E46 320i - good choice?

Post Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:43 pm

Hi all,

My brother is going to buy an E46 (facelift model), and has found a low mileage 320Ci sport which seems like a good deal.

I know that with E30's and E36's most people strongly avoid the 320i model, but am wondering if this follows onto the E46.

Should he avoid it and wait for a 325i? Its just an everyday car so performance is not very important.

Thanks for any advice,

Paul

Post Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:41 pm

No, they're okay. These are 2.2 with 170 bhp and whilst they aren't a rocket, they go quite well and sound lovely. I'd rather have a 320i and lose 4 mpg over a 318i tbh.

Post Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:22 pm

Andyboy wrote:I'd rather have a 320i and lose 4 mpg over a 318i tbh.

And have less chance of going wrong!

Post Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:45 pm

Thanks for the replies, sounds like BMW sorted out their 320i model eventually then (or perhaps my E30 320i's have simply been knackered!).

He's off to view in the morning, car looks to be immaculate, and only 40k miles with FBMWSH, so hopeful it is a 'proper' E46.

Post Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:17 pm

Hope its none of this 4 cyclinder business.. When they go wrong, they go in a big way..
Lets hope its a nice smooth M54 6pot....

Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 12:14 am

Total BMW described the 2.2 as ''the sweetest six'' my missus runs a 2004 320i and it's a lovely car, no slouch either

Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:00 pm

my mate has had an e46 320ci for a few years now and it hasn't caused a jot of bother, it's a comfy well specced car with a smooth torquey lump, and as said before, won't be winning any races but still pulls smoothly and sounds very pretty

Post Tue Jul 05, 2011 2:39 pm

Thanks guys, all good to hear. He viewed it this morning and bought it, apparently a very good car. I'll have to take it for a drive now, never driven an E46 before.

Cheers

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 2:12 pm

Car seems excellent, and drives brilliantly.

One small thing, the battery has gone in the remote locking/alarm fob, and BMW say the battery cannot be changed, and a new key costs £130. Is this true? Can the keys be bought for a more reasonable price elsewhere, it seems like a rip-off!

Thanks

Post Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:06 pm

bmwe30mtech wrote:Car seems excellent, and drives brilliantly.

One small thing, the battery has gone in the remote locking/alarm fob, and BMW say the battery cannot be changed, and a new key costs £130. Is this true? Can the keys be bought for a more reasonable price elsewhere, it seems like a rip-off!

Thanks

If they're the same as the E39 remote key it's an induction rechargeable battery that charges when the key is in the ignition. (Charges like a modern electric toothbrush).

I didn't believe this at first but when one of my E39 keys stopped working I drove the car for a day using that key, and hey presto ! It's worked ever since !