We drove an old E46 BMW 330Ci with new tech, and here's what we found
This oldtimer coupe has been treated to new high-tech goodies - did they make it better, or worse?
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What's this, an old car?
Correct. According to data from the SMMT, almost a third of all cars in the UK (about 11.4m) are now over 12 years old. If your chariot falls into this bracket, chances are the tech inside is probably starting to feel… like an actual medieval chariot.
The most common fix is to find a workshop that will install smartphone connectivity, either retrofitting the pre-existing screen or adding a new one specifically for this function. But what if you wanted to go a bit further?
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Meet eBay's latest project: an 85,000-mile E46 BMW 330Ci with a twist. It's been revamped with various technologies sourced from its marketplace, including an Xtrons phone mirroring unit, a Nextbase front/rear dashcam, a reverse camera and even a head-up display.
Inside the old-timer, you'll also spot a new auxiliary USB charging cable and an in-built GPS tracker, along with a 520-watt speaker system from Gladen. Changes that are very much welcome in a two-decade-old coupe.
Does any of it work?
The CarPlay unit is seamless, though the HUD does lag a few tenths behind when you accelerate. It's far more accurate when decelerating, mind.
The parking camera tucked under the boot lid is a welcome addition. Selecting reverse gear pulls up a rear view on the central screen, with display lines and noise alerts in place to help with your manoeuvre. The camera's positioning is a little low, which is a slight limitation to your field of view, but it's better than not having it.
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Our main quibble lay with the blind spot monitor. It's a small light switch attached to the lower corner of the side windows, and it lights up when a car enters your, er, blind spot. It does its job, but we feel a classier solution than a flickering rubberised dome could've been used here. And what if I'm all about that bass?
The audio could do with more bass and clarity. The complicated electronics involved with the overhaul also meant the steering wheel's volume button didn't work - you'll only be able to use the toggle on the dashboard.
Overall though, this Ci is now a far better car than it was: it's easier to drive and the tech isn't obtrusive. What's more, barring an upgraded oil filter and a raspier exhaust, the internals have been left untouched to keep the overall experience as authentic as possible. That's 228bhp and 221lb ft at the rear wheels, 0-62mph in 6.5s and a top speed of 155mph. All in all, a solid effort. Any cosmetic changes to report?
Indeed. New floor mats, kick plates and a gear knob for that six-speed manual transmission. Also new indicator lamps and exhaust clamps, and a set of Michelin all-season tyres.
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How much did all of this cost?
Just over £2.2k excluding labour costs, broken down to £1.2k for the new interior tech, and £1k for the tyres and the exterior touch-ups. How about installation time?
Expert mechanic Hannah Gordon - who worked on the McLaren Solus GT project - oversaw this particular build and said it would typically take between six and nine days to complete.
'The E46 is an iconic shape, so we didn't want to change too much,' she said. 'The brief was to add all the technology but keep it looking as if it had just come out of the factory. So we've just done subtle things. Most people wouldn't even be able to tell it's been modified.'
As for any complications, Gordon said: 'We had to strip out the interior and boot, because with these old cars, it's likely a previous owner would've changed certain components. So you do need some know-how.
'Because of their shape, coupes can be more challenging to work with than, say, a hatchback. And since we wanted the changes to look integrated, it meant the wiring had to be hidden away as much as possible. Sometimes, installing the parts isn't what takes up the most time, making it look like it was always meant to be there does.' So, should I consider converting my medieval chariot?
That rather depends on how much your old biffer is worth. Just for argument's sake, used E46s vary wildly in prices at the moment, so spending upwards of two large on a car potentially worth the same might not seem economically viable. However, make the numbers work for you and it's a decent upgrade - nothing too intrusive, just enough to make your life a little bit easier.
Images: Joseph Harding
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