Budgeting & reliability with a used car (E46 330d)
Discussion
I'm currently looking at changing car to a jack of all trades - I need a family wagon (for two adults three kids and an ever-growing dog) that I can also use for my daily 100 mile round trip motorway commute, and I've set my sights on the E46 330d Touring (manual 6-speed with the later engine, black, facelift, preferably M-sport) as the best tool for the job as I find it quite a handsome beast that's rapid and apparently a bit chuckable too while still returning 40mpg.
Now I currently run an MG ZT 2.0 diesel which has just thrown me a several hundred pound bill, these things happen. Luckily I had the dosh to fund it, but on another day I may not have and this leaves me a little anxious at the prospect of moving up to a more "premium" car. I've decided I want to be more prepared this time round and not have any surprise bills if I can help it. I understand aftermarket warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on, so here's my plan:
Buy a car at the cheaper end of the market (£2500 ish) based purely on condition - I'll be putting tons of miles on anyway so no point striving for low mileage. Service history a plus. Swirl flap delete a plus. Keep back £500 as an emergency fund - enough to cover "normal" issues or a decent chunk toward turbo failure or similar.
I've bought cars before from a dealer or higher up the price range before for peace of mind, and in my experience they self destruct just as much as a cheaper one, so I may as well buy a cheap one and keep some of the budget for a repair rather than blowing it all on the car and having nothing spare when the left filangey lunches itself.
I was also thinking about getting the car inspected, serviced and MOTd immediately after buying assuming it hasn't already got very recent history of those three, but maybe this is overkill - thoughts? It would affect my budget (or require more time in advance saving up). The MG has just been off the road for a week unexpectedly and it's caused havoc with getting to work - I'd rather know about something on the way out before it's an issue and have time to sort out a garage with a courtesy car or something. But will a mechanic actually spot anything on the way out (but hasn't actually failed yet) that I wouldn't have noticed myself just from the feel on the road? I'm not convinced.
I anticipate modifying the car so certain mechanical failures I'd be happy covering under the modification budget - eg bushes and springs/dampers - obviously I could use that budget for the car purchase instead, but modification is all part of the fun for me and besides the mod budget is spread out over time, not required upfront.
I do reserve the right to ignore anyone who says I'm a nutter and can't afford to run the car, you know what it's like when you set your heart on something
Now I currently run an MG ZT 2.0 diesel which has just thrown me a several hundred pound bill, these things happen. Luckily I had the dosh to fund it, but on another day I may not have and this leaves me a little anxious at the prospect of moving up to a more "premium" car. I've decided I want to be more prepared this time round and not have any surprise bills if I can help it. I understand aftermarket warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on, so here's my plan:
Buy a car at the cheaper end of the market (£2500 ish) based purely on condition - I'll be putting tons of miles on anyway so no point striving for low mileage. Service history a plus. Swirl flap delete a plus. Keep back £500 as an emergency fund - enough to cover "normal" issues or a decent chunk toward turbo failure or similar.
I've bought cars before from a dealer or higher up the price range before for peace of mind, and in my experience they self destruct just as much as a cheaper one, so I may as well buy a cheap one and keep some of the budget for a repair rather than blowing it all on the car and having nothing spare when the left filangey lunches itself.
I was also thinking about getting the car inspected, serviced and MOTd immediately after buying assuming it hasn't already got very recent history of those three, but maybe this is overkill - thoughts? It would affect my budget (or require more time in advance saving up). The MG has just been off the road for a week unexpectedly and it's caused havoc with getting to work - I'd rather know about something on the way out before it's an issue and have time to sort out a garage with a courtesy car or something. But will a mechanic actually spot anything on the way out (but hasn't actually failed yet) that I wouldn't have noticed myself just from the feel on the road? I'm not convinced.
I anticipate modifying the car so certain mechanical failures I'd be happy covering under the modification budget - eg bushes and springs/dampers - obviously I could use that budget for the car purchase instead, but modification is all part of the fun for me and besides the mod budget is spread out over time, not required upfront.
I do reserve the right to ignore anyone who says I'm a nutter and can't afford to run the car, you know what it's like when you set your heart on something
Edited by OwenK on Wednesday 8th October 08:44
Edited by OwenK on Wednesday 8th October 08:51
Have you all tried to get in one yet?
Depending on the age of the kids and the size of the dog the E46 may be a tight squeeze (queue the "I've been camping for 2 weeks in a E46 with 3 kids all in car seats plus a labrador and we didn't even need a roofbox" type posts).
They are not the most spacious cars and if your kids are anything like mine they like to spread out in the car.
Depending on the age of the kids and the size of the dog the E46 may be a tight squeeze (queue the "I've been camping for 2 weeks in a E46 with 3 kids all in car seats plus a labrador and we didn't even need a roofbox" type posts).
They are not the most spacious cars and if your kids are anything like mine they like to spread out in the car.
