Battery failed at 6 months old.
This car does everything well. It performs superbly, makes a great noise, looks good, handles well and is reliable. It also has first rate build quality.
For some reason, it just leaves me a little cold. It's almost too perfect. Although the performance is superb, there is little sensation of acceleration or speed, and the chassis is so competent that it simply deals with it. It is the textbook definition of "a good car". What it most certainly isn't, despite the lovely engine and superb performance, is an exciting car. Or an exclusive one - these cars are as common as Fords in the UK these days.
Would I buy another? Not sure. It's a hard car to fault, and as I said before, it does everything well. But it lacks something vital - character. I respect it a lot, but I just don't love it. I suspect it will be hard to find something as capable for the money though.
Buy an E36.
Like you say the E46 3 series (98-Present) is as common as muck. I guess so is the old E36 3 series (91-98).
The e36 is however a drivers car, the E46 is not.
I've had a few e46 318i's as courtesy cars. After an hour or so I *really* want my trusty 1993 325i coupe back :-)
Its old, its done 110k, but I love it and wouldn't swap it for your 330ci for anything other than the obvious financial gain.
Sorry, if anybody from BMW is reading this. Pull your socks up guys! Your fast turning into another run of the mill boring car 'does its job' company.
It's a real real shame :- (
The new BMW's have lost the soul the previous models had and that's a shame the E36 M3 Evolution is probably the best all round Sports saloon ever.
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