Should You Buy a BMW E46 in 2025? (The Truth)

Thinking about buying a BMW E46 in 2025? I've owned mine for over a year now, and in this video I'm sharing the honest truth about long-term E46 ownership. From maintenance headaches to driving thrills, I'll cover everything you need to know before you take the plunge. Is it still a smart buy in 2025? Let's find out!

GET IN TOUCH:

Time stamps:
0:00 - 1:39 - Intro
1:39 - 3:19 - Exterior
3:19 - 5:20 - Interior
5:20 - 7:40 - Mechanicals/Reliability
7:40 - 13:00 - Should You Buy one?
13:00 - 15:50 - Final Thoughts

[ctogg]

I've been driving e46's for 25 years and yes, you're right, there were a lot of them, but they were still popular and sought after back then with enthusiasts, as they are now. They're my favorite cars to drive of all time. I currently have a 323ci (105k miles) and a 330i zhp (90k miles.) My advice: Definitely get one now if you want one because they are becoming the new "classic BMW." Clean ones with low(er) miles are going to be harder to find. Also, I highly suggest having at least $2500 always available in a savings account for repairs if you can do most of the work yourself, and $5, 000 if you're going to pay someone else to do it.

[NickV]

Great take on the E46! These cars really do reward you if you look after them but can EASILY bite your wallet if you're not careful...

I've had my 2004 330ci Sport 6MT (same as the ZHP just without the cams) for 10 years and done 100k miles and the main issues I've come across are:

1. Rear subframe chassis mounts - they crack and need reinforcement plates to strengthen the panel. There are weak spot welds around the panel in the wheel arches and also at the subframe mounting points (just a bad design from the factory) $$ to fix but 100% worth doing. Also worth getting some better subframe bushes while you're there (check the brake lines, fuel tank strap brackets, battery box area and rear arches for corrosion too).
2. Cooling system - upgraded to a Mishimoto rad / fan with Moroso expansion tank and silicone top & bottom hoses. All other parts replaced with BMW OEM.
3. DISA valve rebuild with aluminium / stainless steel internals - the plastic parts can end up snapping and being sucked into the intake manifold = BAD
4. Oil pump upgrade - OE part has a single reverse threaded nut holding the sprocket and can literally undo itself at high revs = NO oil pressure = Engine goes bang.
5. Upgraded VANOS with stronger internals - DR VANOS.
6. Oil consumption - the M54B30 engine is damn good but the piston rings are weak and higher milage engines can consume up to 1 litre of oil per 1000 miles - I did the 'O2 Pilot' mod which takes a vacuum line from the CCV system to the back of the intake manifold which increases the vacuum and reduces the amount of oil it will drink (also check the entire CCV system as these can get blocked with sludge which is a tell tale sign the engine hasn't been used a full temperature or at high revs. A blocked CCV will also increase oil consumption and the car will run rough).
7. Check / replace ALL vacuum lines regardless of milage.
8. Oil changes every 5000 miles or so...heard too many horror stories about 15-20k oil changes!
9. Main oil leak areas: Rocker cover gasket, OFHG, VANOS Oil feed line, dipstick O ring into the engine block, sump gasket, Oil Level Sensor gasket, rear main seal.

Done loads of other upgrades (mainly for track purposes) but these were the ones that stood out as being mandatory if you want the car to run nicely and last in everyday situations 👍

[ovaca]

Bought one 6 months ago, first bmw, first euro and I haven't regretted it, not once. Just bought my first E30 today.

[xMassive]

I have a 320ci that sat on my dad’s drive way for 10 years after my big brother passed… got it back on the road 14 months ago, it needs regular love to keep it alive and I don’t want to throw endless money into having mechanics do things for me, but I’m finding YouTube to be an amazing resource to be able to do jobs myself. Recently changed the alternator, spark plugs, coil packs & refurbished the fuel injectors all from YouTube videos.

A great car for sure and one I’ll never sell ✌🏼

[CCertifiedLegend]

I bought my E46 330i auto 3 years ago. From a dig it's not that fast, on a roll I keep up easily with a standard Golf 7 Gti.

My advice would be to refurbish the ball joints and replace the bushes. Always have decent tyre threads and balance your wheels and align the wheels always.

Change oil every 10k km. Keep it clean and treat it like your best friend. It will surely look after you🎉

[cptbeeeeee]

I have a touring and I totally agree with this take. I bought mine for probably too much and did a lot of preventative maintenance. After that the the car has been great to me and I use it as my commuter. I now really want to find a clapped out 6 speed 330 to rebuild and put into the touring. A man can dream

[ruditan]

Im having an E46 currently. These 2 bros comments are so relatable 😂

[ChattinKhakis]

I just got an E46 323i wagon just about a year ago, myself… it’s an automatic.
I agree with all the maintenance you brought up here and agree, its very do able, the oil pan gasket is the only thing I found I couldn’t do in my driveway… if you find a well-maintained BMW, nothing is really insurmountable. Plus, so many Internet resources it’s absolutely incredible…. So incredible that I picked up an E46 325Ci hardtop that came with much better maintenance history and it just started to show me some problems.

