How long you plan on keeping your E46?

A question no doubt is subjective, but deserving of some kind of answer.

For example:
1) Is there a mileage limit... or...
2) Maintain and just drive it until the wheels falls off...

Ok, winning the Powerball will certainly make these questions a no brainer.

Depending on affordability of course, another BMW would be first choice but what other ride would you guys consider or trade up at some point?


I have been thinking lately when, if at all, would I leave my current BMW behind and move on to another (BMW)ride....

Good topic!

answer 2 for me!

unless something breaks that is just reDONKulously expensive to repair, I plan on keeping my little 323 for years to come...

#2

I will try to get at least five more years out of mine before doing anything - it still looks new.

To answer the second question: after having owned Volvos, VWs, MB and LR, I have by far enjoyed BMWs the most. I would probably replace my 3 with another 3 or a 5. Even if I hit the lottery, I'd probably stay BMW - although the Tesla is pretty cool.

#2 for me.

Originally Posted by new_kid

Ok, winning the Powerball will certainly make these questions a no brainer.

I wouldn't get rid of my E46 just because I won the lottery. If anything, it'd let me keep it longer, because there's usually a point in a car's life where it becomes more expensive to fix than the car is worth after being fixed.

I'd buy other cars as toys, but the E46 would still be the car to take to the grocery store, on long road trips, etc.

I've been contemplating this statement for a couple months now. I've been itching to get into an e36 m3 and want to sell my 323ci. But I keep toying with the idea of keeping it and just upgrading some features

I will drive my 02 330ci till it doesn't drive anymore. Due to needing more space I will be moving into a new 2013 328i once it gets here. That will take miles off mine and make it easier to haul people around.

I might not have two asses but I won't give my coupe up for anything. My e46 will become a weekend car and something I drive when it's just me.

I think around 250K is probably time to really consider another BMW.
I owned a Datzun 240Z for 19 years- should be easy to make these two last about the same, if not longer.

My wife has 215K on the 323i so that should last about 2 or 3 more years-she can drive 18k a year, easy.

I have 150k on my 330ci so that should last about 10 more years (manual transmission, and the wife don't drive it, her finger nails alone will tear up an interior)- since I also have a Pick-up and a motorcycle to put some miles on I only average 10 k on this car.

Drive it until the wheels fall off or if I can find a 04 or 05 ZHP in really good shape and drive it until the wheels fall off.

My 330i is actually my very first car. Despite being over ten years in age and creating the impression that any car with over 100,000 miles would, this car still set the bar really high for any future candidate.

That being said, I can see myself getting a new daily driver sometime down the road; however, I can't see myself actually parting ways.

My 2001 330Ci has 163,000+ miles now, I have driven it for 9 years, and I cannot imagine having a different car. I still look back when I walk away from it in a parking lot. It still drives like a dream and makes me smile. I will drive it until it will drive no more.

Will be my DD for three more years. Then I will rip it apart sell the interior introduce it to an S54 and track it till she dies.

Sent from my PantechP9060 using Bimmer App

I'm anti car payment. Driving mine till the engine blows, then it'll get another one and keep going

Sent from my One X using Bimmer App

I am planning to keep mine as DD for years to come until engine/transmission goes out. At that point I'll probably get F30.

Maybe possibly 3-5yrs.
I think will probably need bit more space in future... meaning that probably going for e60, but it's not because there's anything wrong with this one.

drive it till it dies, i have only 130000 miles and it still drives like new, apart from those bushings that need to be replaced after the winter

Originally Posted by tobandals

I have driven it for 9 years, and I cannot imagine having a different car. I still look back when I walk away from it in a parking lot. It still drives like a dream and makes me smile. I will drive it until it will drive no more.

I think you've just composed the e46 national poem!

So many among us could have written exactly the same post you've just posted here.

Sweet words to us all.

First mile stone is to hit 500k
Life time goal to hit 1 million miles... on the original motor etc...
Heck ... maybe if I call BMW up and tell them about my million mile car they might even be willing to give me a brand spanking new bmw of my choice in exchange for using mine as advertisement proving once and for all bmw is the BOSS of the road! Granted I may be 100 years old. so far since summer i put over 10k miles... so 20k miles a year. 5 years per 100k leave my with 50 years of driving lol. Omg could you imagine the m3 of 2062 yum!!! too bad ill be 72. Maybe when I start making money and a good job Ill be slapping lots more a year... cut the time in half

Originally Posted by GoForthFast

I think you've just composed the e46 national poem!

So many among us could have written exactly the same post you've just posted here.

Sweet words to us all.

Lol agreed ^^^ I still look back as I listen for it to lock, blow it a kiss and say "love you baby." YES... I really do lol Best Wife anyone could ask for... Just gotta keep a gf for the different needs of a man

Forever for my ZHP

had my 2003 for about three years just turned 55,000 move up to m3 at five years

I'd like to keep my car until I get to a quarter of a million miles. At the current mileage, and my annual average, that will take another 17 years. I'll be able to put antique plates on it.

Until I'm financially able to buy the latest production e46 2006 330Ci in perfect color (black) and with "perfect" package, full maintainance record etc. etc... Of course, this approach is complicated by financial ability AND there is a problem of finding the "perfect" car.

I purchased my 2000 323i as a treat to myself when I turned 40, and waited patiently for months for it to be delivered (no local dealers had standard trans cars on their lots). Now after nearly 13 years, she has ~85K miles...and a real garage queen. I am planning on keeping her along with her garage mate, '98 Z3 2.8L with ~44K miles (purchased in May).