BMW 330ci

Brad Smith · Nov 24, 2014

dan_88 said:
Love that steering wheel. Car looks great too

Yeah I love the wheel. I had one in the compact so I had to have one in this.

Brad Smith · Nov 24, 2014

TomSx said:
Looks a lovely example. Exhaust still looks like it needs some work..

Thank you. Yeah the exhaust could've been done. Was thinking of replacing the ends. Seen a DIY seems easy enough.

Brad Smith · Dec 5, 2014

Small update:

Got two new tyres for the fronts as they were wearing uneven. Getting the tracking and a full service done on Monday.

Also managed to do something tonight that's annoyed me ever since I purchased the car. Replace the speaker cover as it was cracked. Managed to pick one up from BMW for £17. Fitted it tonight, fairly simple. Glad I could do this as I thought I was going to have to replace the whole door card.

Also this was in the showroom which I thought was really cool, seeing it next to all the new cars was odd as it was really small. Only had 7000 miles on it.

Brad Smith · Jan 3, 2015

So I've won some m3 mirrors on eBay. They should be here next week. Question is do I get them all sprayed the colour to match the car. Or the bases black and the backs on the mirror the colour of the car ? Opinions.

Also I'm thinking of either getting CSL wheels for the future or do I just get the current wheels refurbed.

Any opinions welcome.

Mork of Ork · Jan 3, 2015

Brad Smith said:
So I've won some m3 mirrors on eBay. They should be here next week. Question is do I get them all sprayed the colour to match the car. Or the bases black and the backs on the mirror the colour of the car ? Opinions.

Also I'm thinking of either getting CSL wheels for the future or do I just get the current wheels refurbed.

Any opinions welcome.

Bases matte black and the mirror housing body colour.

Brad Smith · Jan 3, 2015

My thinking. Not sure if I like them fully colour coded. I'd go with a shiny black so it matches the other window trim.

Rob · Jan 3, 2015

This is SMASHING.

Agree with going black and CC, not entirely CC on the mirror caps.

Brad Smith · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks

. Can't wait to get them should look great. Just need to decide whether to get new wheels. What are people's thought on the clubsport splitters ?

Brad Smith · Jan 6, 2015

Ever since I bought the car the hid kit was always funny. One side was an off yellow colour, other side was fine. But sometimes it would go off and come back on.

So I bought replacement bulbs very pleased with them. Pics below:

Old

The reason they were showing different colours but also why they would come on/ off. One was broken just about holding on.

Now:

Really pleased with them now. Also just a quick one of the back lit up with the White reg plate lights.

Think I could do with some new sidelights as they seem blue and not a bright white light id prefer.

Thanks

roberto. · Jan 7, 2015

Which HID kit did you get? I'm looking for one for mine currently.

Brad Smith · Jan 7, 2015

Not sure tbh mate. The hid kit was already installed. I have just changed the bulbs that was in them for new ones.

roberto. · Jan 7, 2015

Brad Smith said:
Not sure tbh mate. The hid kit was already installed. I have just changed the bulbs that was in them for new ones.

Ah I see, no worries!

Greeny. · Jan 8, 2015

Love mine, never going to be the quickest car in the world but its comfy and has all the toys I need, cba with a 1*2 vs 330ci debate :smile: It does love the oil though, I get around 1000 miles to a litre, will try a different grade when I change it next. Averaging about 28MPG atm, mostly from mixed driving, 35+ on a long trip. Great car for the money.

Brad Smith · Jan 9, 2015

Yeah love mine to atm. Tbh I went from a 1.8 compact before that a 1.6 diesel then a 1.2 Clio. So for me it feels fast ! The speed is plenty for me atm. Don't think I'd get insured on anything faster. It does love oil like you say. Mines around 25MPG mainly city driving though. Have to agree for the price you pay you get a lot of car !

Brad Smith · Jan 9, 2015

M3 mirrors arrived today

just need to get them sprayed up now. Look great though.

Brad Smith · Jan 16, 2015

M3 mirrors are now painted and fitted

very pleased with how they look ! Excuse how dirty the car is, hopefully will give it a clean the weekend and take some better pictures.

_Tom · Jan 16, 2015

Did you paint them? They look a little flat.

Brad Smith · Jan 16, 2015

I have done them myself. Hoping to give them a polish next week haven't had change to go over them with the DA. They've come out ok not as good as a paint shop. If I'm not happy I might take them to the paint shop in the summer.

_Tom · Jan 16, 2015

I hate to say it but if it's apparent in pics it must look pants up close. Are they lacquered?
Get them pro painted or stick to oem imo.

Brad Smith · Jan 24, 2015

FINALLY managed to give it a clean. With the dark nights and busy weekends not been able to clean it. Fell back in love after the clean !! Polished the mirrors and headlights again ! And re done the leather seats inside !

