I concur. Go for the 325ci (also called the 323ci in certain places until the year 2000). I've never driven a 2.2. 320ci but in my humble opinion, the 318ci is that it's somewhat sluggish (relative to what the chassis can do). There is a vast difference between the 4 potter and the 6 potter. Just the acoustics from the 6-potter seems worth it to me
. I don't know if the 318ci was ever adorned with a 6 potter though. The engines was replaced in the year 2001 with the M54 engine (6 pot, valvetronic double vanos) which churns out between 184 to 192 bhp (differs due to the cat converter fitted in some countries). If you can afford it, get the 325ci from year 2001 onwards. I've never seen one but if you can find one, the 320ci fitted with the M54 engine would be a good choice. (Please see below)
BMW E46 Coupe
Model: Engine: ccm: Power: Topspeed: Year: 0-60mph
318Ci M44 4 cylinder 1895 118 HP 206 km/h 1999 - 2001 10.4
318Ci N42 4 cylinder 1995 143 HP 218 km/h 2001 - pres 9.3
320Ci M52 6 cylinder 1991 150 HP 218 km/h 1999 - 2000 10.2
320Ci M54 6 cylinder 2171 170 HP 226 km/h 2000 - pres 8.3
323Ci M52 6 cylinder 2494 170 HP 230 km/h 1999 - 2000 8.0
325Ci M54 6 cylinder 2494 192 HP 240 km/h 2000 - pres 7.3
328Ci M52 6 cylinder 2793 193 HP 242 km/h 1999 - 2000 7.0
330Ci M54 6 cylinder 2979 231 HP 250*km/h 2000 - pres 6.5
330Cd M57 6 cylinder 2993 204 HP 242 km/h 2003 - pres 7.2
(Source:
BMW E46 engine specs)
The 170bhp M52 6-potter double vanos is good but sometimes I wish there were more (always wanting more
). However, do bear in mind that fuel consumption would go up slightly on every day driving and in my case a lot more as I tend to be quite heavy footed especially when I hear the creamy smooth sound of BMW's 6 potters).
As you may have read in the other threads, the 318ci is relative much easily available compared to the rest.
Cheers.
