My E46 330i. Im officially a tosser now....

[Matt_S]

Well, its finally happened. Im finally a tosser, Offically! Tomorrow I pick this up. A 2001 BMW 330i M Sport 4 dr. These are the pics from Autotrader by the way...




















I had toyed with the idea of a BM a couple of years ago but couldnt bare to part with £5k for a 330d touring that had done a gazillion miles! Then I ended up with the Passat as a LeMans stormer for me and two others (plus gear) and I liked it so much I kept it

I had a wish list of a car (other than engine and bodystyle)
1/2 Leather/ ALcantara interior
CD Changer
MUST NOT BE SILVER!
Service History
Preferably under 100k.

Anyway, I looked at 330d's again. Too much money. I looked at Coupes. Too many miles for my budget. Then I found this one. It has half cloth/alcantara interior, so not 100% there, but it has a lot of options as it was an Ex Demo.
Electric Memory Seats
Harmon Kardon 10 speaker stereo
CD Changer
Xenons
Electric Folding Mirrors
Factory Fit Tracker
10 Airbags
Over £3ks worth according to Parkers!

Oh and I should point out that luckily the Dealer clicked the 'Indicator' option, so it has fully working indicators too! BONUS!

So Ive been buying bits for it. Wheels, a new remote key as there's only one with it, an OEM M Sport illuminated gear knob and black kidneys.
Next week Ill try to get it serviced and there's a graze on the rear I want to get sorted. Chips Away have told me it will be about £120 + VAT but it means I dont have to run about to and from the body shop etc, so I might just bite the bullet.
Seen a nice plate I want for cheaps.
And now Ive seen Jems work, it may have to get one of his fettling sessions too...
Then it needs coilovers and shortened drop links.
Parrot bluetooth kit and harness to make the steering wheel buttons work! Booyahhh!
Some new side repeaters and maybe some Angel Eyes. Still not quite made my mind up. But you can get them to fade in/ out with the interior lights when you lock it and unlock which is cool

And the wheels Im getting are std OEM BMW 18s but theyre nicer than the MV1s it has at the moment. Ill look into 19s once Im happy with it

I hope you like the pics. 14 hours til I go get it now! Cant wait!

YES! Its really slow compared to what Im used to and YES it feels like a million dollars to drive compared to a std S14. Im sure Ill suffer it!

[CBomb]

Tosser

Nice looking car mate

[Matt_S]

Tosser

Nice looking car mate

Beats being a cnut

[Ed]

X5 19's look good on E46's

[Jim]

Meh

It's an improvement over the Pissant I guess

[Matt_S]

X5 19's look good on E46's

Yeah, but everyone's dong it now!

Meh

It's an improvement over the Pissant I guess

Jim, believe me I'd love an M3. Love the look, sound and Jays was awesome. But it was 3 times the price!

TBH tho, Id rather have this than an M3


(Check DMON for the full link Jim)

[Chavbo]

Do an indicator "delete"

Looks great Matt, really like that colour. I'd be keen to find out how it feels in terms of torque? I've been looking at 330D's but finding pretty much the same thing as you, and both 6 pot petrol BMW's I've owned are revvy as hell but feel like they're lacking torque when you don't want to drive it like an arse everywhere.

[Jem]

and both 6 pot petrol BMW's I've owned are revvy as hell but feel like they're lacking torque when you don't want to drive it like an arse everywhere.

That's the thing that amazed me about the E46 M3. I was expecting it to need reving the nuts off, but there's shit loads of torque from low down.


Love the interior too Matt

[Jim]

Yeah, but everyone's dong it now!
Jim, believe me I'd love an M3. Love the look, sound and Jays was awesome. But it was 3 times the price!

Well yeah but I was comparing it to my Fiesta van

That looks okay until you realise that someones stuck a load of m3 and csl parts onto a 4 door

You know me fella, it's a good car, I like the choice I just have no need for the 2 extra doors when noone can fit in behind me anyway

[Matt_S]

Yeh, sadly, there is a lack of torque. Well, compared to the 'boost n hisses' Im used too

I think even the Passat 1.8T had more midrange!

And yes, the M3s are strangely tractable for an inline 6!

You can get a SUpercharger kit if youre that bothered though that pushes the motor to 320bhp. THat's not too bad! But then, you have to ask yourself. You can probably (no, definitely) drop an E46 M3 motor in there for that kinda money. One guy on E46zone just bought an engine and SMG box for £1k! Thats a steal isnt it?

[Matt_S]

Well yeah but I was comparing it to my Fiesta van

That looks okay until you realise that someones stuck a load of m3 and csl parts onto a 4 door

You know me fella, it's a good car, I like the choice I just have no need for the 2 extra doors when noone can fit in behind me anyway

Thats not just a four door with parts mate. THats the real deal! Full swap.

[Jim]

Yeah I know, most people will still think its someone following in the long line of cnuttish bmw drivers who M badge their 316 Amusing that the generation they skipped the 4 door M3 someone pointed out they should have

[pdh 14a]

Looks nice mate!

[Lex Shanks]

Have a look into CSL rep's from BMautosport. They're very favourable in price compared to OEM wheels and come in a variety of sizes and offsets

[Matt_S]

Have a look into CSL rep's from BMautosport. They're very favourable in price compared to OEM wheels and come in a variety of sizes and offsets

Yes, I know they look good but....

[Guy]

Very nice Matt!

[dunc]

Very nice, be warned though you'll struggle to go to anything else as a road car!

Dunc.

[Matt_S]

Very nice, be warned though you'll struggle to go to anything else as a road car!

Dunc.

LOL, ABT said similar earlier... (Brand at least!)

[Matt_S]

Well, Ive done some miles in it and so far Im really liking it! Its actually not as sluggish as I thought it would be! I think its just that Im used to all whizz bang hiss and this is very very surreal the way it just gets on with it and throws you down the road - before you know it youre going twice the speed you thought you were

Got it washed on the way home as it was quite dusty (damn you dark cars! )

The scratch I spotted on the viewing isnt as bad as I thought and tbh, I dont think Im going to bother with it. THere's a few more marks elsewhere though

Hopefully Jems handywork will sort most of them out!

The sounds are A MAY ZING! Best factory install stereo Ive heard in a car, FACT!

A few thing to sort out but thats private buying for you! I think Ive done alright for the money and thats the main thing. Kind of annoying that Im not in a position to fit 19s at the mo, as it does need two front tyres really.

So thats that! The first car Ive got excited about in quite a while! And so far, it hasnt disappointed

[S13_olly]

hi mate nice bm welcome to the bmw club you cant beat them for luxury trust me lol. I got the 330d m sport with 19"s beyern multi`s ill get some pics up when i can to show you they look good and havent seen one with them on yet except mine