E46 320i Touring - anything to watch for?

[HellDiver]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2048701.htm

I've VERY tempted by something similar to the car linked. I'd prefer a manual, though.

Anything obvious to watch for? Do the 6-pot engines in these still have the melting 6th cylinder issues of the older E30 engines?

[Matt UK]

HellDiver said:

Anything obvious to watch for?

I had a 320i saloon - I can sum it up as '6-pot noise and costs with 4-banger pace'.

I'd urge you to go for a bigger 6, or if costs are more of a priority I'd go diesel or 318i.

[HellDiver]

I've been in a 318i - OK if you don't ever want to overtake or keep up with traffic. Diesel, no need for one, and milage is usually intergalactic.

So a 330i is a better idea then?

[BlueProp]

Most definitely!

[Matt UK]

HellDiver said:

So a 330i is a better idea then?

I think so.
The smaller sixes are nice and smooth vs a 4-cyl, but don't really save you much in running costs over the big sixes.

If you're spending out for 6-pot, you may as well have some performance on tap.

[Fox-]

With the M54 engines, everything about them bar insurance group is the same price. They have pretty much the same economy (THere is 1.5mpg between a 320i and a 330i), they cost the same to service, they cost they same to fix when they break, they cost the same to tax, everything is the same.

Therefore buy a 330i - because you might as well get big performance for the big running costs.

[anonymous-user]

I have its larger sibling the 330i sport touring and it really is good. It's an 02 plate bought at 65k miles for under 6.5g about 15 months ago. Only recently had to have it serviced and even with a stealer it cost less than 300. the insurance is affordable at about 400 and it drives well and sounds good too.

we are trading up to the 530i sport touring because the e46 is a little pokey in the back but apart from that its great value and high quality practical motoring.

as has been said above hold out for the 330i - its a lot more bang for not much more buck