Facelift differences of old 3 Coupes???

rogerxp · 11-06-2009, 08:45 AM

Bit of a panic question but thought I'd post here as surely someone could tell me the answers.

To cut a long story short I'm looking at replacing the 350Z with the old shape (forget to code - E46??) 330ci M Sport Coupe.

I'm staring at a '52' plate (headed as 330ci Sport Coupe) and a '03' plate (headed as 330ci M Sport Coupe - note the M being added). I don't think this is a typo but because of a facelift between the dates these cars were produced.

Any one know what changes happened (I've got a feeling headlights were involved).

I'll give you the full story at some point but I'm looking to save cash for 6 months...

E92Fan · 11-06-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Bit of a panic question but thought I'd post here as surely someone could tell me the answers.

To cut a long story short I'm looking at replacing the 350Z with the old shape (forget to code - E46??) 330ci M Sport Coupe.

I'm staring at a '52' plate (headed as 330ci Sport Coupe) and a '03' plate (headed as 330ci M Sport Coupe - note the M being added). I don't think this is a typo but because of a facelift between the dates these cars were produced.

Any one know what changes happened (I've got a feeling headlights were involved).

I'll give you the full story at some point but I'm looking to save cash for 6 months...

The easiest way to tell a facelift is with the front headlights and rear lights - the old front lights have a scalloped bottom edge as opposed to a flat with a kink at the end on the facelift, and the rear lights are now LEDs as opposed to the old reflector design.

MEGA · 11-06-2009, 08:57 AM

pre-facelift

facelift:

rogerxp · 11-06-2009, 09:02 AM

Cheers chaps. Done a little digging and found the same too.

Seems also the front grill is a little wider, new side & front indicators, new headlights, new bonet, new front spoiler, new led rear lights, wider boot grab handle, redesigned rear apron.

Why is it your budget always puts you right smack between a highly specced pre-facelift or crap specced post-facelift - argh.

MEGA · 11-06-2009, 09:09 AM

imho get the pre, then spend £150 on LED rear lights which is the most noticable upgrade anyway.

dxb335d · 11-06-2009, 09:13 AM

I really like the ''Ministry of Sound'' rear lights on the Facelift E46's

jjbirch · 11-06-2009, 09:16 AM

i had a e46 320ci msport in sliver-grey 6 pot LCI and loved it,good strong cars

SiKkBaSs · 11-06-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I really like the ''Ministry of Sound'' rear lights on the Facelift E46's

LEDs FTW mate easily on E46s

Hotcoupe · 11-06-2009, 09:38 AM

My old 55 plate 330D, awesome with a map from DMS!

willhollin · 11-06-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

My old 55 plate 330D, awesome with a map from DMS!

What sort of BHP?

Manual or gaybox?

Hotcoupe · 11-06-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

What sort of BHP?

Manual or gaybox?

I never had her dynoed Will, but I'm guessing at around the 290ish mark,it was 240BHP as standard from memory.
Funnily enough I saw the car a couple of months ago on the M25, and it was not hanging around!

If you had noticed the Gayroof, the question of manual or auto would not have arisen, but it was specced as limpwristed from the factory

dxb335d · 11-06-2009, 10:15 AM

Didnt think they got them as high as that on the HP mate, thought it was 260-270 with the E46. (290 in that would be monstrous) Looks lovely mate. How long did you have her for?

Did she have a DPF?

willhollin · 11-06-2009, 10:15 AM

Is this a facelift?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...BD52060PM08997

rogerxp · 11-06-2009, 10:17 AM

That's a facelift. Auto though. They're actually difficult to tell them apart (unless they're next to each other).

Thanks for the input into fitting LEDs to the pre-facelift version. Food for thought.

rogerxp · 11-06-2009, 01:52 PM

anyone got any opinions on the Sequential Sports Gearbox 'SSG' that is an option on a 52 plate 330ci Sport Coupe? I dont want an auto but wondered if this alternative is any good.

NFS · 11-06-2009, 03:02 PM

simplest way to ID the facelift model is that the side indicator repeater is raised up to the crease (swage?) line on the wing.

mikem · 11-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Gve the SSG a wide birth, its notoriously unreliable. Go for a manual or full auto, the 3.0 is an absolute peach.

E92Fan · 11-06-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem

Gve the SSG a wide birth, its notoriously unreliable. Go for a manual or full auto, the 3.0 is an absolute peach.

I agree 200%

And if you do go for the auto, contact me for the M3 paddle retrofit

willhollin · 11-06-2009, 03:25 PM

How quick is the E46 330i?

E92Fan · 11-06-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

How quick is the E46 330i?

Quick enough - limited to 155mph and a shade under 7 secs to 60mph

rogerxp · 11-06-2009, 03:58 PM

I'm struggling to accept these 7/8 year old cars are being offered for around the £12k mark. My E90 330d has a guaranteed value of about £8/9k when it'll be 5 years old. Doesn't seem to stack up to me

Desperate measures are making me consider an Astra VXR or RX8 (I'd happily have an early 350Z). Problem it, to get a decent and quick trade-in, I'm being forced down to the dealers which obviously enhance their used car prices due to the prep, etc, which keeps pushing these cars north of £10k. I'm trying to get a car for £8k (or £7k if I accept less for mine). This is only for a few months I'm hoping to settle a few other issues.

Neil McRae · 11-07-2009, 07:18 AM

I'd go for the pre facelift with LED's for sure. assume you aren't buying through the BMW dealership network? If so you'll pay a premium and there is no reason to do so.

Neil

11-06-2009, 08:45 AM	#1
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	Facelift differences of old 3 Coupes??? Bit of a panic question but thought I'd post here as surely someone could tell me the answers. To cut a long story short I'm looking at replacing the 350Z with the old shape (forget to code - E46??) 330ci M Sport Coupe. I'm staring at a '52' plate (headed as 330ci Sport Coupe) and a '03' plate (headed as 330ci M Sport Coupe - note the M being added). I don't think this is a typo but because of a facelift between the dates these cars were produced. Any one know what changes happened (I've got a feeling headlights were involved). I'll give you the full story at some point but I'm looking to save cash for 6 months... __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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11-06-2009, 08:57 AM	#3
MEGA Dieseasal 204 Rep 6,881 Posts Drives: LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harrow, London iTrader: (2)	pre-facelift facelift: __________________ Previously: 2003 Peugeot 206 1.6 8v \| 2006 E90 320d M-Sport, 19" BBS CH, Full Ice-cold JL audio install, August 2010 Total BMW 6 page feature car. \| 2003 Nissan 350Z GT Coupe 286BHP Now:2010 E92 LCI 335d M-Sport
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11-06-2009, 09:02 AM	#4
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	Cheers chaps. Done a little digging and found the same too. Seems also the front grill is a little wider, new side & front indicators, new headlights, new bonet, new front spoiler, new led rear lights, wider boot grab handle, redesigned rear apron. Why is it your budget always puts you right smack between a highly specced pre-facelift or crap specced post-facelift - argh. __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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11-06-2009, 09:09 AM	#5
MEGA Dieseasal 204 Rep 6,881 Posts Drives: LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harrow, London iTrader: (2)	imho get the pre, then spend £150 on LED rear lights which is the most noticable upgrade anyway. __________________ Previously: 2003 Peugeot 206 1.6 8v \| 2006 E90 320d M-Sport, 19" BBS CH, Full Ice-cold JL audio install, August 2010 Total BMW 6 page feature car. \| 2003 Nissan 350Z GT Coupe 286BHP Now:2010 E92 LCI 335d M-Sport
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11-06-2009, 09:13 AM	#6
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 949 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	I really like the ''Ministry of Sound'' rear lights on the Facelift E46's __________________ 997.2 GT3
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11-06-2009, 09:16 AM	#7
jjbirch Banned 75 Rep 2,927 Posts Drives: E60 530D M SPORT Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: england iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320d m sport [0.00]	i had a e46 320ci msport in sliver-grey 6 pot LCI and loved it,good strong cars
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11-06-2009, 09:38 AM	#9
Hotcoupe Major General 193 Rep 6,110 Posts Drives: Don't know yet! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List November 2008 335D ... [8.34] 2007 335D [0.00]	My old 55 plate 330D, awesome with a map from DMS! Attached Images
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11-06-2009, 10:15 AM	#12
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 949 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Didnt think they got them as high as that on the HP mate, thought it was 260-270 with the E46. (290 in that would be monstrous) Looks lovely mate. How long did you have her for? Did she have a DPF? __________________ 997.2 GT3
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11-06-2009, 10:15 AM	#13
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Is this a facelift? http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...BD52060PM08997
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11-06-2009, 10:17 AM	#14
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	That's a facelift. Auto though. They're actually difficult to tell them apart (unless they're next to each other). Thanks for the input into fitting LEDs to the pre-facelift version. Food for thought. __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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11-06-2009, 01:52 PM	#15
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	anyone got any opinions on the Sequential Sports Gearbox 'SSG' that is an option on a 52 plate 330ci Sport Coupe? I dont want an auto but wondered if this alternative is any good. __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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11-06-2009, 03:02 PM	#16
NFS Major General 275 Rep 9,218 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	simplest way to ID the facelift model is that the side indicator repeater is raised up to the crease (swage?) line on the wing.
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11-06-2009, 03:21 PM	#17
mikem Lieutenant Colonel 83 Rep 1,557 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	Gve the SSG a wide birth, its notoriously unreliable. Go for a manual or full auto, the 3.0 is an absolute peach.
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11-06-2009, 03:25 PM	#19
willhollin Major General 268 Rep 9,915 Posts Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [10.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	How quick is the E46 330i?
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11-06-2009, 03:58 PM	#21
rogerxp Major General 165 Rep 5,950 Posts Drives: M3 Comp Pack / QQ+2 Tekna Join Date: May 2008 Location: Stockport, Cheshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 350Z GT Roadster [2.00] 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 Nissan 350Z GT ... [0.00] 2006 E92 BMW 335i SE [9.00] 2003 Maserati 4200 [6.00] 2006 E90 330d M Sport [0.00]	I'm struggling to accept these 7/8 year old cars are being offered for around the £12k mark. My E90 330d has a guaranteed value of about £8/9k when it'll be 5 years old. Doesn't seem to stack up to me Desperate measures are making me consider an Astra VXR or RX8 (I'd happily have an early 350Z). Problem it, to get a decent and quick trade-in, I'm being forced down to the dealers which obviously enhance their used car prices due to the prep, etc, which keeps pushing these cars north of £10k. I'm trying to get a car for £8k (or £7k if I accept less for mine). This is only for a few months I'm hoping to settle a few other issues. __________________ Current -: MW E92 M3 Competition Pack / Qashqai+2 Tekna 1.6dci Gone -: 370Z GT Roadster; BMW X3 3.0d xdrive M Sport; E46 330i M Sport Coupe; Mazda RX8 231; Nissan 350Z GT Roadster; BMW E90 330d M Sport; BMW E92 335i SE; Maserati 4200; Nissan 350Z; Honda S2000; Astra Coupe Turbo; Ford Probe
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11-07-2009, 07:18 AM	#22
Neil McRae BMW Motorsport 235 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: BMW ///M4 F82 / BMW ///M5 F10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Surrey iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M5 CP [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00]	I'd go for the pre facelift with LED's for sure. assume you aren't buying through the BMW dealership network? If so you'll pay a premium and there is no reason to do so. Neil __________________ -- Neil J. //McRae -- Alive and Kicking -- neil at DOMINO.ORG --///M ARMY M5 CP Alpine White -- M2 LBB -- M4 DCT CP Alpine White Last edited by Neil McRae; 11-09-2009 at 02:40 AM..
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