Just how bad is the N46B20 engine?

[anonymous-user]

A good few years ago I ran an E46 318 M43 shed I bought on eBay for £1600 and I absolutely loved it. As soon as I shut the door and pulled away from the sellers house I thought this car is too good for £1600.

Now it would appear that I can buy an 06 E90 320 with 70k on the clock for under £2k, am I going to get the same feeling or is this going to be one massive headache?

I notice there are quite a few for sale on eBay with check engine lights and misfires, are they really as bad as everyone says?

[survivalist]

The 4 cylinder engines on the E90 don't have a great rep, especially the 170hp one in the 320si and the later diesel 2.0 with the timing chain issues.

For me, the main reason not to buy the 4 cylinder is the fact you can get a 325 or 330 6 cylinder for very similar money. As long as its the earlier N52 version you'll have minimal issues apart from the water pump.

325's seem to be especially good value as the 330 seems to be the one to have. Having had both, the 330i has a much broader spread of torque and therefore is easier to make progress using the midrange. The 325 needs more revs to shine but in some ways I preferred the way it's character changes above 4000 rpm. Still sounds good at all revs as well.

[silverback mike]

I recently sold the Mrs 325ise E90 170k. Absolutely immaculate for £1700 with fsh and 12 months MOT. Fantastic car!