best place to buy an E46 320d - here or other BMW fora?
Discussion
Autotrader, PH and Ebay. Rarely ever see cars actually sell on the forums - usually overpriced by sentimental owners.
There are no M Sport 320d's until 2005, prior to that this trim level was called 'Sport'.
Personally I think they are pointless cheap cars. If you are buying a 320d you want economy and low running costs. If you want economy and low running costs you don't want a 10 year old BMW. If you dont want economy and low running costs buy a 330i. If that makes sense.
320d's are for people buying company cars or newer ones with a nice warranty, where the saving on fuel is both useful and not gobbled up by replacement turbos or new suspension arms.
There are no M Sport 320d's until 2005, prior to that this trim level was called 'Sport'.
Personally I think they are pointless cheap cars. If you are buying a 320d you want economy and low running costs. If you want economy and low running costs you don't want a 10 year old BMW. If you dont want economy and low running costs buy a 330i. If that makes sense.
320d's are for people buying company cars or newer ones with a nice warranty, where the saving on fuel is both useful and not gobbled up by replacement turbos or new suspension arms.
The 3 litre petrol engine is probably the best one they produce.
Diesels aren't bad so long as the correct oil type is used, and the crankcase breather filter replaced every 3rd Inspection - sooner if non-low SAPS oil has been used.
Price of injectors is 3x that of petrol ones though, but using BG Products 44k or 248 should keep both types in tip top shape.
Diesels aren't bad so long as the correct oil type is used, and the crankcase breather filter replaced every 3rd Inspection - sooner if non-low SAPS oil has been used.
Price of injectors is 3x that of petrol ones though, but using BG Products 44k or 248 should keep both types in tip top shape.
PJ S said:
Price of injectors is 3x that of petrol ones though, but using BG Products 44k or 248 should keep both types in tip top shape.
But critically I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having to replace injectors on an M54. It's very very rare, whereas its quite common on the diesels.Pistonheads, autotrader and ebay. You could try Loot at a pinch or exchange and mart. I've had a quick look and can't find anything that decent for your budget but something should come up if you keep looking. If you would consider a petrol model then that would open up your search and with only driving 10k ish, I would say purchase price, reliability and running costs will probably make a bigger difference to you than averaging 35mpg or 50mpg....
Good luck in your search.
p.s. you are right to set some money aside. I reckon most older beemers on the used market will be due some new tyres.
This looks tidy: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Good luck in your search.
p.s. you are right to set some money aside. I reckon most older beemers on the used market will be due some new tyres.
This looks tidy: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Edited by muthaducka on Monday 19th September 16:11
Edited by muthaducka on Monday 19th September 16:21
muthaducka said:
This looks tidy: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Which bit looks the most tidy to you, the badly colour coded rubbing strips? Or perhaps the specific mention of the scratchs to the paint? Perhaps it's the 3 lady owners that give you the confidence it's a tidy example?Edited by muthaducka on Monday 19th September 16:11
Edited by muthaducka on Monday 19th September 16:21
Fox- said:
Which bit looks the most tidy to you, the badly colour coded rubbing strips? Or perhaps the specific mention of the scratchs to the paint? Perhaps it's the 3 lady owners that give you the confidence it's a tidy example?
I was trying to help this chap find a reasonable looking car in budget. It doesn't have to be that one, it's just interested to see what's out there for his budget. You seem to be pretty happy picking out all the problems with BM's but it sounds like you've had a few yourself like me so they can't all be bad. Have you got anything of value to add. I've got a 116d and 325i at the moment. Last car was a 323i and a 330d so I'm talking from practical experience. OK chaps
IF BMW diesels of that budget (ie E46) have issues, what do you suggest?
Are Audi A4 diesels more reliable (ie less know injector, turbo, front suspension issues).
I would prefer a BMW (hence posting on here) - but just want an 'acceptable', German* economic car that I can use for 10k miles a year, with leather interior.
IF BMW diesels of that budget (ie E46) have issues, what do you suggest?
Are Audi A4 diesels more reliable (ie less know injector, turbo, front suspension issues).
I would prefer a BMW (hence posting on here) - but just want an 'acceptable', German* economic car that I can use for 10k miles a year, with leather interior.
- I say German as I can live with a BMW, Audi or Merc. Will not buy a Volvo, Renault, Citroen, Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Fiat etc.
I really think your budget is just wrong for economical German motoring. Sure, some people manage it but its really pot luck. These are fantastic cars and I wont buy anything else personally but economical isn't really one of the attributes. They are old, reasonably complex and stuff can and will go wrong.
