E46 Estate Practicality

Oxide™ · 9 Sep 2009 at 13:28

Some of you may know I have been lusting for a E46 330i for ages but can't afford one at the moment. Up until now I have never considered the estate version though.

I never thought I would say it but it does make practical sense to own one. I have a VW Bora at the moment and it's boot is huge but I still find it inconvenient if moving house or taking stuff to the tip.

So any negatives on the estate version? Is it basically exactly the same as the saloon just with a bigger area at the back? Will it still drive/perform/feel the same as the saloon? Any differences in fuel economy?

Wicksta · 9 Sep 2009 at 14:11

Oxide™ said:
Some of you may know I have been lusting for a E46 330i for ages but can't afford one at the moment. Up until now I have never considered the estate version though.

I never thought I would say it but it does make practical sense to own one. I have a VW Bora at the moment and it's boot is huge but I still find it inconvenient if moving house or taking stuff to the tip.

So any negatives on the estate version? Is it basically exactly the same as the saloon just with a bigger area at the back? Will it still drive/perform/feel the same as the saloon? Any differences in fuel economy?

I've recently upgraded to a touring (we do NOT call them estates

) from a few coupes. There isn't a great deal of difference really apart from you feel less cramped in the touring. Handling/driving wise apart from the psychological element of having a bigger rear I can't really notice any difference, if anything it's better as I've gone from SEs to a sport. They still have the same wheelbase and 50/50 weight distribution.

I love the extra space now and wouldn't go back - especially not to a saloon which doesn't even have folding rear seats..

Django x2 · 9 Sep 2009 at 15:08

It's a "Touring". Lord shoot you down if you call it an Estate! Jeez

Boot floor space is the same as the saloons but you also get the height. Can fit two medium size dogs in no probs

Wicksta · 9 Sep 2009 at 15:17

Boot floor space is a lot bigger when you fold the touring rear seats down. Try finding an e46 saloon with folding rear seats.

Oxide™ · 9 Sep 2009 at 15:40

Estate *crack diiidge*
*commando roll*
phew just missed that lightning bolt, I meant Touring

Alright that's excellent so it seeems it's all the 330i goodness just with more space. Thanks guys

[TW]Fox · 9 Sep 2009 at 16:53

It's whats called a 'lifestyle estate' which means you dont really get a huge boot its just more practical. It's not like driving a Volvo Estate both in the sense it won't be like a boat and you won't get a washing machine in the back.

Wicksta · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:22

Hmmmm are you sure about the washing machine? I wouldn't like to put one in there for weight reasons, but I think it would easily fit.

( |-| |2 ][ $ · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:28

Wicksta said:
Hmmmm are you sure about the washing machine? I wouldn't like to put one in there for weight reasons, but I think it would easily fit.

I don't think the weight would be a problem somehow either. They weigh less than 60Kg don't they?

snowdog · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:33

Yeah they aren't that heavy, I find it hard to believe a washing machine doesn't fit in the estate, we managed to fit one ( being able to fully close the boot) into a 1993 Corolla liftback with the seats down and an LPG tank taking a big chunk of space in the boot on the right, would be very odd if a 3 series estate wouldn't take it, especially with the seats down..

LiE · 9 Sep 2009 at 17:40

They look good for the money.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1139244.htm

but on the other hand...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1221677.htm

Django x2 · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:33

I reckon with the seats down you could fit a washing machine in back side down, just.

[TW]Fox · 9 Sep 2009 at 18:39

It was a figure of speech, go for king size sofa instead if it bothers you

Django x2 · 9 Sep 2009 at 19:11

[TW]Fox;14849242 said:
It was a figure of speech, go for king size sofa instead if it bothers you

Are we allowed to blend said items in to a pulp for the test?

whitecrook · 9 Sep 2009 at 21:59

a 5 series touring has a pretty cavernous boot space though, doesn't it?

semi related, I saw a E -reg Ford escort estate today. The weird thing was it was a 3-door! Did not think such a thing had even been invented.

Confused · 9 Sep 2009 at 22:06

whitecrook said:
a 5 series touring has a pretty cavernous boot space though, doesn't it?

semi related, I saw a E -reg Ford escort estate today. The weird thing was it was a 3-door! Did not think such a thing had even been invented.

My dad had one a few years ago.

[TW]Fox · 9 Sep 2009 at 22:11

whitecrook said:
a 5 series touring has a pretty cavernous boot space though, doesn't it?

Yes, though the 5 is a more of a 'proper' Estate which places load carrying ability above styling. It also has self levelling rear air suspension.

Begbie · 9 Sep 2009 at 22:54

Wicksta said:
Hmmmm are you sure about the washing machine? I wouldn't like to put one in there for weight reasons, but I think it would easily fit.

It should do we got one in an Astra Estate and loads of other crap aswel. Didn't go any where fast mind you.

Morba · 9 Sep 2009 at 23:38

Begbie said:
It should do we got one in an Astra Estate and loads of other crap aswel. Didn't go any where fast mind you.

why not? washing machines arent heavy. 2 passengers in the back would be much heavier.

Scania · 10 Sep 2009 at 02:16

whitecrook said:
semi related, I saw a E -reg Ford escort estate today. The weird thing was it was a 3-door! Did not think such a thing had even been invented.

Theres a ropey but fast RS turbo engined 3 door estate up the road from me!

A washing machine full of bricks should not bother an e46 load wise, I'd hate to lift it into the back though!

whitecrook · 10 Sep 2009 at 02:19

i think 3 door escorts estates were first seen in 1968 so pretty old. Seems a strange combo to have the practicality of an estate without the practicality of 5 doors...