Talk to me about E46s.

[Twin Turbo]

This one is in the classifieds at £3650.......which seems a little cheap to me for an '03 330i with 110k on the clock




I've been set on replacing my E39 520i Touring with a 530i, but the E46 is a cracking little car.

So, is this too cheap? What else should I be looking out for? What's the sort of MPG from one of these? I do mainly motorway miles.

Too good to be true?

[sparks_E39]

Great looking cars- I've heard build quality is down from the E39 and they have their fair share of headaches- you could probably get a better 2001-2002 example for the same money? I thought aboout very cheap at the time 530i's when my budget would cover a mint pre facelift, so I got the 528 instead- I'm glad I made that choice.

[Twin Turbo]

Hmmmm, I do love my E39s though. This 530i beauty is on eBay for similar money to the E46, and it's only got 90k on the clock.......

[Salom]

The E46 Saloon is less disireable than the Coupe, hence the price..
I've had 3 E46, including an M3, I currently have a 330 Ci which brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. They are great cars!

[dooosuk]

Car in the OP is probably priced correctly to sell. I don't think it's under priced.

[Fox-]

That e39 is lovely.

[Twin Turbo]

They're both lovey...........what to do........what to do

(the E46 is at least located in the right part of the country for me, unlike the E39 which is a 500 mile round trip!)


Thanks for the feedback so far, chaps

[williamp]

Twin Turbo said:

This one is in the classifieds at £3650.......which seems a little cheap to me for an '03 330i with 110k on the clock




I've been set on replacing my E39 520i Touring with a 530i, but the E46 is a cracking little car.

So, is this too cheap? What else should I be looking out for? What's the sort of MPG from one of these? I do mainly motorway miles.

Too good to be true?

well its nearly 10 years old, it has a large engine which nobody wants anymore and its more the n 100k miles- too many "oh no's...." from ordinary people, hence the price. Although I would say that sounds quite expensive. An 03 plate X type 3 litre is a lot cheaper...

But it is a large engine for someone who just does motorway miles

[Twin Turbo]

The Jag is cheaper for a reason

All good points though, and a trawl through eBay would indicate £3.5k should buy a very nice 330i.

As for engine? My 520i struggles to do 28mpg with it's 150bhp...........so I should be able to get similar mpg from a nice wafty 230bhp....with poke under my right foot when I need it

Also, at 180,000 miles, I'm pretty sure my car has a few ponies less that it started with........

[Deano_BMW]

What sort of driving do you do?i only say that as i had a few E46s including a 330 before i had my first E39 and i couldn't now go back.
That said i love having my local garages E46 courtesy car for a few days but after that i want my 39 back.

[Deano_BMW]

Sorry,just re read your first post. If its mainly motorway driving id be all over that E39 over the 46. The 46 will be a lot more lively and fun (its all subjective of course) but can't touch the 39 for motorway cruising

[Twin Turbo]

Yeah, mainly motorway miles, say 70 a day, plus 10 miles of a nice A road at the start and finish.

My current 520 excels once you're up to speed and will waft around all day.........it's just the lethargy if you put your toe down that grates (always has). Once off the motorway, she does a good impression of a heffalump.....numb steering and loads of body roll (it's an SE).

I'd certainly trade some of that for a more lively experience, although I'm sure a 530iSport would do the same

[sparks_E39]

My 528 was a bit of a bus before I replaced the knackered 10 year old suspension

[Luca Brasi]

sparks_E39 said:

they have their fair share of headaches

Not really actually. Apart from cooling / suspension arms they're pretty bulletproof.

[Fox-]

Luca Brasi said:

Not really actually. Apart from cooling / suspension arms they're pretty bulletproof.

And power steering pumps, heater blower motors, VANOS oil seals, alternators, etc etc.

Plenty to go wrong, the phrase 'Bulletproof' is always amusing

[Luca Brasi]

Fox- said:

And power steering pumps, heater blower motors, VANOS oil seals, alternators, etc etc.

Plenty to go wrong, the phrase 'Bulletproof' is always amusing

Mine's been living outside for almost 10 years now, did around 35k in it in the last 2 years. Never missed a beat.

[sparks_E39]

I hear people say the E39 is bulletproof. I'm sure some are....

[Fox-]

Luca Brasi said:

Mine's been living outside for almost 10 years now, did around 35k in it in the last 2 years. Never missed a beat.

I dont think a sample size of '1' is statistically relevant.

[Deano_BMW]

Sorry,just re read your first post. If its mainly motorway driving id be all over that E39 over the 46. The 46 will be a lot more lively and fun (its all subjective of course) but can't touch the 39 for motorway cruising

[Pingman]

Twin Turbo said:

Hmmmm, I do love my E39s though. This 530i beauty is on eBay for similar money to the E46, and it's only got 90k on the clock.......

Now THAT looks good!