E46 330ci, thoughts?

DCMotorer · 09-18-2007, 03:36 PM

Within the next year or two I will be looking to replace my MINI Cooper with something that has more power. I am intrigued by the 330ci and it looks like a car to strongly consider if I decide not to go for a 1 Series. If you own or have owned one, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences.

Also, I noticed a lot of them have automatic transmissions. Are these strictly automatics or do they have a manual function as well? If they have "automanuals" in the 330ci, are they SMG transmissions or something else? Also, do they have paddle shifters? I would prefer a 6-speed manual but if they have a good clutchless manual transmission I would consider it.

murdoc158 · 09-18-2007, 05:24 PM

I can't remember if the "C" in 330Ci is for coupe or convertable, but here goes. My father has a 2004 330i coupe with the automatic. It is a standard automatic with sport mode shifting. You shift the car into D, then nudge the stick to the left. Tap down to upshift, and up to downshift. It's a rather boring drive, and my father wishes he would have bought the 5-speed instead. The E46 was only available with the automatic like I mentioned, or the 5-speed manual. If you step up to the E46 M3, you can have a 6-speed manual or the SMG II.

335i=:) · 09-18-2007, 06:09 PM

The AT's shift extremely slow in the e46 compared to the e90, night and day difference, the paddles are nice as well. If you want a sporty automatic, and to save a bit of dough, buy a 1 year old 135i 1.5 years from now with the AT for 30k with low miles.

BMWRoverFtw · 09-18-2007, 07:15 PM

I am in the same seat as DCMotorer, I have been looking at many e46 cars. The 330i is a sedan, 330ci is a coupe. The manuals are out there just hard to find. 2001 - mid 2004 have 5 speed and mid 2004 to 2005 sedan, 2006 coupe have the 6 speed. Also all manual ZHPs have a 6 speed 2003 - 2005 both i and ci. As 335to135 said the autos are no fun and very slow. Like you I am waiting on the 135 to see how it turns out.

Victor.L3IchibanM3 · 09-19-2007, 12:29 AM

dude just get the 135i or 128i....u will regret if you didnt get it

321 · 09-19-2007, 04:22 PM

The ZHP is the way to go! good luck finding one.

murdoc158 · 09-19-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zba857

The ZHP is the way to go! good luck finding one.

+1

I can't believe I forgot the ZHP

09-18-2007, 03:36 PM	#1
DCMotorer Enlisted Member 8 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2006 MINI Cooper Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	E46 330ci, thoughts? Within the next year or two I will be looking to replace my MINI Cooper with something that has more power. I am intrigued by the 330ci and it looks like a car to strongly consider if I decide not to go for a 1 Series. If you own or have owned one, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences. Also, I noticed a lot of them have automatic transmissions. Are these strictly automatics or do they have a manual function as well? If they have "automanuals" in the 330ci, are they SMG transmissions or something else? Also, do they have paddle shifters? I would prefer a 6-speed manual but if they have a good clutchless manual transmission I would consider it.
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09-18-2007, 05:24 PM	#2
murdoc158 Private 3 Rep 91 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2007 iTrader: (0)	I can't remember if the "C" in 330Ci is for coupe or convertable, but here goes. My father has a 2004 330i coupe with the automatic. It is a standard automatic with sport mode shifting. You shift the car into D, then nudge the stick to the left. Tap down to upshift, and up to downshift. It's a rather boring drive, and my father wishes he would have bought the 5-speed instead. The E46 was only available with the automatic like I mentioned, or the 5-speed manual. If you step up to the E46 M3, you can have a 6-speed manual or the SMG II. __________________
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09-18-2007, 06:09 PM	#3
335i=:) Second Lieutenant 27 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 335i sedan-blk/blk-Poplar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: utah iTrader: (0)	The AT's shift extremely slow in the e46 compared to the e90, night and day difference, the paddles are nice as well. If you want a sporty automatic, and to save a bit of dough, buy a 1 year old 135i 1.5 years from now with the AT for 30k with low miles.
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09-18-2007, 07:15 PM	#4
BMWRoverFtw New Member 6 Rep 13 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jul 2007 iTrader: (1)	I am in the same seat as DCMotorer, I have been looking at many e46 cars. The 330i is a sedan, 330ci is a coupe. The manuals are out there just hard to find. 2001 - mid 2004 have 5 speed and mid 2004 to 2005 sedan, 2006 coupe have the 6 speed. Also all manual ZHPs have a 6 speed 2003 - 2005 both i and ci. As 335to135 said the autos are no fun and very slow. Like you I am waiting on the 135 to see how it turns out.
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09-19-2007, 12:29 AM	#5
Victor.L3IchibanM3 Banned 262 Rep 373 Posts Drives: '06 325i,'04 RX 330,'99Corolla Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	dude just get the 135i or 128i....u will regret if you didnt get it
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09-19-2007, 04:22 PM	#6
321 Stay a while and listen... 21 Rep 375 Posts Drives: vr4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: slo, ca iTrader: (0)	The ZHP is the way to go! good luck finding one.
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