Decent BMW for 3-4k E46 330i? E39 530i? Something else?
Discussion
My dad wants a new car and has shortlisted an E46 3 Series (or E39 5er).
In terms of engines, I advised him to do it properly i.e. 3.0 litre petrol straight six. None of that diesel malarky or those povvo 4 cylinder petrols.
He's retiring soon and mileage/mpg are not an issue - it should come as no surprise he wants an auto (non negotiable).
From what I can make out the E46 seems pretty decent from a mechanical point of view. Early ones had subframe issues iirc but only affecting 323/328s. Engine has no major issues though I understand it does like a bit of oil.
Anything in the spec which is essential? - I was thinking leather, climate, xenons and cruise. Anything else (PDC, auto lights/wiper bo11ox etc) is a bonus. I assume nav isn't worth holding out for (regardless, he has a Tom Tom if required).
Saloons - am I correct in thinking that split fold rear seats was an option (and actually quite rare)?
The engine - 231bhp iirc. Was there ever an update/revised version in the E46 or did that not arrive until the E90?
I hear the auto box fitted to these isn't the best - prone to failures (which is surprising to me as IME of BMW autoboxes they've always been solid).
E46 vs E39? What do you chaps reckon.
3-4k to spend btw.
TIA for any advice/experiences.
In terms of engines, I advised him to do it properly i.e. 3.0 litre petrol straight six. None of that diesel malarky or those povvo 4 cylinder petrols.
He's retiring soon and mileage/mpg are not an issue - it should come as no surprise he wants an auto (non negotiable).From what I can make out the E46 seems pretty decent from a mechanical point of view. Early ones had subframe issues iirc but only affecting 323/328s. Engine has no major issues though I understand it does like a bit of oil.
Anything in the spec which is essential? - I was thinking leather, climate, xenons and cruise. Anything else (PDC, auto lights/wiper bo11ox etc) is a bonus. I assume nav isn't worth holding out for (regardless, he has a Tom Tom if required).
Saloons - am I correct in thinking that split fold rear seats was an option (and actually quite rare)?
The engine - 231bhp iirc. Was there ever an update/revised version in the E46 or did that not arrive until the E90?
I hear the auto box fitted to these isn't the best - prone to failures (which is surprising to me as IME of BMW autoboxes they've always been solid).
E46 vs E39? What do you chaps reckon.
3-4k to spend btw.
TIA for any advice/experiences.
g3org3y said:
My dad wants a new car and has shortlisted an E46 3 Series (or E39 5er).
In terms of engines, I advised him to do it properly i.e. 3.0 litre petrol straight six. None of that diesel malarky or those povvo 4 cylinder petrols. He's retiring soon and mileage/mpg are not an issue - it should come as no surprise he wants an auto (non negotiable).
From what I can make out the E46 seems pretty decent from a mechanical point of view. Early ones had subframe issues iirc but only affecting 323/328s. Engine has no major issues though I understand it does like a bit of oil.
Anything in the spec which is essential? - I was thinking leather, climate, xenons and cruise. Anything else (PDC, auto lights/wiper bo11ox etc) is a bonus. I assume nav isn't worth holding out for (regardless, he has a Tom Tom if required).
Saloons - am I correct in thinking that split fold rear seats was an option (and actually quite rare)?
The engine - 231bhp iirc. Was there ever an update/revised version in the E46 or did that not arrive until the E90?
I hear the auto box fitted to these isn't the best - prone to failures (which is surprising to me as IME of BMW autoboxes they've always been solid).
E46 vs E39? What do you chaps reckon.
3-4k to spend btw.
TIA for any advice/experiences.
Got an e39 530 Sport, which I absolutely love driving. Dis try the e60 variant, but it was NOTHING like as good/involving to drive.In terms of engines, I advised him to do it properly i.e. 3.0 litre petrol straight six. None of that diesel malarky or those povvo 4 cylinder petrols.
He's retiring soon and mileage/mpg are not an issue - it should come as no surprise he wants an auto (non negotiable).From what I can make out the E46 seems pretty decent from a mechanical point of view. Early ones had subframe issues iirc but only affecting 323/328s. Engine has no major issues though I understand it does like a bit of oil.
