I miss when Top Gear was a real car show like this 😢. Well done young man!

The E46/E39/E38 lineup was where they perfected their formula. And that perfect formula is like a roast dinner, once you've found it you shouldn't mess with it - and that's something Porsche understood and BMW didn't.

Ed I am no starry eyed sycophant but an honest broker when I say that your development as the best and fully comprehensive reviewer of I have ever watched, and from your earliest days have retained your essential enthusiasm, along with ultimate professionalism that marks you out as truly star quality. Your planning, scripting, honesty, believability, relaxed and give-away smiling presenting style and sheer professionalism is truly remarkable. So thank you for your ever enjoyable and informative reviews injected with youthful fun and knowledge. Bring 'em on! Rob

Brilliant... To keep up a fascinating conversation while driving spiritedly for over 30 minutes is something only the best reviewers can do..

The window controls are located on the console to simplify the wiring needed and reduce the switch count. When BMW went to door mounted window switches in the front, I cried a little

As a 330i touring owner, every word in this video resonates with me. I've had it since February this year, and I find myself never getting tired of it, despite all the issues that keep cropping up every so often

If this was on the BBC Ed would be running a farm in 20 years. Fantastic video.

I daily my 03 325ci. Makes me look forward to the commute. Engine is lovely, not going to set the world on fire but she’s quick, makes a lovely noise & 35ish mpg. Outstanding chassis, You can chase pretty much anything in the lanes. Seat goes down in the coupe and I easily get a big mountain bike in there.

I have a 2003 E46 325i. I put a 1999 inline 6 and 5 speed manual into it. Put M bumpers on it too . Great daily driver.

I had a 1983 316 E21. It was so smooth with a magic carpet floating on air suspension, but it was crap in the wet or ice, it didn't take much to slide the back end.

Agree that the E46 is the perfect daily, it’s looks gorgeous, reliable, sounds fantastic, not too many over the top electronics,the list is endless, had until two years ago a 320i M52TU, loved it to bits, biggest mistake I made was seeking it, wish I could post a pic…

I’m pretty sure it’s real wood. I’ve seen these panels broken at the junkyard. They do have a plastic veneer over them but it’s real tree under that, I’ve felt it!!

This has to be hands down one of the best modern car reviews I’ve ever seen. It’s real and to the point while flowing nicely. This is automotive journalism at its finest👌🏼

I totally agree that these days it’s the stylists who are dictating terms more than the engineers. Three cylinder entry level BMWs and all…with gigantic super sized kidney grilles. And lots and lots of bling. Thanks Ed as usual for a first class review.

I own a e46 facelift manual 330CI convertible. Its my daily, and tbh i wouldn’t change it for much else, Factory fitted hard top sorts the cold winter months. Its a timeless classic, the last of the proper N\A flat 6. And the best looking 3 series by far. 🎉

325i owner. Anyone else love the placement of the window switches over having them on the grab handles? I’m all for it

amongst the bmw's i have owned, e34 525i/e38 740i /e36 325i's the e46 325i was the perfect balance in terms of overall performance and value

Superb paintwork. Beautiful classic.

I find it much better looking than the E90 that came after

Just got a 330d as my first car and i couldn't find any videos just going in depth about the car until this one. Absolutely amazing man, it reminds me of the old top gear stuff and is shot and presented quite similarly which pleases me greatly.

I enjoyed watching this and I liked that it was over thirty minutes too!! I use a chromecast and put it on my television to watch like a programme. Its very good the way you describe everything and explain it too. TY for sharing :)

Ed, you are so articulate, so knowledgeable and such a pleasure to listen to. And your honest appraisals of cars, regardless of their popularity, or unpopularity, is so commendable. The only shame is that at some point you’re going to run out of interesting cars to review! But in the meantime, please keep up the great work.

