Advice on buying an E46 328i
Discussion
This is my first foray into this forum from the murky depths of the VAG section 
so hi all, I'm Sam, a 20-year-old Automotive Engineering student the the Midlands, and I have a BMW-shaped hole in my life.
After a long and protracted what-car including everything from a Saab 9-5 to a Lotus Excel, I've arrived at the E46 328i as my next purchase of choice. In case you were wondering why, I drive a '96 2.6 A4 at the moment, and with 148bhp causing me 27mpg, a change is finally needed and these engines seem to offer an outstanding power/economy deal. I'd also get lots of toys and, if I bought right, a sunroof too! Happy days. I want a 328i as my budget cannot stretch to a 330i - I was planning on saving for one long-term but the time is now.
I have a couple of cars in mind, and I hope it's just about safe enough to mention them here without them getting snapped up (I would not go putting them in GG!):
A very nice blue coupe with good mileage and a gorgeous interior
And a red saloon with exactly as gorgeous an interior but leaving me several hundred quid better off.
The criteria have become quite tight in terms of what I want, it needs to be a manual in a colour I like with the sports leather seats, also in a very good interior which probably needs to be exactly the one in those two cars above! Also sunroof, cruise and multifunction 'wheel but most seem to have at least the latter two.
So it's not really a car-hunt - more a question to you experienced fellows of what I should look for when buying, and what experiences you have with your own E46 328is or similar cars! Photos would be nice too
equally, if you have a car for sale that might fit the bill, feel free to PM me.
I'm aware of possible (but rare?) subframe issues, and also that some of these gearboxes seem to like giving you fifth when you were aiming for third. Is that common wear on them? What else should I be looking for?
Thanks in advance!
so hi all, I'm Sam, a 20-year-old Automotive Engineering student the the Midlands, and I have a BMW-shaped hole in my life.After a long and protracted what-car including everything from a Saab 9-5 to a Lotus Excel, I've arrived at the E46 328i as my next purchase of choice. In case you were wondering why, I drive a '96 2.6 A4 at the moment, and with 148bhp causing me 27mpg, a change is finally needed and these engines seem to offer an outstanding power/economy deal. I'd also get lots of toys and, if I bought right, a sunroof too! Happy days. I want a 328i as my budget cannot stretch to a 330i - I was planning on saving for one long-term but the time is now.
I have a couple of cars in mind, and I hope it's just about safe enough to mention them here without them getting snapped up (I would not go putting them in GG!):
A very nice blue coupe with good mileage and a gorgeous interior
And a red saloon with exactly as gorgeous an interior but leaving me several hundred quid better off.
The criteria have become quite tight in terms of what I want, it needs to be a manual in a colour I like with the sports leather seats, also in a very good interior which probably needs to be exactly the one in those two cars above! Also sunroof, cruise and multifunction 'wheel but most seem to have at least the latter two.
So it's not really a car-hunt - more a question to you experienced fellows of what I should look for when buying, and what experiences you have with your own E46 328is or similar cars! Photos would be nice too
equally, if you have a car for sale that might fit the bill, feel free to PM me.I'm aware of possible (but rare?) subframe issues, and also that some of these gearboxes seem to like giving you fifth when you were aiming for third. Is that common wear on them? What else should I be looking for?
Thanks in advance!
Rear subframe problems?
On early E46 (which the 328i is), it was fairly common for the rear subframe to crack/split from the body. BMW were repairing them for free on cars less than 10 years old. But that won't apply to any 328i by now.
Have a read about the problem before looking. BMW modified the rear floor (if I recall correctly) sometime early in 2001 which was meant to solve the problem. Although you still read about a few failing after this build date, its much less common.
If possible, I'd be looking for a car with a late 2001 build date or newer.
But then again, this might be a case of the internet blowing a fairly rare problem out of all proportion (which does sometimes happen!).
ETA - see you've already mentioned this... would still have a good look at this before buying an early E46. The gearbox problem you mention is only really noticeable (on my 330) when the car is cold. Its more an annoyance than a big problem though.
