280Z's BMW

[280Z Turbo]

Just picked up a 2001 BMW 330ci 5 speed with 81,000. This car sounds and goes a lot like the Z, but it has table manners.

Everything is so smooth. You can feel bumps, but you don't jounce over them like in the Focus. I've found that there's no need to downshift on the freeway to pass because it just has so much torque. The throws are a bit long on the shifter, but it's very light and precise. I'm not sure if it has an aftermarket exhaust or not, but in any case it makes a very nice straight six growl!

I ended up paying $9000. Seems like a lot for a 2001 model year car, but it was about the cheapest manual 330Ci I've seen in the country. The PO was really picky about the car and it shows.

Still not sure if I want to keep the Focus for a winter beater or buy winter tires and rims for it. We already went through this with the BRZ scenario and the consensus seemed to be to keep it because storage is a non issue.

[J86]

Congratulations!

[MexicoCityM3]

Congratulations, finally someone showing some taste here. 

My '00 328Ci was the same color and manual too. Loved that car.

[Laconian]

Congratulations! Enjoy that foreverially buttery I6!

[CALL_911]

Beautiful. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad envious.

Congratulations, Sean. I hope it serves you well.

[12,000 RPM]

Holy fuck that is a slamming deal

Nice car too

Good job

[Tave]

How many miles?

I'd keep the Focus for winter driving for sure. Stability systems have come a long way since 2001, I bet this beast is a handful in the snow.

[Laconian]

Want a name change to 330ci?

[280Z Turbo]

Maybe when I actually get rid of the Z.

280Z Turbo has been my identity since 2005!

[MrH]

  Looks awesome man.  Congrats!

[Laconian]

Maybe when I actually get rid of the Z.

280Z Turbo has been my identity since 2005!

Well, it could've been worse, you could've specified your age in your profile name. That's packed with recurring facepalms for life.

[r0tor]

I like!

[Vinsanity]

I ended up paying $9000. Seems like a lot for a 2001 model year car,

I do agree, but hey, as long as you get exactly what you want...

[dazzleman]

Congratulations Sean.  That's my favorite BMW vintage.  Welcome to the club and enjoy!

[Raza]

Very nice!  Glad you finally made a move on a car. 

[280Z Turbo]

Congratulations Sean.  That's my favorite BMW vintage.  Welcome to the club and enjoy!

So, do I have to start acting like a prick now that I own a BMW?

[Raza]

So, do I have to start acting like a prick now that I own a BMW?

I don't know about 3ers, but the Z4 and I are greeted like heroes everywhere we go.  Just yesterday I had some kids yell "I like your car, yo!" as I was driving.  And some chick complimented it at a 7-11 the other day.  I rarely get cut off and people seem to let me in more than they did when I drove an ego-free VW.  Of course, I also get people wanting to race, but that's fun too.  BMWs are good guy cars now that all the douches drive Infinitis. 

[Soup DeVille]

I don't know about 3ers, but the Z4 and I are greeted like heroes everywhere we go.  Just yesterday I had some kids yell "I like your car, yo!" as I was driving.  And some chick complimented it at a 7-11 the other day.  I rarely get cut off and people seem to let me in more than they did when I drove an ego-free VW.  Of course, I also get people wanting to race, but that's fun too.  BMWs are good guy cars now that all the douches drive Infinitis. 

Nicely played my friend: nicely played indeed.

[Char]

Awesome buy, I would check out E46fanatics, there is a LOT of good information there AND I'm a member (hint, I own a BMW)
I'd recommend tackling the cooling system if it wasn't done already, they are prone to failure.

[hotrodalex]

Sweet!

Exhaust is probably stock - 330's have a very nice growl to them.

Stability systems have come a long way since 2001, I bet this beast is a handful in the snow.

My E46 sedan was simple to drive in snow. Very good balance and the stability control reeled it back in when needed. (Turn it off and you can drift like a champ )

[hotrodalex]

I'd recommend tackling the cooling system if it wasn't done already, they are prone to failure.

As in the water pump?

[12,000 RPM]

As in the water pump?

Everything... I think the radiator is made with plastic supports, BMW just cheaped out on some shit

The damn xenon headlights have plastic reflectors that blacken out over time 

Still good cars though. I was really considering one but this Z fell in my lap

[cawimmer430]

Yeah!

Suck on that, Subaru BRZ and Mazda Miata and Infiniti G owners!     

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Everything... I think the radiator is made with plastic supports, BMW just cheaped out on some shit

The damn xenon headlights have plastic reflectors that blacken out over time 

Still good cars though. I was really considering one but this Z fell in my lap

I did the radiator, hoses and expansion tank on my 5er. It was about 200 bucks in parts, all oem. This was my favorite place when I was buying parts.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/index.htm

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Congratulations, finally someone showing some taste here. 

My '00 328Ci was the same color and manual too. Loved that car.

Normally making a comment like that wouldn't be an issue with this group of neanderthals. As I am the only member here with impeccable automotive taste, you sir have crossed the line.

[SVT666]

How many miles?

I'd keep the Focus for winter driving for sure. Stability systems have come a long way since 2001, I bet this beast is a handful in the snow.

I hope you're joking.  RWD is fine in the snow. 

[SJ_GTI]

Congrats, very nice looking car.

FWIW my guess is the BMW would be fine in the winter, especially if you got snow tires. I guess it can depend on where you live, though I saw plenty of BMW's in the winter while living in Toronto and Montreal.

Want a name change to 330ci?

You can change people's user names??? 

Can you  change mine to SJ_S4??? I haven't had a GTI in over 3 years.   

[hotrodalex]

I did the radiator, hoses and expansion tank on my 5er. It was about 200 bucks in parts, all oem. This was my favorite place when I was buying parts.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/index.htm

Unless something breaks I don't see why he should replace it all.

[Tave]

My E46 sedan was simple to drive in snow. Very good balance and the stability control reeled it back in when needed. (Turn it off and you can drift like a champ )

I checked and I think BMW's dynamic stability system came online in 2000, so you're probably right. For some reason I thought it was more recent.

Where are you seeing all this snow? You must live next door to Onslaught...

[Tave]

Also, 240Z, mileage?