Opinions on the e46?

[bmwe30mtech]

Hi,

Looking at e46 318i prices, they seem to be dropping down really low, making them a tempting alternative to E30's. Or at least a temporary alternative.

Anybody got any advice on these cars, or ever owned the 318i version? What sort of miles can be expected from them? Do they develop any well known problems, are they a money pit? etc..

They are just all so free of rust and generally seem to be 'un-abused'

Thanks for any opinions,

Paul

[stuartgallafant]

It depends on what one you want Paul... such as model type, age, spec, etc

The later coupe's would be the best to go for, but these are still gonna be 12k+. The early ones came with the M43 engine. No real problems with this apart from lumpy idles and rough running due to split breather pipes. Most of them have had this sorted now though. Another common problem was the throttle cables and throttle motors, however I bet most of these have been done too. Apart from that, there's not really many issues

The later models (I think from late 2001 onwards) came with the N42 valvetronic engine. Great engine with good mpg/performance balance, but still only a 1.8 in a big car!! Not too many issues with these, apart from the valvetronic motors seizing, but these were all done under warranty and updated with revised parts.

The Ci Sport models are the ones to go for, and if you're spending money like that, get one with a spec list. However, bear in mind that these cars ARE NOT going to be cheap if they go wrong. Control units are expensive and most require programming to the car, but most of the time its not the control units. Getting a 5 year old one with a low mileage (around 50-60k) will guarantee most of the problems to be gone, but, im always here to lend a hand if you need me

hope that helps

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks for that Stu, cant think of a better person to get advice on their beemers from.

Its just a thought as an alternative car while im looking for a mint 325i sport E30 (i will never leave the E30 scene totally, just cant). As for cost i would be sharing it with my mum lol .

They seem to be about 3.5k-4k for a 100k miles 1.8. I will keep my eyes open, but like you say they are expensive if they go wrong, as i thought they might be.

Cheers for your help Stu

Paul

[siddiqi1]

I not sure whether my opinion is mcuh of a match or even accountable against Stu's however i would jsut liek to pitch in

We own an 318 Ci in the family. Purchased it some two years ago, an 02 plate. Like Stu said, defo best to go with a spec'd one, ours has the mtech trim, mtech alloys, crema lether interior, climate.

The engine i would say is rather underpowered, however its not slow, very comfortable even tohugh it has stiffer suspension and i do liketheway it handles. Howeveri find the clutch a bit of a nuisaence i.e delay valves that they have, but thats silly jsut persnoal

In the two years of ownership, nothing has gone wrong as yet, it does a daily drive from Middlesex to Canary Wharf everyday, never stops! Petrol, well as you can imagine........Middlesex (Hayes) to Canary is quite al ot of milage, but if i remeber correctly, i think £40 to £50 for a 5 day trek there and back.......i hpe that makes sense

As Stu said, breahter pipe is a problem, but was corrected before we pruchased it, we bought it private jsut ot add, was a minter!

Good luck with the purchase

Saboor

[m3ben05]

I think the CI's are really nice cars. In my weaker moments i still consider selling my M3 for an e46 M3 but then i see another 10 on the way home and change my mind again!

[Andyboy]

Lower wishbone outer balljoints go and it's a complete alloy wishbone. I had a pair under warranty on my 320d at around 30k. Some issues with engine harnesses on early ones (4 and 6 cyl), M43 head gaskets (but easy enough to do), the odd central locking issue (either the key or the transponder) plus the infamous M43 sticking throttle due to wear in the throttle body. BMW will sell you a new throttle body but all that's needed is 10 mins with WD40 and 800 grit emery to polish out the ridge caused by the throttle disc.
Some suffer from a reluctance to go into 1st gear. This can be a high idle speed caused by a high idle speed and is either the idle control valve or the 'clutch switch' used on some E46's and Z3's that sends a signal to the ECU to lower the idle speed when the clutch is dipped. The other thing is crank end float that the odd high miles car can suffer from.
The 316i and 318i are both the revised M43TU with 1.9 litres and the balance shaft. They go okay and are quite pokey around town, the same basic engine but different manifolding and ECU's. No, it's not practical to uprate a 316i.
Early E46's are down to £3500 and they're a good car - a slightly fatter E36 albeit with higher running costs - all the electrical bits like clusters and control units need coding to the car.

[stuartgallafant]

Nice one Andy, forgot to mention the outer ball joints!! However, as most of these were a big issue, the replaced parts were/are harder wearing than the factory ones. Foretunately BMW do have some common sense!!

Choose wisely Paul. To be honest, i'd go for the 320d Sport Coupe or Saloon. Get one with ALL the history, especially if its had genuine BMW servicing and repairs

[daimlerman]

My dad(he's84...)bought a W plate 318i about a year back.It was just short of 100,000 miles.He took it to the south of France and needed a new water pump....the sellers insurance coughed for that one.He has just had new rear beam bushes(about £130).He is claiming 38-40mpg and is very happy with it overall.

[Falkster]

A mate of mine has the 320 coupe diesel and its great! Does loads to the gallon and it looks the bizz!

[bmwe30mtech]

Cheers for the comments. I have found another e30 sport, off to view it in an hour or so. Its got the usual few rust spots and high miles (145k). Just makes the e46 more tempting, but i love the E30's too much to leave i think .

Maybe i will condsider the e46 in a few years when i can afford a high'er spec one. Still, im keeping my eyes open for them locally anyway...

Cheers

[stuartgallafant]

...He has just had new rear beam bushes(about £130)...

No such thing daimlerman. The E46 has independent rear suspension, consisting of trailing arms, bottom arms, upper arms and a rear subframe. If the trailing arm bushes are replaced, the car then requires a KDS (kinematic diagnostic system) in which the full suspension, front and rear, is realigned. If done at BMW dealers, expect to pay around the £280 mark for an E46. Thats just the KDS alone. Bushes inc. you're looking more towrds the £400 mark.

And unforetunately for those who cant afford BMW prices, this is not a driveway job, or a fred-in-the-shed job, as getting the alignment incorrect can actually be fatal. I dont know of anywhere else that has the suspension geometry settings for BMW cars. A KDS full system costs about £60'000 alone!!!

[bss325i]

And unforetunately for those who cant afford BMW prices, this is not a driveway job, or a fred-in-the-shed job, as getting the alignment incorrect can actually be fatal. I dont know of anywhere else that has the suspension geometry settings for BMW cars. A KDS full system costs about £60'000 alone!!!

At the bodyshop i work at we have a 4 wheel alignment system made by a company called pro align suitable for all cars and light vans which measures toe, castor, camber and thrust angle and i have done full geometry check and adjustment on several e46's and a handfull of e87's, e90's and e39's. The steering angle sensors have been set with an after market diagnostic equipment. This system is due for upgrade soon.
If your going for an e46 petrol model try and get a 6 cyl model as it better suits the type of car it is. Definately try and get one with full bmw sh as it aids resale, this is something i especialy required when looking for the e46 330ci convertible that i own. Sadly its for sale now after 2 short months but only to be replaced by a 330i saloon due to my better half being preg. Also as stu said if its been looked after by the dealer all its life it will have had most of the problems ironed out.

I would wholy recomend e46's.

[Andyboy]

Rear trailing arm bushes are fairly simple on the E36/E46. As for alignment I've never bothered - after a few years there are witness marks on the brackets so I just lined them up to the bolts. If there are brand new bushes and the brackets are back to where Fritz bolted them originally you're going to be very close if not spot on as E46's will still be on the original bushes at 100k.
What the aftermarket wheel alignment places don't realise is that the car has to be loaded up with weights to set the ride height - set the alignment to factory spec without doing this and it will be wrong.

[bss325i]

What the aftermarket wheel alignment places don't realise is that the car has to be loaded up with weights to set the ride height - set the alignment to factory spec without doing this and it will be wrong.

Very true Andy, Our system has provision for this and tells you exactly how much weight and where to put the loads in the vehicle. We also have plastic, sand filled 15kg weights to use. I think the e90 saloon around 250kg ballast before having the geometory set.

[chinchilla]

i want an e46, its in the top 10 cars for under 5k by msn..

http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/Top_ten_art ... id=5147322