E46 330i. Keep or trade?
Discussion
Currently driving an X reg E46 330i sport saloon. It's coming up to 111k and is due a service 2 and MOT next month. Needs 2 rear tyres, front drop links and rear bushes.
I owe 5k on it still (!) but am thinking of trading up to a 530d sport. I was offered a pitiful £1500 trade in today 'as is', and am pondering on whether to spend some cash on it to get it through the MOT and then attempt a private sale, or keeping it another year or so.
I have a friendly neighbour who is a mechanic and will be up for helping get it sorted, as I don't see any point in getting the work done at a garage when the car is 10 yrs old and at this mileage.
What would you do in this situation?
I owe 5k on it still (!) but am thinking of trading up to a 530d sport. I was offered a pitiful £1500 trade in today 'as is', and am pondering on whether to spend some cash on it to get it through the MOT and then attempt a private sale, or keeping it another year or so.
I have a friendly neighbour who is a mechanic and will be up for helping get it sorted, as I don't see any point in getting the work done at a garage when the car is 10 yrs old and at this mileage.
What would you do in this situation?
It's a difficult one mate.
You're probably looking at about £3500 for a private sale, so say it costs you £500 to get it ready to sell, you'll still be £2k down, plus the 4, 5, 6 grand on a 530d.
On the flipside, if you spend that money and keep it - yes you'll owe £5k - but at least you'll know your car is sorted and will see you through another year, and long term another 50k plus miles.
Without knowing the ins and outs of your finances, it's hard to advise you on what to do.
Only you know for sure!
You're probably looking at about £3500 for a private sale, so say it costs you £500 to get it ready to sell, you'll still be £2k down, plus the 4, 5, 6 grand on a 530d.
On the flipside, if you spend that money and keep it - yes you'll owe £5k - but at least you'll know your car is sorted and will see you through another year, and long term another 50k plus miles.
Without knowing the ins and outs of your finances, it's hard to advise you on what to do.
Only you know for sure!
111k is barely run in on that engine , my w reg 318ci has done 116k runs perfectly, for the inspection 2 change oil/filter and air filter, pollen filter, spark plugs and optional fuel filter ,circa £150 all in from ECP, if you do it yourself drop links and bushes are not that expensive either, any self respecting local garage can do those easily, 2 mid range tyres from camskill £80-90 each,with £5k still owing, i know what i would do. 
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
Pablo16v said:
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
If I boot the car in first gear from a junction, up through 4-5k rpm, then I often see a cloud of white smoke left behind me. (Not the tyres!) I also get a 'flat spot' when accelerating through 4000-4500 rpm, and I'm wondering if there is something more to all of this when combined.
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
rich85uk said:
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
Any ideas on this flat spot at around 4-4500rpm?
It is really quite pronounced, and feels like the engine is taking a 'breath' before continuing up the rev range. There's a bit of a metallic tapping sound while it gets through this band, and then normal service is resumed.
Don't think that I spend all day ragging the arse off it, as I don't (particularly since this started happening...), but when I do get to 4k rpm, it happens every time.
(Anyone else get the impression that I'm looking for justification to get a new car?!)
Smallend said:
rich85uk said:
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
Any ideas on this flat spot at around 4-4500rpm?
It is really quite pronounced, and feels like the engine is taking a 'breath' before continuing up the rev range. There's a bit of a metallic tapping sound while it gets through this band, and then normal service is resumed.
Don't think that I spend all day ragging the arse off it, as I don't (particularly since this started happening...), but when I do get to 4k rpm, it happens every time.
(Anyone else get the impression that I'm looking for justification to get a new car?!)
I think high oil consumption on a e46 330i can be related to a blocked/congested oil/crank case breather/ventilation that needs to be replaced.
Many people have done this and reported the 1 litre/1000 miles is reduced significantly.
Worth looking into/looking up.
More details on e46zone.com and e46fanatics
Many people have done this and reported the 1 litre/1000 miles is reduced significantly.
Worth looking into/looking up.
More details on e46zone.com and e46fanatics
Edited by 007singh on Tuesday 12th October 22:31
dave144 said:
Smallend said:
rich85uk said:
Smallend said:
BIG BAVARIAN said:
Put your reg no in the search box, they do rads aswell. http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Ooh, that's handy! Much appreciated.One last bombshell... The engine likes it's oil. As in, it goes through phases of drinking up to a litre every 1000 miles or sometimes even less. Also likes its coolant, which I assume may be a symptom of the rad being blown?
Now, I don't have a problem with topping up the oil, in fact I keep a close eye on the levels, and always have both oil and coolant ready in the boot to top up if necessary, but I assume that I may be living on borrowed time with a possible big bill to come?
Any ideas on this flat spot at around 4-4500rpm?
It is really quite pronounced, and feels like the engine is taking a 'breath' before continuing up the rev range. There's a bit of a metallic tapping sound while it gets through this band, and then normal service is resumed.
Don't think that I spend all day ragging the arse off it, as I don't (particularly since this started happening...), but when I do get to 4k rpm, it happens every time.
(Anyone else get the impression that I'm looking for justification to get a new car?!)
As others have said oil consumption is nothing to worry about.
I'd keep it, you will get miles more life from that.
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