Talk to me about E46 coupes
Discussion
Seems this thread has popped back up, I thought I'd post a quick update. Might be of interest to anyone else who's considering an E46.
I bought the car from Chepstow (mentioned a page or two back) and owned it for about 18 months. In the end, the only reason I sold it was because I was getting into motorsport and it was a bit big to use for autosolos.
As a road car it was great. Thanks to that creamy straight-six, the sloping roofline and the snug interior it always felt that little bit more special than driving a regular saloon. It was a great mile-muncher too and not that bad on fuel considering it was a fairly heavy car with a big naturally-aspirated engine.
My only slight reservation was the feeling that there was more to come from both the chassis and the engine - as if BMW had been a bit too conservative. It also felt a bit over-tyred in the dry with the staggered wheels. I kept thinking how good it'd be with a bit more power, a bit more noise, a proper mechanical LSD and a bit less weight. I've never driven an E46 M3, but it must be a wonderful thing.
That was on track at Castle Combe, where to my surprise, it seemed to give the Boxsters and Caymans quite a hard time.
But as a daily driver it was pretty hard to beat. Had my requirements not changed I'd gladly have kept it. Quite fancy trying a Z4 Coupe next.
I bought the car from Chepstow (mentioned a page or two back) and owned it for about 18 months. In the end, the only reason I sold it was because I was getting into motorsport and it was a bit big to use for autosolos.
As a road car it was great. Thanks to that creamy straight-six, the sloping roofline and the snug interior it always felt that little bit more special than driving a regular saloon. It was a great mile-muncher too and not that bad on fuel considering it was a fairly heavy car with a big naturally-aspirated engine.
My only slight reservation was the feeling that there was more to come from both the chassis and the engine - as if BMW had been a bit too conservative. It also felt a bit over-tyred in the dry with the staggered wheels. I kept thinking how good it'd be with a bit more power, a bit more noise, a proper mechanical LSD and a bit less weight. I've never driven an E46 M3, but it must be a wonderful thing.
That was on track at Castle Combe, where to my surprise, it seemed to give the Boxsters and Caymans quite a hard time.
But as a daily driver it was pretty hard to beat. Had my requirements not changed I'd gladly have kept it. Quite fancy trying a Z4 Coupe next.
My E46 ci is now gone, almost a year ago it went. Loved it, favourite car I've ever owned. Mine was a 328ci with a manual gearbox, and cloth seats. It was on Koni suspension, and drove wonderfully. Did many miles all around Europe. Mine had seen serious neglect, so I replaced the entire cooling system, and sorted out the A/C since it was inop. Wonderful car and I agree, the cabin felt really cosy. Much moreso than the E91 that replaced it. I think the cloth seats helped the 'cosiness' too. Since mine was an early model (November '99 build), the subframe mounts failed. This, combined with the rust meant it just wasn't worth repairing. It would have needed a whole new floorpan from about the back of the front seats backwards. Otherwise I would still have it now. Fortunately I managed to get rid of it at about the right time. I sold it needing a service, the rear tyres were in need of replacement, and the MOT was about to run out. I only noticed the subframe mount failure while replacing a rear ABS sensor that had failed. All of the work on it I did myself, too.
Frameless doors felt so cool, too. Even if people shutting the door by the window was annoying.
Finally, some pics of it when I went to sell it. Had a mega stack of paperwork with every invoice from brand new through to the last parts I bought for it, all four keys and everything else present and correct. I nabbed some bits from it before it went, though. Still have the Sytner keyring on my current daily. It sold within 12 minutes of the ad going live. It went to The Netherlands on a lorry to donate it's lovely engine, gearbox, and interior to a lesser model. The exterior was iffy, but the interior was absolutely immaculate.
Frameless doors felt so cool, too. Even if people shutting the door by the window was annoying.
Finally, some pics of it when I went to sell it. Had a mega stack of paperwork with every invoice from brand new through to the last parts I bought for it, all four keys and everything else present and correct. I nabbed some bits from it before it went, though. Still have the Sytner keyring on my current daily. It sold within 12 minutes of the ad going live. It went to The Netherlands on a lorry to donate it's lovely engine, gearbox, and interior to a lesser model. The exterior was iffy, but the interior was absolutely immaculate.
Not a 330 CI, but a 330CD, 74k on the clock, full history. ![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/niecslpL.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/tjD8ovt7" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/tjD8ovt7.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/KQPpJbdx" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/KQPpJbdx.jpg)
She will be being treated to some more refresh's/upgrades once lockdown is over. Also has a new Alpine E46 headunit fitted and a RaceChip (which makes a hell of a difference to both grunt and MPG).
