hey all.

Just wondered if their were any 330ci owners on here? I'm thinking about getting one within the next few months and they seem well priced now. (don't worry, I will still have the mk4 golf, lol)

any advice? what to look for? whats the most common problems etc?

cheers

I'll keep my eyes peeled for this one.....

im still deciding on whether to go for the ci or saloon.....

Yeah i was thinking of buying a ci too not sure which one though pre 2001 February or 2001 March onwards for road tax purposes.

Y15HAL:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for this one.....

im still deciding on whether to go for the ci or saloon.....

lol. i just finished reading your thread. Im going for the ci as I think it looks better plus I don't have a family yet so don't have to worry about practicality. But the Saloon sport do look very tasty.

peace1969:

Yeah i was thinking of buying a ci too not sure which one though pre 2001 February or 2001 March onwards for road tax purposes.

I'm hoping to go post 03 for the facelift version as it looks nicer and if you can afford it, you should, so I have read. How much tax is for pre 01 and post 01? anyone know what the CO/2 is?

I had one two cars ago. Probably the best all round car I have ever owned. 

Facelifted cars as well as the new nose get more kit; different bootlid and LED tail lights, windows that close by remote, rain sensing wipers and auto headlights. Electric seats and rear parking sensors are stock, ignore any dealer that says otherwise. Sport gives you the suspension/bodykit/sports seats/ 18"s / black shadowline trim / multi function steering wheel and more. Much better car than the SE IMO. 

Desirable options are leather (very rare without it), Xenons, Bluetooth, Sat Nav, Harmon Kardon Stereo (not great but if its there, why not) and 6CD...other stuff like Sunroofs and 'Futura' leather (upgraded from Dakota) are rare but worth having.

Clubsports are nice but not worth a premium. Estoril Blue, Velvet Purple, Silver or Black, and all it really includes is fancy kick plates, cube alu dash trim, front corner splitters and an ugly spoiler. I wouldn't bother. If you want Auto, tons to choose from. DON'T BUY SSG UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. It's tosh, and completely different to SMG in the M3.

I have driven a few bmws over the years and I always find the steering and clutch heavy compared to other cars. Even the 1.6 1 series is heavy I find. And no, I'm not weak. why is this? is there a technical reason for this?

Depends on what you are used to really...it's certainly firm compared to the gear change in a MK4 or the steering in most of the Audis I have driven, but I prefer that personally. The 330 is much lighter than an M3 though. 

I drove a 116i SE Last week though and thought it was very light...quite relaxing!

whoseline:

Y15HAL:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for this one.....

im still deciding on whether to go for the ci or saloon.....

 

lol. i just finished reading your thread. Im going for the ci as I think it looks better plus I don't have a family yet so don't have to worry about practicality. But the Saloon sport do look very tasty.

peace1969:

Yeah i was thinking of buying a ci too not sure which one though pre 2001 February or 2001 March onwards for road tax purposes.

I'm hoping to go post 03 for the facelift version as it looks nicer and if you can afford it, you should, so I have read. How much tax is for pre 01 and post 01? anyone know what the CO/2 is?

Hi  a young lady i know has a pre February 2001 330ci tax is £185 for 12 months, where as a mate of mine has a 2002 325ci and the tax for 12 months is £205, i've seen a few older cars with the face lift bumpers etc so that wont be a problem for me as long as the car has low mileage.

Mikedav:

Depends on what you are used to really...it's certainly firm compared to the gear change in a MK4 or the steering in most of the Audis I have driven, but I prefer that personally. The 330 is much lighter than an M3 though. 

I drove a 116i SE Last week though and thought it was very light...quite relaxing!

thats true. How will I find the 330 coming from an mk4 then? I can't afford an M3 anyway. lol

peace1969:

Hi  a young lady i know has a pre February 2001 330ci tax is £185 for 12 months, where as a mate of mine has a 2002 325ci and the tax for 12 months is £205, i've seen a few older cars with the face lift bumpers etc so that wont be a problem for me as long as the car has low mileage.

Mileage isn't a problem with me as long as it is a top condition with FBMWSH but finding a minter can be tough.

peace1969:

whoseline:

Y15HAL:

I'll keep my eyes peeled for this one.....

im still deciding on whether to go for the ci or saloon.....

 

lol. i just finished reading your thread. Im going for the ci as I think it looks better plus I don't have a family yet so don't have to worry about practicality. But the Saloon sport do look very tasty.

peace1969:

Yeah i was thinking of buying a ci too not sure which one though pre 2001 February or 2001 March onwards for road tax purposes.

I'm hoping to go post 03 for the facelift version as it looks nicer and if you can afford it, you should, so I have read. How much tax is for pre 01 and post 01? anyone know what the CO/2 is?

Hi  a young lady i know has a pre February 2001 330ci tax is £185 for 12 months, where as a mate of mine has a 2002 325ci and the tax for 12 months is £205, i've seen a few older cars with the face lift bumpers etc so that wont be a problem for me as long as the car has low mileage.

whoseline:

thats true. How will I find the 330 coming from an mk4 then? I can't afford an M3 anyway. lol

Well I had a Bora V6 prior to a 330 Sport. I loved the VW but IMO the BM felt more refined and more substantial. It had a much better ride - I lived close to some speed humps at the time and the Bora used to crash over them at around 20MPH, catching the front valance...you could take them at 30 without slowing in the 330, though I wouldn't! The best parts of the 330 though are the classic BMW S6 engine note and RWD - so, so much fun...

Try one and see what you think...

Mike definitely knows his stuff about Beemers!

Would it be worth going for manual or automatic? Im swaying towards the manual simply because of the road tax increase (Sorry to hijack)

Road tax calculator:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/

The tiptronic auto is silk smooth and lovely to drive, and there are more of them about - more popular and a little easier to sell. Plenty of manuals out there too though (mine was), and you can't go wrong with either.

Dam just had a quote on confused website £500 excess on insurance to get a desent quote in my area that cant be right, gonna have to shop around on this one dam

yep, they come in quite steep on insurance!

Mine quoted £800!!

 Hi yeah but what was the excess if you have to make a claim? My actual quote was £550.

How old are you? London post code's won't help... at 22 I was paying £530FC with Directline. £300 excess i think. 

just turned 26, full no claims for 5 years, protected....

maybe ill give directline a go....

don't worry about the hijack Y15hal. We're both in the same boat. lol

Insurance for me is gonna cost me under 1k but I don't have much NCB. :(

whats the most common problems to look for when looking to buy an 330ci?

Done a quote with directline and its setting me back £800 too

Y15HAL:

Done a quote with directline and its setting me back £800 too

is that on a coupe or saloon?

coupe....with my missus as names driver.....without her, it was over £1000!!!

Bump to find out common things/problems to look out for when buying a 330.....