I bought an e46 brand new and loved it that much I put 475k miles on it. Great cars that keep going and going. The only complaint is the front lower wish bones and bushes need changed. New bushes every 30k new wish bones every 60k. And anti roll bar drop links every 60k. Hence why ur tyres are wearing.
Easy fix, get soft polybushes and get Meyle HD ball joints, they’re all metal inside the ball joint instead of plastic and last much longer. 4 year warranty on them too
I've had 2 E46 330ci m sport convertibles and both were fantastic, only 1 failure in 13 years which was a seal on the filter housing, drove to Spain and back around 4000 miles no problem and cruising down through the night got 37 mpg, great car if maintained properly
Amelia - your car’s great! It’s old - eventually a classic - so spend the money, do oil changes often, service the auto transmission, keep it forever and enjoy! So long as it’s not rusting, that is. Your dad had great taste with his M3 x 2.
In regards to the tyre losing air quicker than the others, I would take it back and get them to remove the tyre, and clean up the inside lip of the alloy first, then put it back on the alloy. I had it a few times with my car, it was because they rushed the cleaning up stage, so the tyre didn’t seal to the alloy properly, when they took it off the alloy and spent abit more time with the wire brush around the rim, it didn’t leak anymore after that. Hopefully it’s just that for you too. For the lights, get the turtle wax headlight restorer in Halfords, it’s only around £15/20, and doesn’t require any tools. I’ve used it on mine, which were probably abit worse than yours, mine came up really well after spending about 20mins per light. Just follow the instructions on the box, it’s very easy and the kit comes with everything you need
I had a 330Ci, X reg manual coupe, bought in 2013, had it for 7 years. Amazing GT car, took it from 115k to 190k, when it finally had a head gasket go, along with rear arches, do scrapped it 😢 was so reliable tho, took it all over europe
I got an E46 330i sedan also in auto with over 300 kilometers & owned it for 6 years. There were costly expenses in between but touch wood, once it was sorted with OEM parts, the car has been rock solid since. PS I also have a manual Mk2 Jetta & that can be taxing to drive in traffic...
I have two E36s (328i) and an E39 (530i). I'm thinking about adding an E46 330ci to the collection. Keep the car, its a great car. Sort out the knocking sound/bushings. These cars drive great once the suspension/bushings are refurbished and the engine maintenance is done on time. Stick to original bushings/suspension if you ain't thrashing the car on backroads etc. But yeah, I can totally understand the love / hate relationship with these cars. There are many times when I feel like I should just give up and sell them when things aren't going well; seems like everytime one thing is fixed, another random issue will pop up. But my gosh, on those rare days where everything just works... the feeling on how they drive, the sounds and the pure driving bliss... ❤ It takes a certain kinda patience tolerance level to put up with and enjoy these cars 😅 Keep it and adress the remaining issues, it will be worth it. ❤
Your dissolve/fade transitions are on the audio as well as the video footage which is why the audio is cut off slightly between clips. If you're using premier you just have to remove the effect off the audio clip or ungroup the video and audio before you apply the effect I thought I would just let you know :)
I've got exactly the same knocking on my 325ci. In my case its the track rod ends, they're worn out. I've got some OEM units ready to go on. After 18 months of owning a manual I wish I'd bought an automatic, I think it suits the character of the car better
I am an Audi guy through and through but have to agree with you that the e46 design has aged much better than the A4 cabriolet. I did have an S4 cab with the naturally aspirated V8 though and that was a very characterful car. Today I am running one of the last S5 Cabriolets and may never part with it.
That panel that keeps bubbling is due to the surface not being prepped correctly when you had it painted. It will need to be stripped back to bare surface, thoroughly cleaned and then painted. This happens often when touch ups are done outside or in a wet/humid environment. Take it back to the business that repainted and show them. They should fix it if they like thier reputation.
I have the same car as yours, but a 2001 M sport. I really love driving it and sometimes will just drive somewhere for no reason just to enjoy it. Of course it’s so frustrating when something breaks and you’d rather sell it, but as soon as it’s back on the road it reminds you why you just love it and would never sell it.
I just bought a 320 ci convertible today for 300 euro and the hard top to go with it for an exrtra 50 ,2001 it's ropey looking in blue, I have a black 330 cd convertible too
i bought a 2003 face lift 100k 325 msport ci cab for 1700 at auction, had a blown head gasket, now having a 92k engine installed for 1200 inc a service!!
The paint on the rear hood valance is bubbling because the Aluminium its made out of is oxidising - take it back to the paint shop as they didnt prepare it correctly before painting it. The front headlights, you can just remove and chance the lenses, they're about £100 off eBay for a pair, takes a couple of hours, really not all that hard to do, just buy some sealing tape to seal them back up afterwards.
I’ve got the e46 convertible too. Love driving it. The biggest problem I had with the car was the wish bones also. Had to replace them twice in the period of 2 years. Also the Vanos need servicing every 80k.
I had a 330 e46 manual touring from a few years old, yes always issues even though it was looked after and it was rust that did for mine. Nice driving cars though
I have the same car (but manual).with 270K and the engine runs beautifully. The soft top is now 'manual', and all the plastics are crumbling to dust - but apart from that all good. I keep an eye out for a mint E46 330i to replace it. 😊
Your butterfly valve in the right hand side exhaust tip had rusted shut, a common problem. I had the same with my 330 ci sport. Just bang it open and there you go a completely new deeper sound all the time.
Funny enough i saw a 330 e46 it was parked up with its bonnet up 2 people working on it. You can't buy a car that age and not expect it to have issues from time to time
As nice as it would be, unfortunately old BMWs and reliability aren’t often words found in the same sentence. You’ve gotta have mechanical knowledge to cost effectively own an old Beamer. Or buy a diesel they last well if it’s not an ‘N’ code engine. My 20 year old BMW went through a main dealer VHC and the only thing it had wrong was two rear shock dust covers. 😁
I think you’ve been a bit unlucky. One of mine has been a bit of an issue. Viscose fan broke & smashed radiator. Was on motorway. Result was a new cylinder head required. She’s a topaz blue 323ci with cream interior. Had 94k on clock when I bought her in June 2020. She spent 18 month stood. Now has 118k on clock & I will probably never sell her
Lmao, i just experience this non ending issues. But thankfully its seems to be working like a charm now. Im still having hot temperature issues. 110c on stops with 318i 4 cyl engine
First off - it's an E46. Things are going to break! The roof surround paint flakes because it doesn't stick to the plastic properly. Front headlights are easy to restore yourself - just get a Maguires kit Front knock is likely control arms or top mounts - they're a known weak spot on the E46. Get the gearbox properly serviced to avoid a huge bill in the future. Dartford Transmissions are the best in the country for BMW gearboxes. ...and if you want to talk money pits... remember my CSK!
I think the auto does ecentuate the low down deep growl when you first pull away with the M54. I have a manual convertible currently, very late model (06) and kind of miss the auto as it had more of a rumble potling around
Great videos Amelia, very enjoyable, as always. Only a suggestion here, perhaps you could make a wee video with both Emily Shields (on TH-cam), who does a lot with Volvos, and with Tati Reed who does a lot of work with her 1985 Blue tit 2.5 petrol land rover (TH-cam: Over in the Rover). In any combination, you guys would make for a great interview, discussion, or even a wee road trip as a trio, almost like a female verison of a Top Gear or Grand Tour Special - if you look at your personalities. Only an idea 💡 Keep up your fab content. Thank you for all that you do. God bless, Fergal from Ireland 🇮🇪
I have the same car but with oem red interior… I have that issue with the paint bubbling it’s because water collects in that area and it’s made out of fiber glass thats why the parties so fragile
Lenses can be replaced. If you don’t want to go main dealer, then AUTODOC do a great OE example. It’s an extremely easy DIY fix and will pop the whole front of the car. Keep it. I’d change out the gaskets as well whilst you’re there. 👍🏻
Why wouldn’t you get a manual? Simply because about 2/3 of them are automatic. I have two. One got burn out in a domino effect scenario. When looking for another only about 1 in 10 are manual. Lots of 320d are manual in my experience. But a big proportion of e46 are automatic
My 330ci had 90k on the clock when I bought it, it was the most unreliable car I have ever owned and the car before was a C215 CL500! Oh, and they rust a lot. The CLK500 5.5 that replaced it was a far better alrounder, faster and BETTER on fuel.
![ILLSLICK X YOUNGOHM - We're The same [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUJNkobYR0E/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought an e46 brand new and loved it that much I put 475k miles on it. Great cars that keep going and going. The only complaint is the front lower wish bones and bushes need changed. New bushes every 30k new wish bones every 60k. And anti roll bar drop links every 60k. Hence why ur tyres are wearing.
Wow that’s amazing that it went on for that many miles! Thanks for the advice.
Easy fix, get soft polybushes and get Meyle HD ball joints, they’re all metal inside the ball joint instead of plastic and last much longer. 4 year warranty on them too
I've had 2 E46 330ci m sport convertibles and both were fantastic, only 1 failure in 13 years which was a seal on the filter housing, drove to Spain and back around 4000 miles no problem and cruising down through the night got 37 mpg, great car if maintained properly
Amelia - your car’s great! It’s old - eventually a classic - so spend the money, do oil changes often, service the auto transmission, keep it forever and enjoy! So long as it’s not rusting, that is. Your dad had great taste with his M3 x 2.
In regards to the tyre losing air quicker than the others, I would take it back and get them to remove the tyre, and clean up the inside lip of the alloy first, then put it back on the alloy. I had it a few times with my car, it was because they rushed the cleaning up stage, so the tyre didn’t seal to the alloy properly, when they took it off the alloy and spent abit more time with the wire brush around the rim, it didn’t leak anymore after that. Hopefully it’s just that for you too.
For the lights, get the turtle wax headlight restorer in Halfords, it’s only around £15/20, and doesn’t require any tools. I’ve used it on mine, which were probably abit worse than yours, mine came up really well after spending about 20mins per light. Just follow the instructions on the box, it’s very easy and the kit comes with everything you need
I'm also an e46 owner, just spent £360 on mine ready for its MOT. I think you need to friend Nick Jupp, aka Mr E46 spares. 😎
Have owned 320ci E46 for nine years 68000 miles from new.
Best car , without a doubt that I've owned in over 50 years of driving.
I had a 330Ci, X reg manual coupe, bought in 2013, had it for 7 years. Amazing GT car, took it from 115k to 190k, when it finally had a head gasket go, along with rear arches, do scrapped it 😢 was so reliable tho, took it all over europe
I got an E46 330i sedan also in auto with over 300 kilometers & owned it for 6 years. There were costly expenses in between but touch wood, once it was sorted with OEM parts, the car has been rock solid since.
PS I also have a manual Mk2 Jetta & that can be taxing to drive in traffic...
I have two E36s (328i) and an E39 (530i).
I'm thinking about adding an E46 330ci to the collection.
Keep the car, its a great car. Sort out the knocking sound/bushings. These cars drive great once the suspension/bushings are refurbished and the engine maintenance is done on time. Stick to original bushings/suspension if you ain't thrashing the car on backroads etc.
But yeah, I can totally understand the love / hate relationship with these cars. There are many times when I feel like I should just give up and sell them when things aren't going well; seems like everytime one thing is fixed, another random issue will pop up.
But my gosh, on those rare days where everything just works... the feeling on how they drive, the sounds and the pure driving bliss... ❤
It takes a certain kinda patience tolerance level to put up with and enjoy these cars 😅
Keep it and adress the remaining issues, it will be worth it. ❤
Your dissolve/fade transitions are on the audio as well as the video footage which is why the audio is cut off slightly between clips. If you're using premier you just have to remove the effect off the audio clip or ungroup the video and audio before you apply the effect I thought I would just let you know :)
I've got exactly the same knocking on my 325ci. In my case its the track rod ends, they're worn out. I've got some OEM units ready to go on. After 18 months of owning a manual I wish I'd bought an automatic, I think it suits the character of the car better
Ah okay! Interesting you say that about the manual!
I am an Audi guy through and through but have to agree with you that the e46 design has aged much better than the A4 cabriolet. I did have an S4 cab with the naturally aspirated V8 though and that was a very characterful car. Today I am running one of the last S5 Cabriolets and may never part with it.
That panel that keeps bubbling is due to the surface not being prepped correctly when you had it painted. It will need to be stripped back to bare surface, thoroughly cleaned and then painted. This happens often when touch ups are done outside or in a wet/humid environment. Take it back to the business that repainted and show them. They should fix it if they like thier reputation.
Love your E46!!! Gorgeous Car!!!!
I have the same car as yours, but a 2001 M sport. I really love driving it and sometimes will just drive somewhere for no reason just to enjoy it. Of course it’s so frustrating when something breaks and you’d rather sell it, but as soon as it’s back on the road it reminds you why you just love it and would never sell it.
I just bought a 320 ci convertible today for 300 euro and the hard top to go with it for an exrtra 50 ,2001 it's ropey looking in blue, I have a black 330 cd convertible too
i bought a 2003 face lift 100k 325 msport ci cab for 1700 at auction, had a blown head gasket, now having a 92k engine installed for 1200 inc a service!!
The paint on the rear hood valance is bubbling because the Aluminium its made out of is oxidising - take it back to the paint shop as they didnt prepare it correctly before painting it. The front headlights, you can just remove and chance the lenses, they're about £100 off eBay for a pair, takes a couple of hours, really not all that hard to do, just buy some sealing tape to seal them back up afterwards.
I’ve got the e46 convertible too. Love driving it. The biggest problem I had with the car was the wish bones also. Had to replace them twice in the period of 2 years. Also the Vanos need servicing every 80k.
I had a 330 e46 manual touring from a few years old, yes always issues even though it was looked after and it was rust that did for mine. Nice driving cars though
I have the same car (but manual).with 270K and the engine runs beautifully. The soft top is now 'manual', and all the plastics are crumbling to dust - but apart from that all good. I keep an eye out for a mint E46 330i to replace it. 😊
Your butterfly valve in the right hand side exhaust tip had rusted shut, a common problem. I had the same with my 330 ci sport. Just bang it open and there you go a completely new deeper sound all the time.
Funny enough i saw a 330 e46 it was parked up with its bonnet up 2 people working on it. You can't buy a car that age and not expect it to have issues from time to time
Exactly!! I was just sold a working car hence why I paid the price. Seems everything has gone wrong at the same time with it!
Nice car ❤
As nice as it would be, unfortunately old BMWs and reliability aren’t often words found in the same sentence. You’ve gotta have mechanical knowledge to cost effectively own an old Beamer. Or buy a diesel they last well if it’s not an ‘N’ code engine.
My 20 year old BMW went through a main dealer VHC and the only thing it had wrong was two rear shock dust covers. 😁
For the headlights you don’t have to change the whole unit. You can just change the lenses if they can’t restored.
I think you’ve been a bit unlucky. One of mine has been a bit of an issue. Viscose fan broke & smashed radiator. Was on motorway. Result was a new cylinder head required. She’s a topaz blue 323ci with cream interior. Had 94k on clock when I bought her in June 2020. She spent 18 month stood. Now has 118k on clock & I will probably never sell her
E46 is relatively bullit proof compared to the other bmw models.
Lmao, i just experience this non ending issues. But thankfully its seems to be working like a charm now. Im still having hot temperature issues. 110c on stops with 318i 4 cyl engine
Great video Amelia. Is it a LHD? it will probably last longer than the high tech recent models!
First off - it's an E46. Things are going to break!
The roof surround paint flakes because it doesn't stick to the plastic properly.
Front headlights are easy to restore yourself - just get a Maguires kit
Front knock is likely control arms or top mounts - they're a known weak spot on the E46.
Get the gearbox properly serviced to avoid a huge bill in the future. Dartford Transmissions are the best in the country for BMW gearboxes.
...and if you want to talk money pits... remember my CSK!
I think the auto does ecentuate the low down deep growl when you first pull away with the M54. I have a manual convertible currently, very late model (06) and kind of miss the auto as it had more of a rumble potling around
Maybe get the underside washed - they are prone to rushing on the front wings and rear arches where it meets the rear bumper.
Great videos Amelia, very enjoyable, as always. Only a suggestion here, perhaps you could make a wee video with both Emily Shields (on TH-cam), who does a lot with Volvos, and with Tati Reed who does a lot of work with her 1985 Blue tit 2.5 petrol land rover (TH-cam: Over in the Rover). In any combination, you guys would make for a great interview, discussion, or even a wee road trip as a trio, almost like a female verison of a Top Gear or Grand Tour Special - if you look at your personalities. Only an idea 💡 Keep up your fab content. Thank you for all that you do. God bless, Fergal from Ireland 🇮🇪
You could've brought 3 mechanics and that car would fail regardless. Nice ride btw :D
I have the same car but with oem red interior… I have that issue with the paint bubbling it’s because water collects in that area and it’s made out of fiber glass thats why the parties so fragile
Preface lift the lenses come off the lights
The paint bubble because there are trapped water underneath it?
Hey what's happening with the GTi?
Lenses can be replaced. If you don’t want to go main dealer, then AUTODOC do a great OE example. It’s an extremely easy DIY fix and will pop the whole front of the car. Keep it. I’d change out the gaskets as well whilst you’re there. 👍🏻
Only lenses available for facelift coupes/verts are Chinese eBay ones. It’s a little more difficult on the facelifts coupes as they’re butyl taped
Don’t you ever use it in manual?
Why wouldn’t you get a manual?
Simply because about 2/3 of them are automatic. I have two. One got burn out in a domino effect scenario. When looking for another only about 1 in 10 are manual. Lots of 320d are manual in my experience. But a big proportion of e46 are automatic
❤❤
My 330ci had 90k on the clock when I bought it, it was the most unreliable car I have ever owned and the car before was a C215 CL500! Oh, and they rust a lot. The CLK500 5.5 that replaced it was a far better alrounder, faster and BETTER on fuel.
Its a BM what else did you expect?
Would expect a brokie like you to make a comment
NO because its German and a bmw