DIRT!!

Cleaned

Few from when I first had it:

Brad Smith · Apr 17, 2015

Ordered some csl wheels they arrived today, so went and got tyres fitted and then put on the car, pics below:

Thinking I made need to get some eibachs to get rid of the arch gap a bit.

Also booked in for paint on Monday, front and back bumper respray and some rust is being treated and sprayed on the rear arch.

Opinions welcome.

leeds2592 · Apr 17, 2015

Drop it slightly and that'll be perfect!

iacabu · Apr 17, 2015

Very nice! I had a 330ci a couple of years back and it's the car I miss the most

yeecup · Apr 18, 2015

Nice! Are they csl replicas? 18" or 19" ? Where did u get them?

TheEvilGiraffe · Apr 18, 2015

Love this.

OEM+ ftw !!

I really want an Eonon unit .. What do you think to it ? How much work was it to install with the Nav and Freeview etc..? Mines only got a single din OEM unit at the mo so I'll need to get new heater controls... Doesn't seem too much effort.

What did you do to restore the carbon cube trim, and the window surrounds... Little info would be massively appreciated

Rob · Apr 18, 2015

Looks mint on those CSL's, I can think they're 19's but I could be wrong?

Where from and how much please? CM wheels or someone?

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

leeds2592 said:
Drop it slightly and that'll be perfect!

Hopefully shouldn't be too long till it gets a slight drop.

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

iacabu said:
Very nice! I had a 330ci a couple of years back and it's the car I miss the most

Thanks, yeah really enjoying it atm only thing I'd swap it for is an m3 but issue of expensive things going wrong out me off a bit at the minute.

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

yeecup said:
Nice! Are they csl replicas? 18" or 19" ? Where did u get them?

These are 19" and I got them from BM Autosport.

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

TheEvilGiraffe said:
Love this.

OEM+ ftw !!

I really want an Eonon unit .. What do you think to it ? How much work was it to install with the Nav and Freeview etc..? Mines only got a single din OEM unit at the mo so I'll need to get new heater controls... Doesn't seem too much effort.

What did you do to restore the carbon cube trim, and the window surrounds... Little info would be massively appreciated

Thanks mate, definitely the look I'm going for !!

Yeah it's a really good unit definitely work the money! Got mine for just below £300, my heater controls are just resting in place at the minute, never really been much of an issue as it just has a slight space at the bottom. It is something I need to get sorted tho as its only about £50 to do.

To restore the carbon cube, just take the trim off and get some satin black spray paint. And just give them a light spray each time, a couple of coats is enough. You'll still keep the look and texture.

To restore the window trim, I just went over them with my DAS 6 with a menzerna, using the fast gloss, power finish and super finish with a mixture of pads. It comes up really good pretty easy tbh. Then just sealed them with AG HD wax. Stayed good as new ever since.

If you need anything else let me know !

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

Rob said:
Looks mint on those CSL's, I can think they're 19's but I could be wrong?

Where from and how much please? CM wheels or someone?

Thanks mate. Nope they are 19" wanted the bigger ones as I think they look better than 18". Once lowered should look even better !!

I got these from BM Autosport. All in all with tyres, new badges, delivery and fitting just over £1000.

Steven103 · Apr 18, 2015

Am I allowed to say I preferred it on the OEM wheels? CSLs wheels go with the CSL bumper & wider M3 arches perfectly... but on an msport or even a standard M3 bumper they just look a bit OTT/try-hard IMO?

I know it's been said a lot already, but that steering wheel/interior combination is lovely!

Brad Smith · Apr 18, 2015

Steven103 said:
Am I allowed to say I preferred it on the OEM wheels? CSLs wheels go with the CSL bumper & wider M3 arches perfectly... but on an msport or even a standard M3 bumper they just look a bit OTT/try-hard IMO?

I know it's been said a lot already, but that steering wheel/interior combination is lovely!

That's fine mate, the OEM wheels looked nice just they were battered and corroded so rather than get them sprayed I just thought I'd get new wheels as I have always wanted these wheels since getting the car.

Yeah I am really happy with the interior nothing I would change, just need to get the side bolster sorted the leathers worn quite bad.

philmots · Apr 18, 2015

Trying to see what's not right with the M3 mirrors.. You've painted the triangular base plate that fixes to the car, that's normally gloss black to match the window surrounds. Look weird as is!

Philip. · Apr 19, 2015

I think the wheels look spot on dude.
:up:

Brad Smith · Apr 19, 2015

philmots said:
Trying to see what's not right with the M3 mirrors.. You've painted the triangular base plate that fixes to the car, that's normally gloss black to match the window surrounds. Look weird as is!

That's how they should actually be, on an m3 they are painted the body colour. I was going to do them like that but just seemed more hassle to do them like that.