The wood trim is actually a real wood veneer! The varnish was just really thick, to the extent that it made the trim look plastic. I’ve had trim varnish crack on me, revealing the veneer. Also, the rear seats do fold on them. But I believe that on saloons, it was a cost option. ~£300. That said, not having folding seats actually offers the car more torsional rigidity (Which the E46 surprisingly lacks - Especially in coupe/convertible versions) and is why non-folding seat saloons are quite sought after for people looking to build a track car.

The best era for BMWs. As you say, the shape and style of cars since the early 2000s has been average from BMW in particular. The E46 is such a great shape and interior is much better than the E36. I loved the E30, which was a very balanced car at pace. Keep the reviews coming.

Thanks Ed as usual for a first class review.)))

Such a beautiful timeless design

This is some of your best work mr Twin Cam! Love your presentation style and an excellent video all round bravo 👏

Nice content again!. Nice to see you on Sunday, hope you got some great pic's😉

Love the review! As someone who has a 325ci that was once a daily now a weekend/track car I'd recommend removing the clutch delay reducer that's on the end the line to the slave cylinder. That should give you abit more feel from the clutch. Just remove the line from the slave cylinder remove the spacer that sits between and put the line directly back into the slave cylinder.

Excellent objective review!

BMW's (as well as Mercedes etc) are becoming more common because of HPI, PCP etc. You too can drive a brand new prestige branded car and join the "Keeping up with the Jones" group of having a nice car on your drive and through a monthly amount. 14:04 I think folding rear seats in the saloon was optional extra, well so I've been told by a colleague at work who owners an 07 plate saloon.

I highly recommend getting a tune, it can improve the lazy throttle significantly. Also a weighted shifter makes shifting quicker and more precise too.

beautiful video, congrats

Fantastic in depth review. Excellent point about Bangle start at BMW as this is often missed by many. I miss the velour seats in cars these days as they’re great in the winter but Regarding the rear seats, the 2 door had folding ones and that was great but when I replaced it with a S203 Merc, it was a world of difference in practically. I would love a E46 touring six, but a 52mile daily commute wouldn’t be cheap. Regarding the clutch, it has a delay valve that can be removed and that makes it less vague and more direct. Didn’t have a chance to do it on mine. I also replaced all the gear linkage bushes on mine (they were a bit worn, but yours probably still good) that took me a few hours but transformed the drivability.

excellent description now I want one

Great review, thanks mate.

I love the E46 and have one on my driveway, however I would argue that the pre-lift front looks more consistent than those newer headlights.

brilliant video

Fab insight into your BMW, I had a pre face lift one of these and loved it, then went back to Fords, but recently bought a newish 320i Touring Msport shadow and I love it and am back in love with BMW.

Folding rear seats were not only an option, but the most common configuration on the other side of the river. You're also in a very small camp of people to prefer cloth seats. Most were vinyl.

Yes, Ed, I have to agree with you concerning straight-6 engines. It'sa pity so few are made now.

Great review which shows how BMW have in some ways regressed since this car. I own a F30 and on run flat tyres it’s shockingly stiff and bouncy on bumpy country lanes. You just have to back off. Ride quality in cars took a backward step through the 2000s and 2010s due to an obsession with bigger wheels and lap times. This and the E39 are my all time favourite BMW models.

We had a 320d of this era an SE and it's was simply the best all round car ever,

I Owe an E46 2004 325i M Sport till this and as you've mentioned its the noise and the refinement of the engine Love it Love it Love it bro

I'm restoring my 03 325ci and really looking forward to having it out on the weekends again. Got the MV1's refurbed a few weeks ago changed oil, flushed brakes, just need to do a coolant and fuel drain (sat for 7 years) and refill and it's ready!

I find your comments about the 'drive by wire' throttle response interesting. I used to own - for nine and a half years - a 1999 Mercedes C200 Classic with five speed automatic transmission and four cylinder twin cam engine. It was my second fuel injected car after a Fiat Punto, which may have had throttle by wire but if it did, it wasn't as visible as the Merc's. Earlier W202s had a proper throttle cable, so my late one had a throttle cable that terminated at a little black box with wires coming out of it under the bonnet. I always thought that what I'm about to describe was a design function intended to prevent hooliganism. In normal use, being a traditional automatic, the car would creep as soon as you lifted your foot off the brake pedal, then pick up as you pressed on the accelerator pedal. I never noticed any throttle response issues there because, well, it was an automatic. Most of what you did with the throttle pedal was squished and blended by the torque converter. It was different if you tried to make a rapid start though, such as trying to beat traffic on a busy roundabout. There I would sit with my foot on the footbrake, waiting for a gap, then I'd go from brake to accelerator and 'press', hoping for a surge of acceleration, possibly with scrabbling rear tyres - and it was almost as if I could go "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi - Go!" before anything happened. Drive take up was rapid, but no spinning rear wheels - power just fed in to move smartly. In reality the time delay to respond was probably half a second or less, but it was a characteristic of the car. With familiarity it was something I learned to anticipate so I probably planted the throttle half a second before I wanted to move! Supposedly the car also had an automatic gearbox programme that 'learned your driving style'. That was a waste of time. I found it could get a bit confused. I could be driving the car sedately and it would be fine, shifting up early. Like most autos, even ones built in the 70s with no computers, if I accelerated more briskly for performance, it would hold the gears longer. There were circumstances though, where I needed rapid acceleration to get out of danger, before dropping back to legal urban speeds, where the transmission would linger in a lower gear for too long, with the engine whining at higher than necessary revs, on a light throttle, before the computer would catch up and realise "Oh, he isn't on a race track after all" and finally consent to select 4th or 5th gear, sometimes with a jolt. A simple bit of Bowden cable operating a mechanical kickdown mechanism would have had no such problem. My car also had four electric window switches in the front centre console (with an individual switch in each back door) and I never found that location an issue myself. They were quite well spaced switches and very easy to use, probably easier, in my opinion, than more closely grouped window switches on the drivers door panel. Then again - I am left handed!

You can buy a box that plugs in to your CPU that completely eliminates the throttle "learning" and gives you snappy throttle response all the time.

I have to disagree with you on leather seats, at least partly. I totally agree on the colour of car interiors and personally I am a sucker for a light coloured interior, no kids or dogs means this is a practical choice. However, leather is by far the best material for car interiors. It feels great, wears well (improving with age) and is easy to keep clean.

Looks great...... coupe even better 😊😊😊!!!

Great review! I enjoyed watching all of it. The only 2 things I would disagree with is that I love my leather seats I have a 05 330xi and it came with sports heated seats with all the functions and they are just as good as my 2020 m340i, also my car has the fold down seats so its worked out for me as im able to load my camping gear and 7 feet fishing poles with ease. But thank you again for the great video. Keep it up.

I have an E46 323ci (2.5 litre convertible) Lovely thing. Just got an E39 525i touring with the sports suspension, which makes them look amazing to me... They cost a bit to keep running, but they are superb cars. I agree with you that they are superb cars. The build quality high point of BMW imho. And the 6 cylinder M52/M54 are great engines (and yes, the sports seats are very nice)

12:39 I have green leather in my 75. I love the way it looks but having also owned a 75 with velour seats, I have to admit that I think the cloth was superior. Not too hot or too cold, more comfortable and wore better.

Another good review Ed. I have owned a E46 330iSE touring, auto for the last 10years a pre facelift on a Y Reg, Easy for DIY servicing. All the extras including Sat Nav/TV/computer and low mileage. I agree with how you describe the car which is beautifully put together. Only faults are rear parking sensors and I can't get the rear bumper off to fix them plus heated rear window in the split tailgate not working; a regular problem I believe where the wiring breaks at the hinge. Previous car, for 10 years, was E36 328 touring. These days I do little mileage so the running costs are affordable.

"Peculiar circumstances" - I do love your turn of phrase. (See - you didn't think I'd like anything about a BMW video, did you?)

