BMW 316 compact - what to look for?
Discussion
Apologies if this has been covered before, but my son fancies one of these as his first car. I never had a BMW before so would love to know what to look out for if we go and see one.
I'm assuming it will have a timing chain rather than a cam belt, but do these need changing at any point?
Any obvious things to check with this model?
There is a nice looking one not too far from us with 80,000 miles for not a lot of money. But there seem to be plenty of them on ebay with "issues" so any help gratefully received
I'm assuming it will have a timing chain rather than a cam belt, but do these need changing at any point?
Any obvious things to check with this model?
There is a nice looking one not too far from us with 80,000 miles for not a lot of money. But there seem to be plenty of them on ebay with "issues" so any help gratefully received
You don't specify the model, but if it is the E46 (2001 to 2005) I am now on my second one of those - earlier ones are the E36 which I have no experience of.
Anyway, yes all the E46's have a camchain so no need for scheduled replacement and I haven't read of any horror stories.
My first was a 320 diesel, my current one is a 325 straight 6 petrol so I cannot help with engine specifics but like all E46's they can suffer from broken springs and the metal sections of brake pipes do corrode, but they seem to suffer less body corrosion problems (especially wheelarches) than E46 saloons and estates.
Oh and check whether the rear wiper works. The washer jets are on the wiper arm so if the jets get blocked water tends to run into the motor casing which has no drain holes so it wrecks the motor. Some have fixed them but I seem to recall a new motor is about £120. Not serious but a haggling point maybe.
Both of mine also had the storage pack which means the parcel shelf in the boot has a lid and a compartment inside,plus the hatch should open itself when you press the right button on the remote key (current one doesn't because previous owner had new struts fitted from Euro Car Parts but they are the wrong ones). Useful but not crucial!
Spec varies as well - base models had no air-con, ES had manual and SE and Sport have climate. SE and Sport also have heated door mirrors and electric pop-out rear windows. Normal seats are OK but the ones in Sport models have side bolsters and are much better.
There was also a facelift in 2003 - earlier models have clear rear light lenses, later have red / amber ones but more significant is post facelift models got a 6 speed gearbox which is better if many motorway miles are planned.
There are loads of options too - electric sunroof, leather trim, Xenon headlights, headlight washers, electric memory seats, auto lights, rain sensor wipers, Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), and various wheel styles and sizes. Some are more useful than others but it helps to know what to look for - i.e. if one had TPWS you could use Runflat tyres which might be a good thing for anyone who doesn't fancy putting a Space Saver on the driver side on a motorway in the snow! (Like me).
Good luck with the search!
Anyway, yes all the E46's have a camchain so no need for scheduled replacement and I haven't read of any horror stories.
My first was a 320 diesel, my current one is a 325 straight 6 petrol so I cannot help with engine specifics but like all E46's they can suffer from broken springs and the metal sections of brake pipes do corrode, but they seem to suffer less body corrosion problems (especially wheelarches) than E46 saloons and estates.
Oh and check whether the rear wiper works. The washer jets are on the wiper arm so if the jets get blocked water tends to run into the motor casing which has no drain holes so it wrecks the motor. Some have fixed them but I seem to recall a new motor is about £120. Not serious but a haggling point maybe.
Both of mine also had the storage pack which means the parcel shelf in the boot has a lid and a compartment inside,plus the hatch should open itself when you press the right button on the remote key (current one doesn't because previous owner had new struts fitted from Euro Car Parts but they are the wrong ones). Useful but not crucial!
Spec varies as well - base models had no air-con, ES had manual and SE and Sport have climate. SE and Sport also have heated door mirrors and electric pop-out rear windows. Normal seats are OK but the ones in Sport models have side bolsters and are much better.
There was also a facelift in 2003 - earlier models have clear rear light lenses, later have red / amber ones but more significant is post facelift models got a 6 speed gearbox which is better if many motorway miles are planned.
There are loads of options too - electric sunroof, leather trim, Xenon headlights, headlight washers, electric memory seats, auto lights, rain sensor wipers, Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), and various wheel styles and sizes. Some are more useful than others but it helps to know what to look for - i.e. if one had TPWS you could use Runflat tyres which might be a good thing for anyone who doesn't fancy putting a Space Saver on the driver side on a motorway in the snow! (Like me).