On early E46 (which the 328i is), it was fairly common for the rear subframe to crack/split from the body. BMW were repairing them for free on cars less than 10 years old. But that won't apply to any 328i by now.
Have a read about the problem before looking. BMW modified the rear floor (if I recall correctly) sometime early in 2001 which was meant to solve the problem. Although you still read about a few failing after this build date, its much less common.
If possible, I'd be looking for a car with a late 2001 build date or newer.
But then again, this might be a case of the internet blowing a fairly rare problem out of all proportion (which does sometimes happen!).
ETA - see you've already mentioned this... would still have a good look at this before buying an early E46. The gearbox problem you mention is only really noticeable (on my 330) when the car is cold. Its more an annoyance than a big problem though.
Edited by stevesuk on Wednesday 11th April 10:13
Out of those two I'd definitely go for the red saloon. These cars like to be driven, mileage isn't a worry... I'd rather have a cherished high-miler than a low miler thats been stood around, done just short journeys and been thrashed around.
If you like the saloon I dare say they are more likely to have been owned by the sort of chap you want to be buying a car from!
If you like the saloon I dare say they are more likely to have been owned by the sort of chap you want to be buying a car from!
Wow, more and faster response than I expected, awesome! Thanks guys.
Rust on arches and bonnet I was aware of, brake lines I will definitely try and look at, thanks for that essayer.
I was under the impression it was an internet-expounded problem, but I was wondering if you guys know of it happening recently. My thinking is that it's really a bit like Nikasil now - a huge problem at the time, but if it's made it this far, what are the odds of there being any trouble now? Or is that a dangerous assumption?
Certainly any car I buy goes up on ramps to be thoroughly looked at, but it'd be somewhat late by then to discover a cracked subframe mount! Were there BMW-issued papers for recall work or anything like that? Then the car's history might reveal it was done
Nice to know that that gear selection issue goes away when the car's warmed, I've yet to drive one for long enough for that. The Audi's an obstinate b
h when she's really cold, so I probably won't notice too much!
Surely a blue one with tan interior is a relatively tasteful gentleman, as BMW coupes go?
MrWhale said:
What is your budget? You can pick up 330ci's for around 3k now?
My budget is really £2k, only a little bit flexible. I would like a 330ci but I don't want to overstretch myself to scrape the bottom of the barrel, not when I've got the pick of the crop of 328is. It seems I can get 90% of the car for 50% of the price with these Rust on arches and bonnet I was aware of, brake lines I will definitely try and look at, thanks for that essayer.
stevesuk said:
Rear subframe problems? ...
Thanks for that extra info.I was under the impression it was an internet-expounded problem, but I was wondering if you guys know of it happening recently. My thinking is that it's really a bit like Nikasil now - a huge problem at the time, but if it's made it this far, what are the odds of there being any trouble now? Or is that a dangerous assumption?
Certainly any car I buy goes up on ramps to be thoroughly looked at, but it'd be somewhat late by then to discover a cracked subframe mount! Were there BMW-issued papers for recall work or anything like that? Then the car's history might reveal it was done
Nice to know that that gear selection issue goes away when the car's warmed, I've yet to drive one for long enough for that. The Audi's an obstinate b
h when she's really cold, so I probably won't notice too much!BigTom85 said:
Out of those two I'd definitely go for the red saloon. These cars like to be driven, mileage isn't a worry... I'd rather have a cherished high-miler than a low miler thats been stood around, done just short journeys and been thrashed around.
If you like the saloon I dare say they are more likely to have been owned by the sort of chap you want to be buying a car from!
Condition rather than mileage, without a shadow of a doubt. Since both looked nice, I figured being 40k better off would be a nicer starting point and also that I could really see myself with the coupe, but.. You have an excellent point that I hadn't considered!If you like the saloon I dare say they are more likely to have been owned by the sort of chap you want to be buying a car from!
