Any suggestions on which forum or site is good for 330 info?

[SharkmanBMW]

thanks!

[Kalevera]

Chris, what do you want to know?

I've worked on a few of them.


best, whit

[SharkmanBMW]

Chris, what do you want to know?

I've worked on a few of them.


best, whit

Whit,
General inquiry into known problems they may have, the Xi in particular, long term durability....
I know of a guy that has replaced $u$pen$ion components a few times from hitting potholes.... are these cars "fragile"?
Also, is there a difference between the engine of 2001 and 2002?

I have driven quite a few 330xi models this week, mostly manual, one steptronic (yawn :p ) and a 330i 4 door, which was faster and lower.... but I think I prefer the X for our climate - (unless someone can tell me why not??!?!?)
Ed has confirmed they are as safe as I thought, excellent airbag systems -which is why I am actually wanting the car - safety.

thanks for your input!
Chris

[Kalevera]

Shucks, I'd buy one.

They *seem* to have all of the typical E30/E36/(and now) E46 problems: RSMs go south, rear springs die, rear subframe mounts. All of that stuff is typical and labor rates will be low(er) on repairing that stuff - an hour for each of the first two items, two or three for the latter. Other things to watch out for are rear bearings, and (of course) front control arms.

Since you're dealing with rougher roads and lots of snow, I'd pick up an xi. They have a slightly higher ride height (achieved only through the use of fatter spring pads) that should help you out. I did an inspection II on a 325xim a few weeks ago and thought it was very decent at about 80k or whatever it had on it. As with any all wheel drive car, there are lots of other maintenance items to think about: transfer case, front driveshaft, front differential and half shafts....all will need fluid replacement and/or care. More interesting with the E46 xi cars is the fact that the front axle goes through the end of [edit -- brain fart:] the engine oil pan. I would not want to do a pan gasket on an xi, nor have to pull the engine. (others may have done it and it may be easier than I think it is, but it looks like a lot of work to me). Having said that, basic maintenance should be standard fare for a competent DIYer.

I say travel down to the states and buy one from Ed :)

best, whit

[SharkmanBMW]

What is a RSM?
I drove one today, 2001, 72,000 kilometers... 45k miles.
It seeemed fine except for the sidewalk rash on each wheel!

Actually, under the front lip of the hood, there was paint peeling away and rust - about 8 inches long along the edge - not visible from the outside.
I was surprised to see rust on a car that is not quite 5 years old!

All service was performed at the dealer, the owner has plenty of cash!
asking 27,800$ canadian
http://pages.ebay.ca/services/buyandsell/currencyconverter.html

[Kalevera]

RSM = rear shock mounts. Typical 3 series problem and not much to be done about it except replace them occasionally.

Chris, if it's got rust on it, might as well look for another one. No sense in starting off on a bad foot, my friend. Just because the owner is loaded doesn't mean he knows how to care for and correctly maintain a car. I know plenty of business owners, doctors, lawyers, and other general affluents who buy cars outright yet, a) don't look after them because they only expect to own it for 30k miles (or 10k miles, as has been the case with a few people in my family), or b) don't know how to care for the car beyond filling it up and taking it to the dealer. These practices confound me, given what I've read by Thomas Stanley and others on the topic of wealth accumulators...The only recourse I can produce is that people are generally illogical about their cars. Also, this particular car may also be an off-lease unit that the owner bought outright with the intention of reselling (seems kind of implausible with the sort of ridiculous terms financial companies have on the practice these days)....and, well..the jury's out on off lease cars.

I'm not completely familiar with BMW's rust protection warranty, but I intuit that it should cover rust through and perhaps major perforation at this stage in the car's life.

time for din din. I'm outta here --


best, whit

[Bill R.]

The E46/16 introduces the return of the BMW all-wheel drive car to the United States. This


time all-wheel drive will be an option (SA 203), available on E46 sedans and Sport Wagons


beginning 2001M.Y.


Vehicles with the all-wheel drive option have been given the engineering designation of


E46/16.


One of the significant changes from the previous E30 ix is that the E46/16 does not use a


viscous coupling or limited slip differential. The all-wheel drive system has largely been


taken from the X5 concept. It uses two open differentials and a single speed transfer case.


Power distribution is 38% to the front and 62% to the rear, giving the E46/16 the feel of a


genuine rear-drive road car.


With it’s additional 17mm ground clearance, the xi is particularly suited to stretches of snow


and ice covered roads and its sure footedness is made possible by the use of the Bosch


DSC III 5.7 system, first used on the X5.


Performance of the all-wheel drive E46 does not suffer either, this is because of a lightweight


all-wheel drive system that only adds 100kg (220lbs). Weight distribution is largely


unaffected at 52.7% front and 47.3% rear (2wd: 51.0% front, 49.0% rear).


Changes from the standard drive version are:


• A specially designed body pan with a widened transmission tunnel and modifications on


the driver’s side to accept the transfer case.


• Modified oil pan and engine mounts to provide access for the front axles.


• A completely new front engine carrier.


• Re-reinforcements for the front strut bearings.


• A compact new transfer case (NV 124).