Anything in the spec which is essential? - I was thinking leather, climate, xenons and cruise. Anything else (PDC, auto lights/wiper bo11ox etc) is a bonus. I assume nav isn't worth holding out for (regardless, he has a Tom Tom if required).
Saloons - am I correct in thinking that split fold rear seats was an option (and actually quite rare)?
The engine - 231bhp iirc. Was there ever an update/revised version in the E46 or did that not arrive until the E90?
I hear the auto box fitted to these isn't the best - prone to failures (which is surprising to me as IME of BMW autoboxes they've always been solid).
E46 vs E39? What do you chaps reckon.
3-4k to spend btw.
TIA for any advice/experiences.
I too went straight for the 530 petrol & average 27mpg, but have converted it to LPG a couple of years ago, which has paid for itself several times over now.
Auto wipers are an absolute pain! IMO.
Leather is a must, the sports seats are better than the SE variants.
I haven't seen the split forld seats in any that I tried, or the 523 I had before.
Cruise is a must on modern UK (restricted/road works riddled) motorways.
PDC is handy, but make sure it works otherwise it will be bumper/bumpers off to fix.
Don't do autos, so can't help you there.
CHECK EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC, especially that all warning lights come on & then go off when they should.
Electrical/electronic gremlins are a-plenty and often masked as a reason to sell.
FANTASTIC CAR ALL ROUND when you get one fully working.
Mine is a 2001 & I paid £3k with 88k on the clock with full history in 2010.
As above ^^
E39 530i M Sport is the way to go.
Get a good one, and you will be amazed how well it stacks up, even against some of the new stuff.
A well maintained E39 will eat its miles with no problem, mechanically and cosmetically, so don't be worried about one with a few miles on the clock.
Navigation in cars this age is not worth having, IMHO, and I personally would go for the Auto, as the car suits it well.
E39 530i M Sport is the way to go.
Get a good one, and you will be amazed how well it stacks up, even against some of the new stuff.
A well maintained E39 will eat its miles with no problem, mechanically and cosmetically, so don't be worried about one with a few miles on the clock.
Navigation in cars this age is not worth having, IMHO, and I personally would go for the Auto, as the car suits it well.
Edited by andyeds1234 on Monday 24th November 09:29
I have a 98 E46 328i, owned it for almost 3 years now
It has had zero cooling or subframe issues, but I did have to get the sills sorted for the last MOT. They weren't too bad and it didn't cost too much at a local place, and as far as I am aware it is quite a rare issue. Mine has lived in Scotland all its life (Ayrshire for 11 years...) so that may have something to do with it.
Besides that, various suspension bits which I would class as wear and tear and didn't cost much at all. If you ever suffer the loud bang from the back like someone has thrown a brick in the boot, then that will be the handbrake backplate - again not an expensive fix.
Every manual E46 I have been in has clonked a little from the rear when you lift the clutch sharply, I have been advised by the dealer and a specialist that this is to be expected and not to worry about it.
One thing I will say is make sure you get sports seats! The standard flat ones are crap. They are can be found in some SE models if the original owner has been generous with the option book and obviously standard on Sport models.
Folding rear seats was an option on the saloon, I am yet to see one with them.
Generally fantastic cars, I know a few people that have bought them and not had any real issues to speak of outside routine maintenance. Highly recommended, and they handle bad weather very well with Vredstien Quatrac tyres
It has had zero cooling or subframe issues, but I did have to get the sills sorted for the last MOT. They weren't too bad and it didn't cost too much at a local place, and as far as I am aware it is quite a rare issue. Mine has lived in Scotland all its life (Ayrshire for 11 years...) so that may have something to do with it.
Besides that, various suspension bits which I would class as wear and tear and didn't cost much at all. If you ever suffer the loud bang from the back like someone has thrown a brick in the boot, then that will be the handbrake backplate - again not an expensive fix.
Every manual E46 I have been in has clonked a little from the rear when you lift the clutch sharply, I have been advised by the dealer and a specialist that this is to be expected and not to worry about it.
One thing I will say is make sure you get sports seats! The standard flat ones are crap. They are can be found in some SE models if the original owner has been generous with the option book and obviously standard on Sport models.
Folding rear seats was an option on the saloon, I am yet to see one with them.
