53 plate BMW E46 320D Sport - what to look out for?

[funkyrobot]

My work friend has put a deposit down on this:

http://www.tradecar-centre.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-s...

I said I'd ask the PH masses for some advice on what to look out for. Would it be possible to let me know what do you need to be aware of with these vehicles?

He is aware of the swirl flap issues, but i've found out that they can sometimes suffer from turbo failures too.

Also, does this seem a good price? He did manage to barter it down, apparently.

Thanks all.

[Morba]

turbo, swirl flaps and injectors. fuel pump also iirc, starting to forget the issues with my 330d now!

there are some standard bodywork stuff too, but nothing a little google won't find for you (loads of forum threads / posts out there giving the same info)

As for price, how does it fare against other 320d sports of the same age and mileage? At over £5k i'm guessing its towards the top of the similar cars for sale?

Edited by Morba on Monday 5th March 14:27

[funkyrobot]

Morba said:

turbo, swirl flaps and injectors. fuel pump also iirc, starting to forget the issues with my 330d now!

there are some standard bodywork stuff too, but nothing a little google won't find for you (loads of forum threads / posts out there giving the same info)

Thanks. I've done the Honest John stuff and that seems to cover most things. Just wondered if anyone had owned this model of vehicle and had any tales to tell.

[vescaegg]

Did he get a good amount of money off? Seems quite expensive for year/miles?

[funkyrobot]

vescaegg said:

Did he get a good amount of money off? Seems quite expensive for year/miles?

I did wonder and I did ask him. He said he did, but he won't tell me how much.

Maybe he got £50 off then

[Morba]

Why be scared to say how much he paid for it? Not like it matters unless he is unhappy with what he is paying..

[Goughie]

Subframe (if not already done by BMW) and window regulators are the two I'd also look out for. Regulators in particular have been the real weakspot on my 330d (and the sunfroof cover but n/a in this case).

ETA: E46fanatics.com is a great resource for E46 owners BTW.

[funkyrobot]

Morba said:

Why be scared to say how much he paid for it? Not like it matters unless he is unhappy with what he is paying..

I've no idea. Unless, like you say, he wasn't too happy and he won't tell me.

Incidentally, I did a quick Auto Trader search for 320D's in a similar price range to his (all model types inc SE etc). I found over 140 and most Sports with lower mileage are cheaper. The one he bought has a 6 month warranty on though, so he is happy with this.

He is also getting it serviced himself (don't know why) at his cost instead of letting the garage service it before he buys it. He said that they knocked a bit off the price because of this.

[funkyrobot]

Goughie said:

Subframe (if not already done by BMW) and window regulators are the two I'd also look out for. Regulators in particular have been the real weakspot on my 330d (and the sunfroof cover but n/a in this case).

ETA: E46fanatics.com is a great resource for E46 owners BTW.

Thanks. I'll pass this info on to him.

[funkyrobot]

I told him to look at one of the below (if he must get a car from this garage), but he has already put a deposit down on the 3 series

http://www.tradecar-centre.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-s...

http://www.tradecar-centre.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-5-s...

[motco]

If it's like the 320 Compact then there's a resistor pack in the heater blower, colloquially known as the hedgehog, that fails and flattens the battery overnight. Awkward to swap but is a DIY job.

[funkyrobot]

motco said:

If it's like the 320 Compact then there's a resistor pack in the heater blower, colloquially known as the hedgehog, that fails and flattens the battery overnight. Awkward to swap but is a DIY job.

Ok, thanks Motco.

[funkyrobot]

My friend took delivery of this today.

It has a broken left wing mirror that wobbles when at speed. It has broken flaps inside the dashboard air vents.
It has some fluid leaking from underneath (found this out as I noticed a trail of rainbow-coloured fluid leading up to his car in the work car park.
It has a badly treated interior (black stains all over the leather and bubbled and smashed bits of trim).
It has an oil service indicator light when you start it up. It has a funny burning smell (not clutch or oil/diesel related) when you stop with the engine running.
The car has a filthy exterior (supposed to have had a valet).
Finally, when we opened the cap on the right of the engine that says 'ATF only' on it the fluid inside was jet black, and was brimmed right to the top.
Edited to add - when he opens the drivers seat window, there is a cracking noise as the window goes up and down. He was told that this is a safety catch or something, that's why it's doing it!

Now, I don't know E46's very well, but what do people in the know think of the above?

Thanks.

Edited by funkyrobot on Wednesday 7th March 14:58

[funkyrobot]

Oh yes. Forgot to say that the engine seems quite dirty and it looks like oil has been spraying over some parts.

Oh dear

[Urban Sports]

Sounds like a bargain!

[funkyrobot]

Urban Sports said:

Sounds like a bargain!

When I got in it I thought 'oh dear'! It was listed at over £5K too!

I know i'm no person to judge as my last car was only 3 years old from a main dealer. However, I know when something looks crap!

I wouldn't have been happy paying £2K for it. Actually, I wouldn't have even bought it.

[MattOz]

funkyrobot said:

My friend took delivery of this today.

It has a broken left wing mirror that wobbles when at speed. It has broken flaps inside the dashboard air vents.
It has some fluid leaking from underneath (found this out as I noticed a trail of rainbow-coloured fluid leading up to his car in the work car park.
It has a badly treated interior (black stains all over the leather and bubbled and smashed bits of trim).
It has an oil service indicator light when you start it up. It has a funny burning smell (not clutch or oil/diesel related) when you stop with the engine running.
The car has a filthy exterior (supposed to have had a valet).
Finally, when we opened the cap on the right of the engine that says 'ATF only' on it the fluid inside was jet black, and was brimmed right to the top.
Edited to add - when he opens the drivers seat window, there is a cracking noise as the window goes up and down. He was told that this is a safety catch or something, that's why it's doing it!

Now, I don't know E46's very well, but what do people in the know think of the above?

Thanks.

The fluid is most likely over full ATF fluid. Should be a nice cherry red colour though in the pot. Perhaps needs to be drained and refreshed.

It needs an oil service. Fine. £40 for oil and filter and a 5 minute Youtube search will show him how to reset the indicator.

Burning smell could be ATF blown back on to hot engine. Could be brakes binding? Any corner appear warmer than the others?

The interior would benefit from a steam clean and the leather some treatment, Gliptone kit or similar

Not sure about the window.

Sounds like it needs a damn good clean, service and some general TLC

In the pics, it looks to be well spec'd. Exclusive Nappa leather, Harman Kardon etc. Mileage shouldn't be a problem if the car has been looked after, but I suspect that may be the issue........

Edited by MattOz on Wednesday 7th March 15:14

Edited by MattOz on Wednesday 7th March 15:16

[funkyrobot]

Thanks MattOz.

Sorry if this sounds thick, but why would you have ATF fluid in a manual? Is it just the same cap that is used on both? Or is it just gearbox fluid in general in these cars?

[MattOz]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks MattOz.

Sorry if this sounds thick, but why would you have ATF fluid in a manual? Is it just the same cap that is used on both? Or is it just gearbox fluid in general in these cars?

It's the power steering fluid reservoir.

[pscl227]

Take it back, a 2003 320d should be in showroom condition for that money.