• New transmission cross-member.


• Bosch DSC III 5.7


Chassis


Front Axle


The front axle has been completely re-designed over the standard drive E46. All


components are constructed of steel.


The front axle carrier consists of two


square frame sections welded to two


tubes to form a box structure. The


axle carrier is bolted to the vehicle


frame at both the front and rear


attachment points.


The steel lower control arms, which


are smaller than the aluminum arms


used on the 2wd model attach at the


rear to the axle carrier.


The pivot at the apex of the lower


control arms are a separate ball joint


bolted to the axle carrier.


The purpose of the re-design of the


lower control arms and mounting


points is to provide clearance for the


front axle shafts.


The hydraulic engine mounts are


different from the 2wd version and


have also been relocated to provide


front axle clearance.


The front sway bar has been increased in diameter to 23.5mm (2wd standard: 23mm,


sports suspension: 24mm) to accommodate the additional weight. A sports suspension


option is not available for the xi



The struts are shorter than the 2wd and there are reinforcement plates between the strut


bearing and the sheet metal of the strut towers to prevent deformation when traveling on


very poor road surfaces.


The spring travel of the E46/16 is


approximately 20mm less than


the 2wd version.


The shorter front axle spring


travel is due to the limited angle


of deflection of the front axle


shafts.


Steering


The rack and pinion steering unit


has been modified from the 2wd.


It is constructed with a


larger diameter piston.


This is necessary to counter the


additional drag of the all-wheel


drive system and the wider


standard wheels and tires.


The lower steering spindle is


different than the 2wd and


connects to the steering rack via


a double cardan joint.


Turning radius of the E46/16 is


35.8ft, 1.4ft greater than the


2wd.


Differential and Front Axles


The differential for the front axle is bolted to left side of the engine oil pan. The differential


is driven by a 40mm single piece drive


shaft. The drive shaft has universal


joints at both ends.


Type: VAG 174


Axle ratios: 330xi 325xi


Auto: 3,46:1 3,46:1


Man: 3,07:1 3,23:1


Max torque: 2000Nm


Weight: 40 lbs


Lifetime fluid fill: SAF-XO


The oil sump has been modified to accommodate the right side axle. A connecting tube is


welded into the oil pan. A shaft runs inside of the connecting tube between the front


differential and the axle shaft on the right side.


Two drive shafts of equal length are used to


transmit power to the front wheels.


The steering knuckle is modified to


accept the CV joint of the front axles.


The front wheel bearings are unique


to the E46/16 and incorporate the


wheel speed sensor pulse wheel into


the bearing seal.


Rear Axle


The complete rear axle and the rear differential are the same as the 2wd version of the 325i


and 330i.


Type: HAG 188N


Axle ratios: 330xi 325xi


Auto: 3,46:1 3,46:1


Man: 3,07:1 3,23:1


Max torque: 3000Nm


Weight: 84 lbs


Lifetime fluid fill: SAF-XO


The rear spring/strut travel of the E46/16 is approximately 17mm less than the 2wd version.


The reason for the reduced travel in the rear is to oppose any excessive body roll as a result


of the higher body profile.


The rear sway bar has been increased in diameter to 20mm (2wd standard: 18mm, sports


suspension: 19mm) to accommodate the additional weight.


Tires and wheels


Standard wheel size is 17x 7.0 to ensure there is enough room for the front axles and


brakes. Tire size is 205/50 R17 All-season radials


Transmissions


There are two transmission variants for the 325xi and 330xi.


The manual transmission for both versions is


the S5D-280Z direct gear transmission. The


extension housing is modified to accept the


transfer case.


The transmission has a lifetime fill of MTF-LT1


synthetic transmission fluid.


The automatic transmission for both the 330xi


and 325xi is the A5S-390 R (General Motors)


transmission with GS 20 AGS control and


Steptronic shifter.


The transmission has a lifetime fill of Texaco


8072B.


Transmission Cross-member


Along with the lower transfer case section, the


cast aluminum transmission cross-member is a


low profile design to optomize ground clearance.


Both manual and automatic transmissions


utilize the same part.


Transmissions


There are two transmission variants for the 325xi and 330xi.


The manual transmission for both versions is


the S5D-280Z direct gear transmission. The


extension housing is modified to accept the


transfer case.


The transmission has a lifetime fill of MTF-LT1


synthetic transmission fluid.


The automatic transmission for both the 330xi


and 325xi is the A5S-390 R (General Motors)


transmission with GS 20 AGS control and


Steptronic shifter.


The transmission has a lifetime fill of Texaco


8072B.


Transmission Cross-member


Along with the lower transfer case section, the


cast aluminum transmission cross-member is a


low profile design to optomize ground clearance.


Both manual and automatic transmissions


utilize the same part.


Transfer Case


The Transfer case for the E46/16 is the NV 124 manufactured by New Venture. The


primary difference between the NV 124 and the NV 125 used in the X5 SAV is that it uses


gears instead of a drive chain for torque transfer to the front axle.


The reason gears are used is to produce a


compact low profile transfer case that could


fit in the transmission tunnel of an E46 without


excessively limiting the forward travel of


the drivers seat.


