New E46 daily driver!

[darkchild]

Well, after using a 1997 E36 316i as my daily commuting tool for 7 years and faultlessly adding 85K to it in the process, I decided it was time for a change. The E36 has been such a good, solid car I was in two minds whether to keep it and get rid of the E30, but I got a decent part ex on the E36 so the E30 will stay as our second car and pampered toy!

Anyway, the E36's replacement is a 2001 E46 318ci with low miles, black leather, fsh, plenty of gadgets and thankfully nice silver interior trim rather than wood!

It's powered by the newer valvetronic engine rather than the good old M43. The valvetronic gets a bit of a mixed press but most of its issues seem to be caused by BMW's ridiculous lengthy service intervals that nearly all its newer cars are blessed with. This one is a decent, tidy example and the engine seems good so it'll be getting 6-8K mile oil changes rather than every 15K to keep things running smoothly. Performance wise its a big improvement on the M43 and is nice and smooth for a 4 cylinder with decent torque. Not quick by any stretch of the imagination but enough power for everyday use.

The car drives lovely. It's a standard SE coupe rather than the Sport but handles superbly, if a little safe. It just feels glued to the road. It's not leagues in front of the E36 but is a little more refined. As an everyday steer its a nice comfortable and effortless thing to drive.

I haven't picked it up yet so only have this one picture but I'll add some more once it arrives home.

[blingsta]

well done mate, you cant beat them for comfort, but lets hope yours is trouble free .. unlike mine !!

[darkchild]

well done mate, you cant beat them for comfort, but lets hope yours is trouble free .. unlike mine !!

Cheers! Time will tell regarding its reliability...

What was wrong with yours?

I've always tended to buy cars that appear to have lived a pampered life and this looks a decent example. I'll be giving Cooper in Norwich a call to check its had all its necessary recalls/software updates etc to ensure its got a 100% clean bill of health!

[SteMarsden]

well done mate, you cant beat them for comfort, but lets hope yours is trouble free .. unlike mine !!

Darkchild,
I had something very similar (2000X, M43, one owner, FBMWSH, 24K miles!) and thought it was a brilliant car....

Wasnt trouble-free either though....
Drivers door regulator
2 ABS sensors
Throttle position sensor
Split vacuum hoses

I used an Independent garage though rather than pay Main Dealer Stealer prices....

Good luck though, thats a good looking car and I do miss mine!

[blingsta]

my auto box has packed up ! my camshaft position sensor needs replacing and also rusty front arches !

[darkchild]

That's a really nice looking E46 saloon. Normally, I'm not a fan of the 4 door but the colour, clear lenses and later alloys turn that into a very attractive car.

[Simon13]

i liked the valvetronic lump alot from the 318i i've driven. Punched above its weight imo. Was a 52 plate 4dr

[frogman]

Very tidy looking car.

[fingerman]

Looks very nice!

I do like the E46 and in 10 years time I'll own one

[darkchild]

Cheers for the positive comments peeps!

Had it for just over a week now and it is a lovely, lovely car. Very smooth and refined and goes quite well too, certainly a big improvement on my old E36. It done a 90 mile round trip last week and returned 39.2mpg without even trying which I thought is excellent. The steptronic box is such a big improvement over the early auto boxes. Just leave it in drive around the city but the bonus of the steptronic mode if you fancy a bit of a blast.

It's a comfy old thing but the suspension is a fair bit firmer than my old E36 - it just feels a much tighter car. Looking through the history and spec sheet it appears it was ordered abroad and then imported to the UK which probably explains the decent spec. A friend of mine done this on a 330ci and saved loads.

Now its been washed, hoovered and had a bit of leather feed I'll try to get a few more pics up over the weekend.

[M3Macao]

Very nice mate..e46 is the way forward!!

[darkchild]

6 weeks into ownership and the usual modern BMW problems are starting to appear! The blower/fan has packed up - the infamous hedgehog resistor. Quite ironic as replacing these was featured in Total BMW this month. We finally have a bit of decent weather and I've got no air-con! Two of the rear parking sensors have also died meaning an irritating constant beep when I put the car in reverse. Luckily its still under warranty so the above is all being replaced today (with genuine BMW parts too!).

In 9 years of driving E30s and E36s the only electrical component I've had to replace was the E30's aerial after 20 years service. Hopefully that will be it for a while but with the electrical delights that is a modern BMW I doubt it. Still enjoying driving it - it is stupidly refined and the economy is excellent for a 2 litre auto.