My Dad bought a 2005 X5 about a year ago for about £1000-£1500. He’s got all the minor issues sorted, had some welding done in the wheel arches, had new bumpers, got it resprayed, had the alloys reconditioned and the windows tinted. It’s actually nice to see my Dad spending some money on himself and treating himself for once, especially with it being on a car.
Always love the wagons. I had a customer gift me a 325ix wagon instead of it going to the junk yard. So far with all his projects I’ve acquired enough spares that I’ve switched out the automatic 4wd drivetrain for a rwd manual. ZHP front and rear sports suspension and a few other odds and ends. Oh and seeing as I’m in Texas not a bit of body rust.😁
Alex, you sir are a man after my own heart... I currently have a facelift E53 X5 3.0d Sport & E46 320d M-Sport Convertible and absolutely love them both... The E46 has 272k miles and counting plus the obligatory rust 😂, she’s a hero! Would love to see more content on the BMW’s 👍.
Do repair/upgrade videos on these for sure. Also, congrats on hitting 300k subs in the first month of being live. This channel is headed for large numbers.
How are these even legal to drive on the road? One we are told has collapsed suspension bushings & doors you can't open, the other has massive amounts of rust - neither would pass a roadworthy where I live, & if a cop pulled you over you'd be pink stickered and riding home in the tow truck. They are basically both parts cars IMO.
@@bigduphusaj162 Used to be like that here too (NZ) but they have become much stricter on rust - visible rust isn't allowed to exceed a few centimeters even in most body panels, particularly anything that's likely to be impacted in any kind of accident. Since we don't salt the roads here, cars rusting out isn't a huge issue especially since modern galvanisation - but you are of course allowed to repair panels. As far as structural rust goes, there is the problem of insurance - an insurance company isn't going to be interested in insuring a car that has had any significant structural repairs, and I expect if a shoddy rust repair had been done and the car was in an accident, they'd use it against you. I had a woman rear end my (rust-free) car last year and put a slight twist in the frame - the repairer had the equipment to straighten it good as new, and the repairs were less than half the value of the car - but my insurance company wrote it off because they didn't want to continue to insure a car that had "compromised structural integrity" - so they paid me out and the car went off to who knows where. It's all a bit ridiculous of course, but that's where we've got to with legislation & nanny state rules now.
Just sold my e53 x5 2005. Sold at 125k but had 40k out of it and it was excellent. Maintenance was not bad at all. Service around £250 per year but spent around 500per year on average on other bits. 25mpg around town. Car was excellent family motor. Get a good one and you'll have properly comfortable transport that will do everything.
The X5 was always a good looking car in my opinion. I love the dealer demo cars, they always have the most option on them and the best options. My father has a 2004 Mercedes CL500 dealer demo car optioned to the brim with AMG parts but it’s not an AMG car…it’s awesome! Great video Alex!
I’ve got a real soft spot for the early X5’s. My uncle had a black 3.0l sport in 2002. It was a lovely thing and changed the game as to how good an SUV could be as a road car. Whether or not that’s a good thing is another question… Personally I think the Bangle era cars are easier to live with these days because they don’t rust like the E46/39 etc. I remember when the E53 were changing hands for a chunk more than RRP. I think people are wise to the 330 manuals already; they’re like rocking horse poo and fetch strong cash if they turn up. Looks cracking on those wheels even if they are reps.
I managed to get my hands on e53 x5 4.6is back in 2016 when they reached lowest price on the market for 9000 euros (good condition and no rust), now the value is coming up. only 3000 produced and i dont want to sell 😁. Did a lot of maintenance and he's like new now
Hi, I've got a BMW X5 2005 e53 4.8is 98k on the clock, Since I bought the car in January 2023, I've had it converted to LPG and it's so much quieter, smoother, no loss of power or performance, it's awesome and only £1 a litre! I've put 4 new 20 inch tyres on it, rear window tints, front and rear diffs sorted, new brakes and discs, new coils, new xtrons head unit, a new id4motion instrument cluster (cost £1200), new rear light clusters, new atf oil and filter, to name but a few! This V8 e53 X5 of mine is a future classic and will only go up in value, it's the best car I've ever owned! Next is the instrument cluster repair next week! And upgraded headlights before the end of the year!! Oh did I mention the awesome sound of the V8 burble??
I've owned 3 e46s now, the first being a 318 convertible (very underpowered) ended up in a ditch , a 320 convertible ( still a bit underpowered but nice nonetheless) which was written off after a side impact, and now a 320d convertible quick enough and very economical even if driven like a tool, imo e46s are the best bang for buck future classics money can buy, not for much longer though, strong , fun to drive, well built, timeless looks, I love them
@@MartinJones123 actually all pretty reliable, obviously the odd oil leak and my alternator went on one of them but all really good strong motors, although I'd recommend avoiding the 4 cylinder petrols as they can be a nightmare if its not been well kept, with these maintenance is key , hope this helps
I've literally bought a 330i e46 Touring last Friday. 1-owner, under 100K Miles, like new condition (really!), every box except the ugly phone ticked. From M-package to electric seats, it has it all and I love it to bits. Such a proper car, and everything about it screams "they don't make them like they used to". I shall cherish and love it and then maybe someday sell it for a lot of money.
wow, It filled me with so much joy seeing an e46 sport touring in a manual, I bought one just like it in February for £1900, got it cheap because it had no MOT and I've been putting work into it to make it a truly nice example, 183k miles so engine has just been broken in and with mine being a mid 2003 it comes with the 6 speed gearbox that came with the facelift coupes. fun fact: only about 140ish of these on the UK roads in that exact spec of 330i touring manual, getting rare and very sought after.
love it. i have a 2004 x5 3.0d with a 6-speed manual. (sport edition) 340,000 miles Everything that can go wrong, has. Air suspension has been replaced with springs all 4 door handles are broke Aircon doesn't work (FSU failed) regulators have failed Front diff has exploded Front seats are finally starting to show their age and miles. but above all else i will NEVER let go of this monster its still running factory engine with the original Turbo. and she pulls like a beast! and if you drive really really well i have managed to get 47 MPG, but if you floor it, you can embarrass a few other cars still. have fun in her!
@@TalksportWokistWombles depends on the previous owner lol. If the previous owner didnt take care of the car, of course it’d be a bottomless money pit lol. E46 is pretty okay since spare parts are pretty cheap compared to newer BMWs. And it’s still pretty easy to service by yourself.
@@TalksportWokistWombles like I said it depends on the previous owner. I still daily drive my 2003 e46, and it has never had any major issues. I wouldnt say it’s a reliable car, but it’s not as bad as say an e65 7-series with all the gizmos. The most I’ve spent on it is replacing some seals on the transmission. Of course, I’ve done routine maintenance over those 19 years. If you buy an unmaintained 19-year old e46, that’s a different story, just like any other car brands.
@@TalksportWokistWombles well yeah I wouldnt call e46 a bulletproof car. It wont be as reliable as japanese cars, there’s no denying it. For me though, it has its issues (mainly due to age) but nothing major so far. The repairs I’ve done on it have been pretty cheap. It’s a pretty simple car after all. I dont own an e65 but I do own an e60, which has some of e65’s techs. I’ve had some issues with the car, and the repairs are expensive. I’ve had to replace the CAS module, the LCM, and some other things. And it’s 7 years younger than the e46. One thing I notice, on the e60, if the battery goes bad, it will start acting out, and it may take some modules with it ☹️ the e46 never did such thing. That said, I never bought a second hand e46. I can imagine a used e46 whose owner neglects it. It will have a lot of issues that I never had. For one, I havent had a major issue with the engine, but I saw many youtube videos and read in forum in which the owners have issues with oil leak, blue smoke from exhaust, etc. So I understand if you have a problem with second hand e46s. And yes, the low quality plastics in the interior and exterior fall apart after 15 years or so. My friend bought a 10 year old e46 in 2013, and the repair cost him twice as much money as he paid for the car. So yeah, you may be reasonable about not wanting to go near used BMW, audi or mercedes.
