E46 and E90, best engines?

[Jazoli]

I'm going to be needing a new car soon and quite fancy another 3 series (had a 328i 20 years ago), I'm only interested in petrol ones and not too fussed whether its manual or auto, £2-2.5k budget, which engines are best avoided? as I've not a clue when it comes to the engine codes frequently used on here, a 330i would be nice but they are pretty scarce oop north and I would be happy enough with a 4 cylinder as its just for commuting to work.

I have seen some E90's with the 2 litre petrol within budget, are they a safer bet than an ageing E46?

Basically what shouldn't I buy?

Thanks

[Jazoli]

helix402 said:

Do not buy anything with 4 cylinders. Google N43, N46, N47 problems for the reasons.

They can't all be that bad surely? they sold tens of thousands of the things, but then again there are many for sale for spares or repair too!

Smuler said:

I would recommend six cylinder and go for E46 so if 330s are rare , go 325. I have a 325 as a daily and with a manual (auto takes a drop in performance) it's plenty fast against most of the dross on the roads.

I would like a 6 pot, my old 328 was creamy smooth.

[Jazoli]

Mr Tidy said:

My regular BMW indy (ex Sytner) recommended avoiding any 4 cylinder in a BMW.

Luckily I had bailed out of my 123d with the N47 diseasel time-bomb at 81K miles in 2014, before BMW invented the Quality Enhancement b*llocks (as in finally recognising what they were selling wasn't fit for purpose). Others on here weren't so lucky sadly.

So I think you need a 6 cylinder (preferably petrol) engine OP!

The E46 3 series ran from the late 90s until late 2004/early 2005 (later for Coupes and Convertibles) and used the M54 engine in the straight 6 petrols.

The E9* 3 Series came along in 2005 and the straight 6 petrols used the N52 engine.

During E46 production there was a facelift in 2003 when the manual 320d, 330d and 330i models got a 6-speed gearbox (as did the 325ti Compact, but no other 325 bodyshape got this as a 325i)

If you go for a 6 cylinder petrol E46 the M54 engine came in 2.2, 2.5 and 3.0 litre versions - 3.0 is the best as it offers most performance, but all 3 have similar economy, are in the same RFL Band and cost the same to service.

But the 330is are pretty rare and sought after so a good 325i for significantly less money and/or with less miles could be a good option.

If you see an E9* in your budget it is going to be a Cat C or D, or have mega-miles - I would give it a miss, unless you are a gambler!

The petrol 6 cylinder E9* models use the N52 engine which is fantastic but being much more sophisticated tends to cost significantly more to run - the water pump is electric and tends to fail at around 9/10 years. An OEM replacement costs about £500, ECP quoted £340 - I bit the bullet for my Z4 with the same engine, but would I do that on a £2 - 2.5K 3 Series!!? Ouch! (Ask me how I know).

Then to confuse things even more the E9* models got a new engine some time in 2007, the N53 which seemingly has other additional issues with injectors and HPFPs (High Pressure Fuel Pumps) but these won't be in your budget, unless they are seriously tired (or sh*gged)!

In your situation I would look for the best E46 (ideally 330i) I could find, regardless of whether it is a 5 or 6 speed - they made 231 bhp and the E90 (Saloon) and E91 (Touring) only had 258 bhp, even if the E92 (Coupe) and E93 (Convertible) had 265 bhp like my Z4 and the 130i.

I hope you haven't fallen asleep yet, and that I haven't missed anything glaringly obvious.

Still awake, thanks