E46 reviews....

[sunnyr83]

Hi im on the verge of getting an e46 325i ci sport or a e46 330ci coupe, the 325i has the M package and looks real nice but is an auto where as the 330ci has more power but don't look as good, confused as to what to get. Any info, likes/dislikes good bits/bad bits would be helpful on either car. Driven e30's for the past 6years so a big change driving a newer car...

[darkchild]

E46s are very nice cars overall but definitely come with a number of things to be aware of. Rust is beginning to be a problem on these - particularly the front wings where they rot around the arch lip. The first thing to do is to remove the front arch liners and thoroughly clean the arch lip with a stiff brush and they use Kurust and waxoyl or similar. I've got a 2001 318ci and dropped it off yesterday at the bodyshop for work on the driver's side wing and where some minor bubbling has started near the rear arches.

Faults are numerous. Broken door handles on coupes are common, knackered rubber door/window seals (last time I checked these are £250 unfitted from BMW!), problematic air conditioning, blocked crankcase breather valve and front control arms past their best are all common.

Regarding the two you're interested in, the M54 is an absolute gem of an engine but make sure the cooling system is spot on. They also can have a bit of a thirst for oil and some owners recommend a change to 10W/40. Both are nice cars. The 330ci feels in a different league with an extra 40bhp but the 325ci is hardly a slouch and the Sport add ons improve its aesthetics no end IMO. The autobox is nice on these and Steptronic gives you a bit more involvement. Assuming they're similar condition and price I'd probably take the Sport. The 325ci is more than quick enough for me and the M-Tech spec makes an already good car better.

[sunnyr83]

Thanks, my eyes on the 325i more than the 330ci mainly for looks, its a 02 plate with 80000 on the clock, the 330 is £1500 more with similar milage on a 04 plate, thanks for the info.

[pony]

I had an E46 for 4years. It was a 323Ci Coupe Manual.

In terms of technology hands down better than in a E30 in every way.

Engine - smoother, more refined, DOUBLE VANOS - more torque, better fuel economy, faster?

Brakes - definerely better than standard E30

Suspension - i know in the Coupe they have Sports suspension as standard. M Sport models might have slightly stiffer/lower maybe by 10mm? suspension but I dont know as never had a M Sport model. I cannot really compare it to my E30 suspension as the E30 needs refreshing. The E46 definetely feels so much more refined and smoother

Transmission - very smooth, notchy. Engaging first gear sometimes a little troublesome maybe when cold. Short throw. Cannot really compare it to my E30 as it has worn components in the transmission

Interior design - far more modern than E30. Build I think is better. However, in terms of design personally I think the E30 and E46 designs are on par with the E30 having probably the best interior design for the 1980s. Whereas the E46 whilst a great interior cockpit design has to compete with Audi. Both have cockpits which are driver focussed

Steering - reasonably weighted. lacks feel mid-corner. Common E46 complaint even on the BMW E46 M3. I think E30 steering just feels more responsive. That just my opinion.

0-60 in a E46 wont really be much quicker than a E30 unless you go for the 330. In my Sport which needs sorting I managed to embrass a BMW E46 320Ci owner who has 170bhp straight six 2.2 engine. there was nothing in it.

Build quality - big iffy. On the whole quite well built though there are little problems to worry about.
Big one - rear subframe tend to get cracks. They either get repaired through BMW who remove the rear axle carrier and weld it. Or if out of warranty they may or may not do it. It is common design fault. Affected all the early E46 Coupes and the later ones are starting to have this problem
Water pump - plastic propellor has caused problems. Recommeded to change at 100000 miles for a new one which BMW upgraded to metal propellor
Suspension springs I think rear tend to wear quickly

I noticed little things start to go wrong in my E46 which i didnt really expect to happen from a modern BMW.......
rear subframe crack.......which BMW repaired for free
camshaft sensor fails
replaced water pump as precaution
radiator - as it started to bow after circa 6-7years since production date
driver door handle - start to get a bit sticky the mechanism and had to give it a good pull to open the door
drivers door regulator failed
worm suspension components
prop coupling worn
alarm only sets itself when locknig the car when close the passenger door for some reason. not sure if to do with window regulator

These are all common problems. Also eventually the oil pump failed. My mate has a E46 328 and this has suffered overheating problems. Common with E46 328s to suffer overheating problems - sending most to the scrapyard. I think it is due to cracks in the combustion chamber starting to develop.

Overall - good all round car - great for crusing long distances, not as agile as E30, but better chassis in terms of it is more stable than a E30 due to longer wheelbase and rear Z axle suspension. Good motorway car too.

Out of a 325 or 330? Definetely choose a 330. Definetely got to be manual gearbox.
I dont really like the M Sport kit. I prefer the standard SE specification.
The M Sport kit to me seems like you cant afford a M3 so you have a M kit on a 318Ci or 330Ci.

Hope this is of some help.

[Talat]

Get a facelift car if you can - the steering on them is a lot better. Pre-facelift steering is way too light imo. The build quality on the couple that I had wasn't the greatest.