I'm from america and I loved the review you did on this one. Please continue making video's about the e46 model, such as oil changes and small repairs. I will happily subscribe. Thank You
I just picked up an 04 320i. I got a pretty good deal..has a few issues but nothing that can't be fixed. Should be a fun toy for the summer. Can't wait. Such a nice looking car.
Got a decent example of a 320i as my first car and I am very happy with it, everything is really great apart from the speakers, expected them to be a bit better in a premium sedan from this era.
10:24 It's the clutch delay valve. You get used it it but it's possible to remove it. The internet has a replacement that has no delay. Might screw up the drive shaft though with repeated full throttle starts. I thought about it when I first got the car. Over time I got used to the valve and opted to leave it in. Great cars. Luv and Peace.
Great vid, and i can tell your close to my age, about the cassette, when i play a vinyl record for my 16 year old daughters friends, they are just amazed,lol Nice car!!
Schönes Auto, aber die Magie des Sechszylinders ist noch etwas anderes. Zudem gilt der Sechszylinder im Vergleich zum Vierzylinder als technisch problemlos.
Super Review! Ich bin verliebt in dieses Auto und mein nächster wird definitiv so ein E46 320i, allerdings als Touring. Danke dafür dass du mich in meiner Entscheidung weiter bestätigt hast :)
The throttle linkage problem can be cured by a really easy mod. Remove the component called the CDV. I bought an e85 s.5si Z4 after my E46 320i that had had the mod done and it is night and day. All that has to happen is to remove a Clutch Delay Valve from the powertrain. It removes the delay between backing off the clutch the clutch pedal and the clutch engaging. BMW thought that a CDV would help preserve the Drive shaft from undue stress from people dumping the clutch. It releases the clutch slowly no matter what speed you release it. If you are a good driver this is a massive pain in the ass. Without the CDV you can blip shift down and even Heel and toe and it just works. I've noticed 4-5th at high torque on a motorway still yields some drivetrain shunt so be aware you will be lessening the service life of that part but it's worth it in dally driving. The CDV on my E46 used to make me stall all the time until I learnt to just give it more throttle. The irony is the clutch will last longer if you do the CDV delete. The Jury's out on the Driveshaft but no big horror stories yet. Luv and Peace.
Definitely check for full service history, make sure the engine doesn't make any ticking or whining sounds (or the timing chain could be going), check the clutch, make sure the suspension doesn't make any weird noises. If that is all okay you should be safe for at least 20k more kilometres.
All the apologies in the e46, made for the clutch are explained by the clutch delay valve. The clutch delay valve is is the single biggest bugbear for road testers on this car. It takes an experienced driver and makes him or her feel like a novice because the clutch does not do what it's told. It actually does but delayed slightly. When you own the car you get used to it very quickly but it is a very quirky thing about these six cylinder e46s I've got an e85 z4 2.5si which had the cdv on it from factory but I'd bet the previous owner deleted it because it feels much more immediate than my 320i ever did when I dump the clutch at higher revs. The idea behind the CDV was BMW wanted to use cheaper materials on the propshaft but they were concerned the sudden torque would twist the propshaft and cause problems. My Z4 is functioning perfectly. I don't drop the clutch at high revs almost ever. I think if you drive with some mechanical sympathy there is not a problem to be solved with the CDV. You're far better without it. Less filters between me and the machine is both a win and a responsibility. Luv and Peace.
Clutch is horrid. Very springy and late engagement point. Also doesn't have automatic anti-rev-dropping during take off. Apart from that it's very good.
Der Motor ist erste Sahne... Ich bin kein Vollidiot. Das ist ein Hochdrehzahlmotor. Die kommen erst im hohen Drehzahlbereich so richtig. Die Trägheit der Masse zwischen Rädern und Kurbelwelle und die Abwesenheit von automatischer Drehzahlanhebung beim Einkuppeln bewirkt ein gummibandartiges Schwingen beim Anfahren und manchmal Kupplungsrupfen, wenn die Drehzahl zu niedrig ist. Inzwischen hab ichs drauf.
You didn't give as much details as I was expecting a proper guide on buying a used 2003-2005 E46. I expected that you'd talk more on impact of buying a high mileage E46 sedan, as they're so many out there on the marketplace now and other pitfalls we could watch out for. Because, I'm watching this video in 2015 and might get a 2005 E46 ZHP soon, I'm beginning to have 2nd thoughts due to the numerous issues people that have acquired the 3-series have had during ownership & maintenance. I'm beginning to contemplate other cars below; 2005-2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe (gray with black interior leather &rims) 2008-2009 Dodge Charger SRT-8 (gray with black rims) 2007 BMW E90 335i w/sport package (grayish silver with black rims) 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport (grayish silver with black rims) 2005 BMW E46 330i ZHP(silver metallic with black rims) Hence why I need you to give better details on why the E46 is an overall better compact daily driver car and all the things I should be checking out for when buying a clean used one. Since I guess you've owned yours for a while and might have clearer 1st hand information on this Bavarian car.
