Would you personally recommend an automatic e46 to a non-enthusiast?

[MR 325]

In my 4 years at an independent BMW shop we didn't see one E46 with a bad transmission.

They're good cars if they've been maintained.

[stamar]

Yes.

I woudl recomend a manual much higher though. Retains value better better gas mileage
and more reliable.


I would recomend the e46 all day its a classic.

I would recomend a is300 more its true.

Is it a question of who makes better automatics? Toyota.

[MikeDE]

Conventional auto, yes. Steptronic, no.

I'd been regularly maintaining an original owner e46 323i a/t, 252k mi, and the car was holding up very well. The trans still shifted like new.

[nrubenstein]

Last I checked, the only auto that's a problem is the 4-speed used in early 323s

[e30e]

Last I checked, the only auto that's a problem is the 4-speed used in early 323s

+1 (My mom had one, even rebuilt it wasn't that great)


Everything else, tranny flush and new fluids.....don't follow the "lifetime fluid" recommendation.

[slammin.e28]

No, I would feel bad when they lose reverse.

This. We've got 3 here at the shop right now getting new transmissions.

Makes me money though, so recommend them get an auto. KTHXBAI!

[BoxDriver86]

Since I'm the only "car guy" at my office I get a lot of people asking me what car they should buy. Most, if not all, are gas-n-go types who just want a lot of bang for their buck. I almost always recommend they look at either e46s or e39s depending on what they are looking for. I've helped two guys buy a 330, one 325, an M3 and a 530. Not a single one has had a complaint and most of these cars are around 100K miles.

I informed them about the tranny, window regulator and other issues and they all don't seem to care. I do however shiver every time one of them walks up and asks "hey...about my car...". So far so good.

[ReallyDirtyThirty]

I wouldn't recommend any BMW to someone who isn't an enthusiast and won't/can't keep up with the maintenance.

[slammin.e28]

For the record, my GFs mom asked me about BMWs. I told her to get a Benz.

[InuFaye]

For the record, my GFs mom asked me about BMWs. I told her to get a Benz.

I would have gone with a hyundai.

[slammin.e28]

I would have gone with a hyundai.

2011 C300 baibie.

[N2MYE30]

"ticking time bomb" ...enough said.