Car in good health

[De Sisti]

My 320D Touring SE (52 plate) passed its mot today (no advisories). I had an inspection 1 service, brake fluid change, new wiper blades front and rear, removal and re-attachment of rear spoiler to re-connect rear washer pipe to washer jet, all for £394.
(122,070 miles).

Edited by De Sisti on Tuesday 19th January 16:59

Edited by De Sisti on Tuesday 19th January 17:05

[mmm-five]

Do you have a question, or are you just wanting to use this as a maintenance log?

[StuntmanMike]

Good to hear your E46 is treating you well.

How long have you had it?

[De Sisti]

Bought it from sister in 2012. Just glad it's still going strong.

[g3org3y]

Sounds like it's soldiering on admirably.

[De Sisti]

mmm-five said:

Do you have a question, or are you just wanting to use this as a maintenance log?

I suppose this is an antidote the those who think that forums like this are just full of doom and gloom
and about cars full of problems.

[mmm-five]

De Sisti said:

I suppose this is an antidote the those who think that forums like this are just full of doom and gloom
and about cars full of problems.

...and so weird to see on PH that I thought it was a bot or a spammer

[Don Phil]

Just checked my old 2004 320d SE touring. It has a fresh ticket and is on 243,500 miles. Cracking all-rounder, probably with a very crusty looking nearside front wing by now!

[Pistonheader101]

Good stuff

[thatdude]

Not too shabby of a price - was that dealer, or independant?

Whats the general condition of the car? I know these can get a bit rusty in their advancing years

[bodhi]

Had to check my old 330d SE, looks like it made it to 210k before coming off the road, so not too bad.

It's replacement 125i is still doing well though. MOT last week, needed 2 rear brake pads and a battery, plus had an advisory on the brake pipes, so fairly standard old BMW stuff. It's a 2008 on 154k, and if anything is driving better than it did when I bought it 6 years ago.

[De Sisti]

The car is in good health (as mentioned upthread) but I'm in the process of buying some wheel arch panels to be welded in to cure a problem I have with a bit of rust and bubbling paint. Does anyone have a 'ballpark' figure of how much a job like that would cost?

TIA

[goldieandblackie]

It will be more than that at a decent bodyshop which charge on average including painting at £300 per panel, back street garage could do it cheaper but the rust will return.

[helix402]

De Sisti said:

The car is in good health (as mentioned upthread) but I'm in the process of buying some wheel arch panels to be welded in to cure a problem I have with a bit of rust and bubbling paint. Does anyone have a 'ballpark' figure of how much a job like that would cost?

TIA

At least £600 for a proper job. See my silver 330d thread for what’s involved (includes pictures of wheel arch repair panel fitting). Be aware that if the arches are that bad the rear jacking points may need attention.

[De Sisti]

Thanks Helix, I have enough money put aside for the job. Once it's been done, I'm sure the car will
go on for another 2 - 3 years. It doesn't owe me anything, so giving it a bit of tlc will be a lot cheaper than 2 - 3 years of car payments for a newer vehicle.