Generally fantastic cars, I know a few people that have bought them and not had any real issues to speak of outside routine maintenance. Highly recommended, and they handle bad weather very well with Vredstien Quatrac tyres
I bought an e46 330Ci Clubsport as my first "proper" car, to treat myself to something nice when I moved out of London and could afford to insure something semi-nice.
Bought the car with 117K on the clock, sold it with over 163K on the clock, two years later. Loved every minute. Took it to Denmark, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, even Wales. Spent about £500 in "unexpected" maintenance, most of that in the last two months - had a new starter motor and a new caliper.
Loved it to bits, still miss it. The E46 330s gained a gear in the manuals when they got a facelift, so 2003 onwards is a 6-speed. Great box.
Bought the car with 117K on the clock, sold it with over 163K on the clock, two years later. Loved every minute. Took it to Denmark, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, even Wales. Spent about £500 in "unexpected" maintenance, most of that in the last two months - had a new starter motor and a new caliper.
Loved it to bits, still miss it. The E46 330s gained a gear in the manuals when they got a facelift, so 2003 onwards is a 6-speed. Great box.
I have a 2001 E46 330i auto estate.
Superb car; got it with 45,000 miles and have now done 196,000. Only issues in all those miles was new fuel pump (170,000 miles) and new hedgehog. The rest were all wear and tear items. I am still on the original exhaust.
Car still goes like a train although only down side is average mpg not much above 28-29. I put a litre of oil in about every 5,000 miles.
great handling car with fantastic engine!
Superb car; got it with 45,000 miles and have now done 196,000. Only issues in all those miles was new fuel pump (170,000 miles) and new hedgehog. The rest were all wear and tear items. I am still on the original exhaust.
Car still goes like a train although only down side is average mpg not much above 28-29. I put a litre of oil in about every 5,000 miles.
great handling car with fantastic engine!
g3org3y said:
Saloons - am I correct in thinking that split fold rear seats was an option (and actually quite rare)?
Yes, it is an option - I ordered split/fold rear seats on both the E46 saloons I had - quite rare according to dealer.The E36 328 saloon I had also had folding rear seats - found them quite useful to be honest
Obviously Tourings/Coupes/Compacts get them as a matter of course
ETA - oh and as for the M54 330i, the U.S. got the ZHP spec changes but minimal amount of extra power
Edited by s m on Monday 24th November 19:22
)!andyeds1234 said:
As above ^^
E39 530i M Sport is the way to go.
Get a good one, and you will be amazed how well it stacks up, even against some of the new stuff.
A well maintained E39 will eat its miles with no problem, mechanically and cosmetically, so don't be worried about one with a few miles on the clock.
Navigation in cars this age is not worth having, IMHO, and I personally would go for the Auto, as the car suits it well.
The mkIV satnav in late E39's works fine, with the latest software the maps are up to date and it has full post code entry. Live traffic updates with dynamic routing as well. Auto defo suits these cars better than the clunky manuals the non-M5's got.E39 530i M Sport is the way to go.
Get a good one, and you will be amazed how well it stacks up, even against some of the new stuff.
A well maintained E39 will eat its miles with no problem, mechanically and cosmetically, so don't be worried about one with a few miles on the clock.
Navigation in cars this age is not worth having, IMHO, and I personally would go for the Auto, as the car suits it well.
Edited by andyeds1234 on Monday 24th November 09:29
I love my manual E39 530i, it's no harder to shift than a Porsche 915 gearbox, but I guess I'm just eccentric! They do benefit from ditching the clutch delay valve, which is easy. The absence of slippage and slurry makes the whole thing more interesting, in my experience.
Edited by Lowtimer on Wednesday 3rd December 18:53
Lowtimer said:
I love my manual E39 530i, it's no harder to shift than a Porsche 915 gearbox, but I guess I'm just eccentric! They do benefit from ditching the clutch delay valve, which is easy. The absence of slippage and slurry makes the whole thing more interesting, in my experience.
I'm used to a notchy 257000 mile VW o2A gearbox with a slightly worn syncro on 2nd, the cable shift one that people moaned about even when they were new, but the manual e39 I drove made me feel like I was learning to drive again. Would love to try one with the CDV removed though, can imagine it improves it a lot.Edited by Lowtimer on Wednesday 3rd December 18:53
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