert old BMW said:

Just saw an elderly lady park her pristine E46 wagon. A 320i auto but in absolutely beautiful condition. She's owned it since new and doesn't plan on selling. Obviously I did the decent thing and gave her my number just incase she changes her mind.

Fair play! Nothing to loose, everything to gain.