MICK 330DCI

Hi Gents, 330d SE 2003 Touring. As title but "bad" is a polite word for it as its crap lol. The radio is OEM never messed with. Its the old school cassette model with CD changer in the boot. Ive lived with crap radio reception for errr 10 years & 180,000+ miles lol but ive had enough. Has anyone, or can you fit another aerial to the car using the cars standard kit? I know i could plug in the back of the radio & run a lead to the nice shiny new rust free wings drill a hole etc but i don`t want to! Would it be possible to fit one of those magnetic Shark fins to the roof then run a wire into the car down the side of the tailgate? or would you have to cut a hole in the roof for a shark fin/Antenna, drop the headlining (yuk) etc BUT where would the antenna wire have to be taken to, the head unit or is there something in the boot to connect to??? I would like a cheap fix LOL as ive looked at Eonon Dynavin DAB thingys which look great & do all sorts but im thinking if i cant get a good radio reception to start with i would be wasting my cash! Im not too hot on ICE lol so reply`s in English please lol.

Hi John, Trust me your probably in for a shock the first time the roads are white! BMW`s are great but they are useless in the lightest of snow . If you have never bought "winter tyres" then IMO do yourself a huge favour & buy some. You can run them all year round if you buy quality tyres. Ive run Continental winter tyres for the last 2 years & they have lasted over 20,000 miles. If the 5 series is the same as the 3 series then it will ride MUCH better on normal tyres as Run flats ruin the ride! The Continentals are fine in the summer ..unless your name is Lewis Hamilton... & in snow my 330d moves without much drama! They are fine in the wet on motorways & if your sticking to err hem the speed limits then you wont have any issues running them all year round! I will be fitting them to my 330Ci soon as last year it was an ornament in bad weather! Couldn't get it off the drive in snow last year but the 330d just drove off ..no worries! You don't mention if you live in town or rural areas or miles to work on what roads. They wont perform miracles in a muddy field (mind ive never tried lol) & although you can move off easily , stopping the bugga can still get interesting! Still far easier than with summer tyres. Don't take my word for it, Read Auto express Finland winter tyre tests. Also find on you tube a BMW M3 on Nokian winter tyres walk away from a Ford KA (FWD) & a Subaru 4wd up hill in the fresh snow then later compacted snow. This is my opinion & like you I didn't see the need to buy them. If you fit them, then enjoy laughing at EVERY Bmw you pass that's stuck !!!!!!!!!! I hope this helps you mate.

Me again, New front bottom arms with powerflex bushes. New front wings. Both very common problems lol

Ill be the 1% for Continentals!!!!! Not had any probs. Done nearly 30,000 on the Ci & would buy again. Yes I know I'm late lol

Kev, I'm no expert lol That sounds like a car id buy with history & receipts. Study the receipts for the Vortex filter being changed for sure. As you going to service it then add it to the list as if you've not heard of it ,its the crank case breather (£50 sits under the rocker cover..suck eggs again). Def change the diesel filter! Check the last time it had 4 wheel alignment done to save your tyres. Fit power flex bushes to the rear of the front bottom arms as it works wonders!!! Maybe suck eggs again lol. Test the wheels for heat after a drive to see if a caliper is starting to stick or jack it up & check for resistance when spinning by hand. Hand brake will prob need adjusting lol.Id also put a injector cleaner through the system but that's just me. Mine also loves VPower diesel. The difference makes the extra £ worth it. Lots of stories of fuel pumps going when the car has less than 50miles to go on fuel..lol...just to spook you! Nice cars to work on so Enjoy!!!!!! Oh & get some photo`s of it on here!

Hi Kev, As usual service history pref with receipts is everything! Shows what type of owner its had! Suck eggs n all that lol My 330d manual is on 231,000 & still going strong....ive said it now aint I??? Mine never really cost a penny between 60k to 165k then errr yep quite a bit, All of it though normal wear n tear bar the odd thing so I couldn't really moan. If I were going to buy another tomorrow id be checking the normal stuff. You say you know the issue`s we don't have to list them. If you want an example of whats gone kaput on one after 150,000 well mines had lower arms front, shocks/springs on the rear,clutch DMF, Injector loom (not as bad as it sounds £70) key batteries packed up lol, brake pipes nose to tail, parking sensors, new wings! ......put you off yet lol? Brilliant cars for the money & id buy another tomorrow.......expecting to do all the above + Rad/exp tank Vortex filter ,callipers, egr delete etc etc p.s don't forget re calls for driver & passenger airbags!

