RE: Shed Of The Week: BMW 320ci (E46)

RE: Shed Of The Week: BMW 320ci (E46)

Friday 21st November 2014

Shed Of The Week: BMW 320ci (E46)

Shed proves that he's not actually fixated on German metal ... by falling for the charms of a BMW



Funny how the mind can play tricks.

Take the popularly held view that Shed of the Week is simply a non-stop parade of German metal. As with many popularly held views these days, the reality is a bit different.

Looks pretty tidy for the Shed price sticker
Looks pretty tidy for the Shed price sticker
From the last 100 Sheds, six have been BMWs, five have been Mercs, four Audis and two Porsches. That's 17 per cent of the total. If anyone could be bothered to work out the percentage of German cars in the 'parc', as the experts call it, there might actually be a case for increasing the number of German cars in SOTW. What with the general election being just around the corner, fairness and accurate representation are extremely important. Total vigilance is essential in ensuring a fair shake for all, even to the extent of applying positive discrimination.

So this week, protected by the power of statistics and bolstered by his own (admittedly subjective) view that the Germans actually make very good cars, Shed has no hesitation in covering his raggedy posterior by bringing you 'yet another' BMW.

This one's an E46. For any monitors who may be present, it's the second E46 SOTW in the last two years. Shed has seen and owned a few E46s in his time. Overall, he's a big fan of the fourth-generation 3 Series, but for each of the great points in the car's favour - performance, style, build quality, and that odd sense of superiority that you get behind the wheel - you'll find some gainsayer who will be able to find a contra-indicator to put you off your purchase.

Manual 'box and BMW six - classic combo
Manual 'box and BMW six - classic combo
Shed's last E46, a 320d Touring, was a lovely machine. The creamy torque of the chain-drive diesel lump was great, but a noisy clutch (a dual-mass flywheel job) brought forward the planned exit strategy by at least a year. Despite the E46's rep for wheelarch and wing corrosion, there was no rust anywhere on it after more than 10 years, and the leather interior was a smashing combination of class and practicality - but Shed spent a few bob on suspension bits. You get the picture.

The petrol engine is different to the diesel of course. It's badged 320, but here in the UK that meant a new-for-2001 2.2-litre inline six producing 170hp. Cars of this vintage were not saddled with a DMF clutch. Some will counsel you against any BMW sixes for fear of the seals failing on the VANOS variable valve timing system. Others will tell you that non-M cars are largely immune from this problem. Yet others will say the 320 isn't much cheaper to run than the bigger 325 and 330 sixes, while offering little performance advantage over the four-cylinder 318. But those people probably haven't razzed a 320 hard over a mountain pass. Small-capacity BMW sixes are things of zingy wonder that should never be condemned to the pages of history for the want of a few horsepower.

Shed's a fan of this one, you may have noticed
Shed's a fan of this one, you may have noticed
BMW sixes can burn through a fair whack of oil, with under a thousand miles per litre being by no means unusual. Just think of it as a rolling oil change. Lumpy running when warm could mean a cam sensor is on the way out. Fan sensors can go too, but replacement fans aren't as dear as you might think and relatively easy to fit. If the airbag light is on that's either a busted seat belt tensioner, which again shouldn't be more than a one-er to mend, or a problem with the passenger seat occupancy mat.

Tired front suspension bushes are a known E46 weakness that you can diagnose yourself by holding the wheel lightly at low speed and listening/feeling for clunks or knocks while stabbing the brake pedal. Powerflex replacements are well regarded but of course other makes are available. Windows and top seals need checking, as does the dryness or otherwise of the boot area; the battery tray is vulnerable to water attack. Heater rear window elements die. Central locking can be a pain. Handbrakes are useless.

Seems like a lot in the 'against' column, but you'd be very unlucky to experience the full set. This is a lovely German coupe for under a grand. This car's five-spoke M Sport alloys look decent and should be an easier drive on rough roads than the MV2 multispokes. It's also a manual, which is definitely a plus point, not so much because of the magnificence of the shift as for the fact that it keeps you out of the sometimes troublesome auto 'box.

The arguments about the 320 against a 325 or 330 will always rage. The 320 will definitely be lighter on your pocket when it comes to paying the insurance premium, but you may prefer to blow that saving on a big-boy six in the first place. It's your call.


Here's the ad.

METALLIC BLUE WITH HALF BLACK LEATHER INTERIOR, THIS IS A BMW 320 CI SE MANUAL COUPE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, MUST BE SEEN, Next MOT due 03/08/2015, Excellent bodywork, Interior - Excellent Condition, BMW Service history, Air-Conditioning, Climate control, Cruise Control, 17" Alloy wheels, Remote central locking, Alarm, Multifunction steering wheel, Computer, Electric Windows, Electric door mirrors, In Car Entertainment, Rear parking sensors. OVER 100 BMW AND AUDI IN STOCK...PART EXCHANGE WELCOME...FINANCE ARRANGED... PARTS AND LABOUR WARRANTY AVAILABLE...5 DAY DRIVE AWAY INSURANCE (subject to terms and conditions)...FREE HPI CHECK...728 SIDCUP ROAD ELTHAM LONDON SE9 3AL... TELEPHONE 0208 851 1234...OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING BANK HOLIDAYS... MOBILE FROM 7PM to 10PM 07523 528900...TRADING SINCE 1983... 350 CARS IN GROUP STOCK... 4 BRANCHES IN THE SOUTH EAST...FOR MORE PICTURES AND A VIDEO FOR THIS CAR PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.4frontcarsales.co.uk, PLEASE CALL NOW TO MAKE A VIEWING APPOINTMENT OPEN 7 DAYS AWEEK, £990 p/x welcome BMW Service History,Climate Control,Half Leather Seats,Rear Parking Sensors,17" Alloy Wheels,5Speed Manual,Air Conditioning,CD Player,Electric Mirrors,Electric Windows,Hpi Clear Report with every Vehicle,Multi Function Steering Wheel,Open 7 days a week inc. bank holidays,Remote Central Locking,Traction Control

