What engine in 330i - 2003 model
Discussion
BMW M54
Your M3 had the S54
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54
As long as the suspension is in good order; it'll be more compliant than your M3, but not in a massive way. If it's a sport; it'll have sport spec shocks and springs and be that bit lower than an SE version
Your M3 had the S54
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M54
As long as the suspension is in good order; it'll be more compliant than your M3, but not in a massive way. If it's a sport; it'll have sport spec shocks and springs and be that bit lower than an SE version
crankedup5 said:
Thanks chaps.
FYI (not teaching you how to suck eggs) but suspension is what you make of it…Shocks and springs can be tailored more or less, coilovers can be fitted at more or less OEM ride height and set to how soft or firm you want them etc…
I’ve just fitted brand new Sachs sport spec shocks and Eibach pro kit springs all round to my E39 540i Sport and that’s about as close to OEM I can get without fitting BMW stamped parts (made by Sachs) and get stung by BMW tax etc!
I wanted to keep my car as compliant as I can but with a little bit more stiffness and a touch lower than OEM but still ‘OEM Plus’ if that makes sense?
d_a_n1979 said:
crankedup5 said:
Thanks chaps.
FYI (not teaching you how to suck eggs) but suspension is what you make of it…Shocks and springs can be tailored more or less, coilovers can be fitted at more or less OEM ride height and set to how soft or firm you want them etc…
I’ve just fitted brand new Sachs sport spec shocks and Eibach pro kit springs all round to my E39 540i Sport and that’s about as close to OEM I can get without fitting BMW stamped parts (made by Sachs) and get stung by BMW tax etc!
I wanted to keep my car as compliant as I can but with a little bit more stiffness and a touch lower than OEM but still ‘OEM Plus’ if that makes sense?
I replaced my e46 M3 with an e46 330 Ci Sport for the same reasons that you mention. I really didn't like the M3, the fact that it was an SMG didn't help, it was a horrible car for my commute in to West London every day.
The M3 (SMG) did everything I wanted it to do 5% of the time, the 330Ci Sport (Manual) did everything I wanted it to do 95% of the time.
Yes, there will be people who disagree, but it's all down to taste really and the M3, particularly with the SMG was not to my taste. I might have got on better with a manual M3.
Your original question was what engine does a 2003 330i have? It's the M54 straight six, I've had 7 or 8 e46's with the M54, nice smooth engine, they have all started using oil as they get towards 100k, I've tried replacing the CCV on more than one of them but it didn't make much difference. My experience of the auto box in the 6 pot e46 is that they are not that reliable, but I've driven them quite hard and I much prefer the manual for the reliability and I'm still capable of choosing which gear to be in myself, but again all down to personal choice.
The M3 (SMG) did everything I wanted it to do 5% of the time, the 330Ci Sport (Manual) did everything I wanted it to do 95% of the time.
Yes, there will be people who disagree, but it's all down to taste really and the M3, particularly with the SMG was not to my taste. I might have got on better with a manual M3.
Your original question was what engine does a 2003 330i have? It's the M54 straight six, I've had 7 or 8 e46's with the M54, nice smooth engine, they have all started using oil as they get towards 100k, I've tried replacing the CCV on more than one of them but it didn't make much difference. My experience of the auto box in the 6 pot e46 is that they are not that reliable, but I've driven them quite hard and I much prefer the manual for the reliability and I'm still capable of choosing which gear to be in myself, but again all down to personal choice.
Edited by e21Keith on Tuesday 8th November 20:46
I did have a look at a few 330i but couldnt the right car, then my son spotted a 550i and suggested it was worth a look. Although it was bigger than what I was looking for the car soon had me dribbling. Ended up buying it, a very well looked after car from 2005, the car be.longed to a
PH’er and a PH’er before him!
lovely creamy V8 with more power than I need.
Added big bonus it’s a manual gearbox
PH’er and a PH’er before him!
lovely creamy V8 with more power than I need.
Added big bonus it’s a manual gearbox
crankedup5 said:
I did have a look at a few 330i but couldnt the right car, then my son spotted a 550i and suggested it was worth a look. Although it was bigger than what I was looking for the car soon had me dribbling. Ended up buying it, a very well looked after car from 2005, the car be.longed to a
PH’er and a PH’er before him!
lovely creamy V8 with more power than I need.
Added big bonus it’s a manual gearbox
Congrats. PH’er and a PH’er before him!
lovely creamy V8 with more power than I need.
Added big bonus it’s a manual gearbox
(There's a V8 thread in this section that's worth a read, plenty of decent info)Edit: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have this 3 litre with an auto box. I'm on 172K.Regular oil changes.
The engine is my favourite , a great straight six with loads of NA power from lowish revs and big mid range on motorway. Using sport mode in the auto box the car can do B road blasting without feeling too old tech. Sports suspension feels ok but a little firm on badly kept roads. The downside for me is the MPG , when this engine was developed it was'nt a priority and it shows. 12 mpg on Snake Pass in sport and 32 mpg on a run at 70 mph.
The engine is my favourite , a great straight six with loads of NA power from lowish revs and big mid range on motorway. Using sport mode in the auto box the car can do B road blasting without feeling too old tech. Sports suspension feels ok but a little firm on badly kept roads. The downside for me is the MPG , when this engine was developed it was'nt a priority and it shows. 12 mpg on Snake Pass in sport and 32 mpg on a run at 70 mph.
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