I'm new to the forum and I've registered because it was recommended to me. I am looking to buy an e46 BMW in the next few weeks. I have about £4k to spend and from looking on Autotrader there are quite a few about for that money.
Ideally I'm after a 330i saloon (but wouldn't say no to the right 325i) and from looking around there are numerous examples of X/Y/51 reg cars available with between 60k and 80k on the clocks. I'm reluctant to buy a car with more than 80k.
I suppose I'm just after some general advice on what sort of things to loook out for when viewing/test driving these particular cars. I have done quite a bit of reading around on the internet but whilst some pages are very useful, many are filled with peoples' horror stories of what has gone wrong (as is true with any car).
I can't think of a better place to find out about any common problems associated with the 330i (and 325i) so any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
your not going to get a decent one for 4k ide say 5k maybe at a push...
a car that age with low mileage is prolly going to be in worse shape than a high motorway miler thats already had all its faults and foibles adressed..
I recently bought a 2001 330ci and love it! When looking around I could not find anything near £4k which was less then 80k and made in 2000+... You will be looking closer to £5k for something on that spec, maybe even a bit more.
The main thing I guess you want to check is:
The service history - is it full or partial
Check the coolant does it have any oil in it
Take the oil cap off an see if it has any light mayonaise colour on it
Look at the exhuast to see if there is any smoke coming out the back
Does the car drive in a straight line
How does it handle when braking
Are there any noises when driving etc....
And just use your instincts when looking at the car...
So Dailydoggy, you're saying I'd be better off getting one with higher milage, but a bit younger? It just feels wrong buying a car with over 80k on the clock.
What approx milage/age do big jobs start needing to be done?
80k is at the crossroads for a duff water pump,duff radiator matrix,duff wishbones and bushes possibly brakes renewal ide rather go for a motorway miler thats had it all done already and had an easy life rather than a town hopping tired example..
wrong wheels (not a big deal i know),no mention of service history and an auto with a notorious GM transmission..
bottom of the barrel prices expect bottom of the barrel condition and issues is all i can say if you aint got a keen eye and dont DIY it could become costly..
I went to see this one... car looked okay but something just didn't feel right so I walked away... it had a bit of rust near the back wing and the inside had a wavering smell of cigarettes....
Went for a test drive and the tracking seemed all over the place, the steering wheel didn't want to stay straight and was wobbling and moving left to right... told the guy who said it was fine when he drove it?
There were no knocks or noises and no smoke from the exhaust... when driving it felt lively from standstill but when I accelerated in third at 3k it just felt like there was a delay and felt laggy... by all means go and have a look at it but I'm just giving my experience
Why the 80K limit? These engines are good for tripple that if not more with a good sevice history. My 325Ci has 146K on the clock and still purs like new. Regular servicing and maintenance and not one breakdown. It's also up for sale you can see it in my sig, PM me for more info if you like. Also well within your budget
virtual full bMW service history?? that says a lot prolly got more holes in the service history than a swiss cheese..wrong wheels for the year (which are usually fake BMW copies) and another notoriously iffy auto transmission..
just tread carefully all i am saying if your on a tight budget..
i can also see wot looks like a big dock off scuff on the front fender aswell!
auto's are problematic they have a well documented loss of reverse fault plus they are notoriously complicated and unreliable compared to a manual tranny..
if it goes fubar your looking at a grand recon repair bill...
hence they are cheap to buy on older example cars...
i did say wheels its not a big deal i was just saying its something to be wary of when buying tho especially from a tart a dog up trader type and if they are cheapo chinese copies that buckle, corrode and lose their finish easy....
nothing wrong with yours thats good for you but again something to be wary of when buying one as they are fickle and expensive when they go wrong as this forums various auto failure members will testify to..
I was in a simialr boat to you very recently. Go conservative - save some of your budget for repairs!
I knocked a guy down from £4.5k to £3k for a 318 Ci with 84k. Bloody good job though since I've spent £600 getting it right in one month of owning it on cylinder head gasket and a couple of related parts.
That said it's a really good example - inside is smart and clean and outside is showing no signs of rust - unlike most of the s**t I looked at around that price tag.
and lets face it there is some sh+t out there and they all get bulled up and tarted up and appear in the same places with a cheap price tags to attract the victim..
yep thats exactly how one should look and looks a bonafide example on first look, a very good price aswell for a 4 door manual example they are rare animals in good condition..
if its straight and makes all the right noises it maybe worth a punt... any niggles ide still punt for it as there is nothing eye watering expensive if you can DIY on them they are easy to work on chances are the main weak spots have already been adressed aswell...
wernt facelifted at the front till late 2001 like mine..
AFAIK it is correct it is a pre facelift Msport saloon and all have the same front rear bumpers and those rear lights (which changed after they were facelifted late 2001 like mine)..
I agree with dd, it looks right, pre facelift rear lights with correct MVI alloys and the sport bumper which looks the same even up to the last E46 coupes made in 2006 :thumbsup
It's in immaculate condition, bar a tiny scratch the size of your fingernail on the rear bumper.
Had new clutch fitted last year.
Had new bushings front and rear this year and full geometry reset (with printout to prove).
Had air intake pipe replaced this year (old one split).
Had new thermostat and radiator expansion tank replaced this year.
Had the air con serviced this year.
New rear tyres last month.
Full BMW Service history up until the last service which was done at an independant. 5-6k till next service.
Just passed MOT last week (one advisory - rear indicator bulbs are losing their orange tint).
Taxed until 31st December.
think i'm going to get an RAC inspection done, just to be on the safe side. Costs £160 for a basic inspection and does everything except the bodywork and interior trim (which I can do myself).
Well, I bought it! Pick it up thurs or fri this week Seriously I'm like a kid at Christmas!
Guy was really sound, car even sounder. Absolutely great condition. Guy has obviously looked after it, pretty much everywhere that could be is done with Waxoyl. Brand new rear tyres (255's - better get saving for next ones!) and front ones have about 5mm tread.
Test drove fine, slight squeal from a rear brake under light braking but nothing I shouldn't be able to sort out. Took it over quite a few speed bumps and rough roads, no knocking or any sound from the suspension etc etc. The engine/exhaust sounds amazing, went through a tunnel and gave a quick blip (up to 6k) on the juice pedal, top gear style!
Managed to get him down to £3800, so am going to use the £300 I saved put it towards an inspection 2 at a BMW specialist (Anyone recommend one?), just so I know everything's ok.
Am a very happy camper!
Pics after I collect.
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