The £4k E46 Touring
Discussion
Hi,
Just started looking for a second car and thinking of a 6cyl. E46 touring, I have about 4k to spend and am wondering if I'm better spending the money on somthing abit newer and less interesting....
Are they all ropey and going to cost a fortune to keep on the road now that they are getting on abit? I'm not too fussed if its a 320 or 330 or inbetween as long as it's an auto.
Whilst looking on autotrader i see that the old shape 5 series seem cheaper than the 3's... are they more money to run?? Basically what's the negatives of one of them instead?
Thanks In Advance!
Just started looking for a second car and thinking of a 6cyl. E46 touring, I have about 4k to spend and am wondering if I'm better spending the money on somthing abit newer and less interesting....
Are they all ropey and going to cost a fortune to keep on the road now that they are getting on abit? I'm not too fussed if its a 320 or 330 or inbetween as long as it's an auto.
Whilst looking on autotrader i see that the old shape 5 series seem cheaper than the 3's... are they more money to run?? Basically what's the negatives of one of them instead?
Thanks In Advance!
Well, although its a 320d, I bought a 4k E46 Touring. The suspension is a little bit in need of a complete replacement but the car sailed through its MOT on Tuesday after 12,000 miles in the last 11 months I've owned it. It'll turn over 111,000 miles in the next couple of days and I cannot fault it.
I would have (obviously) preferred a 330i but needs must, hence the diesel. Get yourself one bought.
I would have (obviously) preferred a 330i but needs must, hence the diesel. Get yourself one bought.
If fuel consumption isn't an issue (and they'll average 30MPG anyway) go for the 330i. Superb engine.
As stated above suspension can be a weak point (mine was a sport model and needed front wishbones + rear shocks at 70K, although that may have been down to the less compliant setup and bigger wheels + LP tyres)
If you're worried about big bills I'd probably suggest avoiding an autobox as well if possible. Not heard anything bad about them just IMO they don't suit the engine very well and if they go wrong cost a fortune to sort out.
As stated above suspension can be a weak point (mine was a sport model and needed front wishbones + rear shocks at 70K, although that may have been down to the less compliant setup and bigger wheels + LP tyres)
If you're worried about big bills I'd probably suggest avoiding an autobox as well if possible. Not heard anything bad about them just IMO they don't suit the engine very well and if they go wrong cost a fortune to sort out.
Well, I can't really give you any personnel experience as I only bought mine last week. It's a 325i on a 02 plate, 64k fsh 1 owner car. I payed 3300 for it. It's an M sport? So has big wheels and nicer seats.
I wasn't looking for a BMW, I had to sell my 172cup due to our growing family. I had been looking at 55 plate citroens for the same. Obey but the BMW popped up and is very well cared for. Only time will tell if its been a good move.
What I will say is for 3-4k it's an incredibly nice place to be. The 6 cylinder feels very linear and tight. Everything is designed well, coming from a renault you really notice the step up in ergonomics.
I bought the cup with fsh on 65 k and ran it for two years, will be interesting to see which car will be the most reliable, and cheapest to run.
I wasn't looking for a BMW, I had to sell my 172cup due to our growing family. I had been looking at 55 plate citroens for the same. Obey but the BMW popped up and is very well cared for. Only time will tell if its been a good move.
What I will say is for 3-4k it's an incredibly nice place to be. The 6 cylinder feels very linear and tight. Everything is designed well, coming from a renault you really notice the step up in ergonomics.
I bought the cup with fsh on 65 k and ran it for two years, will be interesting to see which car will be the most reliable, and cheapest to run.
Had my 330i touring for nearly 3 months now and have to say I'm very pleased with it. Came from a S4 V8, which I had to free some cash from as I moved house during the summer, however I really don't feel I've taken a step backwards with the car. The power obviously isn't as good as the s4 but is still more than good enought for easy overtaking/pulling away and has a good 6 cylinder soundtrack. Average 30-32 mpg to work and back at a steady speed on A roads, the enthusiastic driving is the biggest grin factor however -it wallops the s4 for handling and driver feedback. For an estate it feels pretty nimble, well balanced and agile in the bends, the way the nose attacks the corners with very little understeer is a million miles from the Audi. Interior isn't quite as good as the Audi imo, however it is still a very nice place to be -and everything works! My 2 audis have alway had frustrating elctrical issues with the interior dash lights and stereo.
I paid £4100 for a silver m-sport with 95K, FULL BMWSH and mint condition apart from alloys which I had refurbished.
