Life=wife=cars=fun
I looking at some e46 models and was wondering which of the two you would go with. Has to be a ragtop, low miles, etc. Any help would be welcome. I've owned many BMWs, but none of these.
Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.
Old BMW's FTW
I would go for a 330i, especially since you want a convertible. You'll want the extra power to make up for the extra weight.
1995 525i 5-speed - Thread
Member
If they are both good cars, definitely 330i, but if you find a really mint 325 for a good price, I'd go for it.
Member
Make sure that the car that brightens your spirits undergoes a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). Notice I wrote “pre-“! All used cars have issues. Just because a car has low miles doesn’t mean it doesn’t have issues, including serious issues. Go to www.bimrs.org to find a reputable indie shop that specializes in bimmers and have the shop perform a PPI.
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
+1
Nothing is more expensive than a poorly maintained BMW.
Depending on what type of driving you like to do both motors are able to pull that car around. The thing with the 330i's is they tend to develop a VANOS rattle more often then the 325i's. So if it is gas mileage, then the 325i will be better, if it doesn't matter, 330i/M3 Vert
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Member
And the 3 liter engine (M54B30 in BMWeze) tends to burn oil once it has 75k miles under its belt. The 2.5 liter engine (M54B25) sips oil like a genteel lady. There are numerous “cures” for the B30 oil burning problem:
- 02Pilot mod
- oil catch can
- Shell Rotella T6 oil.
Search here and at E46Fanatics for these subjects.
Member
Agreed! I had an '01 330 a while back and I had to add a quart every 900-1K miles. Not that bad compared to others I met it's just I don't want to deal with that kind of stuff. It just annoyed me.Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini
Life=wife=cars=fun
Thanks guys. This car will be a weekend/fun car. I have a mint 740 for, for, whatever reason I have no idea. Oh well. There's a few E46 cars out there with some nice low miles. Oh well, I'm looking.
Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
Mint = Garage queen.
You can use the E-46 as a runabout car to keep the miles off the mint car. Since you live in a place that likes to snow, keep the mint car in the garage during the winter.
Darin
Current:
16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
Past:
95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
M-Flight Member
Member
As a second car go the vert for some weekend fun. Nothing better than the top down on a nice day.
Sent from my HTC 2PS5200 using Tapatalk
"You must learn from the mistakes of others. You can't possibly live long enough to make them all yourself."
Member
Why not get an M3? Only a few grand more these days and more fun!
Life=wife=cars=fun
Thanks all. I bought a 330 very, black on sand. Body and workings are good, seats need new covers but it will take some time. Being retired, I have time.
Lets get the party started before it's my bedtime.
Member
Do it right. I searched 3 years to find a low mileage 330Ci 6MT ZHP.... that's your fun weekend car!
Mines in winter storage and I can't wait to get 'er out!
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