Surely a blue one with tan interior is a relatively tasteful gentleman, as BMW coupes go?
It's interesting, to me, the saloon looks a little tiny bit too utilitarian but the coupe looks right. I imagine I would soon go off whichever I didn't own, though 
and I guess being 20 (and having an Indian housemate!) skews the opinion somewhat!
The coupes definitely do hold stronger prices, and it must be said that a saloon is far better suited to putting a 320d badge on..
and I guess being 20 (and having an Indian housemate!) skews the opinion somewhat!The coupes definitely do hold stronger prices, and it must be said that a saloon is far better suited to putting a 320d badge on..
McSam said:
Nice to know that that gear selection issue goes away when the car's warmed, I've yet to drive one for long enough for that. The Audi's an obstinate bh when she's really cold, so I probably won't notice too much!
I test drove mine on a warmish winters day (and the dealer had already driven it to fuel it up for me). I collected it on a very cold winters day (-5C) and I was thinking "oh my god, the gearbox is screwed". But now its warmer outside, you barely even notice it from cold.There are a couple of cheap parts you can replace that solve the problem (apparently), but they require the gearbox to be dropped out of the car to fit them. So best left to some time when you're likely to do that I guess.
Regarding the subframe, I found this about the situation in North America:
US website said:
BMW NA estimates that cars produced prior to February 2000 may experience the Sub-Frame Condition at a rate believed by BMW NA to be below 2 percent. For Class Vehicles produced beginning in February of 2000 and after, BMW NA believes the rate of Sub-Frame Conditions is extremely low and BMW believes that it will be below 0.1 percent. Plaintiff and Class Counsel have not adopted BMW NA's estimates or position in this regard
So whether or not BMW are being conservative or not, that's at least 2 in every 100 cars. Quite low odds, but fairly considerable none the less.Its meant to be quite hard to spot the early stages without a thorough inspection.
There was no organised recall in the UK. If you took your car to the dealer with the problem, they would apply to BMW for funding to fix it. I guess BMW might have it logged on their systems if a car had that work carried out?
I think it can be fixed by a specialist for about £500, so its not the end of the World. But on a car you're paying less than £2k for, its a lot of money.
Edited to add: other than the spoiler looking slightly tacky, the coupe you're looking at looks older mainly because of the amber indicator lenses - which of course you can replace with the more modern looking clear items fairly cheaply and easily with a quick visit to eBay or the local breakers yard
Edited by stevesuk on Wednesday 11th April 13:08
BigTom85 said:
Actually, looking at the saloon, isn't the drivers side sill stoved in?
Bigger picture on the dealer's website http://pictures.autotrader.co.uk/ATD_web/servlet/m.... Might just be dirt?Just noticed, saloon appears to have heated seats, but the coupe doesn't seem to have the switches in the right place for that option...
Already sent McSam all of the info on my car, but maybe some of my experiences will be of use to other people reading this
I bought this a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Brilliant car, and easily the best I have ever owned. It does over 40 mpg on a run driving sensibly, performs very well, very comfortable, and a joy to drive.
Suspension work is common on the E46, and mine will probably need the rear bushes doing at some point in the near future. Not causing any play yet, but you an hear a slight rattle driving on horrible Aberdeen roads so I will probably do them in the summer.
Also, the crank case breather valve, or the hoses going to it have a leak on mine, so it occasionally makes a "whining" noise when moving off and at low speeds. A fairly well documented issue, and more of a wear and tear item when you approach 100k according to the owners clubs.
Gear selection - when mine is cold it is totally fine in every gear until you go into 5th for the first time. Once you do that, the gearstick will remain over at the right side when you put it in neutral rather than returning to the centre. Caught me off guard the first time it happened, and makes it easy to confuse 3rd and 5th if you are not paying attention. Goes away once the car is warm and the gearbox is perfectly happy. Apparently to sort this you just need to change the bushes on the gear linkage (£15 for the whole linkage from eBay), and the gearbox out job is to sort out the small amount of play that it can have when in gear. That doesn't really bother me though, so won't be doing that any time soon.
