e46 buying tips.
Discussion
The earlier E46s suffered from sub frame cracks, so check the subframe is intact, oem bushes on the car aren't that great so check them. Make sure the car gets upto temperature as the thermostats some times go and also check the coolant level. Check for rust around the wheel arches and check the springs to make sure none are snapped. What sort of wheels come with the cars?
Thanks. I think its m5 style rims. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://uploa...
Do you think it could be a money pit? this is the car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Im trading in a 04 focus. Never had any problems with the focus so really dont want to start having to find money for massive repair bills.
Do you think it could be a money pit? this is the car.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Im trading in a 04 focus. Never had any problems with the focus so really dont want to start having to find money for massive repair bills.
Hi celt those alloys on the bmw are MV2s and are very nice, if there staggerd the rear tyres should be 255 and front 225 so if you want expensive tyres ( i use pirelli p zeros) the 255 are £160 each and 225 £110, but, you can get Falken 452s at around £100ish for the rears and front and are well used by alot of E46 owners 
The car on paper seems good knock him down abit on price but check what i was saying earlier. Make sure all switches and toys work. Take it for a good test drive, start it from Cold! Make sure no smoke is present. If you get the feeling something isn't right Walk away just trust your instinct mate.
The car on paper seems good knock him down abit on price but check what i was saying earlier. Make sure all switches and toys work. Take it for a good test drive, start it from Cold! Make sure no smoke is present. If you get the feeling something isn't right Walk away just trust your instinct mate.
Afraid not. I looked at the one pictured, with the intention of buying. But when I got there it just looked abit shabby. When I turned up the car had just returned from getting an MOT, so didnt see it starting from cold. Which I would want to before I buy. It was missing a mud flap, slight bubbling on the rear arch, bages could do with getting replaced.
Iv heard that bubbling on the arches means that its corroded from the back out and panels could need replaced any truth in this? And it didnt seem particularly happy to go into 5th, had to force it more than 1st to 4th, should I worry about that?
Iv not entirely written off the car I seen but I wasnt as enthusiastic as I would of hoped. Im happy to spend a few hundred getting badges replaced and polishing if the car is mechanicaly sound.
Iv heard that bubbling on the arches means that its corroded from the back out and panels could need replaced any truth in this? And it didnt seem particularly happy to go into 5th, had to force it more than 1st to 4th, should I worry about that?
Iv not entirely written off the car I seen but I wasnt as enthusiastic as I would of hoped. Im happy to spend a few hundred getting badges replaced and polishing if the car is mechanicaly sound.
First I'll say I'm pretty pleased with my 323ci.
Since September I've had a few of the common problems come up, but nothing bankrupting. I had the water pump fail on the motorway which cost me £180 from a BMW specialist to put right.
It also failed its recent MOT on play in the control arm bush, which cost £140 to put right from a local indi.
Other than those its has been a pretty cheap car to run. I put two 16" tyres on it, all be it relativly cheap ones, at about £120 fitted.
I would reccomend finding one that has had a major service recently for peace of mind.
If you want an idea of what to pay; my 1999 67k in pretty good condition cost me £3k.
Since September I've had a few of the common problems come up, but nothing bankrupting. I had the water pump fail on the motorway which cost me £180 from a BMW specialist to put right.
It also failed its recent MOT on play in the control arm bush, which cost £140 to put right from a local indi.
Other than those its has been a pretty cheap car to run. I put two 16" tyres on it, all be it relativly cheap ones, at about £120 fitted.
I would reccomend finding one that has had a major service recently for peace of mind.
If you want an idea of what to pay; my 1999 67k in pretty good condition cost me £3k.
Fun Bus said:
From what you've said it sounds very tired - 110k on one of those can look as well as 55k if kept well.
It's the steering wheel that really did it for me though. It could be that the previous owner just preferred the style of it but I'm a cynical bugger!
Have a look at this:It's the steering wheel that really did it for me though. It could be that the previous owner just preferred the style of it but I'm a cynical bugger!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNLD1indtaw&fea...
Top gears original test of the e46. Not great quality, but it does show the early steering wheel. So it might be innocent afterall
Seen another today. A lot better condition, service history till 88k not on 97k. Only one bubble on front arch, I took it to be rusted.
However the window drivers side didn't move when opening or closing the door. Is this wrong?
Anything else to check? Everything seemed correct when I drove it.
However the window drivers side didn't move when opening or closing the door. Is this wrong?
Anything else to check? Everything seemed correct when I drove it.
Aslong as the window worked i wouldnt be to worried, also just check to see if the key fob feature works. Hold down the unlock button and all your windows should open and hold lock and just your front will shut , not the back. If u want to shut the back and cant be botherd to get in ure car, put your key in the lock and hold it in the unlock position until you backs close
330southampton said:
Aslong as the window worked i wouldnt be to worried, also just check to see if the key fob feature works. Hold down the unlock button and all your windows should open and hold lock and just your front will shut , not the back. If u want to shut the back and cant be botherd to get in ure car, put your key in the lock and hold it in the unlock position until you backs close
You learn some thing new every day! Mine opens the sun roof too. Thats a really stupid design flaw that its doesn't close the back windows though!
It is abit dumb lol, i know a few other things that im sure some people dont know. When you've parked up/stopped and turn you car off if you flash you full beam it'll stay on full beam for 30 secs even when you've got out of you car and locked it. It was just so if you had a drive way you can illuminate your path at night to see where your going
Celt said:
Im struggling to find any that are much bellow 100k miles. Im going to look at another 323 tomorrow. So ideally that will be in slightly better condition. Iv found out the sticky 5th gear isnt a big issue so quite happy with that.
You are looking at 12 year old cars - the 323i was replaced in 2000. They are going to have 100k on them and many are going to be shabby. I wouldnt be too concerned about the mileage, the fact it's 12 years old counteracts any benefit a 'low mileage' one may have given you.Why not go for something a bit newer? The 323i is a pretty poor choice - it drinks like a 328/330, has the same running costs as a 328/330, but doesnt go like a 328/330.
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