@@TalksportWokistWombles 2006 BMW X5 3rd owner. Changed the entire suspension, battery, alternator, tires, new brakes. Bone stock and the interior looks newer than a 2022 car. Timing chain looks great. A little over 100k miles and it drives smooth like butter. No warning lights.
I inherited an e46 320i (2.2L) 5-speed from my dad and loved it, though it always had one foot in the grave when I got it. My dream is an e46 330i 6-speed. This was a good reminder of a great platform!
Couldn’t agree more about the e46. I bought a 330ci m sport manual with 126k miles last year for £2.2k, best thing I’ve ever bought! Absolutely love it :)
I have an e46 wagon 5speed, at 240k now. I don’t think mine will ever be that valuable, but the driving experience going camping up mountain roads makes me want to keep it permanently. I have done a roadtrip for 6 weeks/10k miles, going down forest roads and it worked flawlessly.
Top stuff and well said! I feel like I've been banging on for years about this having owned a 330i E92 for a few years. The N54 is without a doubt the best value petrol engine out there, it ticks every single box... what a motor.
@@bigduphusaj162 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You ever heard of preventative maintenance? If you don’t know your way around a car just say 🤣🤣🤣 and if you can’t afford it it’s okay man, there’s always Japanese cars for people with less knowledge….
@@TalksportWokistWombles “Junk BMW’s” If you’ve had bad experiance with BMW’s that has nothing to do with the brand, action talk louder than works mate, if you can’t afford do maintain an OLDER BMW (not even a new one, an older one) then please you don’t need to prove to me the Mud Hut you live in…
@@TalksportWokistWombles Just because they are obtainable doesn’t mean they are cared for - which is why you seem to have had a bad experience with them In the first place, a BMW definitely isn’t a rich person car as your right in saying that they are easily obtainable but because of this they are neglected by people who know nothing about them, all those things you claimed about the N52 may be true for you but unlike you I and the people I know all take care of their cars so we don’t get the issues you said they get, preventative maintenance is key that’s why people neglect them and cry later
My diesel e53 has been spot on. Quite miley but after nearly 3 years has never let me down and needed next to nothing. And as a towing machine, absolutely superb. I'd recommend one to anyone.
I loved my 52 plate X5 (SA52XDU) over 10 years ago, it was a 3.0 petrol with a manual gearbox and I had to repair it a few times but still really enjoyed driving it and long journeys passed really quickly in it, list of failures included rear air suspension (air bag and compressor) radiator, thermostat (running cold) gearstick linkage parts (like stirring soup) headlights and a few other things. The mpg was great for the size of it as I drove from Dundee in Scotland down to Dorset pulling a very small camping trailer on one tank of fuel (just)
Please keep Barney. Probably one of the most beautiful touring‘s I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait for more content coming up. I’ve had a 320d Touring for 3 Years Till the engine blew up. I own a F32 420d Coupé right now but I still miss the Touring like some favourite toy you lost as a child. Old BMW‘s all day everyday. Greetings from Baden Württemberg ✌🏼
I’m the owner of an ‘04 330 Touring Sport manual (6 speed) in mystic blue - I’ve had it for about 5 years and it’s genuinely a Swiss Army knife car. It does everything - quick, comfortable, handles well, cruises, decent boot, looks nice, understated, decent economy (easy 35 on a run). Mine’s on 185k miles and has been fairly reliable. Rust has taken hold sadly (all 4 arches), and lacquer peel, etc. I’d love to get it all done but it’ll be absolutely ruinous :(
Having owned a e46 330i touring with 418.000 kms i can totally relate! Had all the same issues as yours has, haha! Still miss it to this day, shame i sold it. Now drive a e91 325xi touring. Love the channel Alex, keep up the good work.
Hi Vincent, I am just at the moment to choose between a E91 or a E46 325 or 330 but as you have owned both… what would you advice? I owned a E81, E39 and a E46 but don’t know how the E91 stands to a E46. Thank you in advance!
@@TjaIsHetAntwoord Comes down to personal preference imo. The e46´s are almost all 20 years old now. So finding a good example with a rust free body is getting harder. Prices of those examples are going up. If you dont mind a bit of rust, the n54 engine of the 330i e46 is a lovely engine who will run forever if properly maintained. Downside, again is rust, subframe mountings can crack. Also front and rear quarterpanels can rust very badly. The reason i chose for a e91 is mainly the fact that they are not prone to rust. Bodies are galvanised. I used to drive a e91 320d to work every day, so i liked the platform. I do have a company car now so i dont drive as much in my private vehicle. I chose the n52 engine cause it is very reliable. My car now has over 350.000 kms. I do all work myself, and learned how to code on these cars. The 325i xdrive is very nice for towing (i have a caravan) aswell, fuel economy is very reasonable too. Averaging about 9 liters per 100kms. To awnser you question: Both are good options. But e46's are getting old now, but a good example is a modern classic. Be mindfull of rust. e9x platform is more modern, less rust issues. And reliable 6 cilinder engines. (Avoid all 4 cilinders, they suck). The e91 has some known problems but a properly maintained example wont let you down. Hope this helps in making your choice! With Kind Regards, Vincent
Alex, you've already the best channel on UA-cam! Been a fan for years and years! Nothing better after a long 12 hour shift of driving busses all day, to unwind and laugh at your videos!
I miss Barney, I enjoyed many miles in that car before Taylor and yourself. Luckily I have a 225k mile 330d touring waiting for an S54 to penetrate it and my 496k mile 330d saloon as a talking point ;) I just bought a 2007 X3 3.0d M-Sport manual as a daily and adore that too, although most people hate them. The forever car for me though is my E39 530i Sport ,Champagne Edition 2. The more miles I do in it, the more I fall for it. Think I need to find another 330i manual touring now to keep...
I sold my E46 330d a few months ago. And it has been really reliable. It's got 270 000km on and I never really had any issues with it. I had to change the usual window winders and engine mountings, but can you expect anything else from a 25 year old car?
I bought a 320ci vert a few months ago. I got it really cheap, was misfiring pretty badly. Payed £1500 for it. I’m the second owner, it’s been garaged it’s entire life, zero rust on it. The misfire - was a free fix. Genuine msport manual too. Love it, far to slow for me as a daily - not sure what to do with it. Do I sell it? Keep it for a few years - when they extend the Ulez the value of it will shoot up. Not sure
The E46 330 is the greatest BMW ever made, it does everything well. It still hasnt peaked in how much its appriciated but as the M54 will outlive all other engines and people realise the lack of joy of eletronic steering its going to keep increasing in value.
@@darek4488 that's a very common misconception, the M54 is bomb proof and much faster than an m52. I have 2 m54b30's and an m54b25 the 2.5 is on 190k one 3.0 on 94k and another on 240k and they all pull like trains and the double vanos kicks on strong as hell. I beat newer turbo cars with them regularly on both cornering, top end speed and at least keep with them on acceleration. The m54 is an amazingly good and reliable engine.
my father bought a 2002 318i facelift with 30kms on the clock new shipped all the way from Germany back in 2005. As I was very young, he surprised us with it on a Sunday and I rushed into the driver's seat and fell in love with it.. Hearing that e46s have been aged so well makes me really happy.
Was wondering when this video would finally come. Delighted - this is my absolute favourite content watching two cool (but somewhat ordinary) cars being returned to glory. 10/10.