Rust is common - mine has bubbling on all 4 arches (inside the arch, so you can't see it) but I have sealed it so hopefully it won't get any worse.
That is really all this is wrong with mine, I am really happy with it and amazed at the fuel economy.
My mate bought a 1999 328i touring which is also in great nick, but it's tracking was quite badly out so that needed sorted along with 2 front tyres.
Great cars, highly recommended to anyone
I bought this a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Brilliant car, and easily the best I have ever owned. It does over 40 mpg on a run driving sensibly, performs very well, very comfortable, and a joy to drive.
Suspension work is common on the E46, and mine will probably need the rear bushes doing at some point in the near future. Not causing any play yet, but you an hear a slight rattle driving on horrible Aberdeen roads so I will probably do them in the summer.
Also, the crank case breather valve, or the hoses going to it have a leak on mine, so it occasionally makes a "whining" noise when moving off and at low speeds. A fairly well documented issue, and more of a wear and tear item when you approach 100k according to the owners clubs.
Gear selection - when mine is cold it is totally fine in every gear until you go into 5th for the first time. Once you do that, the gearstick will remain over at the right side when you put it in neutral rather than returning to the centre. Caught me off guard the first time it happened, and makes it easy to confuse 3rd and 5th if you are not paying attention. Goes away once the car is warm and the gearbox is perfectly happy. Apparently to sort this you just need to change the bushes on the gear linkage (£15 for the whole linkage from eBay), and the gearbox out job is to sort out the small amount of play that it can have when in gear. That doesn't really bother me though, so won't be doing that any time soon.
Rust is common - mine has bubbling on all 4 arches (inside the arch, so you can't see it) but I have sealed it so hopefully it won't get any worse.
That is really all this is wrong with mine, I am really happy with it and amazed at the fuel economy.
My mate bought a 1999 328i touring which is also in great nick, but it's tracking was quite badly out so that needed sorted along with 2 front tyres.
Great cars, highly recommended to anyone
Thanks again for the info on the gearbox and subframe, Steve - that's a useful bit of digging, and to be honest, I'm quite happy with a 50:1 odds, especially given how long the problem's been present. I should imagine particluarly on the higher-mile saloon (126k) that if it isn't cracked now, it was mended.
Heated seats is an excellent point.. That would please my mum
and you're right, if they're the buttons (which it looks like they are), the blue coupe doesn't have them, just shifts whatever the centre button is over nearer the driver. Hmmmm. The more I look at this red one the more I like it.
I don't actually mind the orange lenses on the blue car, I think it suits that colour quite well, whereas the red one looks better for having the updated ones! Strange but that's the way I think of it.
Thanks again for your ever-valued input, Bork nothing quite like a very happy owner with a similar car history and budget to convince you that you're on the right lines. What you say about the gearbox actually sounds like exactly what I noticed, its neutral position just tended to lurk to the right which made you think third should be above it.
Hmmm. I'm advertising my car today, that red saloon is only 85 miles away.. Time for a phone call, I think
Heated seats is an excellent point.. That would please my mum
and you're right, if they're the buttons (which it looks like they are), the blue coupe doesn't have them, just shifts whatever the centre button is over nearer the driver. Hmmmm. The more I look at this red one the more I like it. I don't actually mind the orange lenses on the blue car, I think it suits that colour quite well, whereas the red one looks better for having the updated ones! Strange but that's the way I think of it.
Thanks again for your ever-valued input, Bork
nothing quite like a very happy owner with a similar car history and budget to convince you that you're on the right lines. What you say about the gearbox actually sounds like exactly what I noticed, its neutral position just tended to lurk to the right which made you think third should be above it.Hmmm. I'm advertising my car today, that red saloon is only 85 miles away.. Time for a phone call, I think
Not tempted by a 528i instead?
