Some advice on 3 series please (E46)

[fagan23]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I am looking for a bit of advice...

I am wanting to purchase a BMW 3 series, although I am unsure of what model to go for. I have been doing some research, but still dont know what the best option to go for.

I am looking at either 318Ci Sport, 320Ci Sport or a 325Ci Sport (all being Coupe and 2003 onwards must be a facelift)

I really would like Automatic for a change, but again, not sure what others have experienced?!? And what is the max mileage I should be looking at???

Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated... thanks....

I have always owned Fords, and currently own a Fiesta ST, I want something more luxurious and love the look and options avail on the 3 series!

[[TW]Fox]

None of them.

Get a 330Ci - running costs are the same as the 320Ci or the 325Ci. Fuel economy is the same.

[fagan23]

Thank you for the reply,

How are running costs are the same? surely a 330ci is more to run (fuel, tax, insurance and servicing) than the 318 or 325?


I thought would get around 30mpg with the 325Ci

[[TW]Fox]

Becuase the engine - ie the M54 Straight Six - is the same in the 320, 325 and the 330 and differs only in terms of capacity. The 325 and 330 are in the same tax bracket, all 3 cost the same to service becuase other than the engine they are identical and the engine takes the same amount/type of oil, the insurance difference is negligable and and the difference in combined MPG between them is just 1.5mpg.

[LC23]

The 330Ci sport is a very good car and the 320/325 shouldn't be considered unless your budget won't stretch to the 330. My 330Ci sport was excellent, did alot of things very well and never gave me one problem. Mileage isn't too much of a factor providing it's been serviced when required.

You may get some people posting, saying it's souless/power delivery is linear etc. but personally, I wouldn't hesitate buying another one.

[Doctor Bone]

fagan23 said:

Thank you for the reply,

How are running costs are the same? surely a 330ci is more to run (fuel, tax, insurance and servicing) than the 318 or 325?


I thought would get around 30mpg with the 325Ci

Around town 22-25mpg, on a run I saw 40.3mpg indicated in my manual 330i sport. Cant say about tax cos mine is pre 2001. Servicing is pretty much the same across all the 6 cylinder e46s I think. No reason to get a smaller engined car.

[blackburnbmw]

I have a 330ci sport auto. The box works well and has 3 modes: "normal" automatic, push the lever to the left and you get "sport" auto which gives only the first 4 gears, raised shifts points and sharper throttle response. Finally, when in "sport" you can push the lever forward/back for manual changes through all 5 gears although it will still kick down automatically in this mode.

Not economical in town particularly or if pushed hard (as you'd expect) though can be frugal on a run. Gentle motorway cruising shows high 30's on the OBC. I've never worked it out accurately though...

I would recommend wholeheartedly.

[DavidLScott]

330!!!

I have averaged just under 28mpg over the last 5 years with very little motorway driving.
I sue Sport as much as normal auto, which can be a bit sluggish sometimes.

It's the best daily driver car I have had since my VR6 Corrado all those years ago.

[pstruck]

This is interesting. I am considering upgrading my E36 318 Touring to an E46 and was thinking of going the diesel route. Have been a bit dissappointed with the MPG on the 318 (low 30's), but if you say the 6 pots will average similar then I may re-think.

Diesel will obviously save on MPG and tax, but my heart will always tell me to go with the petrol.

[DavidLScott]

Are you talking about a Touring as, when I was half thinking of one recently, a vast majority of them were diesel - must be the weight of the labradors in the back.

I'm with you on the petrol front but there is all that torque and they are chippable. But no - I couldn't do it and god knows what the Gov will do to diesels in the future (or petrol cars for that matter) - tax, tax and tax again.

[The GMan]

I had a 330Ci Sport a few years ago. Cracking car.