I have a 2006 X5 4.8is. I bought it cheap thinking I can flip it and make money. I expected it to be an unreliable shit box from the start. Boy, I couldn’t be more wrong. Turned out to be a reliable, fun and practical car. This era of BMW deserves more credit!
I have the GM gearbox for 8 years and it hasn't had a problem a friend of mine has the ZF which has had a lot of problems he actually sold the car because of it and also the GM changes gears smoother
Had an e46 330i Touring for about 8 years now. Thrashed it, raced it, drifted it. and loved it. Never had a mechanical problem with it. With sport suspension, set slightly lower with low profile high quality tyres it handles better than anything I've ever driven, cornering like it's on rails. This car is severely underated and severely awesome. The engine and power are scintillating - at home between 4000 - 6500 rpm. Never want to sell it.
I have a weekend car - BMW E46 330Ci convertible, M-packet, with 6spd manual. Imported from Switzerland, car has 320xxx km on odometer. This car has been sofar most reliable car we ever had. Engine works GREAT, still do times like it was new. Everything works, car has even curvelightning! Overall, its a great car, def not for daily usage tho - not very comfy on that M-tech suspension. But I will keep it forever. Thats why I did not care about kilometers on ODO meter, but about the way previous owner took care. P.S. I have all documention about car + 1st owner signed papers from Zurich BMW.
I have had my 2001 five speed manual 330i for about eight years and I love it but would never claim it to have great reliability. The original engine had a top and bottom end rebuild at BMW approximately 50k before I got it and it used oil like it was going out of fashion - replacing the CCV system improved things somewhat but it was still drinking a litre far more than every thousand miles! I swapped in an engine with roughly half the miles last year and that has helped reduce oil use and increase mpg but I have no idea how anyone gets 40mpg out of these, must drive like your nan. Alternator, lower arms and their bushes, fuel pump, slow window motors, dead parking sensors, dead rear wash wipe, rusty front and rear arches, seized brake calipers, handbrake shoe assembly falling apart, rear shocks, screenwash system failure and a rear window regulator shitting itself have all been part of the 40 thousand miles experienced in it. I still live it but my previous E46, a 328ci was much more hassle free.
I bought a 2005 BMW X5 4.8is with staggered 20 inch wheels. It definitely had the window down on the rear left side it needed new clips fixed that on the first day. Then I let it sit while I figured if I needed new air struts on the front which was sitting low only in the front. I replaced the sensors and what do you know that puppy lifted right up. I put a left axle and other than that it probably needs new tires and an Alignment. I bought it for 1900 it’s worth 7500 on the blue book.
mate its impossible to find a 330i with a manual transmission these days i dont even wanna think about what someone would want for a techno violet one like yours nowadays. probably somewhere around 10k regardless of condition.
I just bought a manual 330i Msport 170k miles with no rust at all and new MOT for 2700£. I think they aren't that expansive, but rare. They'll probably rise in prise in the near future.
Never really liked the X5 but the thought of gagging Rory and bundling him in the back, and still have room for shopping is rather intriguing, the tourer has always been my favourite and it still turns heads. 😊😊
Nice video Alex, spoke to you a few times on instagram, I have the 330i manual touring on almost 230k. I couldnt agree with you more, Had mine 9 years now alongside my E46 M3 and i dont think i could part with it. Does everything so well. Although does need a wheel bearing, and diff bushes, and diff seals, and rear arm bushes, and a door loom, and an airbag, other then that shes perfect 😉.
I’ve recently bought a E46 325i Sport and also have rusty rear arches. People think that the 330i is the better engine but with the heavier crankshaft and bigger piston plus long gearing it feels a bit lazier compared to the 325i. Either way I just bought 1k in parts and will be dealing with the rusty rear arches. I’m glad I’m not the only one trying to save these cars.
I fully agree. I much prefer the 2.5 over the 3.0. I own a 325i sport, and owned this purple beast. I still prefer the 325i. Consider a remap and a BBTB for it, as it wakens them up just lovely
EVO magazine preferred the 325i. They said that she to the shorter gearing it felt nearly as fast as the 330i and was keener to rev. I'd love either model. Nearly bought a 330i in 2009, wish I had. It drove beautifully. Peak road car era BMW.
I wanted a BMW and it needed to tow it was between the X5 or 730d, I went with the 730d, comfort, power and speed at a bargain price!! Love the colour it's not the usual black or silver 👍
E39's are also flying up in value. Recently bought an E39 530d Msport auto saloon finished in sterling grey and honestly it's one of the favourite cars I've ever owned. Only covered 130k miles and considering the size of it. Handles really well and pulls strong and economical when you want it to be. I've never been one to keep a car very long but I can see myself keeping this for years.
Just bought a 03 e46 330ci convertible. Individual Mora Purple with full Individual Ivory Leather interior with 75k - ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, in fact everyone comments how good it looks. Best buy ever.
I bought both, Kind of….2007 BMW X3, Based on the E46 Platform but a SUV that’s only 3.4inches smaller than the e53 x5, and shares the 3.0Si engine with the X5. Interior, seats, steering wheel, etc… is mostly e46 bmw. But the rest of the car is unique. However the gauge cluster and shifter is from the Z4. Never owned a bmw before but it’s truly a great combo of all cars.
Great video Alex. I have owned many BMW's over the past 35yrs from E30 to and F10 535. However my current BMW is a 2002 E53 with the Z gearbox and I just hit 80,000kms this week - not bad for a 20yr old car. A solid car for a long drive - I love it.
Always regret selling my E91 330i manual (despite it literally needing injectors changed more frequently than the air filter) but now doing the man maths to see how I could swing an E46 330i as a project car past the Mrs 🤔. Great video Alex, and good luck with the channel.
Loved this video Alex especially the E46 part. You had a follower ever since the CarThrottle started and you'll most certainly continue to have me on your new project. Best of luck!
Way to go Alex, thanks for throwing oil on the fire! I had an E46 325ix Touring, Manual, that I sold and got an E46 M3 and I so miss my Touring. I LOVE the M3, but I seriously wish I still had the Touring.
Got a 2005 E53 3.0 diesel, 221k miles, I love it. Surprisingly, there's no record of anyone changing any window regulators or door handles on it yet, knocking on wood. Maybe the facelift ones were made sturdier? Bought it for 6000 euros a year ago, but that's what they go for in my country (above average condition).
I love my 328Ci Coupe automatic, last year I bought a 2000 model with 228.000 km (141xxx miles) for €4100, spent another €2000 on tires, VANOS-rebuild, sensors and other wear parts. Now she purrs like a kitten and I'm really impressed with the highway gas mileage (42 mpg - 6,7l/100km). I hope to keep enjoying it for many more years!
I got genuine late days OG Top Gear at the end. Interesting, funny video with some time spent on just appreciating the car. Hope this great start continues Alex & Rory!
Had a E46 325Ti years ago. Leaked oil terribly - necessitated taking the subframe off to replace the sump gasket. Instead I swapped it for a Clio 172 Sport on a Maccy D's car park somewhere in Yorkshire on a late and rainy Tuesday evening. The tyres on the Clio were completely bald so was an interesting near death drive home. Regret getting rid of the 325, despite the oil leak was an amazing drive and rare as rocking horse poo now.
Alex really brings backs the joy behind cars in general. Balls to whom that think that what you like aren't reliable I can fix her if I drive her. Also love your team with you, seems like fun lads That transition though broke me with laughs.
As a E46 330i Touring owner , can confirm, yes they do need some maintenance, but they are great cars to go on holiday in and even take out on track for extra WTF kudos points Been to the Nurburgring 4 times and they're a hoot to drive.
Unlike many other I LOVE the first gen X5, especially with a v8, preferably the Alpina 4.6is 😍 But sadly not an option these days with a gas price of 9$/gallon or a bit over 2€/litre…
@@drbass9677 Oh ,I know! I had an -01 330d touring and i loved it! too bad we have punishing tax on diesels here in sweden… an X5 30d would cost around 500€ more in tax per year than a petrol version.. But maybe it would be worth it the day the timing chain gives up on the v8
I daily drive two very reliable and rust free Lancia, a 84 Beta HPE Volumex (everyone needs a practical supercharged estate) and a 78 Gamma 2500 Coupe. I always had the reliable cars break on me and the ones that should not be trusted never quite lived up to their bad reputation ^^
Hi Alex, loving the new channel, I only learned to drive during the first lockdown and was lucky to pass my test first time in December 2020 shortly after tests had re-opened. While doing my lessons I was looking out for a decent, but cheap, used estate car. Originally I was only wanting to spend about a grand, but fell in love with a 2007 E91 320d Msport Touring in Le mans blue with 130k on the clock that I picked up for 2.5k. Still have it and it still drives brilliantly, currently in the middle of "refreshing" it, have new interior trim and gaiter fabric and a new alcantara and carbon steering wheel and some new 17" Msport alloys in graphite grey. It's just had a respray as all 4 arches were starting to bubble, got a couple of front wings on ebay cheap and had the rust cut from the rears. When I got it back I then spent an entire Sunday ceramic coating it and it's looking pretty sharp. Still have a few things left I want to do with it such as getting the engine walnut blasted, installing a nice exhaust and possibly intercooler and then getting it stage 1 mapped. Would love to hear any of your thoughts or ideas.
I'd absolutely go with the stage 1 map, then try and save for a straight 6 version! Hopefully insurance isn't too brutal, but the bimmer straight 6s really are a cut above, love my m54b30 like in this vid.
You're doing an awesome job, mate! I enjoy watching your videos and sometimes they bring back memories of the old Top Gear. Keep up the good work! I'm actually thinking about buying a BMW and an E46 Touring would be a very good choice. Cheers!
Thanks Alex for making my chance of finding a manual E46 330 wagon for a decent price disappear. They're already like hens teeth. I'm lucky enough to have a 330 manual coupe!
@@sconeman168 I’d rather save the hassle if I’m honest, that said 330 petrols are rare as it is. I’d want to turbo it eventually. Already have 4 E46’s in various combinations as I have a bit of an E46 problem 😊
Great video, I’m a nurse working perm nights and I’ve been looking for good petrol head content to keep me awake on my breaks! Here’s an idea for a challenge; find a cheap SUV and live in it completely (bar bathroom breaks) for 24hrs to include a short road trip, eating and sleeping in it etc. Keep up the good work 👍
I bought my E46 a couple months ago for $4k and it's been pretty reliable. It's the base model with the M54B22 (2.2 i6) and has 242k kms. It's probably the best handling car I've ever driven.
I watched Tyler hoover assemble the greatest bmw lineup from 2001, this is like the budget British version from 2002, love it! Those X5s are starting to really look good
i have a 3.0 2001 x5.. ive had it for 4 years (driven hardish) and the gearbox has never missed a beat... its like anything, take care of it and it will take care of you
The e46 is my favourite 3 series ever. I’ve owned 3 of those and I still own one. I agree with everything you said, but I’ve had a different experience with GM 5-speed auto transmission. My e46 came with the GM 5-speed auto, and it’s been very robust since 2003. I havent had a problem with it at all. Maybe they used a different unit in the X5?
Bought my 2002 E46 330i SE Touring nearly a year ago, paid £1900! 1 previous owner on 105,000 miles, went for the SE as it rides so much better than the M Sport versions. Fitted it with some bridgestone all season tyres so we don't get stuck in a field when walking the dog!
I bought a 2005 E53 3.0d sport from a mate for £1k, engine is solid as a tank and sounds amazing, 147k miles as of now and it’s still the best car I have owned, truly lucked out, no rust, no defects, last MOT had no advisories and only need 2 tyres due to rear sag but that’s it’s only issue😂 I am so glad because it is a really beautiful looking car if it’s looked after.
Ford guys hate this video 🤣 Awesome Video Alex. I miss my 330ci. I sold it to my mechanic. We did countless track days in it, it was driven hard everyday, and it has been all over the country. It’s now just clocked roughly 225,000+ miles. Engine has never been opened. Just regular servicing. The E46 generation are timeless 😎
My Dad bought a 2005 X5 about a year ago for about £1000-£1500. He’s got all the minor issues sorted, had some welding done in the wheel arches, had new bumpers, got it resprayed, had the alloys reconditioned and the windows tinted.
It’s actually nice to see my Dad spending some money on himself and treating himself for once, especially with it being on a car.
Cool story bro
Always love the wagons. I had a customer gift me a 325ix wagon instead of it going to the junk yard. So far with all his projects I’ve acquired enough spares that I’ve switched out the automatic 4wd drivetrain for a rwd manual. ZHP front and rear sports suspension and a few other odds and ends. Oh and seeing as I’m in Texas not a bit of body rust.😁
👀 *Cue the sound of BMW owners cheering as their cars double in value overnight*
(me included! hahah!)
@@AutoalexCars 😂
You can simply double the value of these two BMWs by filling up with fuel.
While awaiting recovery,doubled in value...spent more on bits.
See how this business man increases his car sale value with this simple trick!
Alex, you sir are a man after my own heart... I currently have a facelift E53 X5 3.0d Sport & E46 320d M-Sport Convertible and absolutely love them both... The E46 has 272k miles and counting plus the obligatory rust 😂, she’s a hero! Would love to see more content on the BMW’s 👍.
Do repair/upgrade videos on these for sure. Also, congrats on hitting 300k subs in the first month of being live. This channel is headed for large numbers.
Imagine if this channel becomes the fastest growing automotive channel
100% cannot wait to see both of these cars fixed up and brought up to a fully functional level!!
@@bigduphusaj162 never
its a X5, it will never be fully functional. exept for the diesel engine, wich WILL suck up its own oil and destroy itself eventually.
@@SupremeRuleroftheWorld really :D :D :D
How are these even legal to drive on the road? One we are told has collapsed suspension bushings & doors you can't open, the other has massive amounts of rust - neither would pass a roadworthy where I live, & if a cop pulled you over you'd be pink stickered and riding home in the tow truck. They are basically both parts cars IMO.
@@bigduphusaj162 Used to be like that here too (NZ) but they have become much stricter on rust - visible rust isn't allowed to exceed a few centimeters even in most body panels, particularly anything that's likely to be impacted in any kind of accident. Since we don't salt the roads here, cars rusting out isn't a huge issue especially since modern galvanisation - but you are of course allowed to repair panels. As far as structural rust goes, there is the problem of insurance - an insurance company isn't going to be interested in insuring a car that has had any significant structural repairs, and I expect if a shoddy rust repair had been done and the car was in an accident, they'd use it against you. I had a woman rear end my (rust-free) car last year and put a slight twist in the frame - the repairer had the equipment to straighten it good as new, and the repairs were less than half the value of the car - but my insurance company wrote it off because they didn't want to continue to insure a car that had "compromised structural integrity" - so they paid me out and the car went off to who knows where. It's all a bit ridiculous of course, but that's where we've got to with legislation & nanny state rules now.
Cracking cars Alex. The 330i Touring looks fantastic.
Great spec, wheels, colour and engine combo.
Well worth looking after.
Looks fantastic... if you like rust...