Manufacturer: New Venture


Type: NV 124


Torque Distribution: 38%: 62%


Maximum Torque: 300Nm


The transfer case is only one speed and


does not use any viscous coupler.


The transmission ratio of the planetary gear


set provides a fixed torque transfer of 38:62


(front:Rear). The output speeds to the front


and rear axle are the same (1:1).


The input to the Planetary


Carrier is from the output shaft


of the transmission.


The Sun Gear of the Planetary


assembly is turned by the


Planetary Gears, the Sungear


then provides torque to the


Transfer Gear.


The Transfer Gear drives the


Output via gear-to-gear


contact. The front axle is driven


via a flange connected to the


output gear.


Transfer Case


The Transfer case for the E46/16 is the NV 124 manufactured by New Venture. The


primary difference between the NV 124 and the NV 125 used in the X5 SAV is that it uses


gears instead of a drive chain for torque transfer to the front axle.


The reason gears are used is to produce a


compact low profile transfer case that could


fit in the transmission tunnel of an E46 without


excessively limiting the forward travel of


the drivers seat.


Manufacturer: New Venture


Type: NV 124


Torque Distribution: 38%: 62%


Maximum Torque: 300Nm


The transfer case is only one speed and


does not use any viscous coupler.


The transmission ratio of the planetary gear


set provides a fixed torque transfer of 38:62


(front:Rear). The output speeds to the front


and rear axle are the same (1:1).


The input to the Planetary


Carrier is from the output shaft


of the transmission.


The Sun Gear of the Planetary


assembly is turned by the


Planetary Gears, the Sungear


then provides torque to the


Transfer Gear.


The Transfer Gear drives the


Output via gear-to-gear


contact. The front axle is driven


via a flange connected to the


output gear



















What is a RSM?
I drove one today, 2001, 72,000 kilometers... 45k miles.
It seeemed fine except for the sidewalk rash on each wheel!

Actually, under the front lip of the hood, there was paint peeling away and rust - about 8 inches long along the edge - not visible from the outside.
I was surprised to see rust on a car that is not quite 5 years old!

All service was performed at the dealer, the owner has plenty of cash!
asking 27,800$ canadian
http://pages.ebay.ca/services/buyandsell/currencyconverter.html

[Gayle]

Chris,

If you want one without rust there are 158 of them between my house and Ralphs.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1125810084173&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&body_style=SUV&make=BMW&model=X3&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2006&min_price=&max_price=&max_mileage=&distance=300&address=92101&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=&doors=&color=&x=42&y=10

[Bill R.]

search criteria






Chris,

If you want one without rust there are 158 of them between my house and Ralphs.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?advanced=y&bkms=1125810084173&certified=&isp=y&search=y&lang=en&search_type=both&body_style=SUV&make=BMW&model=X3&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2006&min_price=&max_price=&max_mileage=&distance=300&address=92101&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=&doors=&color=&x=42&y=10

[Gayle]

search criteria


ok dumb sh-- again. I was just joking anyway. I suppose this solidifies my hold on the title of spokeperson for the clueless.

[Jay 535i]

Forgive me if this is blasphemy, but how 'bout an Audi?

Before my finacee totalled it, I had a 1995 S6. I paid CDN$12,000 for it. Stock power of the turbo inline 5 is 220, but a simple chip upgrade (which I had) brought peak power to 300, and boy did that thing move.

It looked just like this:

http://www.careos.com/pics/BiblioPHO/net/s6_1995.jpg

http://www.gaby-chariots.com/images_offres/AUDI_S_6.jpg

Interior pics: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/819800/2

A fraction the price of a 21st century BMW, tonnes of fun, super safe and super fast. Granted, not the drivers' car that a BMW is, but excellent in so many ways.

[SharkmanBMW]

The reason I need this is as follows...
I have had one major car/truck wreck that left me with a brain injury... like athletes, you can only have a few concussions before the damage is permanent... my impact was at 55 mph into the side of a dump truck full of snow, SO, the impact was way more severe than athletes... I have no second chance!
I need the protection of side impact airbags and side curtain airbags or I am going to be a vegetable if I experience another impact, even a smaller one than the first.

I know how safe the e34 is, but in a crash, if my head hits the side of the door or glass, it could be the last time I can remember my name, or get to drive at all.

I have considered a newer audi, maybe a 2001 quattro model... an allroad would be great! They are the same $ as a 330xi!
The audis are $$ to repair, for example, to do a timing belt, you need to remove the whole front end off the car$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

I have also looked at the NEW Subaru Legacy wagon - 250 hp... but the metal is thinner and it has no doorframes, windnoise concerns me, and how safe are they?!

Any other suggestions are welcome...
I would like something that will not cost a fortune to maintain, I was hoping a newer BMW would be good.... but having owned a 540, I could be very wrong!!!

[Jay 535i]

Oh, fair enough, then. Get something with AWD, solid construction, and enough airbags to make Pamela Anderson jealous. Like a new BMW.

:)

[Kalevera]

Chris, buy the xi. :D

best, whit