How many cylinders does an e46 320i have?

[Dr Evil]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and I need some help please. I'm in the market to buy my first BMW, I know I want a e46 straight 6, 330i or 325i but I was wondering if the e46 320i are all 6 cylinders or 4?

 

[Sankekur]

all the e46 320i's are straight sixes.

Edit: Personally I would not get a 320i, rather go for something like a 325i, consumption will only be a bit higher, but it will be so much more fun to drive.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Agree with Sankekur, go and testdrive a 320i, and then a 325i, you will see what we mean...
320i will only give you the straight 6 sound, but with poor performance.

 

[Sankekur]

I have to add the later model e46 320i's are a bit better, as they came with the 2.3l (or is it a 2.2l) engine, which is a bit better, but if you are serious about a 6 cylinder, get a big one, you won't regret it

 

[STREETRACER]

We had a 2.2 E46 320 years ago! And that thing was impressive! Its not a robot to robot car but its a dream on the open road, consumption wasn't to bad either! You can pick up about any E46 320 - 330 between R60k and R100k
I've seen clean 330's for R80k

---

Ps the E46 328I is the best choice if you planning to mod it at a later stage!

 

[Dr Evil]

Thanks for all the responses, I've driven a few 330i's and 325i's already, I have a lot friends with beemers, I think that's where the bug bit me LOL. There's a 325ci I'm going to look at which is a face lift model but ideally I would love a 330i individual, ver scarce to find here in CPT.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Well, just got my Wife an E46 320i facelift (2.2l 125 KW), and from a basic comparison from memory when test driving the 320i and the 325i, coincidentally from the same dealership and on the same bit of road, the 320i doesn't have the same performance obviously, but not too far off, and still generally has the same flexible characteristic - very impressed with it actually. BMW 6I FTW!!! :thumbsup:

Edit: are you looking for manual or automatic?

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Tell you what, before you buy I will be glad to check it out for you on E-Natis, to see if all looks ok.
Also call up bmw to check on the VIN if they find anything fishy.
You can email me the numberplate, I am back at work on wednesday, will check it then. :thumb:

 

[Philip Foglar]

And if something appears to be fishy...

 

[Coisman]

imp:
then I go and "Skiet die bliksems!!"

 

[Philip Foglar]

imp:
then I go and "Skiet die bliksems!!"

+1!

 

[Dr Evil]

@ Philip - either is cool with me, I've heard some bad things about the earlier steptronic boxes. For me manual would be more of a drivers car though. If I may ask which dealer did you buy your wifes car from?
@ Coisman - thanks for the offer meneer, I'll definitely take you up on it. As to the history from bmw, my buddy is the service manager at SMG in century city so he normally gets me the history and checks the cars out for me.

 

[Philip Foglar]

@ Philip - either is cool with me, I've heard some bad things about the earlier steptronic boxes. For me manual would be more of a drivers car though. If I may ask which dealer did you buy your wifes car from?...

I personally prefer manual everytime, but I have heard that in general it is safer mechanically to stay away from automatics with higher mileage. Of course, that's been my annoying problem, a good manual with low-ish mileage is often very scarce. Car was bought from Motorport in Table View - a VW Mastercars branch of all places. Even had a VW leather keyring on the keys. :nono: