BMW 3 Series 2004/5 - anything to watch out for?
Discussion
A family friend has asked me for advice regarding the purchase of a BMW 3 series for their son (as I'm supposed to know about cars). I know next to nothing about BMW!
They are looking at a 318 petrol model and they want me to go with them to look at a couple.
Is there anything in particular we need to look out for? There's only 7 months difference in age between the 2, but one is half the price of the other (the cheaper one has 160,000km, the dearer has 120,000km). Both are private sales.
Grateful for any comments/advice.
They are looking at a 318 petrol model and they want me to go with them to look at a couple.
Is there anything in particular we need to look out for? There's only 7 months difference in age between the 2, but one is half the price of the other (the cheaper one has 160,000km, the dearer has 120,000km). Both are private sales.
Grateful for any comments/advice.
The 318 is generally quite solid, but not very inspiring as the motor is a bit flat for a car of that weight.
The bushes at the rear of the front wishbones wear fast and this allows the wheels to move fore and aft. This makes the steering feel vauge and allows the car to wander and follow contours of the road. It's a cheap fix, but it also wears out the front tyres and can be quite dangerous when the steering angles change when you brake.
Check the structure of the car at the back. The area around the rear subframe mounts crack and rust.
Wheel arches rust badly, unless they are the compact versions that seem to fare better.
Look out for transmission vibes and engine speed vibration - the dual mass flywheel/clutch assemblies often fail at about that sort of mileage.
Old petrol BMWs are not too expensive to maintain so long as you stay clear of the main dealers and at that age, there is no real point taking them to the dealership for maintenance or repair...unless you really enjoy burning money!
Don't pay much - many BMW owners ask a lot for their cars, but the basic petrol 4cylinder BMWs are not worth any more than the equivalent VW Golf or Ford Focus...and the Focus is probably a better car IMO!
The bushes at the rear of the front wishbones wear fast and this allows the wheels to move fore and aft. This makes the steering feel vauge and allows the car to wander and follow contours of the road. It's a cheap fix, but it also wears out the front tyres and can be quite dangerous when the steering angles change when you brake.
Check the structure of the car at the back. The area around the rear subframe mounts crack and rust.
Wheel arches rust badly, unless they are the compact versions that seem to fare better.
Look out for transmission vibes and engine speed vibration - the dual mass flywheel/clutch assemblies often fail at about that sort of mileage.
Old petrol BMWs are not too expensive to maintain so long as you stay clear of the main dealers and at that age, there is no real point taking them to the dealership for maintenance or repair...unless you really enjoy burning money!
Don't pay much - many BMW owners ask a lot for their cars, but the basic petrol 4cylinder BMWs are not worth any more than the equivalent VW Golf or Ford Focus...and the Focus is probably a better car IMO!
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