320d Touring E46 buying considerations....
320d Touring E46 buying considerations....
Author
Discussion

6speedmanual

Original Poster:

140 posts

259 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Hi All

Wonder if you would be so good as to pour forth your pearls of wisdom:

I am thinking about buying a 320d Touring E46. Budget £4-5K. Targetting cars with around 100K miles on the clock.

I like the economy of this car as I commute 100 miles per day and its general compact nature with a big(ish) car feel. 1600Kg tow capaacity is also important to me.

But I have some questions....

At what year did the 6 speed gearbox come in, was it standard or optional?

Do they have Cruise Control? Standard or optional? Is it only cars with Multifunction steering wheel?

What technical problems/costs am I likely to encounter as I grind out the big miles from 100,000 to 200,000 (about 3 years driving) before waving it cheerio?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Peter

6speedmanual

Original Poster:

140 posts

259 months

Friday 11th February 2011
quotequote all
Is the 320d so dull a car that there are no opinions?
Maybe I should be thinking along the lines of a Peugeot 406?

Peter

6speedmanual

Original Poster:

140 posts

259 months

Friday 11th February 2011
quotequote all
Is the 320d so dull a car that there are no opinions?
Maybe I should be thinking along the lines of a Peugeot 406?

Peter

soda

1,131 posts

191 months

Friday 11th February 2011
quotequote all
6sp box is standard on the facelift models from 03 onwards (upswept headlights and slightly more powerful than the older version - 150 vs 136 bhp)

Cruise and multifunction wheel I think is standard on SE or sport models, not present on ES.

Usual checks apply for E46 diesel, regular servicing, crankcase breather and swirl flaps.

At 100k I'd be thinking the suspension could do with a refresh, particularly if you are going to be towing. E46 are prone to eating bushes and recent bills for dampers and wishbones etc would be a bonus.