Prospective E46 owner

[sam]

E46 Sifus,Am looking for a used E46 model (2.0) and I have asked AB to look for a unit which is no more than 3 years old and which has a full service record. In terms of years of reliability, is this fine, or otherwise? Anything else I should look out for? Looking forward to your feedback.

 

[tkew]

If got budget get the 325i 6 potter, u will love it, the ckd, 318 is 2.0 but a 4 pot machine.
May be u can look for the cbu recon 320i year 2001 with 2.0 or 2.2 eng, (both 6 pot). Pricing should be around 140-150k.

 

[supergripen]

Originally posted by tkew@Dec 20 2005, 09:40 AM
If got budget get the 325i 6 potter, u will love it, the ckd, 318 is 2.0 but a 4 pot machine.
May be u can look for the cbu recon 320i year 2001 with 2.0 or 2.2 eng, (both 6 pot). Pricing should be around 140-150k.

agreed..always go for the 6cyl models if u can afford that little bit more.the difference in the quality of the engine(sound,power,power delivery)is worth every penny..

 

[aramis]

I totally agree!

 

[walrus_lord]

the 320i 01 model is a tad slower than the 318i 2.0L for the all time sprint 0-100km/h....

 

[E46Fanatic]

Actually, if I remember right, the 01 320i (M54) is a 2.2 ltr 170hp 6 pot which is still quicker than the 4 pot valvy 0-100km/h. For the M52TU 320i (2.0 ltr 6 pot) its only 150hp, and is likely to be slower (gotta check the figures tho) than the valvy due to weight penalty but still quicker than the 1.9 ltr 318i of the same year.

 

[fire]

Go for 6 pot engine..you will never regret..in term of pick up compare E46 318i Vs E46 320i is almost similiar.. on some cases the 318i might more peppy than 320i...have try quite a lot..most 318i throthle response are unbelievable responsive based on tryout on few 318i ... .. in general 320i throtle reponse require you to press harder..you might think it is underpower which it is not..that is the characteristic of 320i M52.It is natural because it is a bit heavy..don't worry..


but ..try drive both bring the rpm above 4000km..then you can see a big different...drive 318i(1998-2001) the engine start run out of puff & it start to protest...whereas 320i can zing all the way up with a very sweet sound ...Eash time the rev pass 3.5k there is a grin start appear on your face..the sound are so addictive...happily can zing it till redline without any fuss..of course the engine have cut off limiter to prevent it overrev...but you can really tell which engine are eager to go higher rpm..based on the sound it produce... :yahoo:
you will always smile when the rpm is above 3.5km all the way up..it produce a very creamy sweetest sound....very creamy like you are eating durian mix with butter peanut.... :rofl:

320i M54 are even better. much more powerful..have driven once shod with 18 inch tyre and it still feel very light......both M52 & M54 provide you oppotunity to upgrade to higher power...M52 engine are available in two detuned engine 320 & 328 whereas M54 are available in 320 (2.2) and 325 newer engine....

Happy Hunting...

 

[scin]

No offence to the 4 pot owners, but.....


IMHO..

The true spirit of the BMW experience is in it's straight six!

Go for a slightly older six, for the same price as a newer 4.... if you have to.

 

[mini_jeff67]

I know, I know :cry: ... don't remind me... next time... :nyehehe:

 

[fire]

Sorry dude. ..no offend.. :beaten: .4 pot are equally good too...as far as engine as concern...BMW produce the best engine in the world..regardless 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder..8 valve or 24 valve..it just tht 318 been mated with different gear ratio to maintain balance for performance, fuel economy, driveability & comfort..318 is well rounded performer...so no worry...Cheer!!

 

[mini_jeff67]

Eh, fire, when am i gonna get to see yr baby ah?

 

[BMW_VCEC]

Hi all brother,

I'm new register member but has been monitoring and analyse the BMW news for quite some time already.

Well, finally, got the budget to get the very first UDM.

In fact, I'm still consider whether to get a E39 520I, or the E46 318I.

See the star clacified and they have few good offer:

1. 2001 520I 2.2 Black milage= 110K selling at RM 148K.
2. 2002/03 E46 facelift converted to SMG look, milage=39K KM selling at RM 153K
3. 2002 facelift E46 millage below 50K km selling at RM 148K

I'm 29 now in 2006. Which one do you think it suite me?

Personally, I like the E39 very much. But, the 01 520 need to spend atleast RM 10K to install bodykit, change front and rear light and sportrim. So, budget a bit tight.

For the 02/03 E46, it is sporty as already convert to SMG look. But then, the interior too small and the color is marron.

What you guy think?

Pls advise!

 

[830]

age should not be the determining factor. size of body should be more of the focus.

a small size chiku in an 5 series would look equally bad as a 6'2'' bouncer in a e46 don you think?

maintenance of 2nd hand car is luck.

upgrades item to item would not be of much difference although stuffs for 5 would be sold a tad higher than the 3, parts as well as workmanship.