Good luck with the search!
Edited by Mr Tidy on Thursday 29th January 02:43
Mr Tidy said:
Thanks Leins - didn't know the 316 never got a 6 speed, but you learn something every day.
325Ti is my second favourite BMW so far - favourite is my Z4 Coupe!
Looking at your car history Mr Tidy it is similar to mine - I should probably try a Z4 coupe if your 2nd favourite is your ti!325Ti is my second favourite BMW so far - favourite is my Z4 Coupe!
I'm thinking of a 125i 6-cylinder ( or perhaps a 135 coupe ) next to replace my 2.5ti Sport ....but the 5-seats are very handy at the moment
I have an e36 316 compact wicked car just has a particularly weak cooling system that will need an overhaul at about 70k. Not sure if this followed onto e46 though. Not a terribly expensive problem if done preventativly. Also, older compacts do develop some superb oil leaks, again not serious just be aware if you have one!
Don't bother with the 316Ti, it's fartless and is no cheaper or more economical than the much better 318Ti. However they all have the N42 engine (similar N46 from 2004) and there are plenty of problems with those - timing chain and tensioners, crank and cam sensors, Vanos units, VVT motors, eccentric shafts. Nice car, nasty engine. They're a load of crap to be honest and you're better off with a Mark 4 Golf. If you must have a Compact, a 325Ti is the way to go if the mpg isn't a problem. If you can finds one that's any good, a later E36 318Ti is a much better bet. A nice V-X plate one with sub 100k shouldn't be much more than a grand and the M44 engine is as tough as old boots. They are getting old though and most are heaps now.
s m said:
Looking at your car history Mr Tidy it is similar to mine - I should probably try a Z4 coupe if your 2nd favourite is your ti!
I'm thinking of a 125i 6-cylinder ( or perhaps a 135 coupe ) next to replace my 2.5ti Sport ....but the 5-seats are very handy at the moment
Yes, but if you try one you might want it and 2 seaters do have limitations (can be in a good way when you don't want to be the nominated driver)!I'm thinking of a 125i 6-cylinder ( or perhaps a 135 coupe ) next to replace my 2.5ti Sport ....but the 5-seats are very handy at the moment
I did half-wonder about a 330i coupe as an all-rounder - the early ones had the same N52 engine as the Z4C. Later ones have the N54 like the 125i, which has had some less than great reviews regarding coking up, high-pressure fuel pump and injector issues. But I have always liked the look of the Z4 Coupe and once I drove one my mind was made up!
By the way I am pretty sure 1 Series Coupe's only have 2 rear belts so if you need a 5th seat a 125i won't work!
Another option is a 130i hatch - most owners seem to be very pleased with them. I had just had a 123d for 6 and a half years so that option didn't appeal to me!
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
Looking at your car history Mr Tidy it is similar to mine - I should probably try a Z4 coupe if your 2nd favourite is your ti!
I'm thinking of a 125i 6-cylinder ( or perhaps a 135 coupe ) next to replace my 2.5ti Sport ....but the 5-seats are very handy at the moment
Yes, but if you try one you might want it and 2 seaters do have limitations (can be in a good way when you don't want to be the nominated driver)!I'm thinking of a 125i 6-cylinder ( or perhaps a 135 coupe ) next to replace my 2.5ti Sport ....but the 5-seats are very handy at the moment
I did half-wonder about a 330i coupe as an all-rounder - the early ones had the same N52 engine as the Z4C. Later ones have the N54 like the 125i, which has had some less than great reviews regarding coking up, high-pressure fuel pump and injector issues. But I have always liked the look of the Z4 Coupe and once I drove one my mind was made up!
By the way I am pretty sure 1 Series Coupe's only have 2 rear belts so if you need a 5th seat a 125i won't work!
Another option is a 130i hatch - most owners seem to be very pleased with them. I had just had a 123d for 6 and a half years so that option didn't appeal to me!
Never really liked the 130i shape - the engine is nice but prefer it in the coop so that's my future plan.
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