I found a hidden gem. I Own A 2005 325xi. Only 44,780 miles when I found it. It was a second car for an older couple. I have 74,000 miles on it now and have only had to put a battery in it. All maintenance is done and I couldn't be happier. Keep making great videos. Thank you
2002 325i for me... The previous owner really changed a lot in it. And I can't thank him enough. Even though not mentioning the bad trans which is getting switched out soon.
2002 325ti sport package (wagon) bought at auction for 1500 with 133k on the odometer. Full coolant system refresh and 4 window regulators lol. Did it all my self thanks to your amazing videos!!!! Spent about 800 in parts including led angel eyes and re inking the seats to bring back the black color that has faded.
@@J_G Just bought one last week with 96k miles and clean. Needs the usual...brakes. Bushings. Shocks. Coolant system refresh ect... But I'm loving my first Bimmer!
I like the 328i because it uses the m52 and has piston rings that actually work and keep oil in the engine unlike the m54 which is known for burning oil
Love the E46, first car I bought for more than $1,000. Got my steel blue '02 325i facelift sedan two years ago with 94k miles. Great car for being a 5 speed auto. My fathers friend loves the E46 and daily drives them just for the mechanical feel. He is also my mechanic as well. I learned so much about the E46 from him. He also told me the root cause of the subframe cracks in the rear are from the manual cars due to the clutch sending more stress on the subframe bushings with the higher torque output. But he said the E46 is possibly the last mechanical simple 3er made.
@@moneyshifters it is The Same Boonhead. The 316-320i has the N46 with the Same issues and even more. The bigger ones also has some of the Same Problems, Like the valve steam seals and injectors, Turbos, Timing chain, Valvetronic etc. Just stop talking Something you heard somewhere.
330 is the way to go ! I have had 6 330i's in the past , 2 330ci's , and currently have a turbocharged 330i zhp sedan . When I was building the sedan I picked up a 2005 325i , had catless headers , full exhaust, and a tune and even with all the I couldn't believe how much nicer the 330 is to drive the extra low end tq from the 3l makes a big difference I ended up sorting out the 325 ... cooling system , control arms , 330 brakes and gave it to my parents for Christmas and bought myself another 330 .
poss my least fav beamer generation. having owned, sold, repaired and drivven most, id say the 3 series has actually gone downhill in many ways with each facelift
Had 320 (2.2 litre) engine which blew at 102,000 miles..... Now have 330 CI, 142,000 miles and a dream to drive and going strong. Love driving every mile in it....
I went with a M3. Simply because it was stupid clean. Had 60k miles. Had just one owner. And it’s got a Active Autowerke supercharger installed. Definitely wasn’t the most affordable but I can dig it
I have owned (2) M54s including a 330xi stick shift with sport package and (1) M52tu. I sold both of M54s and you would wonder why? Because the M52tu is more reliable in terms of engine. The pistons have thicker rings compared to the ones on M54. This makes the engine last longer. My M52tu is 225k currently and I have just replace the water pump, belts and fuel pump. Suspension is the original it has never been replaced. 8 years owner. Daily driver
Just bought an 323Ci in the begining of this year...it's actually fully optioned, with low 220k km's (for it's age). I guess someone fully optioned an 323 because its hard to run anything with a bigger engine...considering the taxes and shit (in my country). I have to say I've put some mileage on it...hands down, everything seems to work....the body itself is healthy, zero rust, cooling issues have been done already so thats out of the way too.
For me it's my 2004 330i Touring. Manual, RWD, factory M-packet, beautiful Estoril Blau and many extras. It went through a significant refresh last year and I intend to use it a our family car for years to come
@@jmerodgers haha I was just quoting people who sell their cars on craigslist since your comment sounded like a craigslist ad. Congrats on the car man! I used to have one (and am thinking of getting another one soon) and it was my favorite car ever!
I have a 2001 330ci I installed the power pulley and the shark injector and a drop in k&n filter. I love the way it pulls with a 170 miles on it. It’s a blast to drive😎
Bought 1999 323i wagon in 2011 for $1500 with 200k on the clock, it had a few issues, all was sorted out same evening and I still have that car as my reliable backup car. Right now its past 300k miles and this car is just amazing, these are still M52TU and if you havent noticed these are quieter running engines than M54 or any other engine of that era, driving on freeway is so quiet and comfortable, little bit slow or down on power compared to M54 325i but excellent daily driver. Subframes typically get broken off on manual cars driven by fools who are brutal with clutch.