Just sold my e53 x5 2005. Sold at 125k but had 40k out of it and it was excellent. Maintenance was not bad at all. Service around £250 per year but spent around 500per year on average on other bits. 25mpg around town. Car was excellent family motor. Get a good one and you'll have properly comfortable transport that will do everything.
The X5 was always a good looking car in my opinion. I love the dealer demo cars, they always have the most option on them and the best options. My father has a 2004 Mercedes CL500 dealer demo car optioned to the brim with AMG parts but it’s not an AMG car…it’s awesome! Great video Alex!
I appreciate that you added an ad length bar, I am still going to watch it all the way through because more view time to support my boy.
I’ve got a real soft spot for the early X5’s.
My uncle had a black 3.0l sport in 2002. It was a lovely thing and changed the game as to how good an SUV could be as a road car. Whether or not that’s a good thing is another question…
Personally I think the Bangle era cars are easier to live with these days because they don’t rust like the E46/39 etc.
I remember when the E53 were changing hands for a chunk more than RRP.
I think people are wise to the 330 manuals already; they’re like rocking horse poo and fetch strong cash if they turn up. Looks cracking on those wheels even if they are reps.
I managed to get my hands on e53 x5 4.6is back in 2016 when they reached lowest price on the market for 9000 euros (good condition and no rust), now the value is coming up. only 3000 produced and i dont want to sell 😁. Did a lot of maintenance and he's like new now
Hi, I've got a BMW X5 2005 e53 4.8is 98k on the clock, Since I bought the car in January 2023, I've had it converted to LPG and it's so much quieter, smoother, no loss of power or performance, it's awesome and only £1 a litre! I've put 4 new 20 inch tyres on it, rear window tints, front and rear diffs sorted, new brakes and discs, new coils, new xtrons head unit, a new id4motion instrument cluster (cost £1200), new rear light clusters, new atf oil and filter, to name but a few! This V8 e53 X5 of mine is a future classic and will only go up in value, it's the best car I've ever owned! Next is the instrument cluster repair next week! And upgraded headlights before the end of the year!! Oh did I mention the awesome sound of the V8 burble??
I've owned 3 e46s now, the first being a 318 convertible (very underpowered) ended up in a ditch , a 320 convertible ( still a bit underpowered but nice nonetheless) which was written off after a side impact, and now a 320d convertible quick enough and very economical even if driven like a tool, imo e46s are the best bang for buck future classics money can buy, not for much longer though, strong , fun to drive, well built, timeless looks, I love them
How's reliability been on these cars?
@@MartinJones123 actually all pretty reliable, obviously the odd oil leak and my alternator went on one of them but all really good strong motors, although I'd recommend avoiding the 4 cylinder petrols as they can be a nightmare if its not been well kept, with these maintenance is key , hope this helps
@@MBME46 Yep it does... I've heard the 4 cyl are crappy as well...
is it better than e90 on the road? more dynamic and more driver focus?
@@hater8812 I'd say although I've never driven a e9x gen but from what I've heard the 9x are a bit numb compared to the 46
I've literally bought a 330i e46 Touring last Friday. 1-owner, under 100K Miles, like new condition (really!), every box except the ugly phone ticked. From M-package to electric seats, it has it all and I love it to bits. Such a proper car, and everything about it screams "they don't make them like they used to". I shall cherish and love it and then maybe someday sell it for a lot of money.
wow, It filled me with so much joy seeing an e46 sport touring in a manual, I bought one just like it in February for £1900, got it cheap because it had no MOT and I've been putting work into it to make it a truly nice example, 183k miles so engine has just been broken in and with mine being a mid 2003 it comes with the 6 speed gearbox that came with the facelift coupes.
fun fact: only about 140ish of these on the UK roads in that exact spec of 330i touring manual, getting rare and very sought after.
love it.
i have a 2004 x5 3.0d with a 6-speed manual. (sport edition)
340,000 miles
Everything that can go wrong, has.
Air suspension has been replaced with springs
all 4 door handles are broke
Aircon doesn't work (FSU failed)
regulators have failed
Front diff has exploded
Front seats are finally starting to show their age and miles.
but above all else i will NEVER let go of this monster
its still running factory engine with the original Turbo.
and she pulls like a beast!
and if you drive really really well i have managed to get 47 MPG, but if you floor it, you can embarrass a few other cars still.
have fun in her!
There is nothing better than a cheap and cheerful car that you don’t have to think about, and doesn’t cost a bunch to replace 🤙🏽
@@TalksportWokistWombles depends on the previous owner lol. If the previous owner didnt take care of the car, of course it’d be a bottomless money pit lol. E46 is pretty okay since spare parts are pretty cheap compared to newer BMWs. And it’s still pretty easy to service by yourself.
@@TalksportWokistWombles like I said it depends on the previous owner. I still daily drive my 2003 e46, and it has never had any major issues. I wouldnt say it’s a reliable car, but it’s not as bad as say an e65 7-series with all the gizmos. The most I’ve spent on it is replacing some seals on the transmission. Of course, I’ve done routine maintenance over those 19 years. If you buy an unmaintained 19-year old e46, that’s a different story, just like any other car brands.
@@TalksportWokistWombles well yeah I wouldnt call e46 a bulletproof car. It wont be as reliable as japanese cars, there’s no denying it. For me though, it has its issues (mainly due to age) but nothing major so far. The repairs I’ve done on it have been pretty cheap. It’s a pretty simple car after all. I dont own an e65 but I do own an e60, which has some of e65’s techs. I’ve had some issues with the car, and the repairs are expensive. I’ve had to replace the CAS module, the LCM, and some other things. And it’s 7 years younger than the e46. One thing I notice, on the e60, if the battery goes bad, it will start acting out, and it may take some modules with it ☹️ the e46 never did such thing. That said, I never bought a second hand e46. I can imagine a used e46 whose owner neglects it. It will have a lot of issues that I never had. For one, I havent had a major issue with the engine, but I saw many youtube videos and read in forum in which the owners have issues with oil leak, blue smoke from exhaust, etc. So I understand if you have a problem with second hand e46s. And yes, the low quality plastics in the interior and exterior fall apart after 15 years or so. My friend bought a 10 year old e46 in 2013, and the repair cost him twice as much money as he paid for the car. So yeah, you may be reasonable about not wanting to go near used BMW, audi or mercedes.
@@TalksportWokistWombles
2006 BMW X5
3rd owner. Changed the entire suspension, battery, alternator, tires, new brakes. Bone stock and the interior looks newer than a 2022 car. Timing chain looks great. A little over 100k miles and it drives smooth like butter. No warning lights.
I inherited an e46 320i (2.2L) 5-speed from my dad and loved it, though it always had one foot in the grave when I got it. My dream is an e46 330i 6-speed. This was a good reminder of a great platform!
Couldn’t agree more about the e46. I bought a 330ci m sport manual with 126k miles last year for £2.2k, best thing I’ve ever bought! Absolutely love it :)
I have an e46 wagon 5speed, at 240k now. I don’t think mine will ever be that valuable, but the driving experience going camping up mountain roads makes me want to keep it permanently. I have done a roadtrip for 6 weeks/10k miles, going down forest roads and it worked flawlessly.
Top stuff and well said! I feel like I've been banging on for years about this having owned a 330i E92 for a few years. The N54 is without a doubt the best value petrol engine out there, it ticks every single box... what a motor.
330i has an N52 motor not an N54.
@@TalksportWokistWombles If you can’t afford to maintain an older BMW just say so 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@bigduphusaj162 🤣🤣🤣🤣 You ever heard of preventative maintenance? If you don’t know your way around a car just say 🤣🤣🤣 and if you can’t afford it it’s okay man, there’s always Japanese cars for people with less knowledge….