The interesting thing is most people seem to think I have taken a step forward with my car (compared to the S4) when they first see it. So impressed with it I cannot see myself in an Audi again!
I paid £4100 for a silver m-sport with 95K, FULL BMWSH and mint condition apart from alloys which I had refurbished.
The interesting thing is most people seem to think I have taken a step forward with my car (compared to the S4) when they first see it. So impressed with it I cannot see myself in an Audi again!
Edited by pinseeker on Saturday 20th October 08:48
Thanks for the replys guys...
The more I look the more I like the idea of the 5 series.... For example a 520 petrol, they look amazing value for money and have a decent boot. Also seem to have cheaper tyres and so on compaired to a 330i touring.
Is there anything I should be looking for other than the obvious on a 520 or 525i touring?
Thanks again!
The more I look the more I like the idea of the 5 series.... For example a 520 petrol, they look amazing value for money and have a decent boot. Also seem to have cheaper tyres and so on compaired to a 330i touring.
Is there anything I should be looking for other than the obvious on a 520 or 525i touring?
Thanks again!
Avoid the E39 520 Touring SE. I had one with an autobox and it's slooooooooooooooooooooooooow and thirsty (28mpg average). It was also a bit wallowy, but a fine motorway cruiser.
I've now got an E46 330i Sport auto saloon and it gets................29mpg average! The sports suspension/steering is leagues ahead of the 520 though, and it feels like a sports car in comparison.
The E39 is good as an estate, but most of the faults on mine were unique to the Tourer:
Rear airbag suspension spheres need replacing at circa 100k miles
Rear wash/wipe fails (due to wiring running through the hatch area)
Soft close boot funtion fails. REAL PIA!!!
Lots of rattles/poor fitting trim on the hatch
I've now got an E46 330i Sport auto saloon and it gets................29mpg average! The sports suspension/steering is leagues ahead of the 520 though, and it feels like a sports car in comparison.
The E39 is good as an estate, but most of the faults on mine were unique to the Tourer:
Rear airbag suspension spheres need replacing at circa 100k miles
Rear wash/wipe fails (due to wiring running through the hatch area)
Soft close boot funtion fails. REAL PIA!!!
Lots of rattles/poor fitting trim on the hatch
edition said:
Whilst looking on autotrader i see that the old shape 5 series seem cheaper than the 3's... are they more money to run?? Basically what's the negatives of one of them instead?
The previous shape 5 series (E60) to the current F10 would be a better bet, much more modern & still well built but I think you'd only get a very rough one for £4k (could be wrong as not up to date on E60 prices).What is wrong with the 328i?
Mine is one of the very first ones - born on the 5th of June 1998 and on 120k ish miles. Still drives perfectly, and from what I have read on here it seems to be more economical than the later 330i. 40 mpg is achievable on a decent trip too. Obviously they are older so I wouldn't spend £4k on one, but there are plenty of nice sub £2k examples about.
This subframe / boot floor thing seems to be a bit of an internet scare story as well - I know of 3 other similar cars owned by mates and none of them have any issues at all. I have been keeping an eye on the "Readers Rides" section here too and never seen anyone that has first hand experience of this problem.
Now, that is not to say it doesn't happen at all, but it is blown out of proportion.
Back on topic - they are fantastic cars. Just make sure you get Sport seats (doesn't necessarily have to be a Sport model with the big alloys and stiff suspension) as they are fantastic, and bear in mind that things like suspension bushes are wear and tear so they will need replaced at some point of they haven't already be done. Automatic gearboxes like oil changes, so if it hasn't already been done then get it seen to.
Go for it!
Mine is one of the very first ones - born on the 5th of June 1998 and on 120k ish miles. Still drives perfectly, and from what I have read on here it seems to be more economical than the later 330i. 40 mpg is achievable on a decent trip too. Obviously they are older so I wouldn't spend £4k on one, but there are plenty of nice sub £2k examples about.
This subframe / boot floor thing seems to be a bit of an internet scare story as well - I know of 3 other similar cars owned by mates and none of them have any issues at all. I have been keeping an eye on the "Readers Rides" section here too and never seen anyone that has first hand experience of this problem.
Now, that is not to say it doesn't happen at all, but it is blown out of proportion.
Back on topic - they are fantastic cars. Just make sure you get Sport seats (doesn't necessarily have to be a Sport model with the big alloys and stiff suspension) as they are fantastic, and bear in mind that things like suspension bushes are wear and tear so they will need replaced at some point of they haven't already be done. Automatic gearboxes like oil changes, so if it hasn't already been done then get it seen to.
Go for it!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff