DXXXi

Any comments on how reliable a 2002 E46 (320i - manual) would be over the long term? A freind's lease is ending and she is considering buying it. I think they are pretty good but the car's warranty is also nearing its end.

750i Sport

Hi there fellow Canuck. I have a 330xi, it's near 4-yr old. The warranty ends in a few months. Have not had a major problem with it. The main problems I have had were related to sensors in the car. An airbag sensor mat had a problem and was causing airbag lights to come on and off. It took a long time to replace, I think the seat had to removed. The engine light has come on twice since the car has been delivered. One of the front springs in the car also broke, it was discovered at the same time the airbag sensor mat was replaced..

DXXXi

Thanks. Doesn't sound too bad. Was the spring breaking related to the X-drive or why did they think that happened?

750i Sport

It probably was not related to the X-Drive. The spring was probably due to a product of our great Canadian winters, potholes! About a month prior to the checkup, I hit a massive, unavoidable pothole. I got a flat tire out of it, luckily the rim was not bent. The car started making noises over bumps. I don't know if the spring broke right away, but the stress of everyday driving would have eventually broken it.

I do have a friend who got his 330ci before me and he's had a few problems with the clutch and the car failed a clean air emissions test. Generally, I'm weary of owning European cars after warranty is up so I'm likely turning in my 330xi soon. But all the new BMWs (3, 5, 6, 7-series) are all ugly so I don't know what to get. The 5-series is decent, but I hate the other new designs.

Breae60

I have an MY02 e46 2.5...a coil was misfiring the 2nd year of owning it, but everything else is superb. I've had no major creeks and weird stuff happen...knock on fake wood...it's not bad, and you can always buy additional warratny for about $1200 for an additional 60,000 miles (total 100,000). Not so bad.

BMW530

I had a 2001 E46 325i. Very reliable. Only problem experienced was running out of fuel when indicator was still showing 1/4 tank left. The cause was the fuel sensor problem which is a well known problem on the E46, especially from 2001 onwards.

750i Sport

Yes, I've also had that problem though I never did run out of fuel. The indicator needle was replaced on my car during the first scheduled maintenance. They just replaced it, I didn't request it to be done. I've also had a fuel pump replaced. BMW technicians said there was no problem but it was making such noise that I insisted it was not normal so they replaced it.

I hear the new 3-series is a better driver, but I can't get over how it looks so I'll keep my E46 330xi.

LuvE60

Extend the warranty for $1700.00. My 330CIC is awesome.

DXXXi

Thanks everyone. Seems like a fairly positive response. I'll pass it on.

the88saint

Never had any kind of problem with my 330I for the last 3+ years.