@@TalksportWokistWombles “Junk BMW’s” If you’ve had bad experiance with BMW’s that has nothing to do with the brand, action talk louder than works mate, if you can’t afford do maintain an OLDER BMW (not even a new one, an older one) then please you don’t need to prove to me the Mud Hut you live in…
@@TalksportWokistWombles Just because they are obtainable doesn’t mean they are cared for - which is why you seem to have had a bad experience with them In the first place, a BMW definitely isn’t a rich person car as your right in saying that they are easily obtainable but because of this they are neglected by people who know nothing about them, all those things you claimed about the N52 may be true for you but unlike you I and the people I know all take care of their cars so we don’t get the issues you said they get, preventative maintenance is key that’s why people neglect them and cry later
My diesel e53 has been spot on. Quite miley but after nearly 3 years has never let me down and needed next to nothing. And as a towing machine, absolutely superb. I'd recommend one to anyone.
I think this channel is going to prove itself as pure gold
I loved my 52 plate X5 (SA52XDU) over 10 years ago, it was a 3.0 petrol with a manual gearbox and I had to repair it a few times but still really enjoyed driving it and long journeys passed really quickly in it, list of failures included rear air suspension (air bag and compressor) radiator, thermostat (running cold) gearstick linkage parts (like stirring soup) headlights and a few other things. The mpg was great for the size of it as I drove from Dundee in Scotland down to Dorset pulling a very small camping trailer on one tank of fuel (just)
The E53 x5 is a hidden gem. E46 and E39 i also have. But as a daily the e53 is amazing value for monney. Great cars
Please keep Barney. Probably one of the most beautiful touring‘s I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait for more content coming up. I’ve had a 320d Touring for 3 Years Till the engine blew up. I own a F32 420d Coupé right now but I still miss the Touring like some favourite toy you lost as a child. Old BMW‘s all day everyday. Greetings from Baden Württemberg ✌🏼
I have an '02 E39 525D Touring and I love the damn thing!
Timeless design, comfy, powerful and great MPG.
The E39 is a really good car i love them. Thats why i own 4 of them at the moment 😂.
I’m the owner of an ‘04 330 Touring Sport manual (6 speed) in mystic blue - I’ve had it for about 5 years and it’s genuinely a Swiss Army knife car. It does everything - quick, comfortable, handles well, cruises, decent boot, looks nice, understated, decent economy (easy 35 on a run). Mine’s on 185k miles and has been fairly reliable. Rust has taken hold sadly (all 4 arches), and lacquer peel, etc. I’d love to get it all done but it’ll be absolutely ruinous :(
Having owned a e46 330i touring with 418.000 kms i can totally relate! Had all the same issues as yours has, haha! Still miss it to this day, shame i sold it. Now drive a e91 325xi touring. Love the channel Alex, keep up the good work.
Hi Vincent, I am just at the moment to choose between a E91 or a E46 325 or 330 but as you have owned both… what would you advice? I owned a E81, E39 and a E46 but don’t know how the E91 stands to a E46. Thank you in advance!
@@TjaIsHetAntwoord Comes down to personal preference imo. The e46´s are almost all 20 years old now. So finding a good example with a rust free body is getting harder. Prices of those examples are going up. If you dont mind a bit of rust, the n54 engine of the 330i e46 is a lovely engine who will run forever if properly maintained. Downside, again is rust, subframe mountings can crack. Also front and rear quarterpanels can rust very badly.
The reason i chose for a e91 is mainly the fact that they are not prone to rust. Bodies are galvanised. I used to drive a e91 320d to work every day, so i liked the platform. I do have a company car now so i dont drive as much in my private vehicle. I chose the n52 engine cause it is very reliable. My car now has over 350.000 kms. I do all work myself, and learned how to code on these cars. The 325i xdrive is very nice for towing (i have a caravan) aswell, fuel economy is very reasonable too. Averaging about 9 liters per 100kms.
To awnser you question: Both are good options. But e46's are getting old now, but a good example is a modern classic. Be mindfull of rust. e9x platform is more modern, less rust issues. And reliable 6 cilinder engines. (Avoid all 4 cilinders, they suck). The e91 has some known problems but a properly maintained example wont let you down.
Hope this helps in making your choice!
With Kind Regards,
Vincent
Ah men of culture 😏
My wife loves X5s. She had an 2010 X5, now she has a 2018 X5. I love the early 2000s X5 because they look so unique and playful
totally agree
Alex, you've already the best channel on UA-cam! Been a fan for years and years! Nothing better after a long 12 hour shift of driving busses all day, to unwind and laugh at your videos!
I got myself an E60 530d last year and I have to say it's amazing. Easily does 40mpg average and 50mpg on a run. What a great car for the money.
The cinematic sequence at the end was so good! I'm so happy your channel grew so quickly
I own a black e53 3.0i manual here in Dresden and have loved it since we bought it in 2015. Amazing car.
I miss Barney, I enjoyed many miles in that car before Taylor and yourself. Luckily I have a 225k mile 330d touring waiting for an S54 to penetrate it and my 496k mile 330d saloon as a talking point ;)
I just bought a 2007 X3 3.0d M-Sport manual as a daily and adore that too, although most people hate them.
The forever car for me though is my E39 530i Sport ,Champagne Edition 2. The more miles I do in it, the more I fall for it.
Think I need to find another 330i manual touring now to keep...
Been enjoying the X3 updates!
X3 🤢🤢🤢🤢
@@paguliukas poor X3
loving the channel Alex, as a fellow German(ish) I am pleased to be here and enjoy You're content. much love, big man.
I sold my E46 330d a few months ago. And it has been really reliable. It's got 270 000km on and I never really had any issues with it. I had to change the usual window winders and engine mountings, but can you expect anything else from a 25 year old car?
You had the shit engine. 330i Petrol manual facelift was the one.
I bought a 320ci vert a few months ago. I got it really cheap, was misfiring pretty badly.
Payed £1500 for it. I’m the second owner, it’s been garaged it’s entire life, zero rust on it. The misfire - was a free fix. Genuine msport manual too.
Love it, far to slow for me as a daily - not sure what to do with it. Do I sell it? Keep it for a few years - when they extend the Ulez the value of it will shoot up. Not sure
The E46 330 is the greatest BMW ever made, it does everything well. It still hasnt peaked in how much its appriciated but as the M54 will outlive all other engines and people realise the lack of joy of eletronic steering its going to keep increasing in value.
Isn't M52 a better engine?
@@darek4488 When you consider the whole package of power, reliability, comfort, handling, safety and fuel economy the 330 is hard to beat.
@@darek4488 that's a very common misconception, the M54 is bomb proof and much faster than an m52. I have 2 m54b30's and an m54b25 the 2.5 is on 190k one 3.0 on 94k and another on 240k and they all pull like trains and the double vanos kicks on strong as hell. I beat newer turbo cars with them regularly on both cornering, top end speed and at least keep with them on acceleration. The m54 is an amazingly good and reliable engine.
/me laughs in M57
@@propellergarage I am laughing in M67D40 mate
my father bought a 2002 318i facelift with 30kms on the clock new shipped all the way from Germany back in 2005. As I was very young, he surprised us with it on a Sunday and I rushed into the driver's seat and fell in love with it.. Hearing that e46s have been aged so well makes me really happy.
Was wondering when this video would finally come. Delighted - this is my absolute favourite content watching two cool (but somewhat ordinary) cars being returned to glory. 10/10.
I bought '97 e39 520i 2years ago and I love it. Build quality is amazing.
I have a 2006 X5 4.8is. I bought it cheap thinking I can flip it and make money. I expected it to be an unreliable shit box from the start. Boy, I couldn’t be more wrong. Turned out to be a reliable, fun and practical car. This era of BMW deserves more credit!
