Identifying an E46 320d variant

[Codefaster]

Hi folks,

I'm looking at buying an E46 320d Tourer as a sensible replacement to my modified Monaro (now sold ::sob:. I'm looking at a 2001 car in particular, pre-facelift by the looks of it. Is there any way to tell for sure whether it has the 136bhp or 150bhp engine when I view the car? Or did the power-hike just go along with the facelift?

Thanks for any help with this.

[forsure]

Codefaster said:

Hi folks,

I'm looking at buying an E46 320d Tourer as a sensible replacement to my modified Monaro (now sold ::sob:. I'm looking at a 2001 car in particular, pre-facelift by the looks of it. Is there any way to tell for sure whether it has the 136bhp or 150bhp engine when I view the car? Or did the power-hike just go along with the facelift?

Thanks for any help with this.

I was working for a BMW dealer in '01 (delivering cars). I'm sure that the power upgrade came with the facelift.
More importantly, in my opinion, the facelift brought suspension and steering tweaks that transformed the driving experience.
I looked at (and drove) a '99 328i last year. It ticked all the boxes re spec and history, but I was distinctly underwhelmed.
I bought an E39 in preference.
I'd like an E46 next, but it would have to be a facelift model - I've driven hundreds of them and rate them highly.
However, the 150bhp diesel has a reputation for popping turbos. I'm not sure how the 136 compares in that respect.

[Shropshiremike]

forsure said:

More importantly, in my opinion, the facelift brought suspension and steering tweaks that transformed the driving experience.
I looked at (and drove) a '99 328i last year.

Yep - around 2001 the E46 range got improved steering. They trialled it on the Compact first

[Codefaster]

Thanks for the replies guys. I may end up buying a pre-facelift model anyway (just because there's a particularly nice lower-mileage one advertised privately near me), but it's good to know what to look out for.