{"id":3555,"date":"2018-10-03T21:32:27","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T20:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mukerji.co.uk\/?p=3555"},"modified":"2018-10-07T08:11:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-07T07:11:48","slug":"the-e46-sport-touring-is-gone-long-live-the-e46-spot-touring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mukerji.co.uk\/the-e46-sport-touring-is-gone-long-live-the-e46-spot-touring\/","title":{"rendered":"The e46 sport touring is gone – long live the e46 sport touring"},"content":{"rendered":"

After 12.5 years and 105,000 miles, the black car has departed. Bought in early 2006, it followed two E36 M3s and raised eyebrows at the time. A diesel? An estate car? <\/p>\n

\"330d<\/a><\/p>\n

Fast forward through countless holidays and road trips, with freeze frames of it as one of our wedding cars, using it to move house, bringing our puppy home for the first time, our first child home for the first time, and then our second. 25 laps of the Nordschleife. 20 hour days driving around the country on business. Trips to Rock am Ring<\/a>, Cairngorms, Cornwall and Snowdonia. It had a magnificent innings and by the end, with two kids and a golden retriever<\/a>, it made perfect sense. <\/p>\n

\"330d<\/a><\/p>\n

The 335d was acquired in 2013 to replace it but that never happened. The 330d remained our go-to car for all day-to-day activities right up until its sale. It was too good, too reliable, always ready. It never once let us down.<\/p>\n

Given the 335d failed to depose it, a significant event was clearly going to be required to move the black car on. I had supposed that event would be a plug-in EV – and that is still likely to shuffle the pack at some point – but in the meantime a curve-ball arrived.<\/p>\n

This latest chapter actually started in May 2011, when long term BMW E30 S50B32 hero Ian decided to buy a second car. We adventured north and bought an “Imola Rot” 330d built in October 2003. While that build date is just eight months after the black car, this red car benefited from a host of improvements mainly around the engine (more capacity, horsepower and torque), and the gearbox (six speed manual). <\/p>\n

\"Red<\/a><\/p>\n

That car stayed the night while logistics were sorted, and I wrote a comparison piece at the time<\/a>. <\/p>\n

In the seven years since, Ian proved yet again that he knows how to look after a car. The M3 number plate went in the bin. Dents and rusty bits were resolved. Both interior and exterior were restored to near showroom conditions. Heated seats were retrofitted. The Scandinavian engine pre-heater unit with remote start was fitted. The stereo was sorted. It was well and truly fettled. <\/p>\n

When Ian came to move the car on, as I’d long ago said I’d like to have it, he offered and without thinking I said yes. When Ian handed the car over, I plonked it on the front lawn and wondered what I’d do with it. There was no plan at that point. <\/p>\n

I realised I wasn’t entirely happy with a car existing on the lawn, so I cleared the garage. That was a significant improvement. Yet, three cars still felt like overkill. The black car still performed a useful function in tackling the school and station runs, moving the dog around and generally dealing with household chores. Yet fundamentally it became clear that Diane would rather be driving the silver car and I’d rather be driving the red car.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a><\/p>\n

The more I drove the red car the more I felt myself falling for it. I have two controversial things to say and I may as well spill them now, clearly and in bullet point form. Before you load up the comments section with venom though remember that this is just my opinion, and I’m allowed to be wrong in your view:<\/p>\n