 

Author
Discussion

Crapgame

Original Poster:

32 posts

113 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Every part of me is saying yes... really a gem there shed (must now resist splurging... easy as christmas is round the corner.. damn children)

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
How many miles?

LeoZwalf

2,802 posts

229 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
THAT is less than a grand?! Wow. Someone on here must be up for buying it and letting us know what it is really like...?

StarmistBlue400

3,029 posts

217 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Sold already

scenario8

6,554 posts

178 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
GravelMachineGun said:
How many miles?
168,000.

Blackpuddin

16,409 posts

204 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Looks like somebody has just bought it, unlucky timing for Shed because that car had been lurking unnoticed in the Classifieds for a while.

X5TUU

11,908 posts

186 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
and back to the mundane...

MarJay

2,173 posts

174 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
I was trying to work out the value of my 130i yesterday because I am considering freeing up some cash to buy a house... £7500 seems to be the going rate for an 80k mile 130i. Sure, this 320i is not as powerful and doesn't have quite as many toys, but is the 130i £6500 more of a car? I'm thinking maybe not...

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

189 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
How long before 'boot floor cracking' is mentioned? wink

It has been a complete non-issue in the three e46 coupes I've owned btw, including my present one...

AC43

11,435 posts

207 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Incredibly cheap.

I'd forgotten about the 320 CI.

What a gem.

AM7

268 posts

128 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Very much a clean car for the money, interior looks surprisingly unworn in relation to the miles! Just to add, they did have DMFs, all E36s and E46s did as far as I know

hwajones

775 posts

180 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
the 318 is a much nicer car to drive...
albeit sounds crap!

daytona365

1,773 posts

163 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Still looks up to date, even almost current. But what about the rear suspensions ending up in the boot ?

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
MarJay said:
I was trying to work out the value of my 130i yesterday because I am considering freeing up some cash to buy a house... £7500 seems to be the going rate for an 80k mile 130i. Sure, this 320i is not as powerful and doesn't have quite as many toys, but is the 130i £6500 more of a car? I'm thinking maybe not...
You'd have to factor in a few bits and pieces to freshen it up, it's easy to look at it as a £1000 bargain and then spend the same again smile Personally I wouldn't want to go back to a 4 cylinder right now, the 6 is just so sweet and the 130i is a total oddity, which appeals to me.

stevesuk

1,345 posts

181 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Baz Tench said:
How long before 'boot floor cracking' is mentioned? wink

It has been a complete non-issue in the three e46 coupes I've owned btw, including my present one...
Cars with build dates after February 2000 were modified to prevent the problem from occurring (extra spot welds and a slightly different design). I know that the M3 still has the problem on later cars, but for non-M cars the problem was mainly apparent on very early 323i and 328i.

I've owned a 320i and a 330i, and despite the 330i obviously being a fair bit quicker, I'd happily have another 320i.

Baz Tench

5,648 posts

189 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
hwajones said:
the 318 is a much nicer car to drive...
albeit sounds crap!
O/T, but I once saw a lad driving a de-badged 318, but had stuck some fake double exhaust tips over the standard single tip to make it look like a 6 pot. hehe.

I did chuckle when I pulled up behind him at a roundabout. He then proceeded to boot it around said roundabout. rolleyes

Decent shed though, it looks straight enough.

moskvich427

227 posts

174 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
Still looks up to date, even almost current.
It really does - put a private plate on it and most people on the street probably wouldn't differenciate it from a new one.

A fantastic buy for a grand (and a vast improvement on that Metro!)


Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
StarmistBlue400 said:
Sold already
Indeed it has - it was still on this morning when I set the story live but it looks like the charms of this particular car were sufficient that it went. If that was a PHer that was VERY fast work by someone!

An occupational hazard for Shed but such is the way of it. Hopefully this doesn't cramp the wider debate too much though!

Cheers,

Dan

nitrodave

1,262 posts

137 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
daytona365 said:
Still looks up to date, even almost current. But what about the rear suspensions ending up in the boot ?
the boot floor cracking is almost completely isolated to the e46 m3, all other e46 models don't really have the torque to tear the subframe off.

buggalugs

9,243 posts

236 months

Friday 21st November 2014
quotequote all
Baz Tench said:
How long before 'boot floor cracking' is mentioned? wink

It has been a complete non-issue in the three e46 coupes I've owned btw, including my present one...
And water pumps....


Also, I hate be 'that guy' nitpicking the article but they did have DMF's, I was really surprised they've been sticking them on 6's since 1990. I guess they just don't make them out of cheese.