im looking at buying a 330 ci or even a 328 ci i have about £3500-£4000 to spend would be greatfull if anyone has had or owns one could tell me their pros and cons of ownership and what to look out for ie things that go regular or should have been replaced, problem areas on them.
any kind of info would be appreciated thanks
330 buying advice wanted please
Moderator: martauto
Nice toys 
Not too clued up on them, but check the rear bushes on the front suspension arms.
Also take a 330D for a test drive, they go very well and a lot better on fuel
Andy
Not too clued up on them, but check the rear bushes on the front suspension arms. Also take a 330D for a test drive, they go very well and a lot better on fuel
Andy
M50B25NonVanos & M52B28Vanos Heads for sale. Pm Me.
was thinking about a diesel, but ive heard a lot of the diesels suffer from major engine fails and turbo faults, which inturn leads to exspensive engine rebuilds and turbo replacements but im not sure wether this just related to the earlier smaller diesel engines 320 or the 330 diesels also ,hence why im asking for the advice really
I had a 330ci - apart from usual (z axle and general bushes as per e36) if an early one front wings - they rust out horribly around the arch. Also radiators bow and give up. They use oil, some worse than others. Worth running them through diagnostics as they're pretty fussy. On mine other than water pump and window seals (the adhesive is too weak), I think she was pretty spot on. 328ci a waste of time, 330ci much quicker and not any worse on fuel. was an epic car, brilliant engine, main complaint has to be handling, was a bit disappointing, and dont't expect the build quality to match up to the e30. Wouldn't hesitate to have another, you get a hell of a lot for your money.
2.1 318is, MS, LPG. 200bhp, 175ft/lbs GONE!
Boxster, e46 m3, e36 sport touring and alpina B3 3.0
Front wings like to rot and rear arches aren't immune either. Aircon can be troublesome - usually the hedgehog resistor. Door/Window seals are often torn/sagging - when driving in the wet it can sound like you're at sea! New ones are the the bargain price of £250 per side unfitted. Parking sensors can be knackered but are simple to replace. Broken door handles are common. On my coupe the inside of the crappy matt finished bootlid has a bit of surface rust - nothing major but surprising for a car of that age.
The M54 has quite a thirst for oil. A friend of mine now uses 10W/40 in his 530i and this seems to have reduced its oil consumption considerably. Check the cooling system is up to scratch as M54s don't tolerate any overheating. If its an auto, a gearbox oil and filter change around 60K is good to see.
Diesels? No thanks once they're out of warranty. An extra few mpg for an engine that may end up sh!tting itself.
The M54 has quite a thirst for oil. A friend of mine now uses 10W/40 in his 530i and this seems to have reduced its oil consumption considerably. Check the cooling system is up to scratch as M54s don't tolerate any overheating. If its an auto, a gearbox oil and filter change around 60K is good to see.
Diesels? No thanks once they're out of warranty. An extra few mpg for an engine that may end up sh!tting itself.
Having owned a 328ci, and now having a 330i in the collection - there is not a huge difference in performance. The throttle response in the 330i is pretty crap to be honest - the 328ci moved as soon as you touched the loud pedal, the 330i and its fbw system like to think it over first.
The M54 burns oil as said above - I've replaced the rocker cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket and it doesn't seem to be making its way through any of the oil at the moment though.
I'd go for the best spec, condition car, whether it be the 328 or 330. (Just check the rear subframe first!)
The M54 burns oil as said above - I've replaced the rocker cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket and it doesn't seem to be making its way through any of the oil at the moment though.
I'd go for the best spec, condition car, whether it be the 328 or 330. (Just check the rear subframe first!)
cheers fellas its a bloody minefield trying to find the right one, what sort of spec would you call normal on one of these and whats good spec?
also just so i know what about the other engines? 320,323,325 are these any good? or would they not pull a duvet of a bed
also just so i know what about the other engines? 320,323,325 are these any good? or would they not pull a duvet of a bed
Ive owned a 330i now for 8 years now, not much on the problem just wear and tear issue such as the arm bush, door handle stuck, window regulator problem oh now after having it at 180k , power streering pump replace , water pump, crank shaft sensor and fuel pump, oh recommend to change the gearbox oil at every 60k (what i've been told) ive change mine every 60k and the gearbox run smooth, oh yah dont get the diesel unless they have change the manifold swirl flap to a metal flap where the plastic one tend to fail and damage the engine and always change the motor oil with high grade engine oil and always check the motor oil level where the engine is thristy for motor oil , that's my experience on owing a 330i
and always change the motor oil with high grade engine oil and always check the motor oil level where the engine is thristy for motor oil , that's my experience on owing a 330i