E46 Pre/Post Facelift (328i/330i) differences

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clarko74
Old Skooler
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Post Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:37 am

Can anyone give me a quick run down of the main differences between the pre and facelift e46s (apart from the obvious styling changes)? I'm thinking of getting myself a 330i touring but I want a manual and there aren't that many around so I'm also looking at pre-facelift 328i's and am wondering how these compare to the 330i?

There is obviously the M54 rather than the M52, does this make a huge difference (apart from the capacity)? I've also heard that the pre-facelift models are more likely to suffer from the boot floor problems but is this a common issue?

I don't know a great deal about e46's so any info would be appreciated.

Cheers
clarko74
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Morat
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Post Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:40 am

Not all pre-facelift cars are 328. The facelift happened in 2001 but the engines changed over a year or two earlier. I have a 2000 reg 330i 5sp. The 2001+ 330i came with a 6speed manual box.
There were some changes to the headlights as well, mine has xenon dip beams and Halogen full beams. I think bi-xenon came in with the facelift as well.
Barry'll tell you if you ask :)
E30 Touring 0.35 cD - more slippery than prison soap :)

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