Main star of this blog is BMW E46 320Ci, which I bought 2nd January 2014. Vehicle was produced in factory in Munchen, Germany, in August 1999, and from that time, it had several owners in Germany, about whom I do not have any information. Coupe was delivered to Czech Republic in February 2013 by an owner from Norther Czech. He had the car not longer than a year and received basic maintenance, than it was sold to me from family reasons.
Black coupé, made during the first year of the production of the model line, is equiped with the weakest of the six cylinder petrol engines: M52TUB20 with 1991ccm of cubature. Basic characteristics of this engine are high compress ration and low stroke of cylinders. Not so high power characteristic (110kw/150ps) a torque (190Nm) is balanced with high dynamics in high RPMs and sportive feeling of engine. Engine situated in front drives the rear axle with helpof classic manual 5 speed transmission and open differential with short ration 1:3,45. The car fastens with its weight of 1385kg BMW from 0-100km/h in 9,9s according the manual, it can be little quicker in reality. Thanks to variable valve timing (double VANOS) the car reaches maximal torque in 3500 RPM and power in 5900 RPM. Due to low power of engine, it is must to drive in high RPMs for quick and dynamic ride, but the cars engine is overlarge and delivers astonishing sound, which challenges to such driving style.
Interior and equipment of the car is poor right from the production and despite it is BMW, it does not deliver any luxury comfort from ride. Car is painted in #313 Cosmosschwarz Metallic and except bacis equipment which consists of electrical handling of windows, sport chasis, recline seats and ASC system icludes only manual sportseats with (interior was chafed by previous owner in Czech), board computer sport steering wheel and velur rugs. Overall it is plain car, one of the most important things missing in car in air – conditioning, vehicle is equipped only with heating delivering either warmed up air from engine or surrounding air from outside.
I do not know about the history of car and what happened to it between years 1999-2013, but it is possible to read some things from car itself: left side is vandalised by someone with key. Someone tried to hide the scratch with paint corrector, but it made it even worse. Hood, windshield and roof were hit by some sharp objects, car was most probably hit by some stones from truck. Deep scratches are visible mainly on the driver’s side windshield and hood. Car chassis was regularly maintained with anti-corrosive spray, which pretty well conserved car from salt and despite its age, it looks well-kept from bellow. Last clue I found was the fact, that driver’s side window was most probably smashed, as I found shards of window in inner area of front doors and below from seat. Plastic below engine cover was broken in half, and there were missing brake air ducts together with it. According to the information I have, the last owns in Germany drove with the car on a snow-dump and ripped the cover with air ducts during this accident.
There is much more information about the changes made by previous owner in Czech. He changed the locks and key and classic interior for sport one. He also changed all four brakes (all discs and pads) and hand brake. At last he did maintenance of VANOS.
You can have an illusion on first view, that the above described bully (damaged by vandalism – window, paint on the side and scratches from front) and not so promising engine and equipment for poor is not even worth of any attention. Despite his flaws it catches me and I felt in love. Car was never heavy damaged in accident, it does not have any evidence of welding or straightening. Most of the car parts were in good condition, corresponding to the 15 years age and mileage of 163k km. Previous owners take care about the car, almost the whole part of his life was the car maintained in Germany. Even-though the vehicle served most probably as winter car, it received necessary treatments and does not have any significant corrosion. Engine is nicely dry and there is no evidence of oil leaks. New brakes can instantly stop the car and gearbox and transmission are in perfect condition. And finally, car is not damaged by heavy tuning. After a lot of corroded, rattling and tuned wrecks I have seen was this car for a penny a miracle. The longer I have the car, the happier I am. I felt in love with it so much, that I decided to give it as best care as I will be able.
- Model: BMW 3er E46 coupé
- Engine: straight petrol six cylinder M52TUB20 1991ccm 110kw / 190Nm
- Year of make: 09/1999
- Dimensions: length 4,48m / width 1,76m / weight 1385kg
- Taction: rear axle
- Transmission: manual, 5 sp.
Love 4 BMW 