No I haven't tried it yet, although I'm hoping it'll be the same or better as my ZT (Parkers review gives the impression the E46 is a little roomier). The kids are 4-6 and all on boosters.
Although to be honest as long as it's not drastically worse I'll still do it, I don't like any of the bigger cars in budget, have wanted an E46 for ages and it's only me on my own in the car 95% of the time anyway.
Although to be honest as long as it's not drastically worse I'll still do it, I don't like any of the bigger cars in budget, have wanted an E46 for ages and it's only me on my own in the car 95% of the time anyway.
Edited by OwenK on Wednesday 8th October 11:53
GreatGranny said:
Have you all tried to get in one yet?
Depending on the age of the kids and the size of the dog the E46 may be a tight squeeze (queue the "I've been camping for 2 weeks in a E46 with 3 kids all in car seats plus a labrador and we didn't even need a roofbox" type posts).
They are not the most spacious cars and if your kids are anything like mine they like to spread out in the car.
I've had a few E46s ( went on hols to Europe with 2 kids in a 3-door this year )Depending on the age of the kids and the size of the dog the E46 may be a tight squeeze (queue the "I've been camping for 2 weeks in a E46 with 3 kids all in car seats plus a labrador and we didn't even need a roofbox" type posts).
They are not the most spacious cars and if your kids are anything like mine they like to spread out in the car.
And I think you will struggle for room with 3 on boosters and a dog.
We manage day trips fine in an R53 Mini as well.
I'd try all sitting in one first before you start a search in earnest - you might find getting at the seat belt buckles down the side of the seats tricky with 3 boosters across the rear, especially the middle one
Edited by s m on Wednesday 8th October 12:26
The unwritten rule I've always used is to budget 10% of the car's original purchase price (when it was brand new) every year as a slosh fund. Although I would echo comments above re having a sit in one or at least seeing one in person, everything might fit inside in theory but I'd imagine sprog #3 might be a bit upset if the only way to get the dog in is to have its snout half a centimetre from the little un's face.
We have a 330i M Sport Touring. My observations:
- It's really not that chuckable.
- It's not very fun to drive.
- The ride is atrocious. So overdamped. I really wish we'd got an SE.
- The boot isn't actually very big. The shock towers are hugely intrusive if you want to put big stuff in.
- If more than 1 of your kids is in a child seat, you'll be scuppered. With one little one (18 months) in his seat in ours, you can't comfortably get another 2 adults in the back. I'd be surprised if you could get 3 child seats in (if they're under 12/whatever weight it is)
- Not much room in the back.
- It's pretty solid mechanically - oil level sensor has gone, and it's done a pair of front lower arms (Circa £200 IIRC) but the rest seems sound.
It's a good car, don't get me wrong, but based on the car we have, the perception that 3 series are some sort of sporty mid sized car is, IMHO, untrue. Maybe it's because ours is a touring with an autobox, I dunno.
FWIW I've driven an E39 530D Sport Touring and it just felt a nicer car. However, that was with a manual box, which I felt was completely unsuited to the engine. Would have faired much better with an auto IMHO.
- It's really not that chuckable.
- It's not very fun to drive.
- The ride is atrocious. So overdamped. I really wish we'd got an SE.
- The boot isn't actually very big. The shock towers are hugely intrusive if you want to put big stuff in.
- If more than 1 of your kids is in a child seat, you'll be scuppered. With one little one (18 months) in his seat in ours, you can't comfortably get another 2 adults in the back. I'd be surprised if you could get 3 child seats in (if they're under 12/whatever weight it is)
- Not much room in the back.
- It's pretty solid mechanically - oil level sensor has gone, and it's done a pair of front lower arms (Circa £200 IIRC) but the rest seems sound.
It's a good car, don't get me wrong, but based on the car we have, the perception that 3 series are some sort of sporty mid sized car is, IMHO, untrue. Maybe it's because ours is a touring with an autobox, I dunno.
FWIW I've driven an E39 530D Sport Touring and it just felt a nicer car. However, that was with a manual box, which I felt was completely unsuited to the engine. Would have faired much better with an auto IMHO.
Think I'll try and get a sit/drive in one sometime soon. It'll surely equal or beat my MG, which isn't sporty or chuckable, is a pain to fit three boosters in back and the dog has to sit on the Mrs' lap. I'd be reluctant to go up a class since I don't like any of the larger cars in budget. I love the design of the facelift E46 and have lusted after one for years, now it seems that one would finally be within reach and fits my needs (in principle at least) hence my eagerness.
10% annual slush fund is an interesting figure (what is that though, 3-4k?!) as is the calculated 130/month average cost, thanks.
10% annual slush fund is an interesting figure (what is that though, 3-4k?!) as is the calculated 130/month average cost, thanks.
I had an early 5sp for four years, bought it @ 12mths old/10k mls, was an SE not an M Sport.
It was a lovely car but not chuckable, boot is woefully small. Our two kids were 3 & 6, our dog only just squeezed in the boot with the pushchair in there & he's only a cocker spaniel! A mate has a 320D Touring, they have one child & are thinking about buying a roofbox to use for camping trips.
The turbo on mine blew at 30k mls, may or may not be related to the DMS remap I had done, I'll never know. It was outside of warranty, after a lengthy converstion with my local dealer BMW agreed to foot £1500 of the £1650 bill for that.
Averaged 40+ MPG, maybe 35 around town. If I was doing big miles & didn't need a lot of space then I'd probably have another one.
It was a lovely car but not chuckable, boot is woefully small. Our two kids were 3 & 6, our dog only just squeezed in the boot with the pushchair in there & he's only a cocker spaniel! A mate has a 320D Touring, they have one child & are thinking about buying a roofbox to use for camping trips.
The turbo on mine blew at 30k mls, may or may not be related to the DMS remap I had done, I'll never know. It was outside of warranty, after a lengthy converstion with my local dealer BMW agreed to foot £1500 of the £1650 bill for that.
Averaged 40+ MPG, maybe 35 around town. If I was doing big miles & didn't need a lot of space then I'd probably have another one.
If getting either e46 or e39 3.0d go for manual as there is a well publicised problems with the autoboxes in that they just eat themselves with no warning. Cost me £2000 for a rebuild on my old e39. At Christmas time too. Just the time of year when you're positively awash with spare cash.
Why not get a ZT-T? If you know the car's already and can just about squeeze your kids in then you know the back is spacious enough... If neither are that much fun to drive (from the above posters comments), unless the SE is better?
I might be biased as I shouldn't have got rid of my ZT
But on a more serious note if it's not throwing up massive bills at you then I'd be inclined stick with what you know 
I might be biased as I shouldn't have got rid of my ZT
But on a more serious note if it's not throwing up massive bills at you then I'd be inclined stick with what you know Motorrad said:
Swirl flaps won't be an issue with a manual as it doesn't have them.
Personally I'd buy a Volvo D5 if I wanted something likely to cost less money to maintain.
I understood that the later higher powered 330d got the swirl flaps on the manuals?Personally I'd buy a Volvo D5 if I wanted something likely to cost less money to maintain.
The issue is not specifically the running cost; that's an unfortunate byproduct of running an older car and is irritating right now because I have no budget for it. I'm hankering after the Beemer because I just want one, not because I expect it will be inherently more reliable.
The MG has clearly overheard my traitorous talk and has decided to lunch the battery (hopefully just the battery and not caused by the alternator) so I'm coming to you live from a rainy industrial estate car park. That's another unexpected £75 bill at least then
This kind of crap is what I want to avoid in future by making sure I have a slush fund - I don't have one for this car.
OwenK said:
I understood that the later higher powered 330d got the swirl flaps on the manuals?
The issue is not specifically the running cost; that's an unfortunate byproduct of running an older car and is irritating right now because I have no budget for it. I'm hankering after the Beemer because I just want one, not because I expect it will be inherently more reliable.
The MG has clearly overheard my traitorous talk and has decided to lunch the battery (hopefully just the battery and not caused by the alternator) so I'm coming to you live from a rainy industrial estate car park. That's another unexpected £75 bill at least then
This kind of crap is what I want to avoid in future by making sure I have a slush fund - I don't have one for this car.
I thought you were buying an older car. To be honest if I was on that tight a budget I'd spend the money fixing and maintaining the MG.The issue is not specifically the running cost; that's an unfortunate byproduct of running an older car and is irritating right now because I have no budget for it. I'm hankering after the Beemer because I just want one, not because I expect it will be inherently more reliable.
The MG has clearly overheard my traitorous talk and has decided to lunch the battery (hopefully just the battery and not caused by the alternator) so I'm coming to you live from a rainy industrial estate car park. That's another unexpected £75 bill at least then
This kind of crap is what I want to avoid in future by making sure I have a slush fund - I don't have one for this car.
OwenK said:
Motorrad said:
Swirl flaps won't be an issue with a manual as it doesn't have them.
Personally I'd buy a Volvo D5 if I wanted something likely to cost less money to maintain.
I understood that the later higher powered 330d got the swirl flaps on the manuals?Personally I'd buy a Volvo D5 if I wanted something likely to cost less money to maintain.
.
It was the earlier manual 330d with 20 less bhp that didn't have them
I can save up a slush fund without too much worry, just feels futile chucking good money after a car I don't really like; assuming the E46 drive feel and interior space isn't all a let down then I won't begrudge keeping it serviced and inspected to be in tip top condition; the MG was bought to get me to work as cheaply as possible. I've already had 40% of the purchase price in unexpected unbudgeted bills. Plus it's going to rapidly become unsuitable as our puppy grows up into a great gangly thing.
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