E46 BMW 320i Touring

[Esotericstuff]

I have always had a soft spot for E46's, they were the car to have just as I was learning to drive and I still think they are one of the best looking cars within the realm of mere mortals.

So I as a sort of youngish man, with an even younger GF decided to set out and buy the best example I could find. Having looked at several with the usual arch rust and sketchy owners, I happened across this one on Scumtree, admittedly an estate, but despite protestations that estates were only for those with kids and dogs from the missus I decided to have it. That and this one was slightly above shed money and seemed better than a lot of the cars described as 'in excellent condition', albeit without much service history. And as a bonus it works out cheaper to insure, since reprobates stay away from estates.

It comes with the hilariously outdated but surprisingly desirable widescreen sat nav with a tape deck and broken 6 disc changer. Heated beige leather seats, working and cold climate control. And of course replete with evidence of all the standard estate uses, crayola pencils under the seats, dog hair in the boot and a tow bar.

It is the nicest car I have ever owned, having previously considered windy windows as lighter and good exercise, central locking for those with short arms unable to reach across a car and ABS only required for those who can't cadence brake.

My plans are to give it a full service, undertake a totally unnecessary program of preventative maintenance to only increase my 'whats that noise' paranoia. And probably upgrade the stereo to something a bit more 2015 than 2002. Oh and I might take it to a skid pan or trackday, to experience what RWD is all about.

Here it is after paying some eastern european £10 to put more effort into cleaning it than I ever would myself. Sorry for the potato quality pictures.

[BorkFactor]

Looks great, I love the pale wood inlays!

If you want hilariously outdated sat nav you should see mine, its a 98 E46 and doesn't even have a colour screen

Good find that, enjoy

[cerb4.5lee]

Always liked these a friend used to have a E46 325i Touring and I always enjoyed having a go in it when I got the chance, that looks a very nice looked after example you have got hold of.

Have fun with it.

[Esotericstuff]

Thanks for the kind words. I saw a few and without fail they were all a bit tatty, this one isn't perfect but is a nice example.

One tip I picked up, this only came with a single key and central locking wasn't working from the fob. I baulked at the £150 BMW wanted for a new key, so used www.bmkeys.com

The guy is based in the back room of a garage on an uninspiring industrial estate in east ham, but he did a good job both repairing my original key and coding a new spare all for £80.

Does anyone have any advice on how to shine the chrome trim? It is quite oxidized.

[Triumph Man]

Nice car OP, I like the simplistic good looks of the SE. Needs a new bonnet badge though

[Esotericstuff]

I do have a new bonnet badge, but it is a cheap ebay copy which I took one look at and decided it wouldn't be any real improvement over the current one.

Need to go rip one off a car at a scrappy.