Nils Jakobson Your comment is reassuring to me, because I got a 2000 323i wagon with 45,000 miles on it in 2015 without knowing about the subframe issue. Mine being a gently used automatic, no subframe issues thus far with only 59,000 on the clock. He doesn’t mention it in this video, but the tranny in this model had a design flaw that led to frequent premature failure. Mine was rebuilt by the previous owner, so hopefully it will soldier on. Love the smooth, solid feel of my 323i wagon.
I bought a 328i automatic in 2010 for $8,000, 85,000 miles. In 8 years, I dumped thousands of dollars into maintenance and upgrades. Fixed many common issues such as CVV, 2 cooling system overhauls, vanos rebuild, no reverse solenoid, suspension overhaul including bushings, etc. I sold it this summer with 152,00 miles and only got $2,000. It was a love/hate relationship because it taught me a lot about working on cars, but I was ALWAYS having to work on it. I also didnt expect it to be essentially worthless once I finally decided to sell it, what a waste. It was so fun to drive (when it was actually running well), but I'll never buy another one. If you do want to go down the rabbit hole, the only model to buy is a 2002+ 330i/ci with a manual transmission. They are the most powerful, most fun to drive, and are the only ones that will hold some value long term.
You will probably have E46 repair trauma for the rest of your life. I also have had to replace a hundred parts to keep it properly running. I think my biggest frustration is those frigging window regulators
I had almost every e46 besides a wagon. 325xi 323ci 330i smg 330i 330ci and m3 vert. My favorite was obviously the m3 and surprisingly my 325xi. Now I daily a 330ci and have my m3 for the weekend
Sold my 2001 325i and got a 2007 IS350. Idk why but my 325i was a lemon. It always had issues even when I did all the preventative maintenance! As a college student I was fed up with it as I go to school in SoCal and I'm from NorCal. I love the IS350 but I will always say BMWs drive better.
I'm here because I have an 03 330cic, But! I also have an 00 z3 2.5L Auto, And a 97 z3 2.8L 5spd. The z3 2.5 is a lemon and a dog, the 97 is more reliable and a better driver's car in every way.
I was hurt when he started talking about 323 😭 I had an 02 auto it was cool with the manual mode sounded great with muffler delete it had good power I want another one
My choice was a 330Ci facelift, I was only going to buy a 6 speed manual, I hate cruising on the highway with a 5 speed car. Now I'm trying to make it reliable
The M52TU is an drive by wire too, the cable is just a backup. If you don't trust me just disconnect the cable. This engine doesn"t have the oil burning problem too, just smack an M54B30 intake on it and enjoy, add an 3,13 or 3,46 rear end and you got a pretty peppy car.
Bought a 2003 325i for 1500. Had multiple previous owners and was a total shit box. Heavily under maintained and everything was leaking but it has a perfect engine and transmission. Fell in love with it instantly and have over 3,000 in it already and I haven’t gotten to cosmetics yet. Would still recommend it but only if it’s been maintained
I have a 320ci M54B22 2003, Nachtblau individual and I love it. The best car I ever had. Seriously. I'm looking for a 330ci for the next season. E46 forever ♥
Personally I prefer the pre facelift model, it looks more aggressive and the headlights are a much better shape than the slanted 'fu man chu' style of the later models.
Ive got a UK spec 330ci (coupe) 6 speed manual, I've put a woven carbon 'hood', roof skin, 'trunk' and side mirrors, plus Quaife LSD, shreick cams, polyurethane bushes from to back and a few interior upgrades and I freaking love it. It is my forever car.
Also, I do have a 323 and I agree with the sentiment. I was looking for another car and I got a solid deal on my 323. The subframe is solid (for now) but it drives pretty nicely. But I have seen quite a few 323s at LKQ and Copart (probably all damaged somehow). I have been worried about the subframe, so I've been taking it easy on my car. Of all the cars I've own, this one has been my favorite (and sadly, most functional). I also have an EONON in the car instead of the stock radio. Replaced cooling system, pulleys, new belts. I still need to do the Oil Filter Housing Gasket (will be using the OFH video and I should have done this job while changing pulleys) and replace differentials. All and all, the 323 is one of those that you want to work on yourself. The repair cost on a BMW will be the same at many repair shops. So make sure you have sometime and are willing to take a few risks with trial and error on your car.
Didn't know much about bmw. But I bought a 2 yr old e46 325ci coupe manual transmission. I loved the way it handled. Did a lot of repairs and mods I have learned alot and have done some repairs and mods myself. I wish I knew more about bmws before I bought it 😕
2004 325ci here! Just put in bc racing coilovers from an M3 today. Getting new rims tomorrow! I’ve put in so much money and work on it but it‘s been worth it.
