COTW BMW E46 320ci

Next option.

For people thinking it's weird to have that many different cars on your mind, have a look at the pistonheads forums overhere. So there you have it, my free ticket to yet another car-idea.

As some of you know, my celica has sprouted an oil leak at a very accessible place (NOT, it's not far from an engine-out job to get to a 20€ seal) Needless to say I've been putting of the repair and I've found myself driving a very nice E46 320d.

It's just a perfect all-rounder car. Very nice chassis (the optional M-chassis), comfortable on longer journeys, yet very able to put a smile on your face during a more spirited drive along some rare winding country lanes. The only thing is that i'm not a diesel fan, and I'm used to having a bit more power.

Soooo queue the 320ci.

It has the same nice chassis as the 320d, while the body is just a little bit lower and sleeker. That should make it even more composed in corners. It comes with an inline 6 cyl engine, which in my mind is the only proper engine for a BMW. It get's even better, since the M54B22 is family of the M54B30 which has won the engine of the year award from 2001 till 2003. And just in case the power-itch comes along it might even be feasible to put the 3.0L block instead of the 2.2L.