What car e46 328i saloon or Clio 172?
Discussion
As per title, I have more or less narrowed down my choice to these.
My budget is 1500 max as I'm hard up but I need a car for commuting 10 miles 2 to 3 times per week (other days by. Motorbike if I don't need to dress smartly) plus taking small children around at the weekend and the occasional longer motorway trip.
I'd like something fun but think the Clio might be a bit harsh for day to day duties with quite a lot traffic on my commute. I had a 182 in 04 and really enjoyed it but am wondering if the BMW is an enjoyable steer in saloon form. Coupes seem to command a bit more money.
Also, assuming decent service history have people found them both robust at 100k miles plus?
Trading down from a 130i for reference.
Thanks
GM
My budget is 1500 max as I'm hard up but I need a car for commuting 10 miles 2 to 3 times per week (other days by. Motorbike if I don't need to dress smartly) plus taking small children around at the weekend and the occasional longer motorway trip.
I'd like something fun but think the Clio might be a bit harsh for day to day duties with quite a lot traffic on my commute. I had a 182 in 04 and really enjoyed it but am wondering if the BMW is an enjoyable steer in saloon form. Coupes seem to command a bit more money.
Also, assuming decent service history have people found them both robust at 100k miles plus?
Trading down from a 130i for reference.
Thanks
GM
SonicHedgeHog said:
A £1500 E46 will be a total money pit. The Clio will be more fun by miles and you'll be able to fix it with your Fisher Price 'My First Tool Kit'. Forget the badge and buy the Clio.
Ha ha. I'm not very handy with the spanners but think I could have a go at some simple jobs if need be which might be more realistic on the Clio ...GM182 said:
fatboy69 said:
For me the E46 is the choice - got an E36 a the moment & I'm looking for an E46 to replace my defunct X-Type.
With hindsight I should have bought an E46 rather than the Jag. An expensive mistake......
Hmm. Ruled out x type as couldn't get a 3.0 for budgetWith hindsight I should have bought an E46 rather than the Jag. An expensive mistake......
Cheaper to buy another be than get a replacement engine.
My E36 on the other hand - 117k miles, goes like a train & has never let me down.
Hence the search for a decent E46.
I guess it's all down to personal choice at the end of the day.
fatboy69 said:
Don't get me wrong - my X-Type was a very good car, albeit quite thirsty, until the sodding engine broke. With just 68k miles on the clock......
Cheaper to buy another be than get a replacement engine.
My E36 on the other hand - 117k miles, goes like a train & has never let me down.
Hence the search for a decent E46.
I guess it's all down to personal choice at the end of the day.
My 1 series always felt pretty reliable but much younger than what I'm looking at now. Cheaper to buy another be than get a replacement engine.
My E36 on the other hand - 117k miles, goes like a train & has never let me down.
Hence the search for a decent E46.
I guess it's all down to personal choice at the end of the day.
I suppose my concern with the Clio is that little French hatchbacks with more than 100k might be more problematic than a BMW at the same mileage even it would be the older car.
In pure fun terms I'm sure the Clio is the winner but still tempted by the more sophisticated package.
Going to look up the power to weights as that's usually a key factor which I haven't checked yet in this case!
Funnily enough I have just made a similar choice...between an e46 330i Touring and a phase 2 172 to replace my old E36 328i saloon.
I ended up with the e46 in manual SE form...it has highish mileage, but the engines are good for huge mileage so long as they are well maintained.
I paid £900 (it was advertised at £1k) and it needed a few small things...one rear wheel bearing is noisy (not yet done), it needs a rocker cover gasket (common issue) and I've invested £100 in Iridium plugs, fresh oil and filters...
It's fully equipped with heated leather, electric folding door mirrors, rain sensing wipers, climate, etc and everything works properly.
The Clios I looked at had lower mleage, but were a lot rougher and didn't feel as good to drive. BMW parts are also cheap by comparison to Renault.
The saloon or tourings are just as good to drive as the coupes...in fact the saloon is suppossed to be a bit stiffer, albeit slighter heavier.
I'd still choose the e46...
I ended up with the e46 in manual SE form...it has highish mileage, but the engines are good for huge mileage so long as they are well maintained.
I paid £900 (it was advertised at £1k) and it needed a few small things...one rear wheel bearing is noisy (not yet done), it needs a rocker cover gasket (common issue) and I've invested £100 in Iridium plugs, fresh oil and filters...
It's fully equipped with heated leather, electric folding door mirrors, rain sensing wipers, climate, etc and everything works properly.
The Clios I looked at had lower mleage, but were a lot rougher and didn't feel as good to drive. BMW parts are also cheap by comparison to Renault.
The saloon or tourings are just as good to drive as the coupes...in fact the saloon is suppossed to be a bit stiffer, albeit slighter heavier.
I'd still choose the e46...
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