High Milage BMW E46 330i - Risk?
Discussion
g'day all.
looking to sell my car to a local garage and discovered this there... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
always liked the looks of the e46 and ideally need an estate with lugging baby gear everywhere. now I have a baby seat that's about 70cm in depth, and I'm a 6ft driver... will there be enough room for her to be behind me should I need it?
it seems like a high spec'd car, sat nav, auto headlights (can't tell if they're xenon... with the headlight washers? novice on that stuff), harmon kardon speakers, cruise and bluetooth.
now, the milage...130k... that a lot for these cars? are they solid engines?
I had an 04 Z4 2.5 3 years ago, would they share more or less the same engine?
is it a good car for that £3k?
thanks for replies in advance?
looking to sell my car to a local garage and discovered this there... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
always liked the looks of the e46 and ideally need an estate with lugging baby gear everywhere. now I have a baby seat that's about 70cm in depth, and I'm a 6ft driver... will there be enough room for her to be behind me should I need it?
it seems like a high spec'd car, sat nav, auto headlights (can't tell if they're xenon... with the headlight washers? novice on that stuff), harmon kardon speakers, cruise and bluetooth.
now, the milage...130k... that a lot for these cars? are they solid engines?
I had an 04 Z4 2.5 3 years ago, would they share more or less the same engine?
is it a good car for that £3k?
thanks for replies in advance?
130k isn't really too high mileage, buy on condition tbh
Estate is easier for a baby but a normal hatchback is fine, put baby behind passenger if height is an issue, I've got a baby, two teens, two dogs and a Seat Leon atm! I use a Volvo xc70 as well time to time and that is a lot easier though.
Agree on above regarding engine and consumables, having worn (but safe) suspension is fine on a higher milage dull car but on something that is a decent drive it can get frustrating, in that do you want to spend the outlay on fixing it up.
Estate is easier for a baby but a normal hatchback is fine, put baby behind passenger if height is an issue, I've got a baby, two teens, two dogs and a Seat Leon atm! I use a Volvo xc70 as well time to time and that is a lot easier though.
Agree on above regarding engine and consumables, having worn (but safe) suspension is fine on a higher milage dull car but on something that is a decent drive it can get frustrating, in that do you want to spend the outlay on fixing it up.
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Monday 5th October 14:41
As per kambites post.. The engine is likely to go for a long long time if looked after properly
Its all the other stuff that goes weong that will start adding up. Again depends how its been looked after but they can become moneypits as can many old cars. BMW's ime are quite bad for all "those little bits" adding up to big bills.
But then you could buy it and it remain faultless......-added to address the wrath of the BMW fanboys, although this is very unlikely.
Its all the other stuff that goes weong that will start adding up. Again depends how its been looked after but they can become moneypits as can many old cars. BMW's ime are quite bad for all "those little bits" adding up to big bills.
But then you could buy it and it remain faultless......-added to address the wrath of the BMW fanboys, although this is very unlikely.
thanks for the replies... I'll have to see what service history the car has got. I'd have to take it for a test drive. I'd like to think it's sound car. and many people are potentially put off by the high milage and the engine size (remember when people weren't bothered by MPG!!!!)
is it worth browsing any specific bmw forums?
thanks
is it worth browsing any specific bmw forums?
thanks
yeah,
i missed seeing the car in the flesh there when i visited the garage regarding them buying my car off me.
when i was speaking to them about mine, they seem to want to sell well looked after cars... mine has 2 small tears in the drivers seat... they were saying about reparing them... so i'd imagine this sort of care would be taken by the garage on the car,
is one of these diesels too high milage? i've had nothing but trouble on my 09 plate 120d. would an older 06 be better off? i know they're different sizes but just wondering about reliability
i missed seeing the car in the flesh there when i visited the garage regarding them buying my car off me.
when i was speaking to them about mine, they seem to want to sell well looked after cars... mine has 2 small tears in the drivers seat... they were saying about reparing them... so i'd imagine this sort of care would be taken by the garage on the car,
is one of these diesels too high milage? i've had nothing but trouble on my 09 plate 120d. would an older 06 be better off? i know they're different sizes but just wondering about reliability
Edited by KingOfTheRodeo on Monday 5th October 15:46
I've had an e46 325ci for just over a year now, currently on 105k and feels very strong indeed. I've seen them on 230k so 130k shouldn't be a worry - they really do last if looked after well, evidence of decent services and oil changes are key.