I think I'm going to have a nosey at this one if its still around at the weekend.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I think I'm going to have a nosey at this one if its still around at the weekend.
http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Mine has 3 stage heated seats (assume they're all 3 stage?), and they actually work really well - far better than on the previous car I had with heated seats. The sunroof is a nice extra - cars don't tend to have them so much these days, and you forget how nice they are for letting in the light/breeze.
Although you'll probably find the little clips that hold the sun-roof sun-shade in place on its rails have long since snapped off Mine have (sun-shade still works, its just feels like its not attached to anything). That's another another cheap DIY job to fix - buy some replacement clips from BMW, glass out to fit everything. Just haven't got round to it yet.
Oh, another thing to check on the coupe is the rubber trim that fits round the door apertures. The rubber bit itself is usually OK, but it has fixed to it a fabric strip (feels a bit like carpet) that commonly comes detached. Mine is currently stuck with extra-strong double sided tape - which is working OK.
Although you'll probably find the little clips that hold the sun-roof sun-shade in place on its rails have long since snapped off
Mine have (sun-shade still works, its just feels like its not attached to anything). That's another another cheap DIY job to fix - buy some replacement clips from BMW, glass out to fit everything. Just haven't got round to it yet.Oh, another thing to check on the coupe is the rubber trim that fits round the door apertures. The rubber bit itself is usually OK, but it has fixed to it a fabric strip (feels a bit like carpet) that commonly comes detached. Mine is currently stuck with extra-strong double sided tape - which is working OK.
I had seen that grey E46, yes - I kind of disregarded it because I don't like the colour or the flat seats, but it is one I would bear in mind if the other two sell, because it's not that bad and very well priced cheers for that!
E39s, now.. Why'd you go and link such a tempting one! I thought long and hard about this but really, what I want is something that's cheaper to run than the Audi as well as quicker, newer and better-appointed. The 328i will give me a whole heap more performance and economy together, going bigger to an E39 would blunt both of those significantly. They're absolutely fantastic cars - I think I might well run a 530i at some point in my life and have a second car as a toy - but I also want this to be a good car for pressing on or even tracking, so an E46 seems to suit better.
You're a veritable font of information, Steve! I'll keep my eyes on all of those, and it sounds like the heated seats would be handy.
cheers for that!E39s, now.. Why'd you go and link such a tempting one! I thought long and hard about this but really, what I want is something that's cheaper to run than the Audi as well as quicker, newer and better-appointed. The 328i will give me a whole heap more performance and economy together, going bigger to an E39 would blunt both of those significantly. They're absolutely fantastic cars - I think I might well run a 530i at some point in my life and have a second car as a toy - but I also want this to be a good car for pressing on or even tracking, so an E46 seems to suit better.
You're a veritable font of information, Steve! I'll keep my eyes on all of those, and it sounds like the heated seats would be handy.
As has already been said, rusty arches. Clear out all the mud from the rear arches (there will be handfuls of it) and give them a quick coat of waxoyl. While you are doing that you might as well take out the front inner plastic arches and give those a going over too.
That will drastically slow down any further rot.
Brake lines are also a common problem so give those a good look at.
That will drastically slow down any further rot.
Brake lines are also a common problem so give those a good look at.
Well, like I said in the OP, I was considering a 330i. But the budget in purchase price cannot stretch to a good one, especially since there are far more abused examples around, and at 20 insurance is a big factor.
Honestly, I'd be far happier with taking my pick of perfect 328is than scraping around for a ratty 330i and wondering how I was going to keep running it!
Thanks for your further info on the rust/corrosion with these, Joey.
I'm now simply waiting for some interest in the sale of my car before I take the plunge, but the two cars I'm considering are still around
Honestly, I'd be far happier with taking my pick of perfect 328is than scraping around for a ratty 330i and wondering how I was going to keep running it!
Thanks for your further info on the rust/corrosion with these, Joey.
I'm now simply waiting for some interest in the sale of my car before I take the plunge, but the two cars I'm considering are still around
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