I've been in the process of rebuilding a 2003 X5 4.6is. Hard motor to find the parts for, but not nearly as bad to work on as I thought it would be.
I have the GM gearbox for 8 years and it hasn't had a problem a friend of mine has the ZF which has had a lot of problems he actually sold the car because of it and also the GM changes gears smoother
Congrats on the camera work and editing!
Had an e46 330i Touring for about 8 years now. Thrashed it, raced it, drifted it. and loved it. Never had a mechanical problem with it. With sport suspension, set slightly lower with low profile high quality tyres it handles better than anything I've ever driven, cornering like it's on rails. This car is severely underated and severely awesome. The engine and power are scintillating - at home between 4000 - 6500 rpm. Never want to sell it.
"I want you to make an informed decision that you want to buy one, and if that's not your opinion then you're wrong"
never change, alex.
I have a weekend car - BMW E46 330Ci convertible, M-packet, with 6spd manual. Imported from Switzerland, car has 320xxx km on odometer. This car has been sofar most reliable car we ever had. Engine works GREAT, still do times like it was new. Everything works, car has even curvelightning! Overall, its a great car, def not for daily usage tho - not very comfy on that M-tech suspension. But I will keep it forever. Thats why I did not care about kilometers on ODO meter, but about the way previous owner took care.
P.S. I have all documention about car + 1st owner signed papers from Zurich BMW.
I have had my 2001 five speed manual 330i for about eight years and I love it but would never claim it to have great reliability. The original engine had a top and bottom end rebuild at BMW approximately 50k before I got it and it used oil like it was going out of fashion - replacing the CCV system improved things somewhat but it was still drinking a litre far more than every thousand miles! I swapped in an engine with roughly half the miles last year and that has helped reduce oil use and increase mpg but I have no idea how anyone gets 40mpg out of these, must drive like your nan. Alternator, lower arms and their bushes, fuel pump, slow window motors, dead parking sensors, dead rear wash wipe, rusty front and rear arches, seized brake calipers, handbrake shoe assembly falling apart, rear shocks, screenwash system failure and a rear window regulator shitting itself have all been part of the 40 thousand miles experienced in it.
I still live it but my previous E46, a 328ci was much more hassle free.
Wasn't your 328 just... Newer when you had it? Having to change suspension parts on a 20+ year old car means it's unreliable?
I bought a 2005 BMW X5 4.8is with staggered 20 inch wheels. It definitely had the window down on the rear left side it needed new clips fixed that on the first day. Then I let it sit while I figured if I needed new air struts on the front which was sitting low only in the front. I replaced the sensors and what do you know that puppy lifted right up. I put a left axle and other than that it probably needs new tires and an Alignment. I bought it for 1900 it’s worth 7500 on the blue book.
Loving ur single content away from car throttle, nothing has changed in production value. Great work mate
thing is for this X5 the yearly take in Ireland is €1,800 which makes it unviable - tax alone over 5 years is €9k!
mate its impossible to find a 330i with a manual transmission these days i dont even wanna think about what someone would want for a techno violet one like yours nowadays. probably somewhere around 10k regardless of condition.
I bought one with 150k miles at £2350. It took me 6 months of looking though. They are out there, just very few and far between.
That TV manual 330 wagon is 1/1 to my knowledge. Think there’s 17 E46 M3’s in that colour. They’re ridiculously rare but by far the best colour.
I just bought a manual 330i Msport 170k miles with no rust at all and new MOT for 2700£. I think they aren't that expansive, but rare. They'll probably rise in prise in the near future.
@@v.s.727 They will 100% be worth more money given E30/36 prices and the fact a manual 330 is rare.
Oooh, the cinematography at the end was a bit of me. Time to fire up the classifieds! Great video Alex, can't wait for the next one!
That closing driving segment was really freaking good. Well done sir. Love the touring, btw.
I'm excited to see you fix these cars up! I also own an E46 with a 1.9L engine with 117k miles and I have owned the car since 2015, never failed once
I owned an E46... needed a mechanic every single week. Sold it after 3 months of ownership
Great cars if you're spanner handy. Not so much if you're reliant on a garage for every niggle
@@bigduphusaj162 well, thank Christ you're here to clear up any confusion
Never really liked the X5 but the thought of gagging Rory and bundling him in the back, and still have room for shopping is rather intriguing, the tourer has always been my favourite and it still turns heads. 😊😊
Nice video Alex, spoke to you a few times on instagram, I have the 330i manual touring on almost 230k. I couldnt agree with you more, Had mine 9 years now alongside my E46 M3 and i dont think i could part with it. Does everything so well. Although does need a wheel bearing, and diff bushes, and diff seals, and rear arm bushes, and a door loom, and an airbag, other then that shes perfect 😉.
I have a 325xi touring 5 speed zf trans with 215k on it. Never selling.
I’ve recently bought a E46 325i Sport and also have rusty rear arches. People think that the 330i is the better engine but with the heavier crankshaft and bigger piston plus long gearing it feels a bit lazier compared to the 325i.
Either way I just bought 1k in parts and will be dealing with the rusty rear arches.
I’m glad I’m not the only one trying to save these cars.
I fully agree. I much prefer the 2.5 over the 3.0. I own a 325i sport, and owned this purple beast. I still prefer the 325i. Consider a remap and a BBTB for it, as it wakens them up just lovely
EVO magazine preferred the 325i. They said that she to the shorter gearing it felt nearly as fast as the 330i and was keener to rev. I'd love either model. Nearly bought a 330i in 2009, wish I had. It drove beautifully. Peak road car era BMW.
Always love the content mate keep it up bro 😎
I wanted a BMW and it needed to tow it was between the X5 or 730d, I went with the 730d, comfort, power and speed at a bargain price!! Love the colour it's not the usual black or silver 👍
E39's are also flying up in value. Recently bought an E39 530d Msport auto saloon finished in sterling grey and honestly it's one of the favourite cars I've ever owned. Only covered 130k miles and considering the size of it. Handles really well and pulls strong and economical when you want it to be. I've never been one to keep a car very long but I can see myself keeping this for years.
Just bought a 03 e46 330ci convertible. Individual Mora Purple with full Individual Ivory Leather interior with 75k - ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT, in fact everyone comments how good it looks. Best buy ever.
There's just something about the 330i that no other car can give off the same feeling. Unmatched, enough said.
@@TalksportWokistWombles it's not about how the car holds up or it's reliability. It's how you feel when driving it (If you can get it to drive 😅)
I think the 2.5 is a more rewarding engine in all honesty
I bought both, Kind of….2007 BMW X3, Based on the E46 Platform but a SUV that’s only 3.4inches smaller than the e53 x5, and shares the 3.0Si engine with the X5. Interior, seats, steering wheel, etc… is mostly e46 bmw. But the rest of the car is unique. However the gauge cluster and shifter is from the Z4. Never owned a bmw before but it’s truly a great combo of all cars.
"wherever I go, I know that I have all my cards". Yes alex, that is how a wallet works. I'm happy I attended your ted talk
Ted talk by Alex? Is that available online?
@@TalksportWokistWombles because your account looks like a bot/troll maybe?
Great video Alex. I have owned many BMW's over the past 35yrs from E30 to and F10 535. However my current BMW is a 2002 E53 with the Z gearbox and I just hit 80,000kms this week - not bad for a 20yr old car. A solid car for a long drive - I love it.
A Hoovies and Alex colab is somthing I need in my life !
Always regret selling my E91 330i manual (despite it literally needing injectors changed more frequently than the air filter) but now doing the man maths to see how I could swing an E46 330i as a project car past the Mrs 🤔. Great video Alex, and good luck with the channel.
