E46 320i SE test drive / buy

[Barreti]

Hi chaps,

Over here from the TVR Griffith forum because after some bumhole shunted the SAAB 900 I've found a BMW 320iSE which I'll test drive tomorrow and if all goes well I'll buy.

Hopefully I'm in the right forum and I won't get any arse telling me I must be a w*nker. I'm as surprised as my mate is that I've got to the verge of buying a BMW but they really have a nice 'feel' about them and I'm hoping the test drive gives me the same feeling. Oh, and I can't bring myself to buy a Mundano or its ilk

So, since I can't seem to find much about the E46 320i I wondered if someone can tell me what to watch out for before handing over my switch card tomorrow.

Is it a sign that I'm getting old that I
a) want a BMW
b) find it extremely odd to buy a car with a switch card

Ta
IanB

[A S P]

I did the same, went from a Saab 900 to an E46 and paid via a debit card and found that very odd! The main thing if going for a petrol E46 is that you get a six cylinder, don't see the point otherwise since there isn't much mpg difference and it sounds so much nicer. Usually they're pretty bulletproof, find a good indie and it'll be very economical to run. Compared to the GM900 (if thats what you had) it feels so massively superior to drive. One of the failings of the E46 is that the springs have a habit of snapping, sounds more serious than it is and a lot use it as an excuse to fit a set of Eibachs or H&R springs.

[Barreti]

Thanks A S P.
It was indeedy a GM900, I'm going to miss the old girl and she did me proud in the accident. I've no fear of spanners and just replaced the suspension on the TVR so I'll have a damned good nosey around that area as I know what I'm looking at.

Thanks for your comments, it's very reassuring to have them. It's a bit of an odd feeling really, the car just felt too good if you know what I mean and I'm looking for the catch !

Oh, it IS a 6 cylinder too. 320i SE 2.2Litre, Dark Blue, Black Leather and Piano Black trim on dash etc., PDC, multichanger, multifunction wheel, cruise, 64k with FBMWSH.
Sorry, bit overenthusiastic there and the geek in me came out!

Do these all come with the seats that have extending thigh supports?

Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 25th July 22:24

[theboss]

I had one once and really enjoyed it. Very smooth and pleasant to drive. The only negative was that I'd often wish I'd bought a 325 or 330 as the extra fuel and insurance costs are small in proportion to the extra power. But other than that I couldn't really fault it, plus it hardly cost me anything in depreciation and maintenance.

[Mustard]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

2.2 is less economicalm, though it is sweet spinning engine but all happens.... 2.5 is sooo much better


extendable front seats bases are sports seats rather than standard 'comfort' seats on the SE .....standard with 'Sport' Spec though

Edited by Mustard on Thursday 26th July 09:06

[A S P]

Barreti said:

Do these all come with the seats that have extending thigh supports?

Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 25th July 22:24

No, thats because you've got sport seats, I've got these and find them excellent, they give much more support to your legs and feel really comfortable on long journeys. My only complaint about the seats after the Saab are that the Saabs are actually very very comfortable in comparison, but I guess thats just a Swedish thing, but more seriously they don't have lumbar adjustment as standard.

[Barreti]

Thanks chaps.
I should really have mentioned I also have a TVR Griffith for the adrenaline junkie in me, and a LandRover 90 for carting things about. So this will be my daily hack/family car.
I'm not really looking for something fast or anything, this is for chomping up and down the motorway every day.

The prerequisites for the Saab replacement are;

Not slower (so probably 2.0L or more)
As comfortable
As big (so I don't get squished if some other bumhole decides the boot is a parking space)
Cruise and CD multichanger (something to do on the motorway)
Leather interior if possible but not essential (for the perve in me(
As economical (book says 27mpg for Saab though I got 33mpg)

Edited by Barreti on Thursday 26th July 09:41

[Barreti]

Right chaps.

Test drove it tonight.

Steering seems like it takes a lot more twiddling than I'm used to but the car responds to even tiny movements so theres no slackness in there. I've read the rack has 3.2 turns lock to lock and the Jag I'm driving right now is 2.6
(can't find the stats for the Saab900)
I'm guessing this difference is going to be reasonably noticeable because it feels a bit like driving a bus!

The clutch bite point is very high.
Is this a clue there's something wrong or is it how they are?

I tried putting the car in 5th, revving it and letting the clutch out gently. It dropped revs and killed the engine as expected to there's no clutch slippage.

There's no squeaks or wobbles or noise really. I tried gentle and hard braking and no problems. 60mph and no wobbles and up to 80 leptons reasonably quickly.
Off the mark seems slowish but that could be the high bite point I'm not used to. It certainly took off quickly once it was moving.

Ergonomically, I fit in the car and everything is where it should be. The sports seats are a big plus because you slide around like hell on the leather!

[abarber]

Barreti said:

Right chaps.

Test drove it tonight.

Steering seems like it takes a lot more twiddling than I'm used to but the car responds to even tiny movements so theres no slackness in there. I've read the rack has 3.2 turns lock to lock and the Jag I'm driving right now is 2.6
(can't find the stats for the Saab900)
I'm guessing this difference is going to be reasonably noticeable because it feels a bit like driving a bus!

The clutch bite point is very high.
Is this a clue there's something wrong or is it how they are?

I tried putting the car in 5th, revving it and letting the clutch out gently. It dropped revs and killed the engine as expected to there's no clutch slippage.

There's no squeaks or wobbles or noise really. I tried gentle and hard braking and no problems. 60mph and no wobbles and up to 80 leptons reasonably quickly.
Off the mark seems slowish but that could be the high bite point I'm not used to. It certainly took off quickly once it was moving.

Ergonomically, I fit in the car and everything is where it should be. The sports seats are a big plus because you slide around like hell on the leather!

Unless you get a latter E46 with the 325Ti compact rack, I'm afriad that's how the steering is. Not it's best feature. Clutch shouldn't be higher than normal either, might be worn. Hope that helps!

[Barreti]

Thanks for your comments chaps.
I bought the car I test drove and pick it up tomorrow.

The standard warranty covers the clutch plates so if its worn I'll get it done under warranty

Fingers crossed for a trouble free couple of years then