Thinking of getting an E46 320d Touring...

[G-Bear]

I know they're not a favourable car among many on here. I wanted to get something which I hoped to be more economical (than a M20B25) as a daily.

Its more for my wife, so I can take my E30 off the road to work on as I please with less repercussions. We looked a one last week and she was pleased with it, in terms that she liked the look of it, so thats her satisfied.

It would be a run-about mainly along A roads, a bit of town driving and her daily commute which is again mostly A roads about 6 miles each way.

I'm aware of swirl flap issues and intend to remove them straight away and also to fit a new oil breather in an attempt to keep the turbo happy. Control arms tend to fail on these models too.

I'm also aware of rust issues on the arches, tailgate and bonnet (seem to remember reading something about cracks in the boot floor pan).

I'm aiming for 150 BHP model, 2004 or later. Would hope for more sportier options such as wheels and leather sports seats.

What are peoples thoughts?

Looking at cars around 100-150K miles, prices between £2.5-£3K

There's a fair few at sub £2k now are these worth a look or likely to be dogs...

Cheers

Greg

[Andyboy]

Avoid - you can do much better. An Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi (B6) or an Octavia with the same basic engine. Good engine, no rust.

A good 320d is okay but it's finding one that's the problem.

[capri_rob]

I'm looking in this exact same bracket for the same type of turd. The 320d doesn't event make the shortlist thanks to andyboys recent car mechanics mag exploits

[G-Bear]

Hmm a bit more thought perhaps.. A shame as I like the look of e46's but that's not everything....

A good 320d is okay but it's finding one that's the problem.

What other problems are there with them?

[wellard]

Pre supply pumps, brake pipes corrode at the rear, broken rear coil springs,air bag faults, injectors, calipers sieze, radiators, thermostats abs faults etc etc.I could go on, however nothing you can't fix if you are handy with a toolkit.
Personally if you don't do a lot of mileage I would go for a 325i m54 over a 320d, there is less to go wrong and any fuel savings you make with the diseasal will be lost when the turbo blows!

[G-Bear]

Personally if you don't do a lot of mileage I would go for a 325i m54 over a 320d, there is less to go wrong and any fuel savings you make with the diseasal will be lost when the turbo blows!

It's going to be the workhorse so I reckon it'll rack up some miles.

[Simon13]

they;ve all been workhorses with skin flint owners from new. thats the 320d

No worse with no more fault than e30s had at the same age

[Andyboy]

Eh? E30's were never the non stop dramafest these turds are. I had a W
reg one almost new (W465GJC) and it had dramas then! Rear wheel bearings, MAF, condensation in headlamps, both wishbones in 25'000 miles. An overrated pile of shiit that replaced a 1999 Ford Ka, bought new by myseld that did 65'000 utterly faultless miles in two years.

The 320d was a lovely thing to drive though, had some great journeys in it abroad. Such a shame they're rotten old crap now.

[G-Bear]

Despite peoples views and recommendations (which I'm always grateful of and open to); I think I'm still set on a 320d. I looked at Audi's and wasn't that keen on them.

How do the autos compare drivability wise to manuals with these cars? I've not driven many autos.

[bss325i]

They drive well enough but its just another thing to go wrong.

[capri_rob]

I don't really get auto diesels. The primary reason you would buy a diesel is for fuel economy so bolting the derv donk to an mpg sapping auto box just makes no sense.
If it's anything like the petrol version it will have the "sealed for life" box that's not actually sealed for life. You can replace the fluid and filter but the fluid is silly money and you need a lot of it and someone that knows what they're doing to change it.

I've only had 1 auto and couldn't get on with it at all. If most of what you do is stop start in city traffic then they're ok but if you enjoy actual driving they are hopeless. If you're a control freak like me you'll find it's never in the gear you want when you want it and when you give it a bootful it won't change up when you want it to.

[bss325i]

I don't really get auto diesels. The primary reason you would buy a diesel is for fuel economy so bolting the derv donk to an mpg sapping auto box just makes no sense.
If it's anything like the petrol version it will have the "sealed for life" box that's not actually sealed for life. You can replace the fluid and filter but the fluid is silly money and you need a lot of it and someone that knows what they're doing to change it.

I've only had 1 auto and couldn't get on with it at all. If most of what you do is stop start in city traffic then they're ok but if you enjoy actual driving they are hopeless. If you're a control freak like me you'll find it's never in the gear you want when you want it and when you give it a bootful it won't change up when you want it to.

The current 8 speed auto is better on fuel than the manual with the same engine.

[capri_rob]

Maybe so baz but a 10 year old 150k e46 with a spazbox ain't gonna be

[bss325i]

True that, was just replying to your generalised comment about not getting auto diesels.

They do work though as automatic transmissions like torque and diesels have plenty of that.

A shit auto is a revvy 16v four pot like an E36 318iS

[Simon13]

thats so true about torque thats why despite what problems and many think about dag dags, a 330d auto is a weapon in alot of ways

[Andyboy]

You wouldn't really buy any new BMW with a decent engine (2.0d and upwards) without an autobox now. The manual box actually spoils the F30 320d.

The way petrols are progressing though, diesel may be dying in 5-10 years. The 328i is a superb thing that will do a real 40 mpg with care and it'll wipe its asre with a 320d. Fiat's MultiAir set up is mighty impressive as well.

[bss325i]

The way petrols are progressing though, diesel may be dying in 5-10 years.

Let's hope so! I f ucking hate dag dags!

[B7]

The way petrols are progressing though, diesel may be dying in 5-10 years.

Let's hope so! I f ucking hate dag dags!

What have I been saying Barry? Diesel dramas + 7-9p a litre more + negligible MPG difference round town + that horrid drone at the traffic lights + now an increased congestion charge for dervs in town? Not me! I'm out.

[darkchild]

Despite peoples views and recommendations (which I'm always grateful of and open to); I think I'm still set on a 320d. I looked at Audi's and wasn't that keen on them.

How do the autos compare drivability wise to manuals with these cars? I've not driven many autos.

Haven't driven an auto 320d but the slushbox in my E46 318ci was decent. The steptronic controls were useful when overtaking but the majority of the time I just left it in drive. I don't know if its still the case but some of the older autoboxes used to adapt to/learn your driving style.

I don't think the autobox affected the mpg too much. On my 90 mile round trip to work it would always give 40mpg. The most I saw out of it was 45mpg.

[baur320]

The missus has had a manual 320d touring for a couple of years now. Its pretty basic spec, but only spend has been on rear discs & pads, which any car is going to need. Only niggle is the coating on the centre console, which is pretty fragile.

No rust problems at all - thought the front wing issue was mainly with coupes & convertibles?

Just got back from a weeks holiday with no motorway driving - its been pretty well loaded & its showing 44.2 mpg. I've been allowed to drive it a couple of times & if it was mine I'd be happy with it.