What other wagons are you comparing it to? Similar cars of the era like E39 5 series, Volvo V70 (or V70R), or newer stuff like F31 3 series, Volkswagen Golf / Alltrack, Volvo V90, or Audi RS6 Avant

E46 is a relatively small size car so it's not huge inside, but plenty capable of hauling lots of stuff. I regularly fit myself, wife, and three small kids in it no problem and still have room in the back for all the normal kid activity stuff like soccer gear, folding chairs, etc.

Driving experience is great and well balanced like other E46 but with added practicality due to the wagon-ness. I have a RWD wagon, AWD wagon, and a RWD sedan and they all feel very similar to drive. Getting one with a manual transmission will definitely make it more engaging and fun to drive, but the automatics are surprisingly good as well in sport/manual shift mode.

Wagons only came with the base 2.5L engine in the US so they are not the quickest car compared to anything of the modern era. But you can swap in a 3.0L engine from a 330i if you want extra. The E46 in general is more about overall balance of power with handling, steering feel, etc. If you want high performance then you either need to look at more serious engine mods or go with something newer, but then you'll pay a lot more.

 

I can only speak regarding BMW wagons/tourings but here's my take: the E46 touring is the least compromised touring, in that it doesn't have a massive weight or handling penalty, and they drive very similar to the sedans and coupes.

With the E39 touring you've got a massive weight penalty, a very compromised rear suspension setup where the shocks sit at a 45 degree angle, and the entire rear suspension attaches to the car via 4 giant failure-prone subframe bushings. If you replace those bushings with anything firmer than OEM the rear of the car becomes extremely crashy and harsh. Been there, done that. And you can only get the manual transmission with the 528it and 525it, which feel rather underpowered with the weight of the vehicle.

The E61 touring was xDrive only and most of them are automatics, they're quite heavy and the electronics start becoming a problem. Not particularly sporty or engaging to drive, based on the seat time I've had in a few 530xit's and 535xit's. Very hard to find manual transmissions in these, and they sell for a large premium usually. The 6HP auto has its issues as well, that's something to keep in mind.

The E91 touring is a decent alternative to an E46 touring, but the cooling system is significantly more complex, along with the electronics. Most are xDrive and auto, it's very hard to find a RWD manual one. As with the E61, the 6HP auto has its issues, and the AWD ones have transfer case issues and frequently need front axles.

The F31 touring is a pile of crap generally. Everything is made of cheap plastic and all of the US ones were saddled with mediocre gas and diesel 4-cylinder engines (N20 and N47) that constantly need timing components (yes, a handful came with the B46/B48 but those have their own issues too). You need a ton of special tools to work on them, they're all stuck with automatic transmissions, and they're not particularly engaging to drive.

My priorities are RWD, manual, engaging to drive, and not overly heavy. AKA I want a touring that I can take on a road trip, to a canyon road, or to a track day. Your priorities may be different.

 

Can I pick your brain? I have an e46 touring and have been eye-ing the e39 tourings for more trunk space and more refinement. If I'm looking for a more comfortable daily driver with more space and preferrably not much less mpg. Relatively reliable for the price, or more like lower running cost for a bmw. Is the e39 a good option? I don't plan to sell my e46w. Just been thinking of something for comfortable since I have a baby now.

 

I bought an Alfa 156 Sportwagon not too long ago and I've honestly been enjoying driving it more than my E46. Most of that probably comes from the 400-500lbs weight savings over a stock E46 and the double wishbone suspension. I'll be taking this back to the US instead of my E46 when the time comes.

 

My plan for a wagon is to import a facelift e46 330d touring from Europe, they made plenty of them with the 6 speed manual there and I know that there's going to be plenty of decent examples for sale.
I get it, refresh the suspension, and tune it. Then I'll have a ~350hp wagon that gets 40 mpg and rips!

 

Just remember that rust is extra bad in central Europe. If you can get one from Spain or Italy that would be preferred.

 

I clearly have to do more research. This has been just a dumb dream ever since I learned they got diesels across the pond

 

I imported my E46, other direction but the process is more or less the same. It's pretty easy, you just ring up one of the many shipping/import companies around, send them your documents, drop off the car and that's about it. The US - Europe route is so heavily traveled that the processes are all well established. It's not that different from sending a package via USPS, but with extra steps.

The hardest is actually personal logistics. How do you plan to get the car to the port and from the port? You either need a second driver who can accompany you and take you home afterwards, or you shell out for a transport truck.

 

the difference between how you did it and my bud's BIL - is that he made that (importing) a DIY project. here in New England, there's probably not enough cross-border private sales car transactions to make the soup to nuts option common.

so essentially, probably easier (but more $) to pick from EU than Canadia

 

My 200k mi. 2001 Wagon is my pick-up. It has been parked outside day and night virtually all its life. I have yet to find a wagon with a better set of compromises. Yah, I have to repair it once in a while, that's why I joined E46 Fanatics.

For what it's worth, I have owned Lambos, Porsche 930's and many Alfa's.

 

The wagon is the do it all car. We also have an Audi Q5 that I just find meh. It is quicker and faster, but is just a boring pig of a car.

Its only purpose is to allow my wife to feel comfortable in our social group.

 

Lo

The wagon is the do it all car. We also have an Audi Q5 that I just find meh. It is quicker and faster, but is just a boring pig of a car.

Its only purpose is to allow my wife to feel comfortable in our social group.

Lol, I know that feeling.

 

i'm not sure what he would need an appraisal or approval for - canada does not require vehicles to be formally exported when they leave the country, unlike the US (and that part of the process of importing US>canada is always the most stressful - the US border office is only open 8-4 and only select staff can process the export - timing that, when you're traveling a ways and have planned out your travel schedule can be tricky - detroit f'd me over on that, on a friday afternoon. that was a mess).

the only thing i can think of, and this is not always required, but if you needed a transit permit - you'd need to go to the local 'DMV' ('SAAQ' in quebec) to get that.

re: patience - LOL - not me!

i've imported 3 cars from the US into canada in the last 2 years (with a 4th coming up!), using different border crossings. detroit is the worst. on all fronts. buffalo - close 2nd. derby/stanstead is definitely the chillest and easiest. if anyone is wondering.

in summary - if anyone here is wanting to import a car from canada to the US, or vice versa - PM me and i would be happy to help you out. 🍺

 

you know - the whole thing about queb fees / taxes as he was completing the transaction is a story I'm going to get more details on, as that was the worst headache in his telling. once i get that, I'll post back here and ask you for a reality check. i'd hate to think he got scammed on something here....

if your experience were my example, I'd be a whole lot more inclined to pursue the occasional possibility. Mtrl is the closest big city to us by miles, and there is a lot more buy/sell of interest to me than anywhere but LA or NYC.

i haven't looked to see which crossings cover car imports, but there are many between you in windsor area and derby vt, like rouses point, alburgh vt, highgate vt and so on.... and you chose derby line? must be a good reason for that far out of your way.

 

you know - the whole thing about queb fees / taxes as he was completing the transaction is a story I'm going to get more details on, as that was the worst headache in his telling. once i get that, I'll post back here and ask you for a reality check. i'd hate to think he got scammed on something here....

if your experience were my example, I'd be a whole lot more inclined to pursue the occasional possibility. Mtrl is the closest big city to us by miles, and there is a lot more buy/sell of interest to me than anywhere but LA or NYC.

mega-late reply here...

montreal does seem to have a lot of interesting stuff - more manuals than normal, as well. the main issue is their roads are absolute garbage, so plan on a full suspension refresh no matter what.

once you've paid the seller, you need to either trailer it home (no trip to the SAAQ required), or go to the SAAQ and get a transit permit... see the 'non-resident' bit in the link here:

https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/vehicle-registration/temporary-registration

california is definitely where i would like my next purchase to be - the road trip home would be epic, and i want to do it with my youngest as he is aching for a trip like that. he's 17 so we can share in the driving too.

i haven't looked to see which crossings cover car imports, but there are many between you in windsor area and derby vt, like rouses point, alburgh vt, highgate vt and so on.... and you chose derby line? must be a good reason for that far out of your way.

i chose derby when i brought a car in from maine - it was the crossing i was going to use anyway. but i would deviate slightly to use a VT crossing for sure - the US export folks are a lot nicer there. (as a VT'er i may be biased 😂 ).

