Buying an 2004 330ci E46 petrol in 2019?
Discussion
I’ve been looking at Petrol 330ci E46’s and was wondering if i should buy one now as they’re getting on a bit!
Please can someone point out the things to look for when buying one (I know about rust).
Also, what mileage do you think is acceptable and how reliable would you say they are? (Petrol remember)
Thanks!
Please can someone point out the things to look for when buying one (I know about rust).
Also, what mileage do you think is acceptable and how reliable would you say they are? (Petrol remember)
Thanks!
I wouldn't worry too much about their age in terms of reliability.
I bought an E46 325ti (Compact) on a 52 plate in 2014 at 80K miles and kept it just over 3 years and 23K miles and loved it. It had the same M54 engine as the E46 330ci, just in 2.5 litre form. My nephew has a 54 plate E46 325i Touring that's done over 100K and he loves his as well. The way they both drove you'd never know they had done that sort of mileage, and the M54 seems to be regarded as one of BMW's most bullet-proof engines. I've seen quite a few for sale with well over £150K on them!
But as it was supposed to be my practical car (
) I replaced it last year with an 06 plate E91 325i Touring on 132K miles that's mostly behaving so far!
Anyway, back to the E46's! They do tend to suffer from crusty/rusty wheel-arches. It's not such a big problem on the front as the wings aren't structural as they are only bolted on - I believe you can even order pattern ones pre-painted! But obviously it's a bigger problem on the rear as it will involve welding.
They also suffer from cooling system issues - radiators bow at the bottom then leak, expansion tanks often split but repairs aren't too expensive if you use an independent specialist. I paid just over £400 for a new radiator & cap, expansion tank, thermostat, temperature sensor (bottom), auxiliary drive belt and new anti-freeze all fitted. I figured I might as well get it all done just once, especially as I'd had it less than 6 months when the radiator started leaking!
Otherwise they just tend to need the same things most cars over 10 years old do - batteries, new brake pipes, suspension bushes, etc.
It's a bonus if you can find with a stack of invoices as you may find some of these things have already been done.
To be honest I'm finding my E91 a bit too refined for my liking, and am seriously considering going back to an E46.
I bought an E46 325ti (Compact) on a 52 plate in 2014 at 80K miles and kept it just over 3 years and 23K miles and loved it. It had the same M54 engine as the E46 330ci, just in 2.5 litre form. My nephew has a 54 plate E46 325i Touring that's done over 100K and he loves his as well. The way they both drove you'd never know they had done that sort of mileage, and the M54 seems to be regarded as one of BMW's most bullet-proof engines. I've seen quite a few for sale with well over £150K on them!
But as it was supposed to be my practical car (
) I replaced it last year with an 06 plate E91 325i Touring on 132K miles that's mostly behaving so far!Anyway, back to the E46's! They do tend to suffer from crusty/rusty wheel-arches. It's not such a big problem on the front as the wings aren't structural as they are only bolted on - I believe you can even order pattern ones pre-painted! But obviously it's a bigger problem on the rear as it will involve welding.
They also suffer from cooling system issues - radiators bow at the bottom then leak, expansion tanks often split but repairs aren't too expensive if you use an independent specialist. I paid just over £400 for a new radiator & cap, expansion tank, thermostat, temperature sensor (bottom), auxiliary drive belt and new anti-freeze all fitted. I figured I might as well get it all done just once, especially as I'd had it less than 6 months when the radiator started leaking!
Otherwise they just tend to need the same things most cars over 10 years old do - batteries, new brake pipes, suspension bushes, etc.
It's a bonus if you can find with a stack of invoices as you may find some of these things have already been done.
To be honest I'm finding my E91 a bit too refined for my liking, and am seriously considering going back to an E46.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Monday 11th March 00:21
I picked up a 55 plate e46 325 ci auto conv msport with fsh 3.5 years ago with only 33k on it, for £6k. Bought it as a daily driver doing about 50 mile round trip a day to save the miles on my 911.
Tax is £250 a year. Off a full tank I get 300 to 325 before light on, or 400 on a long run.
I’ve done another 37k in it since then, and aside from tyres, has had new rear shocks, bushes, alternator, steering pump, all told, approx £1k costs on it since I’ve had it. Still looks great (mine is Monaco blue with beige leather) even at 15 yrs old, even when parked next to the Porsche.
Compared to a new lease, it’s has cost me practically nothing for past 3 years, and the engine is great. Only a 5 speed auto, but the gearing is perfect and it sounds good too. Love it to bits.
Tax is £250 a year. Off a full tank I get 300 to 325 before light on, or 400 on a long run.
I’ve done another 37k in it since then, and aside from tyres, has had new rear shocks, bushes, alternator, steering pump, all told, approx £1k costs on it since I’ve had it. Still looks great (mine is Monaco blue with beige leather) even at 15 yrs old, even when parked next to the Porsche.
Compared to a new lease, it’s has cost me practically nothing for past 3 years, and the engine is great. Only a 5 speed auto, but the gearing is perfect and it sounds good too. Love it to bits.
lovely cars, I have a 330ci 5 speed manual on a 52 plate. As mentioned rust and cooling system, also check for excessive oil consumption and a general smell of oil. The rocker cover gasket tends to break up if it’s original. Part is £50 from BMW and it took my father in law and I about an hour to replace it.
Rear arch rust can be sorted for circa £150 a side so not a huge deal.
Rear arch rust can be sorted for circa £150 a side so not a huge deal.
I had an E46 for a few years and I had to do the following:
Water pump
Thermostat
Expansion tank
Radiator due to bowing
Rear shocks
2 x sets of rear springs
2 x sets of front wishbones / bushes
New rear brake lines due to corrosion (expensive due to fuel tank needing to be dropped)
I escaped any rust issues, but mine was a compact and they don't seem to be as badly affected as the saloons and coupes.
I really liked my car despite it needing to be in the garage so much. The 2.5 sounded really good.
The E46 has aged nicely - the E39 and E46 are two of my favourite shapes. As much as I liked it, the E90 that followed it was a better built car in my view. Not as pretty, but I had far less issues with it.
Water pump
Thermostat
Expansion tank
Radiator due to bowing
Rear shocks
2 x sets of rear springs
2 x sets of front wishbones / bushes
New rear brake lines due to corrosion (expensive due to fuel tank needing to be dropped)
I escaped any rust issues, but mine was a compact and they don't seem to be as badly affected as the saloons and coupes.
I really liked my car despite it needing to be in the garage so much. The 2.5 sounded really good.
The E46 has aged nicely - the E39 and E46 are two of my favourite shapes. As much as I liked it, the E90 that followed it was a better built car in my view. Not as pretty, but I had far less issues with it.
My wife had one a few years back... rear arch rust, expansion tank, suspension bushes, steering pump (twice) along with a few electrical sensors failing were the only issues that I remember.
Sounded great, but always felt like a heavy, lumbering old thing to drive - although my daily at the time was a 968, so YMMV.
Sounded great, but always felt like a heavy, lumbering old thing to drive - although my daily at the time was a 968, so YMMV.
The mrs has had an 04 330ci for 3.5 years, had a couple of usual suspects done (rear brake lines, cooling bits and a coil pack), has over 200k (which I wouldnt have picked but felt better then and now than supposedly fresher example as) so trying to decide if its worth chucking money at to sort the rear wheel arches - owes us nothing but y'know its one big bill from walking away from.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff