Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316i, 115 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €442 | €2,000 | 253 | Petrol (98) | N46B18 | Manual (5) | 2001–2005 |
| 318i, 143 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €463 | €2,500 | 215 | Petrol (98) | N46B20 | Manual (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 320d, 150 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €441 | €2,400 | 149 | Diesel | M47D20TÜ | Manual (5) | 2001–2003 |
| 320d, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €447 | €2,400 | 149 | Diesel | M47D20TÜ | Manual (6) | 2003–2006 |
| 320i, 170 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €517 | €3,900 | 136 | Petrol (98) | M54B22 | Manual (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 320i, 170 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €531 | €3,900 | 115 | Petrol (98) | M54B22 | Automatic (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 318Ci Cabrio, 143 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible Research | €455 | €6,000 | 86 | Petrol (98) | N46B20 | Manual (5) | 2003–2006 |
| 320Ci Cabrio, 170 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible Research | €511 | €7,990 | 72 | Petrol (98) | M54B22 | Manual (5) | 2003–2006 |
| 318i, 143 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €483 | €3,100 | 61 | Petrol (98) | N46B20 | Automatic (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 330i, 231 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €535 | €8,999 | 59 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Manual (5) | 2001–2003 |
| 330xi, 231 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €550 | €8,999 | 59 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Manual (5) | 2001–2003 |
| 330i, 231 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €536 | €8,999 | 59 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Manual (6) | 2003–2006 |
| 330xi, 231 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €562 | €8,999 | 59 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Manual (6) | 2003–2005 |
| 330i, 231 PS, 6-speed automated manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €536 | €8,476 | 55 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Automatisiertes Schaltgetriebe (6) | 2003–2006 |
| 330i, 231 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €551 | €8,476 | 55 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Automatic (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 330xi, 231 PS, 5-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €584 | €8,476 | 55 | Petrol (98) | M54B30 | Automatic (5) | 2001–2005 |
| 325i, 192 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €516 | €4,999 | 52 | Petrol (98) | M54B25 | Manual (5) | 2001–2006 |
| 325xi, 192 PS, 5-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €549 | €4,999 | 52 | Petrol (98) | M54B25 | Manual (5) | 2001–2005 |
| 325ti compact, 192 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €515 | €4,999 | 52 | Petrol (98) | M54B25 | Manual (6) | 2003–2005 |
Show all 19 variants
At a glance
- Years: 1998 to 2006.
- Reliability: 3/5. Rear subframe cracks, timing chain wear and rust lower the score.
- DIY: 3/5. Tank, thermostat and fluid jobs are simple. Subframe, chain and swirl flap repairs need a workshop.
- Biggest risks: cracked rear subframe mounts, the passenger airbag recall, and the N42 timing chain.
- Prefer: proof of subframe and cooling work, and N46 over N42. Avoid: rust in the sills or floor, and diesels with no swirl flap history.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.9 M43 (M43TÜB19UL, M43TÜB19OL, to 2001): old gaskets leak oil.
- 1.8 and 2.0 N42 (N42B18, N42B20): the timing chain is the main risk.
- 1.8 and 2.0 N46 (N46B18, N46B20, N46B20A): chain wear is seen less often than on the N42.
- 2.0 to 2.8 M52TÜ and 2.2 to 3.0 M54 (M52TÜB20, M52TÜB25, M52TÜB28, M54B22, M54B25, M54B30): oil use is the main risk.
- 2.0 M47 and 3.0 M57 diesels (M47D20, M47D20TÜ, M57D30, M57D30TÜ): swirl flaps are the main risk.
- 5-speed automatic: often lasts 250,000-300,000 km before overhaul.
- xDrive (325xi, 330xi, 330xd): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear subframe mounts cracking | All E46 built 1999 to 2006 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Takata passenger airbag | Passenger airbag, cars built about 2000 to 2003 | Not stated | Free |
| N42 and N46 timing chain | N42 and N46 petrol engines | 100,000-150,000 km (N42) | No confirmed price |
| M47 and M57 swirl flaps | M47 and M57 diesels | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Cooling system plastic parts | All engines; tank and pump on sixes | About 97,000-161,000 km (pump) | No confirmed price |
| Body rust | All E46 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Six-cylinder oil use | M52TÜ and M54 sixes | Not stated | Kfz-Dietrich gives about 50 EUR for the valve part (Germany, year not stated) |
| Steering and suspension wear | All E46 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Lift the car and check the four rear subframe mounts for cracks. Bad result: cracks, or a clunk from the rear under acceleration.
- Listen for a rattle in the first seconds after a cold start. Bad result: a rattle, or no proof the chain was replaced.
- Ask a BMW dealer to check open airbag recalls for the car's VIN. Bad result: an open passenger airbag campaign.
- On a diesel, listen for unstable idle and ask for swirl flap work. Bad result: no record of repair.
- On a six-cylinder, check the oil level at each fill. Bad result: oil low between services.
- Check the coolant and the expansion tank for leaks. Bad result: a leak, overheating, or no record of tank work on a car over about 150,000 km.
- Check the power steering fluid. Bad result: dark fluid, a whine, or leaks at the steering gear.
- Check the sills, wheel arches and floor under the footwells. Bad result: holes or soft metal.
Running costs
| Operational | €278 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €120 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €121 |
| Total per month | €519 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €49 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,607
- 25th percentile
- €2,450
- Median price
- €3,800
- 75th percentile
- €6,150
- Median mileage
- 218,508 km
- Median first registration
- 2004
- Dealer share
- 16.9%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €5,916
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.