I got 2003 325ci,had it for 4,going on 5 years.its never left me stranded.i just do the up keep to it and if starts running bad I call my mobile mechanic I met.he pretty much fixes any type a car at half the price.but even he says these cars are reliable

I had a 330i. It was spectacularly fast and I loved it but unfortunately so had someone else - loved it too much and knackered it before I got hold of it. Rea shame when I had to let it go. Still prefer the E30 though!

Hi! I have 330ci and drove in 2.2 even raced all others and must say there is something special about M54B30.. feels like It has more torque down and more power up. I absolutly love my Hanz (thats name of my 330ci) and I would say, you will too. Cant wait for that video! Great work! Subscribing

I daily a mint a 4 pots Compact with the M paket, awesome car, rewarding to drive even at low speeds. I remember I hated it when it came out, times have changed! The feedback I got has been very positive over the years. People do like this car.

hey you were talking about how the throttle dosent feel direct enough one thing to help with that is a paddle commander it helps with downshifts and everting its worth the purchase i got it on my 330xi BMW had it for a couple years

Its a great all rounder especially in touring guise. I've taken mine on track days, skip runs and family holidays with three kids and a dog! They can be very needy in terms of maintenance.

My daily driver is a 2004 325xi. It’s brilliant. It’s quick, it’s comfortable and it’s (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful BMWs ever made. I love it, and it’s the first BMW I’ve ever owned. Does it have the bank vault build quality of a Mercedes from the 70s-80s? No. But it’s certainly more fun to drive.

Hi I had a 12 plate 520 m sport auto I dident like it just got a Jag nice drive

Chances are the wind noise is due to a windscreen fitting bodge... Is it centered properly? is it actually sealed all the way around (soapy water with the trims removed (buy a few new clips before attempting to remove them) with a friend inside with an air nozzle)? Are any of the clips under the side trim missing? (leaving a hole into the pillar). Is all the plastic work around the microfilter properly assembled?

I’ve been a fan of BMW since my first back in 2009. Since then I’ve owned an arguably better car, certainly one more of a sportscar, but I quickly came back to the Bavarians. I think you nailed it with the word compromise. They do seem to nail it when it comes to driving. The whole just comes together so well, better somehow than the sum of its parts, though those parts are hardly shabby if you choose well. A lot of it is the glorious straight sixes BMW make; my current M240i is fast yet surprisingly economical, refined yet that six is there to be heard if you plant your foot, the ride is comfortable yet controlled, the gearbox refined yet instantly responsive if you want it to be, yes, I’m a wuss with an auto, but it boasts two more gears and that makes a difference). It’s all about striking that balance between conflicting demands. It can play Jekyll or it can do Hyde. I know some hate them or those that drive them (I do know where the indicators are yawn), but I’m having too much fun to care. Loved the tractor engine comment by the way Ed. Great video.

Love the narration and effort put into these videos…. So I guess the question is, when are you coming to the land down under to give our hacks a twirl mate?😂

Great video! You are going places my friend I can just see you on TV / internet in the future as a slightly older man doing car reviews or something :') The research and the way the video is put together is just spot on, bit like the car really. I'm on my 2nd E46 (sold my 3 year old Merc for another one) they are truly brilliant cars, so underrated. If you're ever in the Essex area you're welcome to drive my 330. I feel exactly the same as you, sound exactly like myself lol. Beauty waft and purr of that super smooth engine yet it absolutely screams. The 330 is absolutely fantastic because it's still extremely linear and just perfect but noticeably faster than the 325. The throttle response is definitely the biggest downfall. Coming from a very modern car the E46 throttle feels great but yeah I've driven many carb cars and the like so that does spoil you quite a bit!

Light colored interiors might look good initially, but are difficult to keep looking clean.

So I own a 325i touring m sport auto, and a 330i SE touring manual…I’m yet to decide what I prefer, but in response to your question, does the 30i have more punch..? The answer is 100% yes. Surprisingly so. Further more, the touring for me, is the ultimate car. Practical, fun, planted and refined. Loved this video. Thank you 😊

Awesome video, not gonna lie though. I like pre face more. You got me subscribed for sure.

A fantastic video Ed, another car i need to own or drive at some point for me i would have this and the next version of the 3 Series but it would have to be the Touring in 320 Tractor Diesel Spec.

Some say... that the Hofmeister Knick should really be called the Michelotti Knick. Just look at the styling of the Dolomite, the DAF B-body and other Michelotti designs of the era. Michelotti did do some work for BMW as well.

I own a BMW, a Range Rover and a Miata RF Club and love the BMW but I like my Miata better on a daily basis. I know I shouldn't compare a roadster but I can say I liked my G37 as much or more than my BMW. BMWs are just so heavy...beautiful and great to drive but so complicated and heavy and when things go wrong it's always painfully expensive and things go wrong a lot...great review BTW...European cars are like girlfriends in college. Japanese cars are like women you marry. Big difference.

Please make an update/comparison video about the feel of the 330 if you ever get to drive one, im curious how it would compare to a smaller litre m54 too

Yes, the "learning" that the throttle goes through is a bit annoying at first. But, it goes away the more you drive it. I bought mine from my brother-in-law who is a slow-poke driver. I am an aggressive driver. The first week I owned the car the throttle response was EXTREMELY disappointing. But it eventually learned, and now it's much better.

I had a 330 Sport CI Vert for 6 years. Sold that and bought a 2012 F25 X3 which felt way more than 10 year's younger. But i missed having a proper car, so ended up getting an e46 M3 to scratch that itch. Glad i did.

Great review. I think I'll always cherish the last of the original BMW sixes. After 2.5 years in my 2007 e91 330i SE Touring Auto I'm reluctantly moving on. Would that tick your 'estate' box? It will be missed but due to business mileage I've gone to something with some more tech such as radar cruise and better fuel economy (still 6 pots but diesel this time).

My fifth and current BMW straight six from that era is my recently purchased 2004 e46 330i ZHP saloon (search ZHP on KZfaq). Offered only in N America, it came with performance cams and tune for 10 extra horsepower and 300 more RPMs. A lower dif ratio makes it a little quicker and engaging. Best of all it comes with full M steering as well as M suspension above the standard sport package. Some nice cosmetic and comfort features are added as well. Basically its a baby M. Most of the thrill and according to some, better handling than an M3 at half the price and much easier to live with. I LOVE THIS CAR. :)

Great cars. As a non BMW person, I now have 330d estate which is excellent in most respects. Dark and gloomy inside but very easy and relaxing to drive. I like the spec on yours, much more likely to have had a quiet life than a coupe.

My E46 has a 5 speed manual transmission. Just put in a new clutch at 345,000 miles. Runs like a champ.

I completely lost it when you said "tractor engines" !🤣🤣

i literally bought a white 6 speed its awesome

Agree about 6 cylinder. My Porsche Boxster is 6 cylinder.

Window controls can be accessed by the passenger, the only controls that are not angled away. The switches also dont suffer from wet and dampness by being located in the console--great design.

You should try a good condition e21 The m20 engines are great but too thirsty. But a m10 1.8 or 2.0 makes a great daily

I had an ‘05 325it wagon with a 5sp manual. I currently daily and track an ‘05 330ci ZHP (M Sport coupe), 6sp manual. I think if my wagon had the driveline, suspension, steering, and interior the coupe has, it would be the_perfect enthusiast daily driver.

the David Attenborough of cars.

Do you think a 2003 330i for $ 5700that has 142k miles with the only real problem being a power steering leak and a few cosmetic scratches is a good deal?

