BMW E46

Great. I'm getting really excited about this now.

The E46 is such a stunning looking car too. It kind of looks like it belongs in the current generation, despite being fairly old. The only thing I dislike is the fact the front indicator lights have that horrible orange material and stand out far too much.

Would I have any problems getting a new sound system fitted, or do BMs come with pretty decent ones anyway? I'm not sure about the olds ones but my dad's 5 series came with a really nice Bose system as standard.

EDIT: Done some research, it looks like the 323i is the best I will get away with. I might be able to go for a 325i but perhaps such a huge leap in performance from a 1.4 Golf isn't the best thing for me anyway?
 
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The standard audio is awful. No BMW has ever come with factory fit BOSE stereo.

You do realise that a 323i won't look like the E46 you are thinking of, yes? All 323i's are prefacelift and were not available as Sport's. They look like this:

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My bad, he told me it came as standard. The Muppet probably didn't even realise :D

To me, that still looks really nice. My thoughts on the design are based purely on the pictures people have put on Pistonheads. Some of the 323i models look really nice.

How easy would it be to fit a decent sound system in then?

You do seem to know a lot about BMWs, so would you personally say the 323i is enough to impress? Bear in mind I've been driving a 1.4 Golf, but I don't want to be embarrassed the next time I meet some chavs.
 
Tommy B said:
My bad, he told me it came as standard. The Muppet probably didn't even realise :D
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It probably had DSP sound, or Harmon-Kardon if its an E60.

How easy would it be to fit a decent sound system in then?
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It can be quite a nuisance - non factory head units look a tad out of place as well.

Also ensure you are prepared for big bills to keep them running - they are generally reliable but things can get it expensive if and when things go wrong.
 
What sort of sums should I keep in reserve for problems?

My dad has a lot of experience in this sort of thing so he will probably help me when it comes to buying one and ensure I don't get a bad deal or get a car which is already past it.

Something like this, looks like a safe buy to me. Sure, not the best deal but it has only done 60k miles and looks like it's in great condition.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/94249.htm
 
Tommy B said:
What sort of sums should I keep in reserve for problems?
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A grand in the bank for unexpected bills should cover it.

Something like this, looks like a safe buy to me. Sure, not the best deal but it has only done 60k miles and looks like it's in great condition.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/94249.htm
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It's an awfully low spec car, though. No multi function wheel, no cruise, no leather. BMW's need a decent spec - it's half of what they are about - and you need leather. Preferably Sport seats.
 
NickXX said:
Just fit a £30-50 amp (Sony sound-on-top) and a £100 active sub and it's sorted.
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I have absolutely no experience with this sort of thing though. Would I get ripped off by companies who fit stuff for you?

I'm sure one of my mates knows how to do this so I could ask them.
 
[TW]Fox said:
A grand in the bank for unexpected bills should cover it.



It's an awfully low spec car, though. No multi function wheel, no cruise, no leather. BMW's need a decent spec - it's half of what they are about - and you need leather. Preferably Sport seats.
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I thought it looked a bit plain. Is this a better deal then?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/148374.htm

There don't seem to be many good deals on there atm. I probably wouldn't pay that sort of money for that particular car.

Cheers
 
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[TW]Fox said:
Thats more like it :)
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Thanks for your advice mate, one last question though.

How come some of them have that horrible yellow indicator panel on the front where as on others it is just white like the headlights?

Or is that just camera tricks?
 
Tommy B said:
I have absolutely no experience with this sort of thing though. Would I get ripped off by companies who fit stuff for you?

I'm sure one of my mates knows how to do this so I could ask them.
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Neither do I, I barely know how to check the oil - I fitted both. The amp is just plug and play.
 
Awesome.

So I should be able to get a decent sound system fitted for £250. I take it it would be easy to fit in a jack adaptor for connecting to iPod?

Thing is I'm a chav at heart and enjoy driving around with the R&B/Trance on full volume :D Bog standard BMW speakers won't do it for me...

Cheers
 
Tommy B said:
Thanks for your advice mate, one last question though.

How come some of them have that horrible yellow indicator panel on the front where as on others it is just white like the headlights?

Or is that just camera tricks?
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It was revised in 2000 I think - pre 2000 cars have orange indicators, 2000 onwards has white indicators, '51 plate onwards cars have facelifted front and rear lights.
 
Tommy B said:
Awesome.

So I should be able to get a decent sound system fitted for £250. I take it it would be easy to fit in a jack adaptor for connecting to iPod?

Thing is I'm a chav at heart and enjoy driving around with the R&B/Trance on full volume :D Bog standard BMW speakers won't do it for me...

Cheers
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I've upgraded my rear speakers, but left my fronts alone. TBH, the speakers are actually ok - it's just a sub and a high level amp you need to sort it out. I have an ipod interface and 16:9 screen.

If you want to integrate an ipod, you could probably do it for less than £100 if you want a ghetto setup. The proper way of doing it is by doing a comms install, getting something called an Intravee and KCA-420i module and integrating the ipod into the BMW system.
 
[TW]Fox said:
It was revised in 2000 I think - pre 2000 cars have orange indicators, 2000 onwards has white indicators, '51 plate onwards cars have facelifted front and rear lights.
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Ah right. I'll keep that in mind.

323 Ci 2d 2494 (eng) 170 (bhp) 145 (mph) 7.7 (0-60mph) 31 (mpg)

Doesn't seem "awful" but the 0-60 time is hardly anything to boast about. On the other hand 170bhp is respectable so it probably performs quite well mid range.

I'll try and squeeze the pennies for the 325i as that is 192 bhp 7.0 0-60 which is much better.

Thanks for the advice.
 
Tommy B said:
Ah right. I'll keep that in mind.

323 Ci 2d 2494 (eng) 170 (bhp) 145 (mph) 7.7 (0-60mph) 31 (mpg)

Doesn't seem "awful" but the 0-60 time is hardly anything to boast about. On the other hand 170bhp is respectable so it probably performs quite well mid range.

I'll try and squeeze the pennies for the 325i as that is 192 bhp 7.0 0-60 which is much better.

Thanks for the advice.
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325i replaced the 323i in 2000. It is the newer M54 engine. It is marginally more economical but the performance difference is not huge. It has similar levels of torque to the 323i, the only major difference being the increased power.
 
[TW]Fox said:
325i replaced the 323i in 2000. It is the newer M54 engine. It is marginally more economical but the performance difference is not huge. It has similar levels of torque to the 323i, the only major difference being the increased power.
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Either way are you pretty sure I won't be disappointed with the performance?
 
Tommy B said:
Either way are you pretty sure I won't be disappointed with the performance?
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Yes. Don't discount the 320i either - 2.2 Straight Six, 170bhp. I think you'd find that more than acceptable coming from a 1.4 Golf, as well.
 
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