As previously mentioned cooling systems need replacing, I've done the radiator and thermostat so far, but it's far easier to do the whole system in one go let me tell you! I've replaced the CCV system (oil breather) as the pipes were hilariously brittle and caused me some air leak issues - parts weren't too expensive but it was an intake manifold off job. They're also pretty heavy on bushes, suspension and brakes so that's something to keep an eye out for and maintain.
I've had a rear facing baby seat in the rear seats of mine, but I had to recline my seat forward a bit to make it fit, not optimum but not too uncomfortable. However mines a coupe so your choice should be more appropriate.
And yes rust! I bought my car completely rust free, was amazed, a bit of a rarity. Forward a year and a front arch is bubbling, not major but certainly an annoyance.
As previously mentioned cooling systems need replacing, I've done the radiator and thermostat so far, but it's far easier to do the whole system in one go let me tell you! I've replaced the CCV system (oil breather) as the pipes were hilariously brittle and caused me some air leak issues - parts weren't too expensive but it was an intake manifold off job. They're also pretty heavy on bushes, suspension and brakes so that's something to keep an eye out for and maintain.
I've had a rear facing baby seat in the rear seats of mine, but I had to recline my seat forward a bit to make it fit, not optimum but not too uncomfortable. However mines a coupe so your choice should be more appropriate.
And yes rust! I bought my car completely rust free, was amazed, a bit of a rarity. Forward a year and a front arch is bubbling, not major but certainly an annoyance.
Edited by AM7 on Monday 5th October 17:34
Check the rear subframe? I thought it was the 330 that was prone to it failing. I've seen a lot advertised as 'reinforced'
I've just picked up a 323i with 85k on for £725. It's a stupid amount of car for the money. Thirsty with the slush box but comfy and quiet. Had to fix the very common rear lamp bulb failure warning, but it's a five minute fix with some wire strippers and an o ring connector. It'll be getting a full oil and filter change this month and I'll also be doing the plugs. As with any car just check the history and go for a lengthy run. Best of luck.
I've just picked up a 323i with 85k on for £725. It's a stupid amount of car for the money. Thirsty with the slush box but comfy and quiet. Had to fix the very common rear lamp bulb failure warning, but it's a five minute fix with some wire strippers and an o ring connector. It'll be getting a full oil and filter change this month and I'll also be doing the plugs. As with any car just check the history and go for a lengthy run. Best of luck.
130k is not much for these provided its been cared for - I'd check for the dreaded rattly vanos system and raucous timing chain noise. I've also had a few which have needed water pumps - generally not changed as frequnetly as some cars as they run a chain and are not periodically changed like on a car with a cambelt - they whir and whine at idle usually - I'd also check under the oil cap for carbon deposits as a lot of these have been run on crappy or the wrong grade of oil.
Purely anecdotal, but this has been my experience taking an '04 320d touring from 100k to 187k:
Front trailing arm bushes failed at about 110k
Brake pipes started going around 150k / 8/9 years old.
One (original I think) shock failed at 180k, replaced them all, w/ new from trailing arms and top hats.
Drop links replaced twice.
Front brake shields rusted to bits and started rattling. Cut them off.
Rear wiper seized, just removed it.
Wheelarches looking quite frilly.
Handbrake drums (inside the disk) rusted apart and needed fully rebuilt.
Rear bushes all original AFAIK, not noisy. Much.
Only cooling system maintenance has been ONE slight top up in 87k.
Maybe only relative to the 320d:
DMF probably dying, but it might just be the driveshaft guibo.
Crankshaft damper broke at about 155k.
Swirl flaps and turbo haven't gone pop, despite mostly doing 18k services.
Not bad considering, but not perfect. And yes I'm a terrible owner who doesn't give it the care such a high quality piece of German engineering (lol) deserves.
Front trailing arm bushes failed at about 110k
Brake pipes started going around 150k / 8/9 years old.
One (original I think) shock failed at 180k, replaced them all, w/ new from trailing arms and top hats.
Drop links replaced twice.
Front brake shields rusted to bits and started rattling. Cut them off.
Rear wiper seized, just removed it.
Wheelarches looking quite frilly.
Handbrake drums (inside the disk) rusted apart and needed fully rebuilt.
Rear bushes all original AFAIK, not noisy. Much.
Only cooling system maintenance has been ONE slight top up in 87k.
Maybe only relative to the 320d:
DMF probably dying, but it might just be the driveshaft guibo.
Crankshaft damper broke at about 155k.
Swirl flaps and turbo haven't gone pop, despite mostly doing 18k services.
Not bad considering, but not perfect. And yes I'm a terrible owner who doesn't give it the care such a high quality piece of German engineering (lol) deserves.
