as above, been looking at selling my 2007 fiesta st and buying a 2003 bmw 330 clubsport, seen a smart estoril blue one.

Anyone owned one? Anything i should look out for apart from making sure it has a good bmw service history. The one i like has done 67k, should i be expecting some big bills to come up at that mileage?

As much of a more spohisticated car than my fiesta st i'd hope i wouldnt notice the fact its double the age etc and the miles to (my fez has done 28k)

Is the clubsport a good buy, or should i just get a 325 or 330 m-sport?


Any advice very appreciated as ive always owned fords and so not entirely clued up on these.

 

Personally id get a 330d and remap it, much faster than a 330i

 

funny u should say that as i had looked at the 330d's aswell as they'd be better on fuel, i just don't personally like diesels and the sound they make lol.

 

I HATE diesels, but then I drove Jamie's (of Jamsport fame) 330d touring and was VERY impressed

 

Whats the 3.0 diesel lump sound like? Reason i ask is i was walking along the other day and saw a really smart 55plate 320cd m-sport coupe but then it started up and it sounded horrendous (spelling lol), sounded quite clattery etc.

 

330d being 6 cylinder is much smoother. There is less diesel knock and they are quieter than the 320. However, The 3litre petrol engine is pretty much bomb proof, more issues with the diesels as the mileage gets up, turbos and injectors which can be costly.

 

My two cents us get a b3.3 alpina cheaper and rarer

 

the 330d sounds quite nice once moving being straight six , not so nice on tickover tho!

 

Thanks for the replies so far.

Ok, so advice on buying 330s then please, whether it be petrol or diesel now, as im being swayed a little by the diesel option, although i still like the clubsports.

 

The petrol 330's have a reputation for consuming oil, but each individual car can vary from the next. It's easy to manage though via regular oil checks. Early E46's suffered from subframe detachment, but this shouldn't be an issue on the age you're looking at - none the less, it's something worth checking.

The clubsport 330 is not too disimilar from the regular 330, save for less sound deadening and that horrendous rear spoiler. My personal choice would be to pick up a regular 330 with some extras. The build quality of the 330 is miles apart from the Fiesta - everything is built solidly and is well thought out, though for around Ł30k new, I'd expect that.

Sticking door handles is another favourite with that age of 3 series coupe, though it's an easy fix.

67k shouldn't be an issue. I bought my 330Ci at 75k and it behaved like it was new. Buy on condition and service history and you shouldn't go far wrong.

My personal view is that if you're doing higher mileage, then the 330d is worth a look, but with the following caveats:

1. Diesels tend to be more complex than the petrols, and will generally cost more when a component fails.
2. Most diesels will be auto's - can you live with that as you've more chance of finding a manual 330 petrol.

Either the petrol or diesel model is a fine choice in any case.

 

When I was thinking about a 330d I found loads of manual ones, I wouldnt say they are that rare. It is however quite rare to find a manual facelift one (6 speed / more power)

One thing to note with the diesel is the swirl flaps, if they fail and fall off they can be sucked into the engine.
It is only a couple of hundred quid to get them removed, so while not a huge issue, it can be used as a bargaining tool when buying. Not all of them are affected though, I think its the early ones that are.
Google 330d swirl flaps and you will find plenty of posts on the subject

 

really good advice there elwood and martyn, thank you. I had noticed most of them whether they're diesel or petrol, are automatic. I defo want manual as would hate to think what it would cost to fix a auto one. Even quite a few clubsports ones are auto.