E46 330 with 100k+
Discussion
Having been looking at these recently and they seem to offer excellent value.
Assuming FSH, what (if any) are the risks in purchasing one that's covered over 100K? Lots of examples in the classifieds e.g.:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4070354.htm
Assuming FSH, what (if any) are the risks in purchasing one that's covered over 100K? Lots of examples in the classifieds e.g.:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4070354.htm
i was asking this question too a few weeks ago as friend is looking at buying one, here is a good reply i got from an owner
What to look out for..
E46's are sensitive to tyre mixing so check out what makes of tyres are cross axle and front to back, check for irregular wear, one thats been looked after should have some history of a four wheel alignment, especially if its had suspension components replaced.
Rusty front wings. Very common for the E46 especially around this age, they rust from the inside around the edge of the wheel arch and at the bottom where the wing meets the sill. They Are bolt on so relatively easy to change.
Suspension bushes wear, front and back. Irregular tyre wear due to components being replaced but alignment not being checked and adjusted.
Check the cooling system, radiators can slump in the middle with age and will need replaced if that's happened. Expansion tanks can split. Around the 100,000 mile Mark I would recommend changing the thermostat and water pump as a precaution.
Rear springs can crack. Check the height of the car make sure it's level at both sides.
Assuming it's on the original wheels check where the spokes meet the outer rim. They can crack with age here.
Check that the spare key operates the central locking and starts the car, replacement keys are over £100, ther are DIY fixes for them if its just the battery but still a bargaining tool.
Also on start up make sure all the warning light on the dash illuminate, DSC (traction control) ABS etc as a favourite trick of some untrustworthy people is to remove the bulbs if there is an issue rather than deal with a more expensive problem like a sensor replacement etc.. If the lights don't illuminate its an MOT failure.
Check the Air con system is running,there is no fluctuation in the fan and it changes speed as you adjust it, if not the final stage resistor is on it's way out. It's about £70 for the part and is a relatively easy DIY.
Please don't let this put you off, they don't all suffer from all the faults but these are the common ones.
Good luck.
What to look out for..
E46's are sensitive to tyre mixing so check out what makes of tyres are cross axle and front to back, check for irregular wear, one thats been looked after should have some history of a four wheel alignment, especially if its had suspension components replaced.
Rusty front wings. Very common for the E46 especially around this age, they rust from the inside around the edge of the wheel arch and at the bottom where the wing meets the sill. They Are bolt on so relatively easy to change.
Suspension bushes wear, front and back. Irregular tyre wear due to components being replaced but alignment not being checked and adjusted.
Check the cooling system, radiators can slump in the middle with age and will need replaced if that's happened. Expansion tanks can split. Around the 100,000 mile Mark I would recommend changing the thermostat and water pump as a precaution.
Rear springs can crack. Check the height of the car make sure it's level at both sides.
Assuming it's on the original wheels check where the spokes meet the outer rim. They can crack with age here.
Check that the spare key operates the central locking and starts the car, replacement keys are over £100, ther are DIY fixes for them if its just the battery but still a bargaining tool.
Also on start up make sure all the warning light on the dash illuminate, DSC (traction control) ABS etc as a favourite trick of some untrustworthy people is to remove the bulbs if there is an issue rather than deal with a more expensive problem like a sensor replacement etc.. If the lights don't illuminate its an MOT failure.
Check the Air con system is running,there is no fluctuation in the fan and it changes speed as you adjust it, if not the final stage resistor is on it's way out. It's about £70 for the part and is a relatively easy DIY.
Please don't let this put you off, they don't all suffer from all the faults but these are the common ones.
Good luck.
Steebo pretty much nailed it there ^
These are notorious for chewing up their bushes. Make sure you test drive one and check that the steering doesn't have a jiggle to it when going over slight bumps in the road or underbraking. This is most commonly down to the rear bushes on the front wishbones (Cheap and easy to change) but it can also be down to a few other things such as ARB bushes, tyres, steering couplers, wishbones, ball joints, steering rack etc. I've seen people on e46zone.com spent £££ replacing things because they aren't sure what is causing the jiggle.
However as steebo said don't let that put you off...
I spent £400 changing little things on mine, however I sold it again for £900 more than I paid due to it being a now mint car.
Good luck, great cars!
These are notorious for chewing up their bushes. Make sure you test drive one and check that the steering doesn't have a jiggle to it when going over slight bumps in the road or underbraking. This is most commonly down to the rear bushes on the front wishbones (Cheap and easy to change) but it can also be down to a few other things such as ARB bushes, tyres, steering couplers, wishbones, ball joints, steering rack etc. I've seen people on e46zone.com spent £££ replacing things because they aren't sure what is causing the jiggle.
However as steebo said don't let that put you off...
I spent £400 changing little things on mine, however I sold it again for £900 more than I paid due to it being a now mint car.
Good luck, great cars!
Been looking at the linked car myself.. Just waiting to sell the Celica and I'll have one of these myself, not typical for BM but as said one hell of a car for the money.
To add, I've read up that the exhaust has a valve in the rear that's supposed to quieten it down below X amount of revs. It's almost always seized and normally seizes shut. Easily enough fixed and results are favorable. Hope you find a good one, plenty about in the classifieds atm, even a nice black Compact
To add, I've read up that the exhaust has a valve in the rear that's supposed to quieten it down below X amount of revs. It's almost always seized and normally seizes shut. Easily enough fixed and results are favorable. Hope you find a good one, plenty about in the classifieds atm, even a nice black Compact
Bought my e46 330i Sport Auto (saloon) back in April with 123k on the clock and it's now on 134k. First expence was a new fuel pump (it was occasionaly noisy, then one day she failed to start). New one was £300-odd. Then all new disks/pads all round......£600. So, parts aren't cheap, so don't run it on a tiny budget.
I've had the DSC/Brake warning lights on temporarily recently......likely to be wheel speed sensors, but they've the lights have gone off now so replacement can wait.
I'm getting an average 29mpg, too, although that's mainly motorway miles.
BUT, it's such a nice car to drive
I've had the DSC/Brake warning lights on temporarily recently......likely to be wheel speed sensors, but they've the lights have gone off now so replacement can wait.
I'm getting an average 29mpg, too, although that's mainly motorway miles.
BUT, it's such a nice car to drive
Twin Turbo said:
Bought my e46 330i Sport Auto (saloon) back in April with 123k on the clock and it's now on 134k. First expence was a new fuel pump (it was occasionaly noisy, then one day she failed to start). New one was £300-odd. Then all new disks/pads all round......£600. So, parts aren't cheap, so don't run it on a tiny budget.
I've had the DSC/Brake warning lights on temporarily recently......likely to be wheel speed sensors, but they've the lights have gone off now so replacement can wait.
I'm getting an average 29mpg, too, although that's mainly motorway miles.
BUT, it's such a nice car to drive
I am totaly agree with your car looks fantastic ! Have nice drives I've had the DSC/Brake warning lights on temporarily recently......likely to be wheel speed sensors, but they've the lights have gone off now so replacement can wait.
I'm getting an average 29mpg, too, although that's mainly motorway miles.
BUT, it's such a nice car to drive
There's a lot of good indy's in and around the London area (based on your profile location) so a bit of research and you should be fine. It wouldn't hurt taking a mechanic or someone with a bit of nouse on engine matters to give it the once over.
Sytner's auction site had a 52 plate convertible that sold for a coupla hundred quid more than the one you're looking at, that one had 98k on the clock and was in relatively good nick but at that age did need a bit of tidying up.
With regards to the cars in general though, i'm a big beemer fan and can't fault them at all.
Sytner's auction site had a 52 plate convertible that sold for a coupla hundred quid more than the one you're looking at, that one had 98k on the clock and was in relatively good nick but at that age did need a bit of tidying up.
With regards to the cars in general though, i'm a big beemer fan and can't fault them at all.
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