Hi Jamie, think I'm too late with this but I have Conti 5`s (not run flats) on my 330Ci. They are much better than the Bridgestone run flats it had on when I bought it! Now done 19,000 miles on them & still 5mm+ tread left. Also ive dropped the pressures 2 psi as ive found it improves the ride even more IMO.

Another garage visit...This time the 330Ci needed a new drop link & more importantly an expansion tank. Hope that's it for a while lol.................

Latest problems at 215,000 on the 330d..... Had to replace all pulleys & tensioners plus remove those pesky rattling brake disc covers. Sorted a diesel leak from an injector . Full service & she`s fine again.

Hi Halliwell, Severe lack of response to your problems on here! Try E46ZONE as those guys "tinker" alot more & i reckon will help you out !!

Ok been a while again lol, 330d is now on 204,500miles. Latest expenditure has been limited to Tailgate struts & a couple of bulbs so cheap lol. Also Wynns clean burn seems to be helping with stopping her smoking. Use it every 3rd tank. Last xmas i bodged the Telescopics for the headlamp wash but that failed a few weeks ago so this time ive just blanked off the washer bottle as i couldnt be bothered to spend n replace as they are crap anyway lol. 330 Vert ..has had a new rocker gasket & oil level sensor. Other than that its quiet. For now.............

Only been in 1 E39 so cant really speak. Owned 2 E46`s 330i Auto & 330d Manual . 3.5K will buy either. Many say you may as well own the 330i as fuel consumption difference is marginal between 320i(2.2) 325i & the 330. The Diesels well obviously you will drop 5-10mpg between 330 & 320d. For me a BMW .....Has to be 6 cylinder. Ive driven 4 pots & yeah they are great in there own right but......when buying my Diesel i drove a 320 (150hp) first. Did a few miles in it but to be honest although quicker it didnt feel that bigger difference to my A4 Audi 90hp. My Audi was worth £1500 & the Beemer didnt feel worth the £10,000 difference! So back at the dealership we tried the 330. It took 300 yds to decide this was the one to buy & 7years+ & 200,000 miles later i dont regret it. She`s been & still is a great car. In my opinion i would go for....330d Manual/ harman Kardon music/ heated leather/ obviously as much history (not just stamps i mean receipts) as you can. I know this "opinion" is rather late but hope it helps Steve.

Hi there, BMW 330Ci Met Silver BLACK LEATHER BLACK HOOD. 78,500MILES FULL DEALER HISTORY - 13,000MILES TILL NEXT SERVICE/INSPECTION MV2`s WITH SUB 1,000 MILE CONTINENTALS CARBON TRIM - ELECTRIC HEATED MEMORY SEATS - 6 CD - M SPORT STEERING WHEEL/SILL TRIMS BEAUTIFUL CONDITION - MINOR MARKS MESSAGE ME & I WILL SEND YOU PHOTO`S CAR LOCATED IN SHROPSHIRE THANKS FOR LOOKING £5,250.0.

Blimey, Been a while! Well 330d now on 188,300 miles(last post 174 ish) & had a bit done to it recently. New radiator, DMF & clutch kit. Expansion tank(precaution only). Still cant complain really. One thing that IS peeing me orf is the !Removed! n/s head lamp washer(telescopic) leaking, Stops for ages then pisses out lol, Gotta do it soon. The "Vert" then feels sorry for it & 20mins post MOT the O/S telescopic starts leaking!!!! Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh

Im a bit late with this for a guess but ive used Conti 5`s on my 330d SE for over 100,000miles now & luv em!!! I once tried Toyo`s which were awesome on my Scooby but the Beemer ate them in less than 15 Thousand miles. The Conti`s offer more grip feel better but i get close to 30 Thousand miles from them!!!! Motorway miles granted. She now has WINTER 830`s on & roll on the snow. The ride is almost as good but they do feel "grainy" through the steering!? Minor issue. Good in the wet but not better than the normal Conti 5 tyres. All the best!

A p.s to my last post, Once fixed we drove ..without a hitch to & all round Cornwall. Weather was awesome & with the roof down driving round the bill was soon forgotten & we just enjoyed the reason we bought this car! Roof down in the sunshine by the sea! Priceless carefree feeling of just enjoying the moment! I will own this car through thick n thin as we love it!!!!!! GET A VERT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vert strikes again! On way home from work...Engine light comes on. Rough idle & mpg not as good(lol) as normal. Intake hose to throttle body had a hole in it. £100 notes to diagnose find & sort! But easy fix & once again... BM AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS LTD (01902 798359) Four Ashes Wolves got me in to diagnose it at the drop of a hat & squeezed car in 24hrs later when part arrived to fix it! Run by 2 guy`s both ex Benham so know their onions. Not cheap maybe but twice now VERY HELPFUL when i needed the car sorting out! Worth a look guy`s if your near enough.

Mick Codsall Wolves

Hi Every one, Pump arrived after a couple of days & it works a treat! So £5.15 from red line or over 50quid from the stealers!!!!!

Just a heads up guy`s n gals. My e46 Vert screen washer pump has packed up. Stealers want over £50.00 with vat. Looked on EBAY found a company called REDLINE....£5.15p. Let you know when it arrivesif all is ok! All the best Mick

Hi Lairobell, I have mates in TV & they say you still cant beat the Go Pro.

Hi Chaps, Started as a lovely sunny day! 330d in for mot...no worries me thinks as nowt wrong! So vert roof down enjoying driving around for the hell of it! A normally mundane trip was great in the vert to & from school....but hang on whats that squeek? Why is the steering juddering/Why is it pulling to the right..and errrr whats that burning smell?? Get home & left front wheel covered with pad dust! Hmmm sticky caliper. Phone goes....its the mot garage....she`s failed!...b@**@*ks. Brake pipes are toast £150 to sort. Back to the Vert read the forums on your experiences....new caliper? Take it to Bm INDY. He jacks car up & the wheel wont even turn! I think his 6 letter answer meant its poorly? Hmmm new caliper quickest fix tomorrow morning! So in the next week im gonna be £400 lighter lol but one has done 174000miles so cant complain the other with the roof down makes me 20 again so i dont care!!!!!! Off on the bike after verts fixed...now thats 35yrs old so i wonder about tomorrow.....maybe ill take the AA card just in case lol Regards Mick

Hi mate, Ive just done this on my car. As they say "Its ready". Buy the changer & all the wiring is in there waiting all neatly wrapped up in a bundle with a ty rap holding it to the body(in a convertible). You will spot it easy & i installed mine in 10mins.

As you need this fast just try the net. Some one may have put a downloadable version on there? I did this with an old Kawasaki once maybe it can help you? Good luck mate!

Melissa you have a steep learning curve ahead & i hope your "into cars" to get through it! Girls usually hit the books more than us blokes..we never read instructions for flat pack ikea furniture as just an example...or the kettle..but we all get a little errrr An*l about specs on cars. I would say female customers will be the worst! If your a natural to suss people out then this one thing may help you more than outright knowledge! Turn the table`s on them as your the one with so many products to choose from. Blag it a little by running through specs with them.You learn as you search for them,They will come in with an idea of what they want but as Jeffthro..pre Merlot said.....What do they really NEED/WANT/LIKE about a car? Lust or Marriage? The one that makes no sense but "you gotta have it"(Mspec) or the one to go the distance with(diesel & cloth) lol. Discounts finance rates mpg tax brackets are things people look at first before leather & Harmon Kardon so learn your company rules as much as car spec. 1in ten maybe a pain but most will be excited like kids in a sweet shop looking at brand new cars. Our salesmen used to show lots of photo`s of the best & work down as people always want the top model but compromise on what they can afford. Usually nice wheels & metallic paint. Make it fun for them to choose from the spec goodies you can show them.Just hope you dont get the know it all straight away! Good luck & i hope it all goes well for you!