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Jon's E46 Topaz Blue 330Ci



Jon.G

Jon.G

As some of you probably know I sold the Trophy at the end of last year due to medical conditions. I would of loved to of kept it but sometimes you just have to move on, for a better cause. Anyway I sold the car to Neil/withoutabix which was great, as I get to see its progress and finally see it on track.

I knew I wanted a BMW and went through lots of ideas, E39's, E38's, E36's, E30's but in the end I opted for the E46. I've always wanted an E30, however I needed an automatic, and I didn't want to ruin my first E30 with having an auto 'box, so that went out the window straight away. The others, just seemed stupid to me, I could probably of lived with them, but it boiled down to the fact I wanted an E46, a 330Ci to be more precise.

After lots and lots of looking and going to see a few of them I finally found one. Now, it wasn't my 'perfect' spec, but it felt right and the FSH was there to back it up.

98k, full BMW/BMW specialist SH, full screen sat nav, pre-facelift, 17" Style 68's, immaculate full electric black interior and top

8420658474_086f4f0f4f_z.jpg

SDC18951 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

8420656708_cd3b59aa34_z.jpg

SDC18955 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

8419560521_ca96f95ea6_z.jpg

SDC18953 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

8420655736_fbbfb1b5c8_z.jpg

SDC18965 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

8420654658_7d28fb9d86_z.jpg

SDC18968 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

8419556587_e7f2cbf6a6_z.jpg

SDC18970 by Jon Garrett, on Flickr

So far I think its great, very different to the Trophy, but it should be! Its exactly what I wanted tbh. Effortless to drive due to the auto 'box, but knock it into Sport mode and you've got a quick, responsive car. Doesn't feel as fast as the 1*2's but thats just the way it carries the speed. I've already replaced the DISA valve as it was loose. Thermostat needs doing and I'm probably going to be buying some 18" MV1's later in the year, after I've renewed my insurance I'll be putting my private plate on it too.

I've already had it teach me a lesson, I thought I was an awesome drifter and provoked the back end in the ice, ended up having to replace the suspension arm and chunk taken out the lip of one of the wheels.

I've no real plans for it, as I honestly don't know how long I'll keep it for. I'll update this thread with my progress anyway.
 
V

VeinAST

  Never above 25mpg
Lovely! Looks odd on the 17s!

Could've been much worse with the spin! LED rears really enhance the prefacelifts :)

Looking forward to seeing progress on this though!
 
B

ben81

  Fabia VRS & Yeti
Nice, I like the 17's but then its the lower or not conundrum I guess! I'd love one one these except for the fuel costs.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

VeinAST said:
Lovely! Looks odd on the 17s!

Could've been much worse with the spin! LED rears really enhance the prefacelifts :)

Looking forward to seeing progress on this though!
Click to expand...

Cheers for you help as well!

I do fancy MV1's its just finding a set that doesn't need refurbishing with decent rubber for the right price. I forgot about LED rears too, they're on my 'to-do' list.
 
V

VeinAST

  Never above 25mpg
Jon.G said:
Cheers for you help as well!

I do fancy MV1's its just finding a set that doesn't need refurbishing with decent rubber for the right price. I forgot about LED rears too, they're on my 'to-do' list.
Click to expand...

No problem :) MV1s will be a nice addition but they are a bloody pain in the arse to keep clean!

Things to do will keep piling up haha! BMW bits just bolt on from one car to another! Such a nice way to do stuff.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

I'm averaging 22MPG after 150miles. Short journeys mostly, my thermostat also needs replacing, so that should see a couple MPG more as well.
 
D

djjonnibgood

  Renault Clio RS182
Looks a nice motor! I'm thinking about a change in the coming months and a 330 is definately a contender so it'd be interesting to see how you get along with it.
 
J

JoeyD

Jon.G said:
Really? I like the 68s, but I think MV1s would look better.

Then again, a set of BBS LM reps would look even better....
Click to expand...

I really like them. Remind me of Z3M wheels actually.
I think I've seen too many sheddy E46's on MV1's covered in brake dust that just look a bit s**t. Obviously you'd have them looking minty fresh, but I just think they look wayyy more dated than the 68s.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

Yeah, I think I know what you mean. The problem is, I think the 17s are too small, 18s are just right. Never thought I would say that.

The 68s, in 17" only just clear the front brakes as well! Lol!
 
J

JoeyD

I don't think it looks under wheeled at all! Plus they're dished which is infinitely more win.

I trust your judgement though Jon.. you're hardly an distasteful person! lol
 
V

VeinAST

  Never above 25mpg
JoeyD said:
I really like them. Remind me of Z3M wheels actually.
I think I've seen too many sheddy E46's on MV1's covered in brake dust that just look a bit s**t. Obviously you'd have them looking minty fresh, but I just think they look wayyy more dated than the 68s.
Click to expand...

Whoops!
 
Rob

Rob

ClioSport Moderator
Bloody love this, I even love the wheels, think they look great on it.

Shame it's an auto, but needs must. I'd like to have a go in an auto to see how they feel, I just get the impression they'd feel very lazy? I guess sport mode could prove me wrong.
 
Sir_Dave

Sir_Dave

ClioSport Trader
Lovely car Jon, does need MV1's though!!

Re: the autobox, it is perfectly matched to the engine imho, you simply waft around at 2k revs on a wave of torque, lovely way to travel. Whack it into Sport mode and it picks its heals up a little bit more, then manual mode is useful if you want to have a little bit more 'fun' - not the fastest change when compared to say DSG, but once you get used to the delay, you simply pre-empt your rerquired gearchange a little further in advance.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

I can't argue that a Manual would be more fun, but the Auto is still very nice to drive. I love sticking it in Sport mode to overtake and watching it rev all the way to 7k. Full auto, is a bit lazy unless you use the 'kick-down' to tell it to pick its feet up. Then it really does start to move. Torque is easily accessible at all times.

Oh yeah, I didn't mention either, but as some of may have seen, its not got a badge on the bootlid. I was hoping to re-badge it, but I'm not sure if it will look untidy. Nor can I find any information on the exact location of it.
 
Eddie.

Eddie.

Personally prefer them badged up. De-badged is for 318's.

See if you can find someone local with one and ask if you can take some measurements?
 
L

leeroybrown

  Titanium 182
Very nice Jon!

Whats it like on fuel compared to the T?

I seriously looking into getting one, even a 330 convertible.

I blame Sir_Dave for the huge interest in 330 recently on this forum ha
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

Dave. You. Are. Awesome.

How did you find/get that? Have you got a copy of TIS?

leeroybrown said:
Very nice Jon!

Whats it like on fuel compared to the T?

I seriously looking into getting one, even a 330 convertible.

I blame Sir_Dave for the huge interest in 330 recently on this forum ha
Click to expand...

I need to replace my thermostat, but I've averaged 22MPG over 150 miles. When the stat is done, should see that at about 24/25MPG average.

Motorway runs should see you more, but I hardly ever do long runs.

In comparison to the T, I got low 30's out of it on the same runs.
 
Last edited:
Jon.G

Jon.G

HA! I read the first few posts in that thread, but I just saw the M3 Badge and dismissed it.

Yeah, realoem and bmwfans are common sites that I've been checking parts on.
 
Edd

Edd

ClioSport Club Member
  Ghibli/Boxster/197T
I really like those wheels, certainly prefer them over MV1's and MV2's just look wrong on pre face lift coupes. It just needs some new plates and I'd leave it at that.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

chris-182 said:
Love these, Looks like you have got yourself a good example :)
Click to expand...

Yep, took me a while and had to compromise on a couple of things. I said I would rather have a tidy one that a rough one.

VeinAST said:
Definitely stick the badge back on, otherwise people not in the know will assume it's a 318!
Click to expand...

I was going to say that, but didn't want to seem like a mong.

Edd said:
I really like those wheels, certainly prefer them over MV1's and MV2's just look wrong on pre face lift coupes. It just needs some new plates and I'd leave it at that.
Click to expand...

Ta. Not sure if I said, but I'll be putting my private plate on in March, so I'll have new plates for then. I might just get some clean ones for the current plate until then. Got other bits I want to do first.
 
Jon.G

Jon.G

Not really, just tidy it up. The next few months will probably help me decide on if I keep it or not. If I don't need an auto, I'll be getting shut, and buying a manual ;)

Have you decided on a spec that you want yet?
 
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