 

mega-late reply here...

montreal does seem to have a lot of interesting stuff - more manuals than normal, as well. the main issue is their roads are absolute garbage, so plan on a full suspension refresh no matter what.

once you've paid the seller, you need to either trailer it home (no trip to the SAAQ required), or go to the SAAQ and get a transit permit... see the 'non-resident' bit in the link here:

https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/vehicle-registration/temporary-registration

california is definitely where i would like my next purchase to be - the road trip home would be epic, and i want to do it with my youngest as he is aching for a trip like that. he's 17 so we can share in the driving too.




i chose derby when i brought a car in from maine - it was the crossing i was going to use anyway. but i would deviate slightly to use a VT crossing for sure - the US export folks are a lot nicer there. (as a VT'er i may be biased 😂 ).

the temporary transit SAAQ was what got them. i think the car needed to be inspected too, as had been out of registration. didn't know you are a vt-er too - so 3 of us on here.

i hear you on a CA road trip. my son and I have done a few car retrieval trips in the last few years - he's about the same age as yours. we've had some epic wrenching around here.

 

the temporary transit SAAQ was what got them. i think the car needed to be inspected too, as had been out of registration. didn't know you are a vt-er too - so 3 of us on here.

yep - i grew up in central VT, and spent about 8 years in burlington before moving to ontario. i miss it a lot.

i hear you on a CA road trip. my son and I have done a few car retrieval trips in the last few years - he's about the same age as yours. we've had some epic wrenching around here.

same! it's great to watch them learn.

 

I am so torn on the idea of shipping these from CA to Canada. One the one hand, you all should have the experience of working on cars with zero corrosion. On the other, so sad knowing that their lifespan is about to get much shorter!

 

the future is not written yet. they could have longer lifespans... they might get garaged during the winter. mine won't ever as driving these cars in the snow is flipping awesome. i just protect the hell out of them.

share the un-corroded love, man! 😂

 

I think I'd go with an N55 swap in an E91. Way less cost involved than the M tax associated with the M swap, more torque, better power delivery, etc, IMO.

 

I think I'd go with an N55 swap in an E91. Way less cost involved than the M tax associated with the M swap, more torque, better power delivery, etc, IMO.

sure, that's an option. N55 and S65 are very different motors in terms of attitude. personally, i'm not a fan of turbo "feel," and i'm not interested in ///M tax so i'd go FBO N52.

with the exception of the headers, all that is done. 3IM and flash, silicone intake runner, euro (UK) CAI... its still not the gokart the E46 is... but I do like the looks. cosmetic updates (do not) = driving fun... this one is just sport options, not the M sport... but the Arc Audio 1200W + Individual Audio drivers + underseat subs - well that does = fun.

yours is xDrive, too, so.... a lot heavier than an E46.

if you do get that built, why would you sell it? what have you collected for the build?

i have too many cars - and i need to make room for a new project that isn't even at my house yet. once my E46 Touring is back on the road, the E91 is redundant and i honestly prefer the E46. i bought the E91 about a month before the opportunity to buy my E46 Touring back from the guy i sold it to materialized, so... that's how i'm in this predicament.

i also have a ZHP sedan that i'm trying to finish, and that will get sold as well.

for the build... i have everything required for the 6MT swap, and a 3SIM that i have not installed yet. the car already has 335i brakes, M3 control arms, konis, and some other stuff. it's a fully sorted car, aside from the slushbox. i'd really only do the swap before selling just to satisfy my curiosity (or disease?), and see my "vision" through to completion (also, the value of the car will be a lot higher with a manual). writing that just now, i know it sounds stupid, and i should probably just sell it as-is and then offload the swap parts.

