e46 advice wanted

[gwb72tii]

i need to buy a car for my wife to commute in, about 400 miles a week, and i'm wondering about the general reliability of the e46 platform.
i have a line on a 2005 325i with about 110k miles for about $6k
she needs a car that won't leave her stranded, so i thought obout this car, but also about used civic's, corollas, japanese throw away cars that still have some life left.

[kid325e]

We picked up a 00 323i sedan for my girl and we've loved it. Been very easy to maintain, only things i've had to do aside from the general maintenance are Water Pump, and CCV system, as well as tires, and brakes. We got it dirt cheap though!

[stonea]

Cant speak for the car, but I love the engine. I had a 2.3 and 2.5 Z3 and I just love that little M54. I'm hoping to find a sweet 325xi touring somewhere once I graduate.

[agent]

Cant speak for the car, but I love the engine... I just love that little M54.

The M54 is arguably one of the best modern BMW engines made - I love mine too. If/when properly maintained they may outlive the car.

i have a line on a 2005 325i with about 110k miles for about $6k

Get a PPI at the dealer or by a reputable specialist shop. Mine paid for itself in price negotiations after finding a few things the PO wasn't aware of.

[slammin.e28]

M54 is AWESOME

E46 is AWESOME

It's the best BMW since the e30 IMO....better, really, as it has modern systems e30s don't. It's extremely DIY-able. It's not expensive to maintain either.

I wouldn't have less than an M54B30 w/5sp.....but they're getting scarce with the spec e46 guys gobbling them up for race cars. ZHP is awesome....I like them better than the M3.

I've put over 120k on my e46 since 2009. It's been the best car I've owned. Most repairs are a every 100k thing....so most people will only have to do them once....if ever again since may are fixes/upgrades.

[bikerbill2021]

had an e46 after my e30, 323CI, basically a 325, great platform, and pretty cheap these days, aside from sub frame issues on early ones like mine, which BMW repaired for me free of charge, that car was bulletproof, never let me down or left me stranded. Mine had 260k on it before I sold it to get my M5, I loved that thing

[jllphan]

I've owned my 2001 330ci since 2006. Bought it with 90k, now has 246k and going strong. A far more complex car than the e30, there are definitely expensive maintenance items that come up as these cars age. But if your a BMW guy, you already know that. A PPI would be advisable so you know what will need to be addressed at the current and near future. I get ///M fever every spring but can't part with this car as it's probably the best I've ever owned. Feel free to PM me with any questions as I've replaced MANY parts on the car and consider myself more knowledgeable on the e46 than any other car.

[TobyB]

It's a big computer step up from an E30, obviously.
I like Jenn's a lot. Competent car, great engine.

They ARE more demanding of maintenance, though.
Things like ignition coils, fuel pumps, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't buy an autotragic due to their hideous replacement cost,
and pretty short expected life.

Other than that, I'd daily one in a heartbeat.

t

[Nesset]

M54 is AWESOME

E46 is AWESOME

It's the best BMW since the e30 IMO....better, really, as it has modern systems e30s don't. It's extremely DIY-able. It's not expensive to maintain either.

I wouldn't have less than an M54B30 w/5sp.....but they're getting scarce with the spec e46 guys gobbling them up for race cars. ZHP is awesome....I like them better than the M3.

I agree on pretty much all of these statements.