2003 E46 BMW 320i Touring
After Ollie the collie joined our household in late October 2022, the much-loved "everyday driver" W202 Mercedes C180 was a misfit - dogs in the back seat of a sedan are not a marriage made in heaven, even when all precautions are taken to protect the car's interior. So, the search was on. At 3PM on the 29th August, 2023, I purchased the replacement; an E46 BMW 320i Touring, made in December 2003 (2004 model year).
The car was incredibly dirty and neglected, both inside and out, with moss growing from various bits, all brightwork dull and orange from dirt stains, badly leaking rocker cover gasket, broken sunroof interior panel sliders, non-operative screen on the original widescreen satnav/OBC unit, no sound from the right hand speakers; just a really sad sight, but after a jump start (flat battery from a long period sitting idle) the engine ran smoothly. My first inclination was just to walk away, but careful inspection of body straightness, interior wear (ignoring the dirt) and just the general look of the car (we fell in love with its lines straight away) made me throw caution to the wind and purchase it on the spot.
Several weeks of intensive detailing, repairing, servicing, windscreen replacement, headlight lens replacement, new Bilstein shock absorbers front and rear, new rear brake rotors, replacement amplifier module, digital TV module to replace the original analogue module (yes, we can watch TV when the car is stationary), 6-disc CD changer, repairing the sunroof, researching, getting the original BMW INPA software installed on a suitably old Windows XP laptop (donated by a lovely Facebooker) and other activities followed, during which the car was totally transformed.
I also learned during this process that the car was extremely well optioned by the original purchasers (I'm the 3rd owner). Options included tilt/slide sunroof, sensor wipers, sensor headlights, Satnav, Widescreen On Board Computer/Radio/TV/CD player, telephone Bluetooth, reversing proximity sensors, sports multifunction leather steering wheel, full leather interior with contrasting colours, full electric front seats with memory on the driver's seat to automatically adjust to the driver's key (there are 2) that operates the remote central locking, wood interior inserts, cargo barrier and blind, full cargo area liner (perfect for Ollie the collie), original BMW roof bars for the integral roofrack, and probably a few things I've forgotten or haven't learned about yet. Astounding for a 20yo car.
After a few hundred kilometres, the car showed it had a frightful oil consumption, with the low oil light coming on after just 500 km or so. At the same time, it also started to start very badly from cold, with several cylinders misfiring for some seconds. A lot of reading of internet forums, downloading of factory workshop manuals, and just general panic ensued, but my diagnosis, against the prevailing tide of 'expert opinion' on the Internet, was that the CCV valve (crankcase ventilation) was probably at fault. Not a pleasant job to replace, but surprisingly cheap, with a complete kit including the valve and all associated hosing and pipework being purchased on eBay for just over $60. At the same time, I also decided to do preventive maintenance on the 20yo cooling system, and replaced the water pump, electric thermostat (which INPA scanning had identified as faulty in any case), expansion tank and radiator hoses.
That's now all done, and the car is impressing us greatly with its handling, superb driveability, and, surprisingly, amazing fuel economy, regularly returning litres/100km in the 6s and 7s.
Following are some excerpts from articles by motoring journalists.
"To understand what BMW is, just take a ride in the new 3-Series, the distillate of all the virtues of the Munich brand!” The praise of journalists of the Austrian automobile magazine Autorevue in 1998 for the new generation 3-series with the index E46 does not seem excessive. BMW engineers succeeded another masterpiece – there was no doubt about it.
Say the name ‘BMW’ to nearly anyone and the first car that comes to mind is likely the BMW E46 3 Series. It’s easily one of the most popular BMWs of all time and is the best selling model generation in BMW’s history. It’s actually difficult to go one day without seeing one driving around. They are immensely popular and there’s good reason for it. The BMW E46 3 Series is probably the best 3 Series the Bavarians ever made.
The fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series, the BMW E46, appeared at the end of April 1998. As usual at BMW, initially only as a sedan,The BMW E46 is the fourth generation of the BMW 3 Series, which was produced from 1997 to 2006.
Erik Goplen designed the series coupe, convertible and station wagon between 1996 and 1997.
The portrait of the “car without flaws,” as the E46 was often called, began with a spectacular design. The team of designers, recently joined by the famous Chris Bangl, carefully and gently reworked, or even better to say, updated the look of the previous generation of the “three”, the E36. Branded Bavarian nostrils, now a part of the bonnet, twin round headlights behind transparent lenses, and more sloping line of the roof have helped to create classical, timeless look which looks modern even today.
Safety equipment on all models included the standard anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control (ASC + T), later DSC, cornering brake control, electronic brake force distribution and six airbags. Electronic vehicle dynamics control was initially only available for an extra charge of DM 1,800 for the 328i, later optional for all models, and finally as standard. From model year 2001, a brake assistant was also part of the series.
Aluminum was used in the chassis: 60 kg, which corresponds to a share of 20%. The high-strength steel on the front and rear axle supports resulted in further weight savings. It is enough to remember that following the results of 1999, the 3-Series became the third most popular car in Germany. Not in its segment, but in absolute number! For the non-priced model of a premium segment the result was simply phenomenal.
The BMW E46 3 Series is probably the best bet for anyone looking to get into a BMW for the first time. Not only is it incredibly affordable, it’s reliable, great looking and represents exactly what a BMW should be. It’s small, fast and fun. It has near-perfect steering, steering that’s still revered today, superb handling dynamics and a perfect blend of comfort and performance. It’s the perfect BMW for the enthusiast on a budget.