Well I’m going to pick up a 323i Wagon tomorrow 😂. I currently have a 325Xi which has given me nothing but trouble. Still squeezed 225k out of the XI. It’s still drivable but needs more work than I feel like putting into it any more. The wagon was only $2,000 168k miles, premium and winter packages, and it has wheels from a newer 5 series. It really looked pretty clean just is throwing a camshaft position sensor code. I’m looking forward to the wagon, I think they look great and I’m hoping to put some heavy miles on it.
E46 Compact. The ultimate hot Hatch, especially with an M3 engine and drive train swap. :p Sorry, an EU chap here. Lucky to be in the EU since we have more choices, sadly for the US chaps though. Wish you guys would have gotten the same choices, but there is always import. ;)
I am from Europe I have e46 318 high executive so its really nice from the inside. The insurance here is very high for 6 cillinder so thats why I went with a 318
@@carl_84 Mine is an M43. I don't know much about N42's other than the fact they're unreliable but my engine is a perfectly solid 4 cylinder. A typical dumb American would belch and fart on about how 6 or 8 cylinders are the only way to go but that's because their country is bereft of any modicum of intelligence.
@@benjaminencarmine That's bullshit, first drive a 6cyl BMW that's well sorted and you'll see why people love them,but 4cyls can be good too, not like 6s but hey, they are cheaper to own and a bit lighter
Biggest tip don't put to much of a focus on specific model but rather condition and millage as well as the amount of owners and the age of the owners when they purchased the car. Making sure the car was taken care of is important. Secondly a couple grand for preventative maintenance and modification, the first mods you should do is fixing everything that can go wrong even if it hasn't.
I see that we are only talking about gasoline-powered models here, but I am very satisfied with my (first diesel) 320d, six speed, 110kW, end of 2003, black sapphire metallic, facelift. Factory sports suspension (lowered), multi steering wheel, digital air conditioning, sports seats, half leather, white turn signals, foggy (or smoked) headlights and fog lights, black sky and pillars, etc. Consumption on the highway 4.5-5 liters, city 5.5 - 6 max, 6.5 liters. Greeting.
I randomly found a pre-facelift, 2001 325xi manual AWD Touring wagon, with M-Sport camshafts and DME tune, tiny "M" accents all over the car, orange backlit gauge cluster, and M3 specific "Orientblau Metallic" paint. Apparently, the 2001 year had a limited pre-sale in late 2000, and the US only imported 12 wagons, each one an Individual car, built precisely to order. The purchaser of my car wanted an M3, and a station wagon, but BMW "refuses to cannibalize the M3 market-share with an M3 Touring or Compact in USA." Only Sedan and Coupe.
own 323ci and 330i zhp my 323ci that i just swapped zhp cams, intake manifold from 330 (M54B30). ECU Remaped and 3.73 Gear Ratio Differential. ==》YES. by my self. After owned this for 12 years. this 323CI looks and feels great. My 330i ZHP that i just got It 2 year ago. Fixed averything broken on it. Now this is like new. 🤤 I LOVE MY BIMMERS.
I’m from Australia , and I have a E46 323 with all the options , executive package - full leather trim , sport seats and wheel , all the gadgets , sunroof , 19 M3 wheels , 240 Kim , very good condition in and out , drives great for a 20 year old car , it might be different in the states , but on the BMW websites , my 323 has common options with every other model I have seen here
320 owner, I also have a few other cars and ...the 320 has not broken down in over 15 years and still drives like new. Il never sell it and still use it weekends.
I own an European 320ci and I regret not buying a 330ci but nowadays in Spain low mileage E46, specially 330 petrol and diesel prices are very high. About 9k Euro (10k USD) for a 330ci with M Sport package in good condition.
I also have an 04 330ci with practically the same mileage. These cars are very reliable because I've also had to do little outside regular maintenance. However, mine is an automatic so I have to keep a close eye on the transmission in the event it decides to no longer work. Maybe if it breaks it'll give me an excuse to manual swap it, lol.
Philip McIntosh I bet if you look well enough, you will find subframe cracks. :( my 330 cic has 183k miles on the clock- I just noticed spot welds cracking. I hope that's not your case.
These cars have so so many things that need to be repaired. I have a whole Library catalog full of repair receipts having driven one for 10 years and 100,000 miles. Literally hundreds of parts to keep them fixed up
My father has the 320d, its awsome, just like a tractor, has 300k miles, does 39 miles p galon, didnt had any problem, he just did the normal maintenance. dont have the kick of the 330 or 340, but man, thats a really nice everyday car!
Good story. I have a 2003 330ci Conv. 87K miles. Always garaged. Always maintained. Feels and runs like it did 19 years ago. I've gone through 2-911's and a c300 sport but still have this as my semi daily driver. My son took it to high school and college as well. 2020 Macan is the other driver. Having problems with the interior wood cracking everywhere but it's 19 years old.
