Any BMW with a naturally aspirated inline-6 engine. But do not rush into buying one that is too cheap. Because, as the saying goes, "nothing is more expensive than a cheap BMW" ;)
My 1st car that I bought was (and still is) a 2003 320ci Coupe with M54B22, I just feel right at home in the E46 interior and the car has had almost no issues in the first two years of driving it. At first I looked into 325s and 330s too but here in germany they almost always needed repairs or cost 8.000 Euro or more in acceptable condition
I’m so glad I came across your channel! The videography is beautiful and the attention to detail you have in your reviews and explanations are excellent. 02 325xi owner here. First car and still my daily. Owned it since 2011 with 37k miles and today it has just over 147k. It is still the car I come back to excited to drive even after working around other cars for a living
Thank you, glad you’re enjoying the videos! I actually just bought back my 2003 325xi (the one I reviewed) from a friend, it now has 190k miles. Repairing the head gasket and getting it back on the road 🤙🏼
It’s a great 72nd car as well! I’m 51 and have had 71 cars and about to buy a high mileage E46 RWD wagon. Bought a ZHP new in 04 and it fights for first place as my all time favorite car. First is my current nicely modified 04 40th anniversary 996 911. I am convinced the mid 2000’s was the peak of automotive greatness for drivers cars. BMW was at their best during this period and we will never se this again. Great channel btw - I’m trying to cut back on my UA-cam subscriptions, but am adding yours now.
After watching your M3 driven hard video I bought 2004 e46 m3 vert 127,000 for 8k glad to come across this channel love your videos keep up good work mate
@@BuzzytheBlue quite so, in Romania a lot of idiots drive them and don't take care of them. A shame, they were really great cars, still are to this day. I find the 330 ci to be the perfect blend between sports, economy (not that expensive), daily driver, fun, all season drive.
It's worth another video of you Buzzy, about well maintained older bmws actually getting pricier. Same happens here in Northern Europe. Same goes for Lexus. IS200 goes for 7 thousand here and my colleagues BMW 135i is worth the same today as 5 years ago when he bought it. I speak many mechanics saying there are two "golden ages" of cars. Being 1982-1994 and 2000-2004. Just as a general rule ofcourse. Good cars from those eras last much longer than new vehicles. Also they prove much lower maintenance and exceptionally reliable. My mechanic told me none of this is true if you calculate only the first 150 thousand kilometers. It's after that it shows. And poverty is increasing in the west and after covid it will not be (built back) better. A solid piece of steel like a 1990 Mercedes 200D or a 2004 Lexus IS will take you through the shambles and back again.
I think part of why the market for these relatively “Normal” older performance cars is so strong lately is that most modern performance cars have departed what many enthusiasts want (or can afford). There’s only a handful of modern cars that offer a simple, involving, analog driving experience (think ND Miata, BRZ) If you look at BMW, they really only make one car that has ANY regard for the way they used to do things, the M2. So rather than buying new or even lightly used, people are turning to the classics.
Having owned two E46s, I'm admittedly biased (I love them!). What are some other attainable BMWs you'd recommend to a young car guy or girl?
Any BMW with a naturally aspirated inline-6 engine. But do not rush into buying one that is too cheap. Because, as the saying goes, "nothing is more expensive than a cheap BMW" ;)
My 1st car that I bought was (and still is) a 2003 320ci Coupe with M54B22, I just feel right at home in the E46 interior and the car has had almost no issues in the first two years of driving it. At first I looked into 325s and 330s too but here in germany they almost always needed repairs or cost 8.000 Euro or more in acceptable condition
I’m so glad I came across your channel! The videography is beautiful and the attention to detail you have in your reviews and explanations are excellent. 02 325xi owner here. First car and still my daily. Owned it since 2011 with 37k miles and today it has just over 147k. It is still the car I come back to excited to drive even after working around other cars for a living
Thank you, glad you’re enjoying the videos! I actually just bought back my 2003 325xi (the one I reviewed) from a friend, it now has 190k miles. Repairing the head gasket and getting it back on the road 🤙🏼
It’s a great 72nd car as well! I’m 51 and have had 71 cars and about to buy a high mileage E46 RWD wagon. Bought a ZHP new in 04 and it fights for first place as my all time favorite car. First is my current nicely modified 04 40th anniversary 996 911. I am convinced the mid 2000’s was the peak of automotive greatness for drivers cars. BMW was at their best during this period and we will never se this again. Great channel btw - I’m trying to cut back on my UA-cam subscriptions, but am adding yours now.
Glad to see your back! Love the vids!
Thanks Luke! Tough during the winter where I live, but more videos are on the way!
@@BuzzytheBlue yes, the cold messes things up. Glad to hear more is to come!
After watching your M3 driven hard video I bought 2004 e46 m3 vert 127,000 for 8k glad to come across this channel love your videos keep up good work mate
This channel is underrated
You're making great content and deserve way more attention!
Thanks! Really appreciate you saying that👍🏼
@@BuzzytheBlue what about a e90? 2006
i just found your channel great advice thanks
digging your content, wanting to buy a e46 330ci, hard to find a good one
They’re out there, but getting more expensive lately. And thanks, glad you’re liking it.
@@BuzzytheBlue quite so, in Romania a lot of idiots drive them and don't take care of them. A shame, they were really great cars, still are to this day.
I find the 330 ci to be the perfect blend between sports, economy (not that expensive), daily driver, fun, all season drive.
It's worth another video of you Buzzy, about well maintained older bmws actually getting pricier. Same happens here in Northern Europe.
Same goes for Lexus. IS200 goes for 7 thousand here and my colleagues BMW 135i is worth the same today as 5 years ago when he bought it.
I speak many mechanics saying there are two "golden ages" of cars. Being 1982-1994 and 2000-2004.
Just as a general rule ofcourse.
Good cars from those eras last much longer than new vehicles. Also they prove much lower maintenance and exceptionally reliable.
My mechanic told me none of this is true if you calculate only the first 150 thousand kilometers. It's after that it shows. And poverty is increasing in the west and after covid it will not be (built back) better.
A solid piece of steel like a 1990 Mercedes 200D or a 2004 Lexus IS will take you through the shambles and back again.
I think part of why the market for these relatively “Normal” older performance cars is so strong lately is that most modern performance cars have departed what many enthusiasts want (or can afford). There’s only a handful of modern cars that offer a simple, involving, analog driving experience (think ND Miata, BRZ)
If you look at BMW, they really only make one car that has ANY regard for the way they used to do things, the M2. So rather than buying new or even lightly used, people are turning to the classics.
Huge question, where would I buy a manual e46. I'm still learning lol
Any auto sale website online, Craigslist, auto trader, auto tempest etc. they’re a little hard to find at times but are out there!
@@BuzzytheBlue I appreciate that 🤙🏽
is a 318ci alright?
Of course! Just less power but still a fun car.