E46 330 Sport Convertible Advice Wanted |
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Posted: 24-October-2006 at 15:09 |
Hi folks, 'm a regular over at the 5 series board but am in the process of selling my beloved E39 535 to buy a 330 Sport Convertible. I have a budget of about Ł22k, so hoping to get an 03/04 model with some warranty remaining. Any owners here able to share advice or buying tips on this model - I'm a former 1999 323 coupe owner so I know and love the old 3 series, and am sure the E46 is even better. One specific question - I want to go for the Harmon Kardon hi-fi option on the car i buy, but have also seen "Hi Fi Speaker system" listed - is this the same thing? Cheers, Ali |
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BMW328i
Really Senior Member I Joined: 17-March-2006 Location: glasgow Status: Offline Points: 306 |
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dont think so. hifi speaker system will be the basic E46 set-up. Harmon Kardon will be listed as such if the seller knows there stuff. If your checking out the car your looking for the harmon kardon logos on the speakers in the front and back of the car. |
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Thanks - I'll keep an eye out for that. What about servicing - I've seen that 15k miles is the norm, but is there a time period as well - ive seen a few 30k 3 year old cars that have had 2 services which would be fine on the 15k interval, but not sure if they should be done every 12 months if the mileage isnt high? Cheers, Ali
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BMW328i
Really Senior Member I Joined: 17-March-2006 Location: glasgow Status: Offline Points: 306 |
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theres a couple of different schools of thought on this. 1. you service the car at least once a year, if trip computer is showing another X amount of miles until next inspection type service then it would be recommeded to carry out an oil service at least once a year just to keep things clean. 2. modern BMW engines dont need an oil service every year and you safely follow the trip computers instructions with regard to servicing. personally i sit somewhere in the middle because of the type of driving i do its going to be not far off each year for servicing anyway so i stick with the trip computers read outs. If however your doing a lower mileage its time to use your own judgement as to wether the car needs a service every year or not. obviously a manufacturer and an out and out petrol-head for that matter will say service it every year. I have however owned BMW's that have went up 18 months inbetween any service by previous owners. So knowning the condition of those cars when i bought them I would say it wouldnt bother me that much if it was every 18 months or so for service good luck with your purchase mate anything else fire away
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mickstreet
Groupie Joined: 27-October-2005 Status: Offline Points: 97 |
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Just had a service done on my E46 330 touring. The indicator is showing 14500miles to next service. I have got the Harmon Kardon radio / speakers etc and to be honest I'm not that impressed. I personally don't think it sounds any better than a standard system. Guess it might be good to have as a selling point in years to come though? Hope that helps... |
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skull
Really Senior Member II Joined: 20-April-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 640 |
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H/K setup is better if you listen to both next to each other . also its the naff head units that spoil the sound, i changed mine for a alpine and it sounds 1000% better .
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just a little crazy.
My drive E46 M3 COUPE [MAN]CARBON BLACK GREY LEATHER H/K 19"s LED REARS S/B. |
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scarface
Really Senior Member I Joined: 16-June-2004 Location: Surrey, UK Status: Offline Points: 414 |
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Always seems to be 15,000 miles, I tend to get mine done a bit early though, 15,000 miles of pretty hard driving is a bit long IMHO. Be prepared to use a bit of oil in between services, mine currently does approx. 1 litre every 7k. There are reports of much higher usage though! Fuel consumption also seems worse with the M54 engines compared to the M52TU.
I'm not impressed by the HK system in the coupe compared to the HK in my old E46 saloon. Maybe it's the different speaker positions, or maybe I got a duff one. Wish I could change the head unit, but I'd lose bluetooth. |
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Speaking of engines, does the 330 need to run on Super unleaded or will the regular stuff do? Need to plan my running costs carefully! Ali |
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mickstreet
Groupie Joined: 27-October-2005 Status: Offline Points: 97 |
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I use standard unleaded, tried Optimax but there was very little, if any difference. Made one hell of a difference on my 200sx but not on the BM.
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Hi folks, Got the new car last week and I'm delighted with it. Spec is as follows: 2003 (f/lift) 330 Sport Convertible BMW Individual Ruby Red Metallic Paint BMW Individual Champagne Nappa leather interier with gear lever and steering wheel inserts Hard Top Harman Kardon Hi-fi Bluetooth Prep Heated Seats 25k miles 2 Owners (ex demonstrator) The car is absolutely superb and a joy to drive - so much more agile and responsive than my 535, and just as quick. I'm amazed how solid it feels - with the hardtop on you would never know it was a convertible to drive and no rattles or squeaks. Only disappointment is the Harmon Kardon hi-fi - this sounds good, but distorts at quite low volumes which is really annoying - my 535 had the Hi-fi Speaker system and could go up to ear-splitting volumes without a trace of distortion, but I have found most types of music get some kind of vibration with any level of bass. I had a root around in the back of the car, and I think it is the sub mounted on the rear ski hatch that is causing the problem - if I swing the sub open on its hinges then the problem seems to stop. Maybe I'll need to fix it with some blu-tac or something to stop it vibrating in the plastic frame, which seems to be the cause - any ideas welcome. Will post some pics very soon! Cheers, Ali
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mickstreet
Groupie Joined: 27-October-2005 Status: Offline Points: 97 |
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Nice one! I'd have liked a convertible myself but did the "family" thing and went for a touring. Still managed to get the 3 litre though What are the rear seats like for space? May manage to get one a few years down the line... |
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skull
Really Senior Member II Joined: 20-April-2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 640 |
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there is some thin single sided sticky foam you can get at the diy store for doors and windows try that to see if it stops it.
nice btw |
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just a little crazy.
My drive E46 M3 COUPE [MAN]CARBON BLACK GREY LEATHER H/K 19"s LED REARS S/B. |
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scarface
Really Senior Member I Joined: 16-June-2004 Location: Surrey, UK Status: Offline Points: 414 |
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Glad it's not just mine with dodgy Harman Kardon! A disappointment compared to the saloon. And they charge you more for a coupe!
One question, do you find the throttle a bit jumpy and too sensitive at times compared to the 535? |
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Sporty1
Really Senior Member II Joined: 18-October-2006 Location: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2297 |
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"I had a root around in the back of the car, and I think it is the sub mounted on the rear ski hatch that is causing the problem - if I swing the sub open on its hinges then the problem seems to stop. Maybe I'll need to fix it with some blu-tac or something to stop it vibrating in the plastic frame, which seems to be the cause - any ideas welcome" Blutac will not sort this problem, you need to get some Dynamat (sound deadening) from a car audio place, available in sheets or spray. This will get rid of the buzzing and vibrating that the sub is causing.
Edited by Sporty1 |
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Hi people, Made some headway with the problem - opened the ski hatch and put a lint-free polishing cloth between the sub and the frame, then closed the hatch - all the rattling has now stopped! I'm still going to see if the dealer can sort it properly under warranty though - I'd heard of dynamat, but not sure where I should put it - as it is sticky I don't want to mess up the trim by covering it in sticky gunk that won't come off - might just stay with it as it is for now as it has definitely done the trick. Scarface, yes I did find the throttle a bit sensitive to begin with and was finding it hard to pull away smoothly at low speeds e.g. when coming up to a roundabout. I reckon there is more travel in the throttle than the 535, so I was having to push down further than usual and then all the power was coming in one big lump! I've pretty much got used to it though now - the car is so different in character to the 535, much more agile, responsive and sporty - the 535 was a sedate cruiser (although quick when needed) but the v8 did make it wallow a bit in corners. The ride is a little less refined from not having the roof and a bit crashy over rough surfaces (although nowhere near as bad as other convertibles, especially Saabs!) but other than that I blimmin' love it. Will ditch these sig pics soon and get the new ones up - just need to clean it again! Cheers, Ali |
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scarface
Really Senior Member I Joined: 16-June-2004 Location: Surrey, UK Status: Offline Points: 414 |
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Yep, that's it! Nothing, then all the power in one go. Seems to me like it's worse when cold, but like you say you do get used to it. Sometimes advances in technology aren't always improvements.
Interesting that you say about the V8 having such an effect on the handling. I've always fancied a 540 or B10 V8. I think the crashing is more the sport suspension and low profile tyres. |
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kevin
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 29-November-2002 Location: Camberley, Surrey Status: Offline Points: 3189 |
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Sorry to jump in but we picked up an 04 Plate 330Ci Conv at the weekend and are pleased with it and the HK hifi. So far no buzzing.
Anyway onto the question, do yours only have one rear foglight or has the nearside one in our blown? Thanks |
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Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
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ahmurray
Senior Member I Joined: 30-June-2005 Location: Shoreham-by-Sea Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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Well well, took the car into local dealers today and they diagnosed a blown sub. new one on order to be fitted Thursday under AUC warranty. Let's hope it is more robust than the first one! I'll let you know whether it sorts the problem completely. Kevin, not sure on the foglight, will check if I remember. I've also found the boot lock a bit odd - not sure if it is me or whether it is misbehaving - often I go to shut the boot and find the lock won't engage, have to lock and unlock car and then it is ok. I think it is the autolock facility when I set off driving, when I arrive I open only the drivers door and I think I am confusing the central locking so it gets out of sync - anyone else have this problem? I also want to adjust the n/s rear view mirror tilt angle as it drops too far when I engage reverse - the manual says you can do it but I can't find where/how - anyone help out? Cheers! Ali
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