I have a 323ci and I can proudly say if a very good and dependable car, has a perfect body frame and interior. With just as good of a engine. Only thing is some parts are harder to find cuz I could never find any 323ci
i know this is late, but bought my 6 speed ZHP sedan alcantara interior for 6k and now everyone is selling them for 15-20k win for the zhp as best buy ❤
This is a very good overview of the E46. My 2003 325 ix In 2019 I paid $3500. Coincidentally my 1971 Bavaria was also $3500 but newer in 1980. In 2004 I bought a 1997 318ti for $7800. I enjoyed all three.
2005 M3 Imola Red Cinnamon interior. 40K miles. All new bolts in the VANOS gears. New viton O-rings in the Vanos. Heavily reinforced the subframe. Not a single thing failed under warranty. And not a single thing failed AFTER warranty ended. Oil analysis shows almost no bearing wear because I wait until the oil temperature is at full normal operating temperature of 200 degrees before I take the car above 3000 RPM. That takes almost three miles of driving even in South Florida. But after that, the engine is designed to rev and Redline at least several times every time the car is operated. If the M models are driven sedately they will carbon up and malfunction. Once properly warmed up, these motors are designed to be wrung out. I have been doing my part since 2008 when I got the car with 17,000 miles on it.
Love my 323 wagon. Little underpowered, but planning a S54 to address that. Wasn't originally looking for a 323 but I couldn't turn down a two owner car with a folder full of records.
I know I know, I have the 2004 325I m56 SULEV with only 48k miles. I"m in northern California if. you want to buy it. It's running perfectly, garaged, clean like new and only changed the oil sensor that went bad. Then recently decided to just change all the ignition coils to Eldor Ignition coils and they are so much better. # 6 went bad so i just changed them all.
I call the SULEV the Newsom car. My sister has the E90 328i SULEV. It's gotta go. The radiator is $700 because of a built in sensor in it. Freaking Newsom has ruined California!!!
A 2006 330i is an E90 and ZHP's were E46s only, whether coupe or sedans. Please prove me wrong. Is your tachometer at 6800 redline or 6500? ZHP was 2002 to 2005. My son has an alpine white 2005 ZHP and we won't let it go for nothing in the world!
The other important difference between a 330 and everything else below were the internals. The M54B30 has cast iron casings, stronger rods and the crankshaft everyone wants, this gave it more durability. BMW started to use a lots of aluminum in the 90s because it was cheap, light and easy to make and the automotive industry was moving away from cast iron to create engines that would walk only as long as the warranty would last (conspiracy wise). The best engine they ever made was the m50, that one had deeper pockets for the coolant, was fully made of cast iron and is very popular for high turbo boost setups among enthusiasts, yes it was not modern but those who are looking to get high output out of a BMW i6 looked no further. The M50 could output 600+ Hp with stock internals and stay relatively cool. The electronics a bit a problem with these as far as daily driving, you go from 20% power to 100% but its kind of fun.
I have a 99 328i and its amazing, the 328i manuals had the better zf 5 speed tranny and the rear axles are stronger so its good for drifting with some cheap mods. Only things is the subframe which i have reinforced, otherwise its great
The 323/328i make great Turbo builds tho. The M52TU is a beast and way better than the M54. If you get a 328 you can make 520hp with an ebay turbo. And they sound so good with the right exhaust
I used to have a 05 330 Ci. Managed to get it for under 2k, which was a steal since it only had 165k kms. I remember watching you do the coolest tank. Haha what memories. Freaking miss that car. Too hard to repair on ur own 😆
My 330xi has 140K miles and there isn't a single crack on the subframe. I know it because I disassembled the whole rear of the car and washed it so I could inspect for cracks. Not even a hair crack. Nothing, nowhere.
i can't find a 330 wagon anywhere so i opted for a coupe. i really like the 6 speed with it's low cruising rpm and it's probably the only reason keeping me away from buying a e36 or a e30 since i like to cruise at 150+kph on the highway
hi there! that's what i call a video! you are saving a lot of people from some mighty trouble (weak sub frame and what the fu... a SULEV seal fuel system, i have never heard about that and i trust you, of course a car over 200 000km will have a dead pump!!!). thanks about the zhp , i never heard about it niether , i knew the e46 code only. (sorry i drive an audi). great job, i have a audi a3 which is well serviced by myself but i have always loved bmw, and i know 6 cylinders in line and propulsion (rear wheel drive ) is some thing unique. so maybe i ll get one by the end of ther year. and if i got one it will be a e46 330!!!!!! sure. anyway , super tips bro. take care of yourself Farid
