So I joined the dark side...

[gtdragon980]

I got sick of driving around my beat up e30 as my daily with no A/C in the recent 100 degree weather, so I bought an e46. It's a 2002 325i 5spd black/black, and it is absolutely the perfect daily for me. I originally was considering buying a wrx or IS300, but they were too expensive and the wrx was too much for maintenance. I will post some pics once I pick it up from the dealer, and though it is not perfect, it has a good history of service records and it is the best driving one that I have taken a look at. I am looking for a forum to join so if you e46 guys on here could point me in the right direction for a good forum to join, please do so! Overall, I'm pretty happy with the purchase and don't worry, I'm keeping the e30!! Even if the e46 is nice and has A/C, it cannot replace the e30 in any way or form. I'm planning to obtain a m-tech kit, suspension drop and wheels, but that will be later on once I get out of debt.

[bmwstudent]

i'm on e46 fanatics, its a decent site

[PKR]

I was also on fanatics during my search for a ZHP. Decent site with helpful info, active. I enjoyed my E46 ... Just be sure that you stay AHEAD- not current - with maintenance and you should be fine.

[VAE30FTW]

I've been through 2 E46's 01' 330ci and 05' M3. I would suggest doing your VANOS seals on the 325i. cleaning the TB, CCV valve and hoses, make sure there are no vacuum leaks, replace trans fluid, fuel filter, actually a ton of stuff. lol

[gtdragon980]

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with these cars since I used to work for a BMW shop and we mostly worked on these cars. I did find out that it needs to have the FSR replaced because my blower will turn off and on randomly even with the ignition off, as well as the CAB's. But, other than that it is really nice, although I am quite unsure how accurate the mpg readings on the dash are since it claims that I'm getting close to 30 mpgs!!

[gtdragon980]

And here's a instagram pic since I couldn't find the original...

[e34croak]

Clean little e46. Properly maintained, they'll run forever. Issues as you know are pretty simple fixes and are relatively simple across all models.
Coolant components (#1 issue we see)
Window Regulators
V/C Gaskets
Oil Vapor Separator (and all 5 hoses)
Final Stage unit (mentioned)
Oil filter housing gasket
Xenon Bulbs/ignitors/control modules
DSC control unit

[gtdragon980]

Good to know, so far I haven't seen any leaking from the V/C gasket yet, but I'm sure that notorious oil filter housing gasket may be due for a replacement. I'll need to scrape up some change to address the issues first, so it may take some time for me to get to it. I really want to do a full detail, polish and all, for the car to make it shine a little bit more since it does have some flaws on the paint.

[gtdragon980]

Thought I would update with some pics of the car on the new wheels. Need to install my sport springs so get it a bit lower. I don't wanna go too low and ruin the smooth ride. That's what my e30 is for!

[Cletonius]

Sweet E46! I would love to get one as a daily.

[gtdragon980]

Thanks, it's definitely great for daily driving, but not as fun as the e30. A little under-powered but not overwhelmingly.

[redsubdivisions]

I wouldn't call it "the dark side", especially since you're sticking within the brand. Now, if you went out and bought an Audi or something a direct rival of BMW, we might give you shit for it. lol but nice work on the new daily.

[QUKBMER]

Cool ride. Whats up with the e34 in the back round in your drive way.

[gtdragon980]

I wouldn't call it "the dark side", especially since you're sticking within the brand. Now, if you went out and bought an Audi or something a direct rival of BMW, we might give you shit for it. lol but nice work on the new daily.

True, I just always went by the motto e30 or die haha

Cool ride. Whats up with the e34 in the back round in your drive way.

Man, that e34 went through hell and back. I'm sad to say my dad traded that, along with his jeep and e46 so they could get a '08 Acura RDX. We bought that car a little over 10 years ago with it just shy of 125,000 miles, in pretty decent condition. It was our first BMW in the family, and proved to be the best! My dad, well, is not known for being the best at keeping his things maintained and let's just say that car had a rough life. But, to this day at 295,xxx miles, it would start right up and you could mash that pedal and feel every last hp in that engine. I even did a compression test with outstanding numbers, 184 psi give or take a couple across all cylinders! I swear that is the most reliable car ever! Gonna miss it though, I actually wanted to swap that motor in to my e30, but couldn't justify putting a 300,xxx mi engine in my 100,xxx e30!

[samiam3356]

Looks like a nice pick up...congrats