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zmcoupe 
Newbie
Joined: 11-May-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 6
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 Topic: 330ci
Posted: 11-July-2004 at 18:57 |
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I am looking to buy a latest spec 330ci. I will want leather, bluetooth etc.
Can anyone give me an idea on :
why there are so few manuals about - surely the better drive is with a manual.
whether there are deals to be done. there seem to be alot of them about. recent dealer stories would be appreciated.
anything to avoid ?
cheers.
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bodgit09
Groupie
Joined: 20-August-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 65
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Posted: 11-July-2004 at 20:06 |
I bought a 330ci a year ago- Relatively ok spec for year:
Seat-heating, cd-changer, electric sunroof, auto box.
I toyed with the idea of manual but assumed an auto in such a car would be easier to sell-on as there seems to be more of a demand. Also, much driving involves sitting in queues these days. The auto is great as it is lazy in standard but comes alive flicked over to Sport. Try it, you might like it.
Deals? Didn't get much of a deal though did get roof bars thrown in and a small discount on displayed price, (800).
Lovely car though. Mine is now on 56k, (Y plate), and still tight as anything. Very impressed.
Enjoy test-driving and perhaps have a look at the recent thread 330ci vs '330cdi'
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Happy to be a BM bore !!
ex - Black/Black 330 coupe sport auto
now - 320d SE Touring
A step up in many ways; a step down in terms of 'street-cred'
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Domo
Groupie
Joined: 10-December-2003
Location: Cardiff
Status: Offline
Points: 81
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Posted: 13-July-2004 at 19:04 |
I have just gone throught the same process. All I can tell you is that there are a few about and just keep hassling. The Auto box is always specified as most people who can afford a 30k car just want refinement. Auto and sports does not go in my book and blunts the experience.
I finally bought an '04 330ci Sport in Mystic Blue, Lt Yellow Excl Nappa, HK Hi Fi, 6 cd, SatNav+Tv, Bluetooth and Centre Armrest which was advertised over 30 k for under 29k.
There are a load about and some are hard to shift. Ifound a 330cd manual with bluetooth but without leather with 10miles, June registered and they were prepared to let it go for 28,500. Just don't be too eager and wait, if they know that they'll come to you with the deals. The days of BMW's selling themselves have gone, it's now about money
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www.xlmotorsport.com...Racing into the future
www.xlraceparts.com ... Quality BMW track and race parts
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bodgit09
Groupie
Joined: 20-August-2003
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 65
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Posted: 13-July-2004 at 20:01 |
Agreed auto normally means refinement put slap the lever across to Sport and car comes alive. I still say try before you buy and then think how much time you will actually spend clog-swapping.
I think if I wanted fun in my BM all the time as a driver's car, (at the expense of/excluding comfort) then 'gasp' I probably would plump for the Z M coupe or an older E36 M3.
My coupe allows me to play when I want and be lazy when I don't, (not often).
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Happy to be a BM bore !!
ex - Black/Black 330 coupe sport auto
now - 320d SE Touring
A step up in many ways; a step down in terms of 'street-cred'
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Domo
Groupie
Joined: 10-December-2003
Location: Cardiff
Status: Offline
Points: 81
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Posted: 13-July-2004 at 20:20 |
I tried in it the sport mode, but, i couldn't get it to stick in the right gear!
It's a great box but it's not a manual and all the great driver's cars have a manual, except M3CSL, but that's in between and a different kettle of fish
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www.xlmotorsport.com...Racing into the future
www.xlraceparts.com ... Quality BMW track and race parts
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330ci-Sport
Senior Member I
Joined: 24-May-2004
Location: At the Shell garage....again
Status: Offline
Points: 146
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Posted: 13-July-2004 at 20:53 |
FWIW, I've just bought a 330ci manual.
I tried the SMG and the Auto several times before plumping for the manual. Firstly, avoid the SMG and the auto box. If you want the auto, save some cash and go for a 325ci, not much in it.
Secondly, you will note that the current spec will have a six-speed manual box. Whilst I've never tried it (mine was last run of 5-speed) the gearing on the manual 5-speed box is a bit, well, elderly. Whilst I love reaching 90 mph in third, its just not needed. You'll need to change gear more often with the 6 box but the acceleration should feel much better.
If I was offered a 6-speed box with a shorter final drive I'd take it any day of the week.
To summarise, Manual the best. 6-speed sgould be better than 5-speed.
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Brucey
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 07-March-2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 744
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Posted: 13-July-2004 at 21:01 |
-modern auto boxes are marvellous things, no mistake, but if you get the car sideways with the ASC off you will ultimately have less control with the auto than with the manual, provided you have the skill (don't think I do....). Even if you never intend to do this most people think the manual is a more rewarding drive if that is what you want.
-as others have said, residuals are all very well, but at the end of the day you have to live with it, every day.
-plus you may be able to buy a low miles manual cheaper in the first place, soooo........
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~~~~~~~ Brucey ~~~~~~
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30CSL
Groupie
Joined: 08-November-2002
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 82
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Posted: 14-July-2004 at 14:02 |
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Lower price for buying a manual will mean also less money for selling a manual. My wife and I bought a 330 convertible recently with an auto box and although I like my 1973 CSL with a manual gearbox going sideways, I am totally converted to an auto for motoring in current daily traffic.
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Gus van Riessen.
A Batmobile is for life...
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Domo
Groupie
Joined: 10-December-2003
Location: Cardiff
Status: Offline
Points: 81
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Posted: 18-July-2004 at 21:12 |
Agreed, If I spent all day in traffic I'd get an Auto but get it on a track and you'll understand why all great cars have a manual change. My new one has the 6 speed and I can't wait to give a damn good thrashing around the Beacon bends next weekend.
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www.xlmotorsport.com...Racing into the future
www.xlraceparts.com ... Quality BMW track and race parts
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330ci