E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Hi guys new to the forum because I'm thinking of getting an E46 318ci M Sport That's all insurance will let me touch and my age Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this kind of model Heard mixed reviews so thought I would ask on here Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docz2K9 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Not much in terms of performance buddy , ive just turned 20 & drive one myself! Ive got the 1.9 8v bmw engine! Theres also a 2.0 16v variant which is slightly better on performance but "apparently" have a number of issues! People ask me why a bmw 318 . . Its all i could get insured on in the bmw range & i would rather have a sluggish bmw that i know has been put together with abit of class & will last if its properly looked after! Just use it as a stepping stone for when you can get insured on the 6 cylinders they're great cars Jonsufc, Mengwalton and sive s 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonsufc Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I've had my 318Ci for about 3 months. Absolutely love it. Don't get me wrong, I would like a 330 or 330d maybe even an M3 but those are completely unfeasible at my age, and my 2.0 serves me just fine at the moment. One thing I will say is make sure you get a minter. Been in a friends battered 325 and it just doesn't feel like the same car. Mines a high standard inside and out and if it wasn't I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it to the same extent. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I've got a 318 and am very happy with it too Ive got the 1.9 and it's been a good engine. If you're after a m sport I think you may only be limited to the 2.0 engine. Never seen a 1.9 m sport before! Apart from the one I've built of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 they bever made a propper 'sport' model with the earlier 1.9 8v engine i'd avoid the 2.0 N42 engine in the later (post 2001) 318s like the plague tho. nothing but problems. get an early 318ci SE and tart it up the way you want, then when your bored, you'll be old enough to get a 330ci! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenkus28 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 N42 is not as bad as they make it seem. Never had a problem with it. Using the best phablet ever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 N42 is not as bad as they make it seem. Never had a problem with it. Using the best phablet ever To be fair , i think you've just been lucky Ken, ive had experince with a LOT of N42's (my dad seems to love them for some reason & has had about 8) and every one has had practically lethal problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 The one I'm looking at is a 55plate m sport, 16v 60k miles Which engine is that? I always thought the later modelled engines were the better ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brixtoninmate Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 if you do alot of travelling on motorways you wont really know the difference not in this country once you have car up to 70 ,the engine comes to life 80 90 100 110 plus all come easy ,if you are driving around town you may find it heavy not fast but if you want something to throw around town get a golf gti . Be honsit with yourself you wana look good ,you wana keep your license then go for e46 You wana drive like looney loss your license go for golf gti. ive had e36 2.0 litre msport e36 2.0 litre ise e46 316i se with the m42 1.9 litre in this what i have at moment on motorway fully loaded with wife kids and full of suitcases etc was great to drive went to newcastle from london cruising 100 no problem,.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 The one I'm looking at is a 55plate m sport, 16v 60k miles Which engine is that? I always thought the later modelled engines were the better ones? not this case i'm afraid. pretty much like when VAG group went from the awesome 1.9 PD engine to the 2.0 16v diesel lump, they were s**te for a few years & plagued with problems. yes , that will be fitted with the N42 or N46 engine depending on build date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 if you do alot of travelling on motorways you wont really know the difference not in this country once you have car up to 70 ,the engine comes to life 80 90 100 110 plus all come easy ,if you are driving around town you may find it heavy not fast but if you want something to throw around town get a golf gti . Be honsit with yourself you wana look good ,you wana keep your license then go for e46 You wana drive like looney loss your license go for golf gti. ive had e36 2.0 litre msport e36 2.0 litre ise e46 316i se with the m42 1.9 litre in this what i have at moment on motorway fully loaded with wife kids and full of suitcases etc was great to drive went to newcastle from london cruising 100 no problem,.. I'm not really fussed about speed yet until I can insured something with a lot if power My dad has had m3s and m5s for ever since I can remember Would rather look good in a bmw then a chav hooning round town in a hatchback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 not this case i'm afraid. pretty much like when VAG group went from the awesome 1.9 PD engine to the 2.0 16v diesel lump, they were s**te for a few years & plagued with problems. yes , that will be fitted with the N42 or N46 engine depending on build date. So what is it you're saying? Not too go with that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Not if it was me. Dont take what i say as gospel, but having had 14 E46's i've got a good idea on them, what about the 320CD sport? Can you not get insured on one of those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Not