e46 Coupe buying tips

[LawAys]

Evening all,

Interested in looking at a certain 330ci Coupe this weekend, its a 2002 with 95k miles..

I've read about checking suspension, bushes, rust round all the arches, and possibly the cooling system... Obviously I'll check how much life is left in the tyres and brakes..

Just wondered if there was any other major points I should check up on, as I know there are some very experienced e46 owners on here!

Many thanks

Car in question is here.

[Sticks.]

Looks very nice. It's worth doing a search, as your question comes up fairly regularly.

I've not long bought one but am not a tech so not much I can offer. I did find tramlining to be more of an issue then the 330d I once had, and I read that tyres, wheel alignment and bushes can influence this. So probably worth looking for a matching set of good quality tyres (which aren't cheap) when you view.

Only other issues were sticky door handles, though I think mine had been inside for some time and dried out; and the cyclone valve filter was just changed to tackle an odd noise when cold, which it didn't fix.

I've read about other issues like rusty wheel arches and loose rear subframes - no experience personally, but worth a search.

Good luck.

[rumple]

youve covered everything, id be replaceing the waterpump at the earliest opertunaty, also look at the radiator, see if its bowing at the bottom, the front arches are prone to rust as the innerliner rubs at the inner wing, looks like mine, saphire black almost the same reg as well.

[tgr]

rain sensitive wiper can fail, as can PDC sensors. see if the aircon condenser has patches of damp on it, if it does it could mean it's holed, which means replacement & regas. take spare wheel out and check boot floor for creases, and rear subframe for tearing away from the chassis