BMW 330Ci or 320Ci Convertible ?

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   Hi,

In the new year, I am thinking or buying a circa 2002/2003 BMW 3 series convertible mainly for urban use and more open road use at weekends.  I already have a 318i Touring as  my main car, and whilst it's performance is adequate, I would like better performance and "fun" from the convertible.

Obviously the 330Ci is the most "desirable" looking at the performance figures, with the "on paper" fuel statistics looking more or less comparable to the lower performing 320Ci.  Accepting a higher insurance premium for the 330, unless I'm missing something, I'm therefore struggling to lean in the direction of a 320.  

My question is, are the REAL mpg figures for the 330 actually much worse than a 320 ?

Ian

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task59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Liverpool Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote task59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: BMW 330Ci or 320Ci Convertible ? Posted: 19-December-2011 at 16:15
	Hi, In the new year, I am thinking or buying a circa 2002/2003 BMW 3 series convertible mainly for urban use and more open road use at weekends. I already have a 318i Touring as my main car, and whilst it's performance is adequate, I would like better performance and "fun" from the convertible. Obviously the 330Ci is the most "desirable" looking at the performance figures, with the "on paper" fuel statistics looking more or less comparable to the lower performing 320Ci. Accepting a higher insurance premium for the 330, unless I'm missing something, I'm therefore struggling to lean in the direction of a 320. My question is, are the REAL mpg figures for the 330 actually much worse than a 320 ? Ian

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Andrew Rolland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrew Rolland Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20-December-2011 at 13:47
	330Ci, no brainer...but then I would say that. If you have done your sums and you are happy with the running costs of the 3.0 then go for it. I did the sums for mine before I bought and was happy with it and haven't looked back. More power is never a bad thing! I have driven an E90 3.0 and it went like stink so would expect something similar from and E46. Saying that if the right 320Ci crops up don't discount it as it has a super smooth 6 pot engine which has now been done away with on newer "2.0" engines. The only difference between the engines is the physical displacement as they are both M54 engines. Fairly robust stuff, just keep an eye on the engine temp and oil levels and you'll be fine.
	Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto

task59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Liverpool Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote task59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21-December-2011 at 09:23
	Hi Andrew, Thanks for the confirmation - I'll go where my heart is . Any other "common faults" I should look out for when looking at these cars ? I'm looking to spend circa £5.5 - £6k in the New Year so looking at the market for a 330 convertible now, I'd be looking at around an 02 - 03 model with about 60k on the clock. I'm hoping to pick up a lowish mileage one with FSH. To keep the running costs down, I'll be looking for an independent BMW service dealer too.... Are the retractable hoods fairly reliable ? Ian

Cambell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-January-2007 Status: Offline Points: 3830	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cambell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23-December-2011 at 15:13
	I have a 2001 e46 325 Cabrio and I love it. Very reliable but suffers from all of the things that BMWs suffer from, suspension bushes etc. Work in progress. The rag top hasn't offered any problems to me or the previous owner (a friend of mine). If you can, try and get a car with the optional and expensive matching hard top, I know I find mine very handy for winter use and it will be going on the car very soon to beat the snow and protect the rag top. Good luck in your search, you may get a car from the dealer (not main dealer) network. I know that a genuine enthusiast will want that sort of money for a slightly older but "well sorted" and probably better speced car.

task59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Liverpool Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote task59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23-December-2011 at 17:14
	I've found a nice E46 330i with 68,000 miles, FSH (independent specialist), with the option of a hardtop too. Car is listed at £5,500 from a private seller and they want circa £600 for the top. They've said it does around 25mpg round town. Is this about right ? Any comment on the price ?

Cambell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-January-2007 Status: Offline Points: 3830	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cambell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23-December-2011 at 18:25
	25mpg is not unachievable, £600 for the hard top isn't bad, I've seen them on Gumtree for circa £450. Keep an eye on the factory options, is it an Msport ? the Msport interior completely transforms both the look and the comfort of the car, down to the sport steering wheel (huge difference). The standard cabrio interior is kak. See if it has electric memory seats, heated seats, electric fold mirrors, Sat nav / TV, Harmon Kardon. If it is an Msport, the suspension is different and again transforms the car, the non Msport stance and ride is rubbish. I've installed Eibach suspension on mine and it sits and drives fantastic, so responsive. All of these are options I'd be looking for if I was looking to spend that kind of money. Now is probably the right time for a buyer looking for that kind of car as prices are down due to the crap weather. I'll be selling mine after the year, in the spring (to make way for something very ///Meaty) I wouldn't even consider selling at the moment as the sellers market isn't strong. Hope this helps and good luck. Edited by Cambell - 23-December-2011 at 18:34

Andrew Rolland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrew Rolland Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24-December-2011 at 17:17
	If you are after a nice car with a meaty (good one Cambell) engine then you will need to get used to that sort of mpg. If that is purely around town then that isn't too bad...provided you can live with that sort of mpg. Decent engines for decent performance do have a drink habit. Don't buy it if you can't cope with having to fill it up every 350 miles or so. If you can get the last seven digits of the chassis number (the rest of the numer is fairly meaningless) then a BMW dealer will if you ask very nicely be able to print off a list of all the options that were fitted from new, this will tell you if it has different suspension etc. Andrew
	Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto

Cambell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-January-2007 Status: Offline Points: 3830	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cambell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01-January-2012 at 08:14


Andrew Rolland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrew Rolland Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02-January-2012 at 16:24
	There you go, there is an honest and realistic answer from someone who owns something not a million miles away from what you are after. And by the way he doesn't drive like he's on an economy run either!
	Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto

task59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Liverpool Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote task59 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15-January-2012 at 20:48
	Well I went for what the heart wanted in the end, an O2 silver 330 Ci with hardtop and only 46,000 from new ! Absolutely delighted with it... Got the constant beep on the rear park sensors, so they might just need a clean. Apart for that it's fine....

Cambell Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-January-2007 Status: Offline Points: 3830	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cambell Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16-January-2012 at 07:34
	Congrats bud, hope you enjoy it.

Andrew Rolland Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Go away rain Joined: 19-August-2004 Location: Scotland Status: Offline Points: 6579	Post Options Post Reply Quote Andrew Rolland Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16-January-2012 at 08:15
	Nice one. Some info on replacing parking sensors including buying advice if it is a sensor fault.
	Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto