CPO 2006 330CI vs CPO 2008 135iC

[michifan]

My brother is in the market for a new 'used' car and asked me about the difference between the ragtop 330 and the 135i. I can speak to the 135i (2008 SGM 135ic), but don't know much about the pros and cons to the 330i. The 330CI CPO for about $28K with 40K miles.

Excluding the very important question about how those 40K miles were driven, if you had to compare a 330CI to a 135i with similar packages, what are the pros and cons?

Appreciate the insight.

[2010AW135i]

Originally Posted by michifan

My brother is in the market for a new 'used' car and asked me about the difference between the ragtop 330 and the 135i. I can speak to the 135i (2008 SGM 135ic), but don't know much about the pros and cons to the 330i. The 330CI CPO for about $28K with 40K miles.

Excluding the very important question about how those 40K miles were driven, if you had to compare a 330CI to a 135i with similar packages, what are the pros and cons?

Appreciate the insight.

330ci = no HPFP

[larryn]

Both nice cars with similar interior space. I like the looks of the E46 a bit better, but it is about to become 2 models removed from current...(plus a e93 refresh) if that makes a difference from you. Obviously the N54 motor out performs the M54B30 by quite a bit.

Interior... From the factory, the seating and leather are a bit nicer in the E46, and the car is a bit bigger (by nearly 10"). However, the E88 seats are 2 years newer, and will likely show a lot less usage, and the E88 has the M Sport Package, so it might be a bit sportier in that car.

The suspension if quite a bit more sporty on the E88, and the E46 is a bit more floaty.

As mentioned, there are issues with the HPFP on the N54, that is covered under warranty through 100k miles on that car.

They both get about the same gas mileage, with the tip of the hat towards the E46 if you dip into the turbos more than normal.

[instantexpert]

E46 BMWs have *very* well known problems with Control arms every 30K miles, Shock mounts every 60K miles, Subframe problems (there's a recall on this so there shouldn't be any worries here), and Vanos? (ZHP only?)

Yes, we have the HPFP issues but those are covered under a 10 year warranty. I haven't yet heard of any of the suspension issues the E46 users had but our cars may be too new to start exhibiting those problems.

[larryn]

E46 subframe problems are for cars that were tracked/AXed extensively. I've had two E46's that I tracked and beat the snot out of at AX. No issues. I also know of a few others who kept their cars longer than I did and did have issues... but again, they flogged their cars at many driving events (many = well over 100 events).

It's unlikely (but possible, I suppose) that a e46 33oCic would have been a track car.

You are right about the control arm bushings, but that's cheap to do for maintenance. The rear shock mounts were an issue, but you can source e46 M3 upper shock mounts for cheap and slap them in yourself in an hour, every 4 years.

I'd say that it comes down to driveability of each particular car.. Drive them and whichever you liked best, and are happy with, go for it. If you are keeping it longer, then the e88 has a slight lead, if you can get one CPOed.. with a couple extra years of covered warranty/service.