New Ytest
Sign out
Bimmerpost
Login
BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read  
Go Back   BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models)

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-06-2022, 09:20 AM   #1
CamasM3e93
Friends don't let friends ESS
CamasM3e93's Avatar
No_Country
3118
Rep
848
Posts

 
Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Camas, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Considering an e46 330xi 6MT

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently in an e93 M3 dct. It's a daily and this is my second winter with the car. I supercharged it over the summer and have found that even with all season Michelin's, that extra power makes winter driving precarious. I'm also thinking I'd like something more analog. There's a couple e46 sedans available in my area with the 330 engine and all wheel drive. I'm aware that AWD adds about 200 pounds. One car is fairly updated/well maintained but has 170k miles. the other car has 125k miles but comes off a dealer lot without much info. Both are 2003s and around $7k. I've done some reading and am aware of the subframe issues. The e46 forum here is discontinued; what things should I be thinking about as I consider adding one of these to my fleet?

BTW - I do most of my own work on my cars.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2022, 03:01 PM   #2
TAZ007
Colonel
TAZ007's Avatar
1845
Rep
2,760
Posts

 
Drives: 2021 Z4 M40
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 Z4 M40  [5.00]
I had an '04 E46 CIC and it was a solid performer even at 150k mileage. I would check the frame for corrosion before deciding.
Appreciate 0
      01-06-2022, 11:06 PM   #3
The-Traveler
Lieutenant
137
Rep
560
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3 & G30 530e
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZ007 View Post
I had an '04 E46 CIC and it was a solid performer even at 150k mileage. I would check the frame for corrosion before deciding.
Mine rusted like crazy twice. Stay away!
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2022, 08:02 AM   #4
TAZ007
Colonel
TAZ007's Avatar
1845
Rep
2,760
Posts

 
Drives: 2021 Z4 M40
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 Z4 M40  [5.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by The-Traveler View Post
Mine rusted like crazy twice. Stay away!
Well, I guess it depends on where it comes from. Mine didn't live in cold environments that salted roads.
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2022, 09:54 AM   #5
The-Traveler
Lieutenant
137
Rep
560
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3 & G30 530e
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by TAZ007 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by The-Traveler View Post
Mine rusted like crazy twice. Stay away!
Well, I guess it depends on where it comes from. Mine didn't live in cold environments that salted roads.
Fair
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2022, 06:47 PM   #6
1SloeEm3
Private First Class
83
Rep
132
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Riverside

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CamasM3e93 View Post
Hi Everyone,

I'm currently in an e93 M3 dct. It's a daily and this is my second winter with the car. I supercharged it over the summer and have found that even with all season Michelin's, that extra power makes winter driving precarious. I'm also thinking I'd like something more analog. There's a couple e46 sedans available in my area with the 330 engine and all wheel drive. I'm aware that AWD adds about 200 pounds. One car is fairly updated/well maintained but has 170k miles. the other car has 125k miles but comes off a dealer lot without much info. Both are 2003s and around $7k. I've done some reading and am aware of the subframe issues. The e46 forum here is discontinued; what things should I be thinking about as I consider adding one of these to my fleet?

BTW - I do most of my own work on my cars.
I owned a 03 330xi and maintenance on the car was ridiculous. Off the top of my head you need to overhaul the complete cooling system,Ccv.
, Fuel pump, Vanos seals, front axels and alternator. Almost all of those things have leave me stranded when I owned that car. Take the 170k mile one if maintenance records check out
Appreciate 0
      01-07-2022, 09:25 PM   #7
m5james
Colonel
m5james's Avatar
United_States
429
Rep
2,062
Posts

 
Drives: '10 X5M Alpine White on Sakhir
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Marysville, WA

iTrader: (0)

My mom's got one and it's been great for her. The M54 is a good engine, just make sure it NEVER overheats or the engine will be done...every 100k requires a COMPLETE cooling system replacement and like any BMW you have to be ritual about 5k oil changes vs BMW's attempt to sell leases with 10k+ oil change recommendations.
Appreciate 1
Mani5913300.00
      01-11-2022, 09:54 AM   #8
The-Traveler
Lieutenant
137
Rep
560
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3 & G30 530e
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1SloeEm3 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CamasM3e93 View Post
Hi Everyone,

I'm currently in an e93 M3 dct. It's a daily and this is my second winter with the car. I supercharged it over the summer and have found that even with all season Michelin's, that extra power makes winter driving precarious. I'm also thinking I'd like something more analog. There's a couple e46 sedans available in my area with the 330 engine and all wheel drive. I'm aware that AWD adds about 200 pounds. One car is fairly updated/well maintained but has 170k miles. the other car has 125k miles but comes off a dealer lot without much info. Both are 2003s and around $7k. I've done some reading and am aware of the subframe issues. The e46 forum here is discontinued; what things should I be thinking about as I consider adding one of these to my fleet?

BTW - I do most of my own work on my cars.
I owned a 03 330xi and maintenance on the car was ridiculous. Off the top of my head you need to overhaul the complete cooling system,Ccv.
, Fuel pump, Vanos seals, front axels and alternator. Almost all of those things have leave me stranded when I owned that car. Take the 170k mile one if maintenance records check out
This!!
Appreciate 0
      01-11-2022, 10:54 AM   #9
Tommysalami
Lieutenant
Tommysalami's Avatar
564
Rep
465
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Socal

iTrader: (1)

Hope you like fixing leaking gaskets, in addition to what everyone else said.

I had a 03 330ci with the 5 speed and while it was a great beater car to drive, Id have been much better off getting a cheap Camry instead
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2022, 01:30 PM   #10
The-Traveler
Lieutenant
137
Rep
560
Posts

 
Drives: E92 M3 & G30 530e
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommysalami View Post
Hope you like fixing leaking gaskets, in addition to what everyone else said.

I had a 03 330ci with the 5 speed and while it was a great beater car to drive, Id have been much better off getting a cheap Camry instead
Said everyone who ever owned an e46
Appreciate 0
      01-22-2022, 02:01 PM   #11
CaTalyst.X
New Member
0
Rep
5
Posts

 
Drives: BMW M4, Lotus Evora GT
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Boise, ID

iTrader: (0)

You would do well to ditch the all seasons. A real winter tire makes all the difference
Appreciate 0
      01-27-2022, 09:17 AM   #12
CamasM3e93
Friends don't let friends ESS
CamasM3e93's Avatar
No_Country
3118
Rep
848
Posts

 
Drives: '11 Lemans Blue 6mt Harrop e90
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Camas, WA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by CaTalyst.X View Post
You would do well to ditch the all seasons. A real winter tire makes all the difference

Thanks for mentioning that. That's kind of a deep plan D - staying in the e93 and maintaining two sets of wheels - summer and snow.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:30 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST