Daily Recommendations In 3k Budget

[MyOtherCarIsAnE30]

Hi, Im thinking of getting an e46 or maybe even an e36 as a daily because I doubt that i can buy another e30 for 3k (which isnt a complete nightmare), my objective is to use daily.

My budget is 3k and I want to have as much fun as possible in that budget. Im not a fan of newer cars and am open to any recommendations you may have from any brands. I am a great fan of classic cars so all suggestions will be considered.
Thanks

[martauto]

The e36 is quite a rare girl now and to find one in very good shape must be hard.
My last three daily cars have been the e46 , two have been the 330 ci auto`s and this one is the 325 cab.
If you are looking for economy then walk away but the M54 is one hell of an engine, great fun as well.
The e46 is a very good and refined car for very little money and the spec you can buy them for is very special.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST !!!

These will not last long at all, I see very few around nowadays.

Mart.

[Cloggy Saint]

You don't see many E46's ?? They're everywhere!

[flybynite]

Yes E46 330i / ci. Bought a good one as a donor but had a bit of fun with it first, almost made me have second thoughts!

[martauto]

You don't see many E46's ?? They're everywhere!

Actually I saw two in ten mins this morning but apart from the one in my drive I dont see that many t`up north.

Mart.

[magpie]

i had an early e46 330ci auto 2yrs ago it was proper shit on fuel , i was getting 17mpg around town and about 21mpg on a run .

bought an e91 330d , lots of power and lots of mpg's oh and lots of toys

[MyOtherCarIsAnE30]

Im very interested in a E46 330ci Manual but insurance worries me because they arent too expensive and the young drivers are probably crashing them everyday. Fuel economy wise i expect them to be terrible but Im just after a bit of fun. The E46 has a lovely shape and is one of the last nice looking BMW's in my opinion. What are the smaller E46 engines like? Thanks

[martauto]

Im very interested in a E46 330ci Manual but insurance worries me because they arent too expensive and the young drivers are probably crashing them everyday. Fuel economy wise i expect them to be terrible but Im just after a bit of fun. The E46 has a lovely shape and is one of the last nice looking BMW's in my opinion. What are the smaller E46 engines like? Thanks

I have had two 330ci autos the last being the sport and around town it was @23 ish but on a run 34-36 easily full up and on the speed limit mostly, great engines the 330 , I miss mine but the 325 cab has started to open up a bit since I have replaced some engine electrical bits.

Mart.

[MyOtherCarIsAnE30]

Would you recommend the 325 Mart? Ive also considered the smaller engines such as the 318. Think i need to go and test drive a few to see what I like.

[martauto]

I think that once you have lived with a 330 the rest seem , well, not quite there but I am starting to learn how to drive the 325 and it really is a wonderful engine and gearbox which is auto but sport and manual are there as well if you need to use them.
The auto is a spot on drive , superb in traffic or out on the open roads but thats what I prefer.
Give one or two a go and see what you think but live with one for a while and you will see what I mean.
I have my posh staggered BBS reps on now , 225/40/18 on the front and 255/35/18 on the rears.

Mart.

[martauto]

Well we have just come home from three days in Wales covering motorway , A roads and down to single track roads giving me an average of 36.7 mpg. I`ll take that all day long.
Great fun with the top down as well, also having the grunt under the bonnet is ......pleasing.


Mart.