KingOfTheRodeo said:
fired off an email to the seller asking questions around service etc. and if anything has been replaced such as the water pump.
how easy are after market stereos to pop in? was thinking of popping in an android system? any users out there of such a thing?
From memory the stereo was a headache to replace in mine, there are DIY guides out there for this but i personally wouldn't bother how easy are after market stereos to pop in? was thinking of popping in an android system? any users out there of such a thing?
Its worth noting the 330 is famous for using ALOT of oil, some aren't too bad but mine would use 1L around every 800 miles and a friend at a local indy garage said that was pretty common for that engine
I don't think they are any more of a risk than most cars of that age and the parts are reasonably priced in general.
I picked up a 330ci last year for £1600 as a winter runabout with 148k on the clock, and apart from brakes which I knew needed doing all its needed are a pair of wishbone rear bushes, a crack in the manifold welding up and tyres and a service.
Owes me just over 2k now and it drives faultlessly. I like it so much decided to keep it!
Just check for the known issues such as the cooling system and take a test drive, any issues should be obvious.
I picked up a 330ci last year for £1600 as a winter runabout with 148k on the clock, and apart from brakes which I knew needed doing all its needed are a pair of wishbone rear bushes, a crack in the manifold welding up and tyres and a service.
Owes me just over 2k now and it drives faultlessly. I like it so much decided to keep it!
Just check for the known issues such as the cooling system and take a test drive, any issues should be obvious.
Ah great.
Thanks for the replies...
Whilst browsing auto trader just come across this...http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508256340282
Very low milage! Tempting.... better or on par with thr e46?
The e46 does seem to have more toys. And a bit faster. But the e39 is 2 years older and done 50k miles less.
But with it doing 50k less miles... does that potentially mean big bills are coming?
How big are the bills you guys have had for your 3's? Are they costly or easy jobs to do by yourself?
Thanks for the replies...
Whilst browsing auto trader just come across this...http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508256340282
Very low milage! Tempting.... better or on par with thr e46?
The e46 does seem to have more toys. And a bit faster. But the e39 is 2 years older and done 50k miles less.
But with it doing 50k less miles... does that potentially mean big bills are coming?
How big are the bills you guys have had for your 3's? Are they costly or easy jobs to do by yourself?
Edited by KingOfTheRodeo on Monday 5th October 21:53
KingOfTheRodeo said:
Ah great.
Thanks for the replies...
Whilst browsing auto trader just come across this...http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508256340282
Very low milage! Tempting.... better or on par with thr e46?
The e46 does seem to have more toys. And a bit faster. But the e39 is 2 years older and done 50k miles less.
But with it doing 50k less miles... does that potentially mean big bills are coming?
How big are the bills you guys have had for your 3's? Are they costly or easy jobs to do by yourself?
it depends what you want, quite a few bmw fans would argue the e39 is the best 'normal' bmw ever made and the general opinion seems to be it will be better screwed together, more comfy and more pratical than the e46. However that one will be a fair bit slower than a manual 330 and the e46 is a good car in its own right.Thanks for the replies...
Whilst browsing auto trader just come across this...http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508256340282
Very low milage! Tempting.... better or on par with thr e46?
The e46 does seem to have more toys. And a bit faster. But the e39 is 2 years older and done 50k miles less.
But with it doing 50k less miles... does that potentially mean big bills are coming?
How big are the bills you guys have had for your 3's? Are they costly or easy jobs to do by yourself?
Edited by KingOfTheRodeo on Monday 5th October 21:53
for bills i no longer have the car and history but off the top of my head the cooling system overhaul was <£500, front discs were reasonable as was the powerflex bushes but i replaced all of them. The main thing i was forever buying was engine oil but i got my old 330ci on 75k miles and got rid of it just over 105k and it felt like a car that would just keep going
Are the 3 series better handling machines... Due to their size?
The 5 does seem understated. Personally I find both model look good... Although the 3 does have nicer headlight clusters and the sport body kit complements the car well
Odd that I find the estate in the 3 better looking than the saloon and the 5 better looking as a saloon.
Do all 3 estates have split folding rear seats?
Would a 3 be more practical for family life due to being an estate?
The 5 does seem understated. Personally I find both model look good... Although the 3 does have nicer headlight clusters and the sport body kit complements the car well
Odd that I find the estate in the 3 better looking than the saloon and the 5 better looking as a saloon.
Do all 3 estates have split folding rear seats?
Would a 3 be more practical for family life due to being an estate?
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