 

sure, that's an option. N55 and S65 are very different motors in terms of attitude. personally, i'm not a fan of turbo "feel," and i'm not interested in ///M tax so i'd go FBO N52.




yours is xDrive, too, so.... a lot heavier than an E46.




i have too many cars - and i need to make room for a new project that isn't even at my house yet. once my E46 Touring is back on the road, the E91 is redundant and i honestly prefer the E46. i bought the E91 about a month before the opportunity to buy my E46 Touring back from the guy i sold it to materialized, so... that's how i'm in this predicament.

i also have a ZHP sedan that i'm trying to finish, and that will get sold as well.

for the build... i have everything required for the 6MT swap, and a 3SIM that i have not installed yet. the car already has 335i brakes, M3 control arms, konis, and some other stuff. it's a fully sorted car, aside from the slushbox. i'd really only do the swap before selling just to satisfy my curiosity (or disease?), and see my "vision" through to completion (also, the value of the car will be a lot higher with a manual). writing that just now, i know it sounds stupid, and i should probably just sell it as-is and then offload the swap parts.

sounds like it runs and drives - cool. i put the 335 brakes on this one as well - you can see the powder coat in the wheels. the CF split spoiler is attached with SS hardware, 3M VHB tape, and 3M 5200 urethane adhesive. 3M fanboi? yabetcha!

when i bought her, the seller had a 2011 manual E91 that was 30K - almost twice the price of mine, and RWD only - a bit of a unicorn. but for here - the AWD has been the thing - the weight def makes this a tub compared to the E46 - the tire choice to crisp it up made a difference - Mich Pilot Sport A/S +. the wheels are also staggered, which looks and feels right. the rears now wear at a rate closer to the fronts.

your project list looks like mine - i'm concluding this rolling stable of project cars will probably continue - selling one just leaves an opportunity, and that M3 E36 from montreal that I missed last year still stings... don't think it was one of the S50 ones - but still...

sorry, nube question - FBO?

 

when i bought her, the seller had a 2011 manual E91 that was 30K - almost twice the price of mine, and RWD only - a bit of a unicorn. but for here - the AWD has been the thing

yeah, i used to be all about AWD when i lived in VT - and even after i moved to canada - but when i got my first E46 (330Ci ZHP), the snow handling blew my mind. yes, getting going from a stop takes some practice, but in all other areas, it is superior to any AWD i have owned (many audis, MK7 Golf R) - braking and turning are so much better. the balance is the secret sauce.

your project list looks like mine - i'm concluding this rolling stable of project cars will probably continue - selling one just leaves an opportunity, and that M3 E36 from montreal that I missed last year still stings... don't think it was one of the S50 ones - but still...

'rolling stable of project cars' is a good way to phrase it.

sorry, nube question - FBO?

Full Bolt-Ons. took me a a minute, too.

 

I drove a rwd E46 for years in the snow, with snow tires. It wasn't bad, but it wouldn't do things a fwd with snow tires would, like climbing hills. Granted the amount of snow we've been getting has diminished, but when we were expecting our daughter, I decided I needed something that could get me through the worst weather and I bought my 94 Grand Cherokee. Worse than the e46 in 2wd, but far superior in 4wd. Granted, I have the X3, now, but I still live that old turd of a Jeep!

 

Old jeeps are just bulletproof and fun. We've got a 2001 TJ wrangler that has been sitting for a couple of years that really needs some attention this spring to get it going again. It was a fun around-town vehicle for running errands and hauling random stuff, and I used it as commuter on really snowy winter days. For how much it sits, the 4.0 straight six always fires right up even on shitty old gas. It just needs the front axle U-Joints replaced an new brakes and it should be good to go. I miss driving that thing.

Two of my college housemates had ZJ grand cherokees and we drove them through hell and back on the trails around Houghton, MI. We'd usually end up taking turns getting stuck and pulling the other one out.

 

One of the best things about my ZJ? I installed heated e46 sport seats! 😁 Hey, it's kinda a wagon...