What to look for on an early E46 328CI

[stevesuk]

Hi all,

First post, long time reader

Decided its time to buy a second car to compliment our BMW 120D (which is lovely and functional, but well ... a diesel).

Since its going to be a weekend toy/second car, I don't want to spend too much, so I've set a budget of £4k. I very much like the E46 coupe, and my budget will get me a nice early (1999) 328 CI steptronic with leather, cruise and all the toys.

Going to look at one on Saturday, anything I should look for or ask?

Do they have timing chains/belts that need changing? This one has done 110k miles.

Any tips welcome, and looking forward to becoming a proper pistonhead!

Cheers,

Steve.

[stevesuk]

David87M3 said:

never had an e46.... engines are chain driven. I am sure the rear subframe use to crack on e46's remeber reading it maybe a search in the formus may help.

Make sure the aircon works and there's plenty of water in coolant tank.
I was thinking of a 3 series for wife looked at a few and 2 had NO coolant in expantion tank

Dave

I had read about the rear subframe issue. The car is supposed be serviced and given a new MOT before sale. I assume a cracked rear subframe would be an MOT failure?

Will check the coolant.

All the nice ones (with toys and leather) seem to be autos. I'm not that fussed, like driving both.

Thanks,

Steve.

[stevesuk]

Have seen three advertised (only one of which is a 328 now).

At £4.5k, a 1999 328Ci with loads of extras (electric sunroof, cruise, leather etc. etc.). Which is appealing on price, and on insurance (being older and worth less, its cheaper). This was the first one I was looking for. I was planning to have a look tomorrow.

Today, I've seen a 2002 330Ci for just under £6k. Again, loaded with extras but not what I'd call an ideal colour (kind of lime green, sorry if anyone has that colour and I've just offended them!).

The 330Ci is dearer to insure, but I was happy to see the road tax (even after the Government introduce the new fleecing bands) is still a reasonable £215 a year. Insurance is quite a bit higher than the 328Ci though.

Also looked at a 320Ci Auto (2003) up for £5.5k but was shocked to see that it falls in to the more expensive road tax banding (by a single gram of CO2), and will cost over £400 a year to tax once the new bandings kick in properly.

All 3 of these are at proper garages and come with warranty.

My budget started off as "no more than £4k", but now I'm looking at a 330 Ci at £6k... I guess thats what happens when you look for cars

I assume both the 2002 330Ci and the 2003 320Ci I've seen would not have the rear subframe issue? Read a number of horror stories on bmwland about the subframes, and that BMW apparently had an unofficial cut-off date of December 2008 for repairing them for free (although I understand some people have had free repairs approved since then). This has made me a bit worried about buying a <= 2001 car.

Anyway, I'm going to decide tonight which ones to view tomorrow (because they're a fair distance apart).