Feature
The E46 330Ci (Coupe Injection) Words – Richard Stern Photos – Richard Stern & BMW Press
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recall being invited to the launch of the E46 Coupé back in 1998. The saloon version had been launched a year before and this new 3 Series Coupé was the next best 3 Series to buy. There’s just something so right with the styling of the E46 Coupé; curvaceous arches, proportions just right, and build quality better than the previous generations. Of course BMW saved the best to last with the silky smooth straight-six threelitre engine, the first versions were the 316Ci, 318Ci, 320Ci, 323Ci, 325Ci and 328Ci. Plus the diesel versions, of course. Typically, the Sports styling looked better than the Special Edition version (SE) thanks to its larger front lower air intake and rear black lower valance. The body shell of the E46 was claimed by BMW to be 70% more rigid than its E36 predecessor. Aluminium was used for an increased quantity of suspension components to reduce the unsprung mass and give the car a 50:50 weight distribution. The E46 was the first 3 Series to be available with an engine using Valvetronic (variable valve timing). Various electronic features were also introduced to the 3 Series in the E46 generation, including satellite navigation, electronic brake-force distribution, rain-sensing wipers and LED tail-lights for the facelift models. The 3.0 Litre petrol engine is silky smooth, with an instantly recognisable www.bmwcarclubgb.uk
engine note and effortless power. 0-60 mph was 6.5 seconds and on a gentle run you should easily achieve mid-thirty mpg. That 3.0 Litre 228Bhp petrol engine is one of BMW’s finest engines still today, it was used across the range and in other partnerships BMW had at the time. Fast forward twenty odd years and now these 330Ci Coupés are getting hard to find, of course the dreaded rust has now surfaced on many, especially the front wings, boot lids and rear arches. Many have gone to BMW Heaven and others converted into track day racers or just modified. Some tastefully, some not. I am now seeing dealers demand nearly
£10,000 for a good sub-100k mileage 330Cis, and this price is only going to continue upwards. It’s getting difficult to find good straight original E46 M3s now too, and with the prices of the M car increasing, the next best thing is the 330Ci. The non-M coupé actually makes a good daily driver with the slightly softer suspension than the M3 and it’s certainly more economical. Most seem to be automatic rather than manual cars, of course there is the slightly small 325Ci and these can be found in similar conditions to the 330Ci, but priced lower accordingly. Maybe an Individual 325Ci would be the better investment? BMW Car Club Magazine April 2022
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