04-05-2023, 10:18 PM | #45 | |
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I'm a sucker for the prefacelift E46 sedan on 44s, because that's what my first BMW was (I did like it even though it had issues...see below). But I like the 68s too. I like literally all of the E46s...even the cabrios, which I normally dislike.
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The first one ('00 323i), which I bought slightly used and had for six years, was pretty honestly a pile of shit and (also being my first BMW) nearly destroyed any desire I had to own another car from the brand (especially after my parents warned me off buying it in the first place). Off the top of my head: clutch failed at 29k (disc was fine; the self-adjusting mechanism failed), wheel bearing completely failed shortly thereafter, power steering leak, coolant leak, O2 sensor failure, front ball joints, VANOS problems, numerous coil pack failures, ate window regulators like candy (I think I replaced 6 or 7). All of this before the car hit 8 years old and 80k miles. The second ('02 M3) was OK but I only owned it for a year. There were signs of trouble brewing, though. The third ('05 330i ZHP) has been fantastic and I've owned it for 14 years now. Other than routine maintenance/wear items (like belts/pulleys and control arm bushings), I've replaced one coil pack (easy/cheap), front end links, the valve cover gasket, and two window regulators. Also did the entire cooling system a couple years ago but that was a preventative measure; nothing there had actually failed yet. It does have some minor problems right now, mostly with seepage/leaks (probably various worn/cracked seals/gaskets), but those are "monitor rather than outright fix" type issues and it's pushing 20 years old so I consider that more than acceptable. I find that cars that start reliable tend to stay reliable...so the first couple years will set the trend. That's definitely been true with almost all of the cars I've owned. The E46 is an amazing car, assuming you get a good one. Great steering, engines, ergonomics, efficiency, visibility, easy to work on, and fun to drive on almost any road...and there are very few other cars out there, past or present, quite like it. Overall, the aforementioned ZHP has outlasted two M3s and three Porsches...I even chose to keep it over buying an M2 Comp as a direct replacement several years ago. They're all gone and it remains.
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04-06-2023, 10:13 AM | #46 |
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I too am a sucker for a clean E46, my first BMW was an '01 325Cic in Titanium over grey. Once the maintenance was up to date, the mod bug hit with a MTechII bumper, Style 197's, Sport steering wheel and other bits. I drove it for nearly seven years before buying my E92 and the have done similar mods. Keep up the great work!
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04-06-2023, 10:39 AM | #47 |
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It took me a while, but my plan to pick up a 330 coupe finally came to fruition - AND got to take it to the Nordschleife the other day (my first time)! Got passed a lot, but had a ton of fun.
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06-11-2023, 12:42 AM | #50 |
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Feels like home!
Thank goodness I got the Borla installed- SO much better, no drone and much more fitting sound character. You get what you pay for. I can't enjoy it fully just yet- I am waiting for my exhaust bracket and proper hanger bushings as the Borla fits with the OEM variety that I am now missing. ECS Tuning has sent the incorrect part so I will have to wait a bit longer- such is life.
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12-19-2023, 04:34 AM | #51 |
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I love my E46
Last edited by M4_ZMT; 12-19-2023 at 04:41 AM.. |
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12-19-2023, 07:10 AM | #53 |
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12-29-2023, 12:07 AM | #54 |
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Drives: 2018 340i M Sport
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Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38]
2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00] |
I’m looking at the photos you posted in your last two posts and it’s making me miss my E46s!! Especially the ZHP!! I loved my E90 330i and the naturally aspirated N52 and the ZF transmission and I love my LCI F30 340i M Sport with the B58 and ZF8, but the E46 is just SO ICONIC BMW in a way that hasn’t been repeated.
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01-18-2024, 08:09 PM | #55 |
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Beautiful! You have done a great job.
I just retired my beloved 2005 330Ci sport coupe. It made it to 210k but had Dementia. The traction control was going off at speed on the highway. But I replaced it with a 2021 F22 230i xdrive sport. about as close as you can get to an E46 in modern BMWs. I'm not sure how dedicated you are to keeping it original but before I traded in the E46 I installed an Eonon android unit. It was easy and worked beautifully. Apple carplay and an FM tuner better than stock for around 330 bucks! Good luck Enjoy it |
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01-21-2024, 10:12 AM | #56 |
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Fantastic looking car and great work. I can hear that inline 6 motor purring as I read your posts. The best BMW designs are so timeless - it’s something that’s always fascinated me about the brand.
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