if it was me. Dont take what i say as gospel, but having had 14 E46's i've got a good idea on them, what about the 320CD sport? Can you not get insured on one of those? I have looked at the 320cd's yes but I don't like the idea of driving a diesel because I only do short journeys to work etc It's between an e36 or e46 just don't know which to pick :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'd not reccomend an E36. you say you don't wanna look like a chav hooning around, you will in one of those as the majority have been screwed over by chavs. i recenly bought a techno violet e36 318is m sport, it just felt ancient & couldn't wait to get bak in an e46. i only do 7 miles to work in my 325ci - they dont mind short journeys (even the diesel) as long as you give it a good run reguarly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E46Josh Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'd not reccomend an E36. you say you don't wanna look like a chav hooning around, you will in one of those as the majority have been screwed over by chavs. i recenly bought a techno violet e36 318is m sport, it just felt ancient & couldn't wait to get bak in an e46. i only do 7 miles to work in my 325ci - they dont mind short journeys (even the diesel) as long as you give it a good run reguarly. I'm looking at the 320ci e46's but for that extra 20-30bhp insurance want 2k extra! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenkus28 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 been looking at this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-LOW-MILEAGE-BMW-318-ci-Coupe-Silver-1-9-Petrol-W-Reg-YR-2000-50-600-miles-/321070745511?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ac14ec7a7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay. Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 been looking at this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPER-LOW-MILEAGE-BMW-318-ci-Coupe-Silver-1-9-Petrol-W-Reg-YR-2000-50-600-miles-/321070745511?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4ac14ec7a7 that looks like a cracking base. I started out with a 318ci SE (aged 19) CSL reps, eibach lowering springs, Grey leather interior, piano black interior trims done - then when i was 21 i could afford a 330 - the 1.9 8V engine looked after me well in the time i'd had it & marginally difference in performance & MPG to the 2.0 16v. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenkus28 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 yeah, thought so. cutting down on the car if not would have snapped this up myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I'd avoid the n42 as well. You can fit all the m sport parts onto the 1.9 with SE trim but it's quite expensive. This is my 1.9 8 valver! keep-3 and Jay. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keep-3 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Ive owned a 1.9 318ci se for around 7 months now. (m43 engine) I got mine fairly cheap at £1100 in a ebay auction, it had 135000 miles on the clock and no service history which was a bit of risk but with a self service with parts from ecp and new tyres (which are pricey if you get one with 18" wheels). its been a generally good motor until just recently when the exhaust started to blow. I do have a slight iratic idle problem which from looking at threads on here seems like its quite common on the 318's and can be a number of parts at fault so when viewing a car, i'd keep an eye out for that. They are a bit sluggish pulling off and getting going but not awful although I am less confident overtaking to my previous car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewatkiss Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 I have the 2.0 n42 engine with 104000 on it and tbh it runs sweet as a nut, I'm not experienced enough on these cars to make and real judgement though. I will e looking to upgrade to a 325/330 coupe in October purely because ill be able to insure one then, not because I don't like the 318 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keep-3 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 just a note, insurance aside it doesnt seem much difference between the 318 and the bigger engines on tax cost and average mpg, which is a bit of a bugger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mengwalton Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Ive got a 316 with the 1.9L 8v engine m43 (SO basically its a 318 I can't see any difference once the 10hp limitation has been mapped out) worked out alot cheaper on insurance. Its nice to drive, comfy, easy to DIY jobs on the engine (just look after the cooling system-but thats any e46) . I wouldnt say its slow either its not a 6cyl model but its as fast if not faster than my focus especially in the in gear times the torque is unbelievable for a 8v N/A engine although I believe that all n/a bmw are quite torquie . As stated try to stay away from the 2.0L they "apparently" have loads and loads and loads of problems ( I remember reading that they were originally designed in conjunction with rover --- enough said) btw there good on petrol on motorways infact ace with cruise control on but if you drive round town alot wellllll there not great I get about 100miles from 25quid but ALOT more on m/way 40-50mpg if its flat @ 75mph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webby Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 A friend of mine has a facelift 1.9i E46, lowish mileage and its been looked after. He has had loads of problems with the engine. Had to change the inlet apparantly and sensor after sensor. He got this engine trying to cut costs but his repairs have outweighed the the additional cost of running a 2.5! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