I like that X5, Would be fun to see you getting it all up to scratch and working again! Even the interior stuff, really interesting.
Loved this video Alex especially the E46 part. You had a follower ever since the CarThrottle started and you'll most certainly continue to have me on your new project. Best of luck!
Way to go Alex, thanks for throwing oil on the fire! I had an E46 325ix Touring, Manual, that I sold and got an E46 M3 and I so miss my Touring. I LOVE the M3, but I seriously wish I still had the Touring.
Got a 2005 E53 3.0 diesel, 221k miles, I love it. Surprisingly, there's no record of anyone changing any window regulators or door handles on it yet, knocking on wood. Maybe the facelift ones were made sturdier? Bought it for 6000 euros a year ago, but that's what they go for in my country (above average condition).
Who is going to tell Alex it’s An BMW X3
I love my 328Ci Coupe automatic, last year I bought a 2000 model with 228.000 km (141xxx miles) for €4100, spent another €2000 on tires, VANOS-rebuild, sensors and other wear parts. Now she purrs like a kitten and I'm really impressed with the highway gas mileage (42 mpg - 6,7l/100km). I hope to keep enjoying it for many more years!
I got genuine late days OG Top Gear at the end. Interesting, funny video with some time spent on just appreciating the car. Hope this great start continues Alex & Rory!
Had a E46 325Ti years ago. Leaked oil terribly - necessitated taking the subframe off to replace the sump gasket. Instead I swapped it for a Clio 172 Sport on a Maccy D's car park somewhere in Yorkshire on a late and rainy Tuesday evening. The tyres on the Clio were completely bald so was an interesting near death drive home. Regret getting rid of the 325, despite the oil leak was an amazing drive and rare as rocking horse poo now.
Alex really brings backs the joy behind cars in general.
Balls to whom that think that what you like aren't reliable
I can fix her if I drive her.
Also love your team with you, seems like fun lads
That transition though broke me with laughs.
As a E46 330i Touring owner , can confirm, yes they do need some maintenance, but they are great cars to go on holiday in and even take out on track for extra WTF kudos points
Been to the Nurburgring 4 times and they're a hoot to drive.
Unlike many other I LOVE the first gen X5, especially with a v8, preferably the Alpina 4.6is 😍
But sadly not an option these days with a gas price of 9$/gallon or a bit over 2€/litre…
plus the 3.0d is more reliable than the older bmw v8,v10 or v12s.
@@drbass9677 Oh ,I know! I had an -01 330d touring and i loved it! too bad we have punishing tax on diesels here in sweden… an X5 30d would cost around 500€ more in tax per year than a petrol version.. But maybe it would be worth it the day the timing chain gives up on the v8
I daily drive two very reliable and rust free Lancia, a 84 Beta HPE Volumex (everyone needs a practical supercharged estate) and a 78 Gamma 2500 Coupe. I always had the reliable cars break on me and the ones that should not be trusted never quite lived up to their bad reputation ^^
Hi Alex, loving the new channel, I only learned to drive during the first lockdown and was lucky to pass my test first time in December 2020 shortly after tests had re-opened. While doing my lessons I was looking out for a decent, but cheap, used estate car. Originally I was only wanting to spend about a grand, but fell in love with a 2007 E91 320d Msport Touring in Le mans blue with 130k on the clock that I picked up for 2.5k. Still have it and it still drives brilliantly, currently in the middle of "refreshing" it, have new interior trim and gaiter fabric and a new alcantara and carbon steering wheel and some new 17" Msport alloys in graphite grey. It's just had a respray as all 4 arches were starting to bubble, got a couple of front wings on ebay cheap and had the rust cut from the rears. When I got it back I then spent an entire Sunday ceramic coating it and it's looking pretty sharp. Still have a few things left I want to do with it such as getting the engine walnut blasted, installing a nice exhaust and possibly intercooler and then getting it stage 1 mapped. Would love to hear any of your thoughts or ideas.
What is insurance like on that?
@@sammythewhammy69 For my first year it was 830, my second year was down to 650.
I'd absolutely go with the stage 1 map, then try and save for a straight 6 version! Hopefully insurance isn't too brutal, but the bimmer straight 6s really are a cut above, love my m54b30 like in this vid.
@@Zeld322 I second that. BMW straight 6's are lovely engines.
@@ringod123 Blimey, thats quite good for a new driver on a beemer!
Great vid Alex!! Nice one 💪👌👍
You're doing an awesome job, mate! I enjoy watching your videos and sometimes they bring back memories of the old Top Gear.
Keep up the good work!
I'm actually thinking about buying a BMW and an E46 Touring would be a very good choice.
Cheers!
I have an E46 330CI and it's one of my most favorite cars I've owned. Just close your eyes and get the maintenance done.
Thanks Alex for making my chance of finding a manual E46 330 wagon for a decent price disappear. They're already like hens teeth. I'm lucky enough to have a 330 manual coupe!
Just buy an automatic and ones it shits itself swap it. I have a 330 xi wagon as a first car and i still love it. Even though it costs alot of money
@@sconeman168 I’d rather save the hassle if I’m honest, that said 330 petrols are rare as it is. I’d want to turbo it eventually. Already have 4 E46’s in various combinations as I have a bit of an E46 problem 😊
Great video, I’m a nurse working perm nights and I’ve been looking for good petrol head content to keep me awake on my breaks!
Here’s an idea for a challenge; find a cheap SUV and live in it completely (bar bathroom breaks) for 24hrs to include a short road trip, eating and sleeping in it etc.
Keep up the good work 👍
Insane how quickly this channel grew! Keep up the good work!
I bought my E46 a couple months ago for $4k and it's been pretty reliable. It's the base model with the M54B22 (2.2 i6) and has 242k kms. It's probably the best handling car I've ever driven.
How the fuel?
@@SLEEPERER it's ok. I went on a road trip and almost got 500km out of one tank but normally I average 380km just driving around
I watched Tyler hoover assemble the greatest bmw lineup from 2001, this is like the budget British version from 2002, love it! Those X5s are starting to really look good
i have a 3.0 2001 x5.. ive had it for 4 years (driven hardish) and the gearbox has never missed a beat... its like anything, take care of it and it will take care of you
I have an Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. For power, fun, reliability it comes close 😃
Love your work 👍
As a German I can say I have absolutely no idea what you said in 4:01
The e46 is my favourite 3 series ever. I’ve owned 3 of those and I still own one. I agree with everything you said, but I’ve had a different experience with GM 5-speed auto transmission. My e46 came with the GM 5-speed auto, and it’s been very robust since 2003. I havent had a problem with it at all. Maybe they used a different unit in the X5?
Some great videography at the end. Really great quality videos Alex. Bravo
Bought my 2002 E46 330i SE Touring nearly a year ago, paid £1900! 1 previous owner on 105,000 miles, went for the SE as it rides so much better than the M Sport versions. Fitted it with some bridgestone all season tyres so we don't get stuck in a field when walking the dog!
I bought a 2005 E53 3.0d sport from a mate for £1k, engine is solid as a tank and sounds amazing, 147k miles as of now and it’s still the best car I have owned, truly lucked out, no rust, no defects, last MOT had no advisories and only need 2 tyres due to rear sag but that’s it’s only issue😂 I am so glad because it is a really beautiful looking car if it’s looked after.
great cars wise choice.
My 46 330d saloon may not be the quickest car I've owned by a long shot but is without a doubt the best.
Ford guys hate this video 🤣
Awesome Video Alex. I miss my 330ci. I sold it to my mechanic. We did countless track days in it, it was driven hard everyday, and it has been all over the country. It’s now just clocked roughly 225,000+ miles. Engine has never been opened. Just regular servicing. The E46 generation are timeless 😎