BMW 320 Ci

[CJ1987]

After getting a new job that would involve a lot of motorway driving I decided to treat myself to a new car, it's a E46 320 Ci (2.2L) with 107k miles on the clock but still drives like a new car. It has full leather interior, all the usual toys (air con, climate control etc) and apart from some small dents in the passenger side rear quarter panel (in pic) the rest of the car is in very good condition. Not bad for £1600

Edited by CJ1987 on Friday 25th August 15:02

[steveeeW]

Been looking at getting one of these fairly soon. Probably after the winter / Christmas period. Will be looking forward to the updates :-)

[CJ1987]

very good drivers car and pretty comfortable although the arches rusting is the only main issue with them. Luckily the previous owner had replaced both front wings and sealed all four arches up at the same time so it should be a while before they need any attention as they rust from the inside out

[AM7]

They really are superb value for money aren't they?! Luckily mine has no rust whatsoever on the arches at 98k so it was a pretty rare find

Completely agree with your statement of it feeling like a new car though, I share the same thoughts with mine, they really were well put together. Random question, but just out of interest what colour is your leather?

[CJ1987]

AM7 said:

They really are superb value for money aren't they?! Luckily mine has no rust whatsoever on the arches at 98k so it was a pretty rare find

Completely agree with your statement of it feeling like a new car though, I share the same thoughts with mine, they really were well put together. Random question, but just out of interest what colour is your leather?

compared to other cars for the same money you generally get more with the BMW's, it has full black leather interior on mine

[Fartgalen]

Not bad CJ. Is that the smallest straight 6 ?

[CJ1987]

Fartgalen said:

Not bad CJ. Is that the smallest straight 6 ?

its the 2.2 and smallest is a 1.8 or very least a 2.0l iirc also hows things with you?

[Fartgalen]

Pretty good. You ? I'm plodding along as usual.

[CJ1987]

good thanks, got a new job so decided to treat myself and get a better car for motorway journeys at the same time also ajh said might be starting another champ which i may come back for so might lose to you again lol

[DanielJames]

CJ1987 said:

its the 2.2 and smallest is a 1.8 or very least a 2.0l iirc also hows things with you?

The 2.2 is the smallest 6 cylinder in the E46.

[CJ1987]

DanielJames said:

The 2.2 is the smallest 6 cylinder in the E46.

well learned something new , guessing the others are 4 cyclinders then?

[CJ1987]

finally managed to give it a quick wash whilst it was dry then took it down some B roads

[CJ1987]

AM7 said:

CJ1987 said:

well learned something new , guessing the others are 4 cyclinders then?

Correct, pre 2001 316i and 318i were both 1.9, post 2001 the 316i was 1.8 and the 318i was 2.0, all 4 cylinder. But of course the coupe was never offered in 316i form, happy to help

thanks for the info

[CJ1987]

Been quite a while since any updates for my car as it was off the road for just over a year due to various reasons. Since the last update I have done:

• All new brake discs/pads/shoes on the car.
• Got the alloy wheels refurbished
• Passenger window regulator fixed
• All new engine/auxiliary belts replaced
• 3 new ABS sensors
• New radiator, hoses, expansion tank and thermostat

Still a fair bit to be done before I am happy with it but it will need to wait as got a project car as well now eating up my money lol. Here's a pic of newly refurbished wheels:

Edited by CJ1987 on Friday 25th August 17:00

[C70R]

Interesting spec there. SE exterior (and it looks like suspension too), Sport wheels, SE steering wheel, non-electric Sport seats and Sport silver dash trim. Was any of that your doing, or did it come to you as a 'bitsa' car?

[CJ1987]

C70R said:

Interesting spec there. SE exterior (and it looks like suspension too), Sport wheels, SE steering wheel, non-electric Sport seats and Sport silver dash trim. Was any of that your doing, or did it come to you as a 'bitsa' car?

Bought it that way although some parts i am thinking of changing also its got M sport suspension which helps on the twisty stuff

Edited by CJ1987 on Friday 25th August 21:29

[C70R]

CJ1987 said:

C70R said:

Interesting spec there. SE exterior (and it looks like suspension too), Sport wheels, SE steering wheel, non-electric Sport seats and Sport silver dash trim. Was any of that your doing, or did it come to you as a 'bitsa' car?

Bought it that way although some parts i am thinking of changing also its got M sport suspension which helps on the twisty stuff

Edited by CJ1987 on Friday 25th August 21:29

Hmm. I did wonder on that a bit. It sits a fair bit higher than either of my E46 Sports, so I'd check the part numbers on the suspension (unless you fitted it yourself) just to be sure.