Love driving her and even though Diesel, she makes a lovely cultured sound.
She will be being treated to some more refresh's/upgrades once lockdown is over. Also has a new Alpine E46 headunit fitted and a RaceChip (which makes a hell of a difference to both grunt and MPG).
Love driving her and even though Diesel, she makes a lovely cultured sound.
Chris71 said:
But as a daily driver it was pretty hard to beat. Had my requirements not changed I'd gladly have kept it. Quite fancy trying a Z4 Coupe next.
That sounds very much like my old E46 325ti Compact that I bought when I couldn't find a good 330Ci. A Z4 Coupe will feel very different - more fun but not as good as a daily driver. I had a couple of those and loved them, but now have a Z4MC so an M3 engine and an LSD as standard. It's just fantastic, so you know with some budget creep and man maths in operation...….!
Mr Tidy said:
Chris71 said:
But as a daily driver it was pretty hard to beat. Had my requirements not changed I'd gladly have kept it. Quite fancy trying a Z4 Coupe next.
That sounds very much like my old E46 325ti Compact that I bought when I couldn't find a good 330Ci. A Z4 Coupe will feel very different - more fun but not as good as a daily driver. I had a couple of those and loved them, but now have a Z4MC so an M3 engine and an LSD as standard. It's just fantastic, so you know with some budget creep and man maths in operation...….!
If you can work the spanners, a decent enough example. my 328ci above came out of a field and I gave £850 for it. I did every piece of work on it myself and it never so much as broke at all. I did a lot of work to it though.
All suspension and brakes
Cooling system
A/C repairs
And all of the other little jobs that end up need doing on these cars.
All suspension and brakes
Cooling system
A/C repairs
And all of the other little jobs that end up need doing on these cars.
SystemPorsche said:
This thread has me now wanting one!
What sort of disaster would £1500 to £2000 get?
Well if you can do some work yourself it could work out quite well! What sort of disaster would £1500 to £2000 get?
Here is some inspiration for you:- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mr Tidy said:
Well if you can do some work yourself it could work out quite well!
Here is some inspiration for you:- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Just seen that for the first time, lovely thread, ruddy bargain he has there! Here is some inspiration for you:- https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I cant recall what I gave for mine, but around £2000 four years ago. Not really tracked prices since,
Saw quite a few at around £1100 which where rought, mad rust on the bodywork, dent in the bonnet etc.
But obviously with time you can find some real gems too.
Daniel
Love my e46 330d, but every month, you can guarantee something needs fixing or replacing.
Last 3 months include, 2 rear tyres, rear brake caliper, pads all round, intercooler hose, CCV filter, Centre prop shaft bearing and last week the rear propshaft to diff CV joint let go spectacularly, leaving me with no drive whatsoever.
Love it to bits but it's now getting annoying, despite being in lovely condition, with virtually no rust whatsoever, waxed twice a month, and lovingly cared for.
Last 3 months include, 2 rear tyres, rear brake caliper, pads all round, intercooler hose, CCV filter, Centre prop shaft bearing and last week the rear propshaft to diff CV joint let go spectacularly, leaving me with no drive whatsoever.
Love it to bits but it's now getting annoying, despite being in lovely condition, with virtually no rust whatsoever, waxed twice a month, and lovingly cared for.
Mexman said:
Love my e46 330d, but every month, you can guarantee something needs fixing or replacing.
Last 3 months include, 2 rear tyres, rear brake caliper, pads all round, intercooler hose, CCV filter, Centre prop shaft bearing and last week the rear propshaft to diff CV joint let go spectacularly, leaving me with no drive whatsoever.
Love it to bits but it's now getting annoying, despite being in lovely condition, with virtually no rust whatsoever, waxed twice a month, and lovingly cared for.
Unfortunately this is just down to age, things starts to hit their time or mileage limits and start failing in random fashion.Last 3 months include, 2 rear tyres, rear brake caliper, pads all round, intercooler hose, CCV filter, Centre prop shaft bearing and last week the rear propshaft to diff CV joint let go spectacularly, leaving me with no drive whatsoever.
Love it to bits but it's now getting annoying, despite being in lovely condition, with virtually no rust whatsoever, waxed twice a month, and lovingly cared for.
What year/how many miles are you up to?
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