e46 info

[manse73]

any pointers and tips to look out for on an e46 320ci sport 2002 reg

[Andyboy]

Rusty front arches, sticky door handles, knackered rad and general old car tiredness. They are much nicer than the 318ci though.

[suedenim]

Drugs in the boot

[manse73]

Rusty front arches, sticky door handles, knackered rad and general old car tiredness. They are much nicer than the 318ci though.

Its not the fastest of things but a very nice drive
When you say rusting front arches is there any precautionary measures to take

[manse73]

Drugs in the boot

I will look is there anything you wanted

[BATTS91]

I what way would the rad be knakered may i ask ?

[darkchild]

Rusty front arches, sticky door handles, knackered rad and general old car tiredness. They are much nicer than the 318ci though.

Its not the fastest of things but a very nice drive
When you say rusting front arches is there any precautionary measures to take

E46 coupe wings rust like mad for some reason (arch liner rubbing against inner wing lip?). Best thing is to get the arch liners out, treat any minor rust and waxoyl. On my old E46 coupe I had to have one of the front wings resprayed. Disgraceful really - the car was only 9 years old.

[mrLEE30]

moved to other BMW chat...

[Kos]

I what way would the rad be knakered may i ask ?

they bow on the bottom. they are a"service" item and should be changed before they fail which is about around 80-100k

[e30topless]

They are much nicer than the 318ci though.

aint that the truth, the n42 is pure madness

[bss325i]

They are much nicer than the 318ci though.

aint that the truth, the n42 is pure madness

Most BMW petrol engines have Valvetronic and twin Vanos now. The N42/N46 was the poineer and is crap but to be fair its pretty reliable on all other donks.

[manse73]

How do you tell what engine it is if you would be as kind to inform me

[pnd]

320 is a six cylinder so no worries except cooling systems aren't that durable. Also check suspension its often knackered by 80k and in need of replacement.

[Andyboy]

Saloon wings rot as well, and facelift ones seem worse. On all E46's it's worth removing the arch liners and giving the arches a good clean out and grease/waxoyl. The 2.2 320i is very underrated and is a lovely engine.

[manse73]

I what way would the rad be knakered may i ask ?

they bow on the bottom. they are a"service" item and should be changed before they fail which is about around 80-100k

Cheers kos this I worried about and had a look this morning and the good news is the last owner had it done

All pointers on this subject are gratefully received as I am not to knowledged up on the e46

[manse73]

Saloon wings rot as well, and facelift ones seem worse. On all E46's it's worth removing the arch liners and giving the arches a good clean out and grease/waxoyl. The 2.2 320i is very underrated and is a lovely engine.

Will be on this next week once I have finished claying and polishing my e30 ready for santa pod. I do find the 320 e46 a slow car would this be due to all tha weight it carries, like airbags and electric everything

[pnd]

Will be on this next week once I have finished claying and polishing my e30 ready for santa pod. I do find the 320 e46 a slow car would this be due to all tha weight it carries, like airbags and electric everything[/quote]

yeah they are heavy only the 330 and m3's feel quick

[pony]

OP have u considered stretching to a 330Ci Coupe .... I don't think there is much difference in fuel economy between them ?

[shadrack]

the 325i e46 is a vey nice comprimise between 320i and 330i having had all three the 325i feel s nearly as quick as the 330i but is far less on insurance, dont kid your self that the 320i 2.2 will be more economical beause its not, it feels very slow and underpowered in an e46 cab/coupe as there heavy cars, as an=bove though if speeds not your thing there lovely to drive and sound far better being a 6 pot than say a 318

[manse73]

OP have u considered stretching to a 330Ci Coupe .... I don't think there is much difference in fuel economy between them ?

already own it i got it for the wife to keep her out of mine, she likes it but to me it needs a vitamin pill the size of a rugby ball to get it going