BMW 6 cylinders

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

At what engine capacity/model do the straight sixes start?

E46 3 series, if this matters.

bazz26

2.2 litre.

Supergurrier

320i

2.2 Inline 6

323i

detuned 2.5 Inline 6

325i

2.5 inline 6

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Brilliant thanks. I assumed the 320 was a 4 pot. I might buy one now that I have those three options.

Foxhole Norman

Also a 2.0 for older 320i's.

blastman

Do it, OP, they're a lovely car to drive (although the tax is a bit eye-watering)

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Cheers.

I'm driving a 2.0 litre at the moment so a 320i would maintain the status quo.

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Any ideas if I'd notice much difference with a 323 or 325 over a 320?

Foxhole Norman

The 323 would be the same hp as the 2.2 320i albeit with a bit more tax and torque. The 325i would be the one to go for ad that is the best bang for buck tax wise. 22hp over the 2.2 and a decent bit of extra torque.

Alanstrainor

Forget the 323i, no point paying big tax and not getting all the power you can. Imo the 325 is the one to go for, not much more tax when compared to the 2.2 and the extra power is worth it.

I've had my 2001 325ci for 2+ years now, and know a fair bit about them at this stage. I'll answer any questions you have as best I can!

visual

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Forget the 323i, no point paying big tax and not getting all the power you can. Imo the 325 is the one to go for, not much more tax when compared to the 2.2 and the extra power is worth it.

I've had my 2001 325ci for 2+ years now, and know a fair bit about them at this stage. I'll answer any questions you have as best I can!

that was my thinking buying a 5 series
that 525i was more bag for the bucks

Veloce

How are the 2.5 6 pots thirsty as a matter of interest?

Moneymaker

Veloce wrote: »

How are the 2.5 6 pots thirsty as a matter of interest?

Our 525i does about 23-25mpg in city traffic, 40+ on motorways. 325i might be a bit better as it's a lighter car.

Epic engine. 1080€ tax is a little hard to stomach, but then you drive the thing and you see all the muppets trashing their 1.4 Golfs that cost twice as much to buy and where electric windows are considered a luxury.

visual

My e39 525i auto is getting about 34 mpg on motorway driving at 120-130kph
low 20s in city

conzy

My long term average is about 26MPG I think.

My driving is a 50/50 mix of long motorway spins / Dublin city centre driving.

You can get 350+ miles out of a tank

Yakuza

I had an 01 E46 320i for 4 years, best car I've driven (of those that I've owned at least!). Plenty of poke in it for Irish, British and French motorways. I very reluctantly sold it when kid#3 was on the way. OP you won't regret buying one (just get it checked out first and make sure it's been well cared for).

Moneymaker

visual wrote: »

My e39 525i auto is getting about 34 mpg on motorway driving at 120-130kph
low 20s in city

Hm, ours is a manual so maybe thats why we get a bit better mpg.

Or I just drive like a granny :pac::pac:

visual

Moneymaker wrote: »

Hm, ours is a manual so maybe thats why we get a bit better mpg.

Or I just drive like a granny :pac::pac:

Only have mine a few months and still playing with the skinny pedal to much

blastman

According to the computer in my 320i, the long term mpg is sitting at around 33-34, mostly motorway driving and mostly not like a granny

Alanstrainor

Mine is saying 24/25 at the moment (325), but mostly urban and military road spins in the mix there.

Idbatterim

if going for a 6 pot, the 2.5 or 325, 525 is the most desirable IMO, decent bit more hp for €130 extra in tax, on the bhp / tax ratio, its much better than the 2.2...

Sobanek

26 mpg here - heavy foot, automatic, air con on constantly, 50% motorway, 50% stuck in traffic. Could be worse

obezyana

36mpg mixed motorway/normal roads. E46 323i 2.5ltr 170bhp. Lovely car it's a shame about the rip off tax.