:wink:

 

[BMW_VCEC]

Hi all sifu,

I'm 5'11" with weight of 75KG.

So, consider average size lar.

I got ask a friend who so happen also own an E39 520I 2.2 year 2001.

According to him, this caar only require to service every 25K km.

The 25K KM will cost less than RM 600, 50K Km is about RM1,200, then 600 and 1200 interval.

More important is, all the parts can atleast last for 5 years or 150,000 KM.

So, if this is true, the service cost of E39 infact is cheaper than proton waja.

And for the parts cost, no doub it is expensive, but it last 150K Km vs national car which last less than 50K km.

 

[safri]

Originally posted by BMW_VCEC@Jan 6 2006, 09:16 PM


Hi all brother,

I'm new register member but has been monitoring and analyse the BMW news for quite some time already.

Well, finally, got the budget to get the very first UDM.

In fact, I'm still consider whether to get a E39 520I, or the E46 318I.

See the star clacified and they have few good offer:

1. 2001 520I 2.2 Black milage= 110K selling at RM 148K.
2. 2002/03 E46 facelift converted to SMG look, milage=39K KM selling at RM 153K
3. 2002 facelift E46 millage below 50K km selling at RM 148K

I'm 29 now in 2006. Which one do you think it suite me?

Personally, I like the E39 very much. But, the 01 520 need to spend atleast RM 10K to install bodykit, change front and rear light and sportrim. So, budget a bit tight.

For the 02/03 E46, it is sporty as already convert to SMG look. But then, the interior too small and the color is marron.

What you guy think?

Pls advise!

 

[DingChavez]

VCEC bro....

why dont you look at E34. so much cheaper, not so much different to E39 in terms of comfort and, if 525i, performance. then you have more moolahs to do bodykit and mod mod mod.

some more in terms of looks, a nicely done up E34 is so much 'garang'-er than the E39. :blush:

pssst kengkawan..... racun time!!!! h34r:

 

[BMW_VCEC]

Hi brother safri,

Agreed with you that the 325 power is very good. Test drive 2002 525 before, very powerful. If that engine put into 3 series, sure can fly one. However, RM 170++ for 525 and 325 is beyong my budget.


Hi brother DingChavez,

Agreed with you that 525 E34 with some bodykit will be nice. However, I prefer the E39 with bodykit. Further more, I got about RM150K to spend, A 96 E34 525 will only cost less than 60K.

So, I'm looking for E39 520I and new facelift E46.

 

[supergripen]

hey Sam..congrats on deciding to go for BMW.you didn't say if u've got family and also if u like fast driving or if u favour comfort.all that comes into play when deciding on either the 5 or the 3.

i'm a 3 man so my views will be biased..but one thing for sure is i'd advise u against getting a 4pot bimmer(in e46 guise anyways).part of the BMW experience is that creamy 6cyl engine which is well known to be one of the best 6cyl engine ever.

i've actually got friends who actually bought 4pot e46s and in the end regretting the decision.

but bro..end of the day its ur money and u and only u can decide.just make sure it the right one cuz u'll have to live with it for a long time.

happy hunting!!

 

[safri]

Originally posted by BMW_VCEC@Jan 8 2006, 01:09 AM
Hi brother safri,

Agreed with you that the 325 power is very good. Test drive 2002 525 before, very powerful. If that engine put into 3 series, sure can fly one. However, RM 170++ for 525 and 325 is beyong my budget.


Hi brother DingChavez,

Agreed with you that 525 E34 with some bodykit will be nice. However, I prefer the E39 with bodykit. Further more, I got about RM150K to spend, A 96 E34 525 will only cost less than 60K.

So, I'm looking for E39 520I and new facelift E46.

hi bro,

since you've constrained budget, go for the facelifted 318 2.0. 3 year-old UDM with low mileage should give you peace of mind for the next few years..try bargain some more...All the best, keep us posted.

 

[yohji_yen]

Originally posted by sam@Dec 20 2005, 09:25 AM
E46 Sifus,

Am looking for a used E46 model (2.0) and I have asked AB to look for a unit which is no more than 3 years old and which has a full service record. In terms of years of reliability, is this fine, or otherwise? Anything else I should look out for?

Looking forward to your feedback.

guy ...

i drives a E46 318i facelifted which is a 2.0 4 cyclinders engine for almost 2 years , of course the 6 cyclinders is far more better than 4 cyclinders , but when u compare the N42 (318i ) 4 cyclinders with others 2.0 class (NA) , it can deliver far more better torque n u really can enjoy the ' feeling ' of high rev engine ... of course not those Honda DC5 feel la ... but for continental car.

i drove my fren E46 325i SMG last time , and i swear to myself i must got the 6 cyclinder for my next car ... the sound r so great when everytime u accelerate ... even with the original muffler .

so for my personal points of view , if possible go for a 6 cyclinders !!!

u will sing " i feel gooooddd .... " in ur every ride ...

but if u still prefer 318i , of course i will also agree and welcome to join me ...