The Perfect Daily? - 2004 BMW 325i Touring (E46)

Is the E46 BMW 3-Series Estate the perfect daily driver?
It's fast, comfortable, practical, reliable, well-appointed, good-looking, and amazing value.
But is it too boring?

Today's video is a slightly rushed one - the sun was going down!

Would you like your car to be in a video?
If so, contact me via the links below!

[davidw]

All credit to the owner of the car for using this as their daily. Highly practical and the straight six makes it interesting. I wonder how many of the latest generation BMW 4 cylinder turbos with small and uncomfortable seats will remain on the road in 15 years.

[XclusiveAaron]

I have a 2000 330ci the 3-litre 6cyl, absolutely banging cars, don't even look dated really like you said 👍 and that engine... Cruise along all day long or open her up and hear the scream you choose 👏

[Ptitgars]

I bought one a year and a half ago. Had one owner, a elderly man who used it to buy bread. I bought it at a garage. Funny story about the car, a friend of my father worked near where the previous owner lived so he knew the car was great because he tried to bought it from him some years ago.
Anyway, it’s a 2003 320i touring, automatic gearbox, silver metallic paint, grey leather, wood trim, sat nav, rear parking sensor, xenon automatic head lamps, automatic wipers, electric sports front seats, sport steering wheel, cellphone via bluetooth. Not fully loaded but nice specs. Petrol is expensive here in France and I drive a lot everyday to go to work so it is not my daily driver but it’s such a wonderful car to drive when I take it. It’s probably a car I will keep a long time.

[garrettgiuffre]

Im in the USA. Here for some reason the majority doesn't prefer the touring over SUV/crossover. I choose the e46 touring because it was offered with a manual. The 540 touring was not. After learning BMW service and maintenance and getting my hands dirty. The 325 Sports Wagon is perfect. It's liner power. All the way to redline. Stock no sports suspension is great. Now has m3/zhp parts all over. I couldn't say anything bad about it. Love it.

[michaelanderson]

I have an E46 320d Touring. Manufactured in Dec 2002, registered in Feb 2003. It has done 131, 955 miles (as of today). Swirl-flaps were removed as soon as I bought the car (Aug 2012) and it has been fabulous since then. I have it serviced by a local BMW independent garage, who look after it very well indeed.

I didn't need this car (I consider it a luxury vehicle), but when my sister offered it to me at 'family rates' and me approaching a significant birthday milestone, I thought "why not!; especially as the SEAT Arosa that I had been driving for the previous 11 years without it suffering any issues at all, was sold in the same week.

[FrankSerpico]

I love my E46, despite it being a 316i. It's so fun to drive and so well balanced. And extremely versatile and easy to dyi repair.

[ponczak]

I got 2004 325ti M sport 6 speed and it's fantastic car as a daily driver. It's a RWD hot hatch. Ok, maybe it's not THAT hot in terms of power but it's FR layout that makes it hotter. I love how it looks (yea, it's a compact and I love how it looks on M sport bumpers), it's a little bit lowered on springs (it was M sport suspension, just got a little lower front for better look). I love how it handles. I love how it's reliable. E46 is in that sweet spot right now that it costs relatively not much and you get a lot of car. I'm going to buy a touring as a true daily and for towing a trailer so it's going to be 325-8 or 330d and keep the 325ti as future classic. These cars are pretty reliable if you overcome the previous owners service neglect, they're comfortable, quiet, good equipped. You can retrofit the android radio. They got everything I need in a daily driver. Next generation bimmers like 1 series and e90 are more complicated but not that better. Not because they aren't good, but E46 were so good.

[jrbs]

Love estate cars of this era. This is a lovely car. A future classic!
I've got a Volvo V50 R-Design D5 which I love to bits 😚

[pauldavies]

The best and last great range of BMW'S

[grayfool]

Just about the best looking BMW. Also before they got over complicated and unreliable. Nice one. Thanks

[richardhowlett]

Peak BMW . Cars from this era were the best ever made or will ever be made .

[christopherldavid]

The door handles are designed to swing up for better ergonomics since people pull from an angle naturally. The doors also swing up a little to avoid curbs. Mine’s at 240k now, I have done over 15k miles in roadtrips with it, for weeks at a time, and it’s great to sleep in too (if under 6’).

[j.ke]

Really thinking about getting one as a first car, insurance is high but will be amazing for everyday life. I live in the middle of nowhere and ride mtb so getting bikes in the back is a must

[GentilsGarage]

For me, the E46 is the last great BMW. not just in looks, but engineering as well. the last DIY friendly BMW. Everything else afterwards just doesn't appeal to me.

[sparkzalot]

Informative, surprisingly well narrated and extremely in-depth review. You speak exceedingly well and it remind me of the reviews by the original (true) Top Gear on more daily driver sorts, especially that of Hammond. Solid content, thank you. Might pull the trigger on a deal for one of these this weekend.

[OEMplusRESTO]

Thanks for 5:58 actually taking a sit in the back and letting me know theres more room than in the e90 as well. Youd be suprised how many reviews ive had to watch before someone(you) actually tested what is super important for a guy considering a touring : will people fit in the back

[shanejones]

I had one of these in M sport trim technically yes they are an estate but the boot space is pretty small really. The 2.5 is good pretty quick in 1st and 2nd gear but pretty underwhelming after that.

New car is a Skoda superb estate 3.6 V6 now that thing is stupidly quick and the boot is huge.

[woooster]

Great videos.. I have the N52 3L silver top in my daily 2006 E63 630i Sport.. one of the best straight 6 engines out there..

[curtssallee]

greatest review of a bmw wagon....we love you bro....looks just like mine

[ThePhilmoreslim]

I have a 2002 325xi touring and still out performs and has more bells and whistles than new garbage cars