Excellent classic i like e46

I love my e46 because it's a nice car oem but there is a seemingly endless amount of modifications you can make to perfect it for you

I don't think the Compact has aged that badly. Yes, it still looks awkward - but compared to the mess that Munich produces now, it's way better looking. I never thought I would say this but Bangle has been vindicated. The designs he oversaw have aged better than we imagined. No, the E60 5 will never be a classic like the E34/E39 5 but it's better than the hideously overstyled, confused, parody that is say the current G70 7 Series. To be honest, I agree fully with your assessment Ed. The E46 is probably peak daily driver. The late 1990s were the peak of the automotive industry. I believe everything designed then were better engineered, more reliable and better styled than what we have now while also ignoring the fact that the SUV hadn't yet destroyed everything - like our eyes (again, BMW, why did you punish us with the X4/X6?) or choice of bodystyles. Contraversial opinion, I believe that even a lowly Vectra B is a more rewarding drive than a G20 3. It may not out corner or be as fast as a new 3 but it will give you a better thrill - more communicative hydraulic steering, better, more progressive throttle response, softer suspension, better visibility, etc... I find modern cars are too digital, the throttle is either on or off. Everything does 0-60 is less than 5 seconds and you can't really see out of your cathedral sized small car and if you perhaps show an incling that you may do something fun, the Lane Keep Assist will put you back in your lane with a scary jolt... If it doesn't do an emergency stop for the imaginary stopped vehicle in front first that is... It may be the fact that I'm now past 40 so I'm now a Grumpy Old Man but I truly believe this. I say this looking for a replacement for my much loved Ford Mondeo 3. New cars just don't feel the same. Too fast, ergonomic disasters, poorly built and horrendous reliability. Maybe I should get an E46... 🤔

Love the review, I personally prefer the look of the pre-facelift.

You can’t beat a Bruce Springsteen reference or two 😉

Great video as usual👍. I agree with you on the vast majority of your points although in my opinion the E92 coupe that follwed is a seriously nice looking car and still has mostly straight six power. If you fancy trying different varieties of E46 you're more than welcome to drive my 328 coupe. It does have an auto box though...😢🤣

Ahh i have an e46 328 i 5speed this guy gave a passionate review great stuff he summed the 46 well .e46 is a bueaty

😊 Sorry to be a smug git but I have the car you were after - 2002 e46 330i touring, manual with cloth seats and I will never sell it. I love it to bits, it has only been to the main stealer once since I took ownership 14 years ago - that was just for an FOC airbag recall. For service and wear and tear repairs it is the sweet spot for an occasional weekend mechanic like me and parts are still relatively easy to source. IMHO the best estate car ever made. I got it for all the same reasons you cited and to transport my drums. It now forms the perfect combo with the 2001 MR2 roadster I originally bought (£800!!) for my daughter who subsequently decided she would not use it enough, but I could not bare to sell. (My wife thinks this was my plan all along which it really wasn't). Anyway these cars could not be more different and could not be more similar - total opposites in terms of practicality but both absolutely focused on the driver. And I could not be happier with them - once more apologies for smug gitness.

I got a e46 320 m sport for my first car today and i could not be happier

Smashing. 😂 i Love my 2004 325xi & ignore the show room cars if i bring it to the dealer for a rare service or recall swap.😊

My winter car is an '02 BMW 330xi AWD. My summer car is an '09 Volvo C30 T5 R-Design, 6-speed. I drive the BMW in the winter because I don't care if I smash it into a deer, whereas the C30 would take months to get body panels for, and cost MUCH more to repair. Oh, and the fact this model Volvo is useless in snow.

U nas w Polsce te samochody mocno podrożały. Powoli stają sie niedostępne i to ostatnia szansa żeby kupić taki samochód. Właśnie miesiąc temu kupiłem e46 touring 320d 150ps z niewielkim przebiegiem zaledwie 168000 i ten samochód jeździ jak nowy!

Engines, yes. I am the proud owner of a BMW E93 with a straight six. It is a great engine, BUT I used to own a Busso V6 powered Alfa. Both with similar engine size and power output. Comparing the two engines, the Alfa is more sporty and the BMW unit is definitely more for cruising or grand touring. Still makes a good sound though.