Early E46

[azt3c]

I'm thinking of buying an early 00's E46 318, for my first dabble into German territory. All the models I've seen are circa £2k, around the 80+k mileage mark. Is there anything to watch out for?

I know buying a cheap BMW never ends well in maintenance costs, but it is really that bad, even FSH etc? What sort of consumables tend to need replacing?

Over to you, folks.

[jay85]

I've got a 51 plate 318i its great, does everything I want. Mines got the 2.0 16v engine, I think earlier ones had a 1.9 8v which aren't as economical or as powerful so try and get the 2.0 if you can.

Other than that just make sure its been looked after and has service history and you should be OK. They only problem I had with mine is a broken window regulator clip. Managed to get replacement on ebay for a bout a fiver.

Also check the brake pipes where they join to the rear brakes mine were corroded so had to get them replaced.

[bazking69]

Front suspension usually needs refreshing around that sort of mileage.

[azt3c]

jay85 said:

I've got a 51 plate 318i its great, does everything I want. Mines got the 2.0 16v engine, I think earlier ones had a 1.9 8v which aren't as economical or as powerful so try and get the 2.0 if you can.

Other than that just make sure its been looked after and has service history and you should be OK. They only problem I had with mine is a broken window regulator clip. Managed to get replacement on ebay for a bout a fiver.

Also check the brake pipes where they join to the rear brakes mine were corroded so had to get them replaced.

Insurance want £500 more for a post-facelift!

[W41RU5]

Great cars if you look after them okay, I've got a 99' E46 319i saloon its quite slow for a 1.9 petrol but still got enough power to get up to motorway speeds fairly quickly. Check temperature goes up quick and stays on the 12:00 mark and that the fan kicks in when it gets warm, front wishbones will probably be on their way out by 80K but they aren't too expensive to replace. For the money its a lot of car and looks like its worth more then it is! Dont pay over 2K for one though they can be found for quite cheap even in V good condition.

Cant advise on service history etc as I bought mine with non at all! Only problems i've had with it have been self inflicted other then that just servicing which I do myself so not expensive

[blondini]

W41RU5 said:

I've got a 99' E46 319i saloon its quite slow for a 1.9 petrol...

There was never a model badged 319, you mean a 316? I had one as my first e46 and I loved it but I think the kindest thing I could say about the performance of the 1.9 motor is that it lacked urgency.

[E38Ross]

£2k for a 318i from 2000? for an extra few hundred £ you can get a 728i......

[W41RU5]

oops I meant 318i (my dodgy typing), underpowered is an understatement haha extremely slow would be the truth.. Can still get some slight sideways action with an aggressive clutch kick

[sparks_E39]

Cooling system. £2000 will buy a mint E36/E39 by the way