Lanre Oladejo just make sure the windows work, and if it's high mileage check if anything cooling related has been changed already, water pump, radiator etc the car otherwise is pretty stable, my mom drives hers with 170,000 miles no problems so far besides the changing of those cooling things. The 330i is pretty much the same since it's just a higher tuned engine. I see the 335i in your list, and beware of the infamous HPFP (high pressure fuel problems) problems that happen a lot, i think it prevents your car from not starting and needs immediate repair once it breaks since obviously the car won't start, not sure but just do your research on all cars you're thinking about buying.
Wie es einfach fast genau mein Auto ist. Habe einen 320i aus 2004 in der Individual Special Edition in Diamant Metallic. Die Ausstattung ist exakt die gleiche bis auf die Elektrischen Fensterheber hinten. Leider hat meiner einige Kampfspuren vom Rentnervorbesitz, ist dafür aber technisch sehr gepflegt
However, it's true what they say about you respect for cars you have great. Not what other nations will destroy cars with a pseudo tuning that is nothing like it. Because of this, respect from Poland
i've already been saving €6000 to buy my first car (bmw e46) i'm almost 19 now and it's a really hard choice to choose which engine i would take: a 320i or 320d would be the highest that i would go (or 318), because insurance is expensive on this age and taxes would cost me €650/year if i buy a 320i (i live in Belgium) but i also love the 6 cilinder sound that comes from the 320i... and what do you also think about the fuel usage? :)
Don't take the 318 it's a 4 cylinder and there are many problems , if you take the 320i you car is have better performance but if you take the Diesel you have a very economic car
powerking230 No one BMW engine have problems. that rubbish. Everything is in maintenance, changin oil in every 10k km and filters, and it's be with no problems at all. I drive, 318i e46 lci, 315k km on it, no one problem yet. :)
+Jed Hamzy what do you think about 325i or 320d! i know diesel has 6 gear and helps alot, but friend toled me 325 is better due to more power. right now my mind is more to 325i.
Das Auto ist nicht gerade leicht und durch Heckantrieb ist Anfahren eine Kunst. Wenn es mal rollt ein Sahnemotor mit genug Power. Erst ab so 6000rpm geht der richtig ;)
im having a hard time picking between the bmw e46 318i 2002 model vs the bmw e46 320i 2002 model as my first car... i would greatly appreciate your guys thoughts! ps lovely review :)
im getting a car in the near future as well, im turning 18 later this month. Its going to be an e46 6 cylinder (320i, 325i, 330i) facelift model 2002 and later :)
Das Video ist zwar mittlerweile zwei Jahre alt, aber würdest du heute noch einen E46 empfehlen (einen der letzten Baujahre, so ab 2003). Fahre derzeit einen E36 320i touring, dem merkt man seine 17 Jahre aber mittlerweile an.
+Stiwie2408 also ich würde eher davon abraten, dann doch lieber einen e90, sind auch sehr günstig geworden. Bereits ab 5000 euro kann man sich schon so ein tolles stück zulegen. leider spinnt beim e46 die elektronik sehr stark, Fensterheber, ABS-Steuergerät, Motorsteuergerät, AIRBAG. Auch die Kardanwelle. sowie das differential ist sehr schnell kaputt, was auch sehr ins geld geht. kotflügel rosten sehr stark, leider auch die hinterachse!!
+Stiwie2408 Hi. Also unser 3er (der im video) hat überhaupt keine probleme gemacht (jetzt um die 63000km) außer einer schnatternden umlenkrolle und einem airbag rückruf. man merkt schon, dass es ein älteres auto ist, und es fährt sich ein wenig behäbig. habe keine erfahrung mit dem e90, finde ihn einfach nur hässlich und das alte idrive is eine qual.
was geht an Kardanwelle und Differential "sehr schnell kaputt"? Und die Kardanwelle kann ich ja doch einfach 1:1 tauschen, oder? Müsste es ja vom Schrott geben oder gebraucht bei eBay-Kleinanzeigen
What is diifference in 320i and 320d in performance,fuel consumption etc..i have Mazda and i paid lot for denso diesel pump,so i am bit sick of diesel..
tattoocream Honest difference? The 320i is far smoother, quieter, has 2 cylinders more than the 320d and much more fun to drive but it drinks a lot. It sounds a lot better too!You'll be seeing about 23-25mpg if you like to drive half tank eco and half tank like you stole it. The 320d is a car you want if you don't really drive spirit-fully and just want to get from a to b (for older people i.e. mid 30s), I will tell you one thing though, it does feel painfully slow the sensation of speed is lost.
I`m so confused rn kinda a bit lmao. Can someone explain me what`s an automatic rear view mirror? Like i know there exist rear view mirrors wich can transform into a camera view but lol.
Ja weiß ich jetzt nichts von aber ich will mir in 2 jahren einen 320i ohne Facelift holen und da Tausche ich sowieso die Scheinwerfer aus gegen welche mit Angel Eyes und da sind schon neue Blinker gläser dabei dann noch schwarze Nieren rein 19 Zoll Alu Felgen und dann ist das Auto schon fast Perfekt ;) Gib mal auf google "Brians e46" ein so ungefähr will ich meinen dann auch hinbekommen