If you want reliable, trouble free motoring with economy and you've got £3k to spend then however much you want an Audi, BMW or Mercedes and not a Ford, Vauxhall or Nissan I think something a tad less German is probably a better fit to your brief.
My BMW is fantastic and I love it, but as with most cars this age it's a small pit into which I often throw large sums of money. A 320d is no different in this regard, the only difference is that you throw a tad less into the pit of petrol consumption and more into the pit of replacement parts.
By contrast I once paid just under £3k for a top of the range Ford Mondeo which in its entire time with me cost me a massive £40 in unscheduled repair costs. Ok, sure, by the time it was finished with it went in the bin but the BMW is an order of magnitude more expensive to keep going.
It is for this reason I simply do not understand the cheap 320d market. As I alluded to above - a 320d is a car people choose becuase they are mindful of the running costs. A perfectly sensible and rational choice - if the car were newer and less troublesome, perhaps.
In buying a £3k BMW, Merc etc you do so knowing that there is no such thing as a free lunch and you'll be paying to keep it going. For us BMW enthusiasts it's absolutely worth every penny because the cars are fantastic but for Mr Economy Minded Motoring, something with a Toyota or Ford badge is simply a better budget car.
I expect I will now get flamed by somebody who once spent £3k on a 330d, covered 500,000 miles and only ever needed to replace 1 tyre or something.
If you want reliable, trouble free motoring with economy and you've got £3k to spend then however much you want an Audi, BMW or Mercedes and not a Ford, Vauxhall or Nissan I think something a tad less German is probably a better fit to your brief.
My BMW is fantastic and I love it, but as with most cars this age it's a small pit into which I often throw large sums of money. A 320d is no different in this regard, the only difference is that you throw a tad less into the pit of petrol consumption and more into the pit of replacement parts.
By contrast I once paid just under £3k for a top of the range Ford Mondeo which in its entire time with me cost me a massive £40 in unscheduled repair costs. Ok, sure, by the time it was finished with it went in the bin but the BMW is an order of magnitude more expensive to keep going.
It is for this reason I simply do not understand the cheap 320d market. As I alluded to above - a 320d is a car people choose becuase they are mindful of the running costs. A perfectly sensible and rational choice - if the car were newer and less troublesome, perhaps.
In buying a £3k BMW, Merc etc you do so knowing that there is no such thing as a free lunch and you'll be paying to keep it going. For us BMW enthusiasts it's absolutely worth every penny because the cars are fantastic but for Mr Economy Minded Motoring, something with a Toyota or Ford badge is simply a better budget car.
I expect I will now get flamed by somebody who once spent £3k on a 330d, covered 500,000 miles and only ever needed to replace 1 tyre or something.
I can certainly understand the desire for a BMW, look around any forum and you will find horror stories about most models as you only generally hear the complaints. If you feel you need a diesel then i would look at the Mercedes or Skoda but look on ebay to give you an idea of what's available in your price range.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cars-/9801/i.html?Manufa...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cars-/9801/i.html?Manufa...
Fox / PJS - agree with that. Here are some 'rough' calculations for the different costs of assumed average fuel consumption for petrol vs diesel at your estimated mileage
£2,086 per year (based on ave 30mpg over 10k pa and £1.36 per litre of petrol)
£1,413 per year (based on ave 45mpg over 10k pa and £1.40 per litre of diesel)
£56.08 per month extra for petrol engine
Say that's £700 per year over 3 years, that's £2100. If you could add that to your budget for the diesel choice up front against a petrol equivalent, that might give you a newer, lower mileage, more reliable motor and widen your choice.
With low mileage like that I've found the reliability and ownerships costs of older Petrol beemers to be pretty good. Not necessarily the sensible choice, but reasonable running costs / reliability and I get to have in my view a prestige car, rwd and nice straight six -can't we pursuade you away from diesel...
£2,086 per year (based on ave 30mpg over 10k pa and £1.36 per litre of petrol)
£1,413 per year (based on ave 45mpg over 10k pa and £1.40 per litre of diesel)
£56.08 per month extra for petrol engine
Say that's £700 per year over 3 years, that's £2100. If you could add that to your budget for the diesel choice up front against a petrol equivalent, that might give you a newer, lower mileage, more reliable motor and widen your choice.
With low mileage like that I've found the reliability and ownerships costs of older Petrol beemers to be pretty good. Not necessarily the sensible choice, but reasonable running costs / reliability and I get to have in my view a prestige car, rwd and nice straight six -can't we pursuade you away from diesel...
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