Page 1 of 1

Your E46 Daily Driver UK: MPG, Running Costs & Reliability Stories

Posted: Fri May 30, 2025 1:48 pm
by spinecki
Hi all,

Many of us use our BMW E46s as daily drivers here in the UK, braving traffic, school runs, and the weekly shop. This thread is to share our real-world experiences with running costs, fuel economy (MPG), and overall reliability.

It's easy to find official figures, but what's it really like to live with an E46 day-to-day in the UK?

Share Your E46 Daily Driver Stats & Stories:
  • Your Model & Engine: (e.g., 330i Saloon Auto, 318Ci Coupe Manual, 320d Touring Manual)
  • Average MPG: What sort of fuel economy are you realistically achieving? (Specify driving type: mostly city, motorway, mixed)
  • Annual Road Tax (VED): What are you paying for your E46?
  • Insurance Costs: Roughly what are you paying and what's your age/NCB/area like (general terms)? Any tips for cheaper E46 insurance in the UK?
  • Typical Annual Maintenance Costs: Servicing, tyres, brakes, unexpected repairs. What's your average yearly spend to keep it roadworthy?
  • Most Expensive Repair So Far: We've all had one!
  • Reliability Score (out of 10): How reliable has your E46 been as a daily?
  • Why is the E46 a good (or bad) daily driver for UK conditions? (e.g., comfort, size, RWD in winter, parts availability)
  • Any tips for other UK E46 daily drivers?
This could be a great resource for potential E46 buyers wondering about real-world ownership costs in the UK, and for current owners to compare notes.

Let's hear your daily E46 stories!