Thinking of buying e46
Discussion
Hi
I currently drive a Citroen C4 which I have put 50k on since new. No reliability problems but I really fancy something a bit faster and more fun to drive.
I currently do approx 15-20k per annum so whatever I buy needs to be reliable. Have been reading these forums for a while and decided upon an E46 coupe, preferably a 330 petrol (have not completely discounted a diesel but worries over reliability and enjoyment put me off slightly)
Recently purchased a copy of BMW magazine and read an article about buying a 330i and they seemed to imply you would not want to pay much over 10k for one. However I have been looking around and there does not seem much for under that around assuming I don't want a fairly old or high mileage one. Am I likely to have major problems by going for say a 2001 car with 80k on it? Looking around can pick something like this up for about 7k. Going for say a 2005 lower mileage car and you seem to be looking at 13k or more which seems a bit pricey.
Also am a bit concerned that many of the models have autos. Firstly I have never driven an auto and secondly have heard they can fail around the 120k to 150k mark?
Just to give an idea of a couple I have looked at
http://www.jamespaul.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?new...
http://www.lillyandconstable.com/stock.php?notMake...
Guess what I am really asking is giving my mileage is it worth buying something newer, lower mileage and paying a premium or buy something older and save a bit in case something goes wrong.
I currently drive a Citroen C4 which I have put 50k on since new. No reliability problems but I really fancy something a bit faster and more fun to drive.
I currently do approx 15-20k per annum so whatever I buy needs to be reliable. Have been reading these forums for a while and decided upon an E46 coupe, preferably a 330 petrol (have not completely discounted a diesel but worries over reliability and enjoyment put me off slightly)
Recently purchased a copy of BMW magazine and read an article about buying a 330i and they seemed to imply you would not want to pay much over 10k for one. However I have been looking around and there does not seem much for under that around assuming I don't want a fairly old or high mileage one. Am I likely to have major problems by going for say a 2001 car with 80k on it? Looking around can pick something like this up for about 7k. Going for say a 2005 lower mileage car and you seem to be looking at 13k or more which seems a bit pricey.
Also am a bit concerned that many of the models have autos. Firstly I have never driven an auto and secondly have heard they can fail around the 120k to 150k mark?
Just to give an idea of a couple I have looked at
http://www.jamespaul.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?new...
http://www.lillyandconstable.com/stock.php?notMake...
Guess what I am really asking is giving my mileage is it worth buying something newer, lower mileage and paying a premium or buy something older and save a bit in case something goes wrong.
Edited by alex789 on Friday 13th March 19:59
I'm clueless. I've just bought a leggy 330Ci Sport auto with 108k on it expecting it to see c. 130k in two years. One-owner, FBMWSH and in pretty good nick. Even if something major-ish goes like the auto 'box I'm assuming/hoping it's not going to be more than a couple of grand to sort it. It's not the end of the world. If you expect it to be perfect you will be disappointed. Expect/plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Please - I dont want to know if it's significantly more thanks.
Please - I dont want to know if it's significantly more thanks.
My E46 was my first diesel (330) and I was very impressed with it, and with the miles you do, maybe try one, or a 320d.
L&C car is lower spec - 17s, cassette prob, SE (less supportive) seats - as well as being older. Auto? Can't quite see, think so.
Try a few and see what deals you can get. Could vary a lot. Good luck, suspect you won't regret it.
L&C car is lower spec - 17s, cassette prob, SE (less supportive) seats - as well as being older. Auto? Can't quite see, think so.
Try a few and see what deals you can get. Could vary a lot. Good luck, suspect you won't regret it.
I've got a 2001 330ci sport with 86k miles that I am about to put up for sale. In the 3.5 years I've owned it the only things that have gone wrong are a camshaft sensor and a thermostat, which appear to be common problems on the E46. They certainly seem to go on for many miles more than that, there's plenty of examples on autotrader with 100+k miles.
As for the two you have linked to, the older one is a SE spec, these typically sell for around £1000 less than the equivilent age and milage sport models. Personnally having driven both, I'd pay the premium for the seats alone.
As for the two you have linked to, the older one is a SE spec, these typically sell for around £1000 less than the equivilent age and milage sport models. Personnally having driven both, I'd pay the premium for the seats alone.
I just bought a 103k near-immaculate 330Ci M Sport (51 plate) with a huge spec for £5.3k, so that gives you an idea of what you can get. Admittedly, I missed out on a couple before this one turned up, but good deals are still out there.
of course, my father (in the trade) reckons it should have cost no more than £3k. But then he's a bit out of touch with the reality of the used BMW market...
of course, my father (in the trade) reckons it should have cost no more than £3k. But then he's a bit out of touch with the reality of the used BMW market...
Recently purchased a 55 plate 330 m sport convertible, pretty much fully loaded for 16K, was up for 18K but main dealer dropped price by 2K due to general lack of movement of cars off their site. I do have the magic main dealer warranty for 12 months so may have paid over the odds but a nice to have, plus main dealer service history, the stealer orginally sold the car to the first owner who had recently part exchanged in.
Naturally the car is as straight as, although the wife seems determined to put her moniker on each of the alloy rim's with her kerb signage!
Naturally the car is as straight as, although the wife seems determined to put her moniker on each of the alloy rim's with her kerb signage!
Edited by Romanymagic on Saturday 28th March 23:55
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