General E46 Underside Inspection Question.

[dr_gn]

Guys,

I've got a car in mind, from a private seller. My question is, what's the best way of getting a good look underneath the car without potentially kiling myself? Are there jacking points on the E46 that would allow both front whhels to be raised so I could get underneath with a torch, likewise at the rear? or woill I have to raise each corner in turn?

Apart from the obvious oil and exhaust leaks, where should I concentrate my attention? I'm particularly concerned about rust.

Is it worth trying to find a local garage who would let me borrow a ramp or pit for a few quid, or will I be OK with a trolley jack?

Thaks in advance.

[cslwannabe]

Brake pipes - not uncommon and cost a small fortune on mine.

[neiljohnson]

Brake pipes corrode badly on the rear inner arches its a lot of work to replace them properly also play in the front wishbones the worst issue is the rear floor cracking near where the diff mounts.

Best to get it on a garage lift if you can.

[dr_gn]

Cheers guys, presumably those items would probably be on an MOT advisory notice on a car with a 4 month old ticket?

[neiljohnson]

dr_gn said:

Cheers guys, presumably those items would probably be on an MOT advisory notice on a car with a 4 month old ticket?

The suspension & brake pipes likly but the floor around the diff is often missed & a very expensive thing to put right properly once its happened.

What engine size are you looking at??

[dr_gn]

neiljohnson said:

dr_gn said:

Cheers guys, presumably those items would probably be on an MOT advisory notice on a car with a 4 month old ticket?

The suspension & brake pipes likly but the floor around the diff is often missed & a very expensive thing to put right properly once its happened.

What engine size are you looking at??

Cheers.

In fact the front sus. bushes and ball joints are already on MOT advisory.

It's a 2001 330i.

[neiljohnson]

dr_gn said:

Cheers.

In fact the front sus. bushes and ball joints are already on MOT advisory.

It's a 2001 330i.

330 is a good engine they are pretty strong so just the normal oil leak head gasket checks, clutchs are quite expensive when they go so check it properly on the test drive.

[dr_gn]

neiljohnson said:

dr_gn said:

Cheers.

In fact the front sus. bushes and ball joints are already on MOT advisory.

It's a 2001 330i.

330 is a good engine they are pretty strong so just the normal oil leak head gasket checks, clutchs are quite expensive when they go so check it properly on the test drive.

Ta, I did notice rear axle leaks on previous 330i's I've looked at too.

[cslwannabe]

Brake pipes were never mentioned on any of my previous MOTs until it failed on the rear brake pipes. Lower ball joints lasted about 60/70k on my car - 1 side failed at 60ish, other side failed 12 months later.