WhiskyDisco's Lockdown E46 316ti

[WhiskyDisco]

After 4 years and 45k miles, we decided to sell the VW Caravelle. It had been a perfect family car, but there was a lot of money tied up in it, and we needed to pay some bills so up it went onto AT. Initially listing it at "fantasy money" we attracted one potential buyer - who went on an hour long test drive before saying he'd buy it at the asking price, and he'd be back in a bit with his brother. Never heard from him again!

Reducing the price to a more realistic level brought more interest and we sold it for a decent price (we lost £11k in depreciation over 4 years).

The problem is, that we were now a 6 person household with just a Mini between us. Lockdown is on, so we don't need a car, but there's a space on the driveway that needs filling...

I had no intention of spending proper money, just "shed money" for now. I also wanted a towbar - as we have a trailer for the tip, and a trailer tent - but I had no intention of buying one myself so the car had to so come with one fitted.

I found this E46 316ti on AT and after a viewing and short test drive I bought it from a local home-based trader for a shade under £1,500. It's sold with a 30 day limited £250 warranty on engine an gearbox so I have some cover if anything needs doing - and on a 17 year old BMW I suspect there will be.


Front bumper looks as thought it's been screwed up a little bit tight...


Basic interior in good shape. The few buttons that there are all work...


Seats in excellent condition...

There are are some small drops of oil in the water when I gave it a clean, and an occasional a whif of burnt oil after driving it. Looking under the bonnet looks like this https://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/threads/2002-e46-31...

I have taken it over to Jo Darby in Portway and I'm awaiting his report...

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Thursday 19th November 13:03

[njw1]

Very nice, that does look a tidy one, my mate had one in bright red a while back (Japan red I think it was) and I thought it went really well for a 1.8, really good fun on a twisty road too.

[WhiskyDisco]

So the leak(s) were coming from:
1. the Vanos Seals
2. the Vac Pump
3. the Oil Fill Housing

Jo Darby have done a great job, and despite the bill coming to half the purchase price of the BMW this will be offset by the money that will be paid out by the limited warranty. While they were working on the engine they replaced the chain tensioner, so that should be another 80k miles trouble free motoring.


An engine...


Clean Vanos and seals...


M Power...(not)

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Thursday 19th November 16:42