[myflourishingfam]

I got my dad's old E46 320i (2.2L M54) 5 speed years ago and it was great, though it always had one foot in the grave. When it worked, it was awesome. When it didn't, it wasn't. Same with my E70 X5 35d. That said, I really want an E46 330i zhp 6 speed. One day.

[fossilfish]

Great advice guys. Love me the 330i Touring but here in the UK they hide rust well.

So true about the engine being tough but the plastics/cooling system around it does fail.

Keep up the BMW content pls.

[david]

I've had my '04 330i ZSP 6MT since new. Got it beginning senior year of HS. It was my daily for about 15 years, and I still have it. I haven't put new tires on it in a few years, so it's been sitting and needs some attention, but when you have 5 other cars -- some of them vintage -- stuff you should do just doesn't get done. It's a great car, and I won't be selling it. I rarely had an issue with it. The most expensive thing I ever had to do to it was the evaporator for the AC failed at 6 years of ownership, and my dealer did a courtesy coverage of it. What was going to be a $2500 bill didn't cost me a cent. Common things that go wrong are the cooling system parts and bushings, as you both mentioned.

I think these cars will never really enjoy the love that the earlier or later non-Ms do, unfortunately. The earlier stuff (E30, E36) are loved for being so analog, though the number of non-M E36s is dwindling. The later stuff is loved by enthusiasts because they're forced-induction. The E46 is a wonderful car, but in an era that has people demanding Camrys that are in the low 5 seconds to 60, it's outmatched. Whereas people can get a first gen 335, chip it, and make 400whp. Your best 330 without some sort of blower will struggle to push 275 without major work. They're just not fast.

I do think that limits their appeal unfortunately, because they're wonderful cars. They aren't cheap to maintain, however, and people can stay in the BMW universe and get more bang for their buck elsewhere.

[nighthowk]

I bought my E46 330i last year and and together I spent around $4000 total its an automatic and it drives like a dream. Even though my E46 has 335k KM of which I have done 25K already. Of course the best BMWs are RWD.

[jamesdavis]

My 318Ci got wrote off the other week. Currently working on getting a 330Ci sorted as my replacement. Great cars all round imo

[DrPsta]

E46 wagon was on my radar but an e36 sedan fit best for my driving preferences, less weight, throttle cable and less complicated engine. I’ve had a lot of cars and this is easily my favorite.

[Karl_Kampfwagen]

E46 was the best selling car of virtually all time... 3.2 Million units sold worldwide, and nearly 1 Million of those were in the USA. As you said, Touring wagons are Rare in America, where only 1, 327 were sold.
Somehow, I came across a 325xi Touring, with manual transmission, for $2k. I was not prepared for how awesome it would be... It's like, if I was given unlimited funds to make a dream car, THIS would be it. Solid engine, AWD, 5 speed manual, and M3 look, with a practical wagon body. It's a shame BMW tries to exclude Touring models from American buyers

[tonkatoy]

I have a 2000 328Ci M Sport Coupe that I bought new. It has 60k, garage kept, all original interior and bodywork. Only changes I've done was lowered the front end, replaced the stock style 68 M wheels with some Beyern Mesh, and upgraded the stereo system.

[makaveliangel]

I had my e46 320ci since 2014 on 55k miles and now it’s on 135k. It’s been pretty much trouble free apart from some of the usual suspects mentioned in this video but over the 10 years it’s felt trouble free overall.

[sergiovhhic]

Off topic but I have had 4 BMW's, a E36 and 3 E39's. All great cars, all had their problems but never was I assed out of a part or stranded on the road. So a E46 is pretty much the best middle ground of comfort, sport, and reliability. Really depends on previous owners maintenance and care. saw a clapped out F30 already...

[ceeceex]

I've been driving my 2004 E46 330ci coupé (bought from my cousin in 2010).
I have to agree with you about using OEM parts... Several years ago, my front control arm bushings need to be replaced. I cheaped out at the time and got aftermarket parts. I instantly regretted the decision b/c I lost the precise steering feel and the first half inch of string from center was numb (like a Mercedes). It's almost time for another replacement and you bet your pants that I'm going back to OEM parts this time around.

[badgersalesman]

Just bought a E46 318ci convertible auto in the uk. She is slow as the wife but drives and looks like brand new at 89000 miles. Hardman kardon memory leather seats you name it for a 22 year old car it is the last of the Greats.